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MORE COMMENT ON NICET
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Ken
Nicet dead? Sure why not? They have pretty much done away with state licenses why not dump the only other measure of skill level we have in this business. That way when I do my next new hire interview, I have nothing to determine the skill set of the person I am interviewing.
My only tool left will be my nose and whether or not this one has alcohol on his breath! Let us all join together in stamping out the injustice this one person has suffered because Nicet did not act fast enough for him. Lets do away with all industry certifications for that matter! My State license took me years to get, lets kill them off too!
P.S. I have a list of other things I would like to close down because they do not respond fast enough;
Home Depot, kmart, all government agencies, Fire Marshalls offices, Comcast,verizon, the power company, most large companies, most if not all manufacturers of fire and life safety products, my doctors office...
ANON in soflo
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Ken
Here is my experience with NICET. A little long, but you have no idea what frustration I have had with them.
First off, the alarm business is the only business I have ever been in. My parents owned an alarm company started in 1944 by my grandfather and great grandfather. My parents found the value in cheap child labor when I was 12… it’s amazing where a naive 12 year old can fit in an attic to pull a wire! I worked with the service and install crews in the summer, spring break, Christmas, etc. year after year, I actually loved the job. Anyway, worked my way up to our service manager over the years, during this time I passed my state tests to get a fire alarm license in Texas, at the time I was the youngest person ever be licensed in the state of Texas, at 18 (some of my testing was passed while I was 17, Texas has no age requirement). The business was sold in 1999. I worked for the company that bought us for about 6 months, management was bad, and this company had purchased 3 businesses in the Dallas area within 2 weeks to create this new company, it was bumpy for all the employees of these 3 companies to be stirred together. I left, worked for another company for almost 4 years as a service tech for fire alarm, this company has a NICET level 4 as the President, a super good guy, with whom I am still friends with (and still do sub contract work from time to time to this day). I went to work at another fire protection company(alarm, sprinkler, extinguisher, etc.) for 2 years and then started my own in 2004. Now back to NICET….
They refuse to give me certification in fire alarm past a level 2, and have refused to give me any certification for my fire sprinkler inspector portion. They claim they can’t understand my “work history”, that I am a” liar and a fraud, and that I have obtained my state licenses illegally”…. These are exact words from the NICET manager, not named here, but his initials are P and S. I have had many arguments over the phone with this individual, he is rude, has no telephone etiquette, and won’t even listen to the answer to a question he asks.
Over the years I have tested, passed and filled out paperwork for fire alarm, and fire sprinkler portions of NICET. I have passed my level 4 in fire alarm, been verified and recommended by multiple Level 3 and 4, NICET CERTIFIED, individuals, as well as had a few AHJ’s say they would write a letter of recommendation at any time. I have passed, been verified, and recommended up to level 2 on fire sprinkler inspection. I have passed tests up to a level 2 in fire sprinkler design and currently moving forward to test as a level 3.
Fortunately, Texas, does not require Certification, only passing test results. This was another point of discussing I had with PS, he argued that I had to be certified and that he would write a letter to the state and have my licenses revoked. He did finally get his info strait, and I still have licenses.
I have written letters to NICET, I have spoken with senior officials and explained my circumstances and credentials. I have paid worthless invoices for them to keep my half suspended licenses from dropping off the radar completely. The response I have had has been, they want me to refill out my work history from the past 20+ years, keep in mind they already claim that they don’t believe what I have already sent them, which was work related to alarm when it pertained to an alarm license, and work for fire sprinkler when it pertained to sprinkler, and pay all fees related to their certification process. Last year I had paid the minimum to keep the “info” alive and was supposed to has some sort of due process involved with this, however, once paid around $200, it was sent back to PS, and he said he wouldn’t do anything until my current bill was paid….. they wanted me to pay another $200 before they could answer my questions? This wasn’t what was conveyed to me.
The bottom line is. I feel there should be a way to elevate individuals in this business, via testing, certification, some peer program, etc. I feel NICET has short comings when it comes to who they allow into their “club”, after all, what they want from me has been answered both over the phone and via letters, but their opinion, is that they don’t want me, all they want is my money and I don’t think someone in Virginia, whom I have never meet should have any say in my career or ability to continue working in my field. I don’t know everything, I have room for improvement, and I learn new things in my business daily. I see numerous NICET “certified” individuals all the time and I know their work and I wonder…..how did THEY get certified????
Jason
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RESPONSE
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We've had a number of articles and comments on Nicet and it hasn't responded to any. Anyone have anything good to say about it?
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DUMMY CAMERAS QUESTION
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Ken
What are the cons or legal issues about dummy surveillance cameras on a condo complex?
Nancy M
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RESPONSE
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You cannot create a false expectation of security. If you do expect to be sued. Putting up dummy cameras is like putting up alarm stickers when there is no alarm system.
Here is article - DUMMY EQUIPMENT - OR SYSTEMS FOR DUMMIES
https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/article/dummy-equipment-or-systems-for-dummies
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liability for using dummy cameras -- see this article: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/article/dummy-camera-case-exculpatory-clause-didnt-help-vermont-case
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QUESTION: TAKE OVERS
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Ken,
Thank you for the emails being in this business for only four years your emails are a wealth of knowledge and I learn from every one.
Anyway, regarding take overs. If we take over an account and do not the test every zone because the client doesn’t want to pay for it and they sign off acknowledging that they “for went the system inspection, and understand the liabilities” are we held liable? Please note that we write that on the Disclaimer notice and are using the “all in one” residential contract.
Thanks again for the advice and knowledge.
anon on request
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ANSWER
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As noted the Disclaimer Notice covers this. If the subscriber doesn't want to pay for the inspection or repair be sure to note that on the contract. If that same subscriber doesn't want to sign the contract then don't walk, run.
You take over a system, you are responsible, but only for your undertaking. If you haven't agreed to repair or keep the system operable then you won't have liability for that. Doesn't mean you won't get sued. Subscribers have very poor memories.