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electricians
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Ken,
    I started my career as an electrical apprentice in the IBEW. Working everyday and going to school at night for the union training was invaluable. I learned how to bend conduit, understand circuits and the basic theory of electricity. The number one point driven into our heads was workmanship and quality. The alarm techs of today don't come close to having any training like the union does, which is unfortunate for the trade. I am not union now and have my issues with it, but the training aspect is irrefutable. A company built on quality work will last much longer than one based on how much reoccurring revenue they can ascertain.
Isaac Hayden, President
Dynamic Security Professionals, Inc.
Florida
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Sorry Ken,
    But our customers would never consider signing your contract.  In the construction field the AIA contract with modifications is the gold standard.  After 40 or so pages of covering everyones asses (except your own) and the like , and picking which state you will have to sue in, and who pays to file first, and who splits the cost of which arbitratition then it comes down to the cold hard fact that if it snows on a Tuesday in July the general contractor does not have to pay you unless he feels like it, but dont forget that clause that you acknowledge you are relying on the credit of the owner and that the general contractor assumes no responsibility………………..etc, etc, etc  (tell that to the union, the irs & your suppliers)
Scott Diamond
Electrical Solutions
Marlboro NJ
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Response
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    Too bad the electricians have to sign those owner/contractor contracts leaving them no rights.  Fortunately alarm companies have Standard Alarm Contract Forms and most of them are smart enough to use them.  How much RMR does an electrician have to sell at the end of a long hard working career?  I'll answer that - none, though I am going to take on the task of trying to educate them.  
    As far as education and training for alarm techs I think we are seeing real change in that area.  Training courses and requirements are becoming the norm.  The industry has come a long way from stringing a wire around the house.  With a little more effort I believe alarm tech training can and will equal or exceed the training an electrician receives.
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Question re code
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Ken,
    I have a question about "classified areas" that was mentioned in a recent post from Mr. Edward Newman. He said in his post that the National Electric Code (NEC) requires that only a Master electrician is able to perform work in a classified area. For reference purposes, can Mr. Newman give us the code section that this requirement falls under in the National Electric Code please?
Bob Worthy CPP, President
Secur Technologies, Inc.
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Response
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    Ed, kindly share this information.  Thanks.
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comments on CO detectors re article on August 14, 2012
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Ken
    I suggest your readers visit www.coexperts.com .  John from new Jersey may be interested in knowing that there are over 50,000 emergency hospital visits per year with CO poisoning related exposures.  Also, it should be noted that even LOWER LEVELS of continuos exposure to C O Gas is proven to be a health risk.  C O Experts www.coexperts.com and George Kerr has much substantiated information on their site.  This entire C O issue has more legs than UL and the manufacturers desire to admit in my opinion.
Keith Fisher
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Ken,
    I don’t understand John from NJ’s comment about CO detection.  Why is he worried about the added regulation about CO detectors. First it’s a great thing to have that protection .  Second, by having a municipality require something that is going to save lives that too is a good thing.  Third, it’s a regulation that doesn’t inhibit our business but helps our business by driving added protection.
    It would be one thing if the regulation was restrictive on an alarm company, but in this case, the regulation is aimed at the consumer and requires them to comply.
    We follow the NFPA 72 code.  If an AHJ requires more protection, some people argue with him saying the code doesn’t require it.  I say “sorry Mr. Customer, but I designed the system to code, but the AHJ wants this, sign here”.  More money for the alarm company, AND better protection in most cases.
Roy Pollack, CPP SET
Director of Compliance
Devcon Security
Hollywood, FL
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comment on getting started in alarm industry - from August 10 2012 article
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Ken –
    Thanks, as always, for this forum and the excellent perspective on the industry that it provides. It happens that you are absolutely correct in regard to the subscriber monitoring agreement being an important part of the licensing puzzle. In many states, and NJ is one of them, if you hold the relationship with the subscriber, even if you never set foot in the state, and you sub out the monitoring, you still must be licensed in NJ. And you are also right that the requirements vary from state to state – NJ happens to be one of the more strict ones in this regard. Thanks again.
PETER M. ROGERS  |  Co-Founder & Senior Advisor
FrontPoint Security
McLean, VA

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