Des Moines Fire Department Revises License Policy December 31, 2013
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association.Tags: fire alarm systems, fire suppression systems, International Fire Code, National Fire Alarm
add a comment
The City of Des Moines Fire Prevention Bureau issued a policy statement dated November 14, 2013 clarifying its position on various licensing requirements related to fire alarm and fire suppression systems work.
FPB Policy 2013-1 references Section 104.1 of the 2012 International Fire Code (IFC) and is an official interpretation of relevant sections of the IFC, NFPA 72 The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code as well as NFPA 17A Standard on Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishing Systems.
The statement goes on to state that persons performing work on either fire alarm systems or pre-engineered fire suppression systems within the City of Des Moines, must provide a copy of the applicable Iowa State Fire Marshal’s license for the system to be worked upon.
Previous licenses issued by the City of Des Moines Fire Prevention Bureau will no longer be valid.
For information on the licensing requirements of the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office, visit http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/building/alarm/index.shtml.
IEP Technologies Acquires UTC’s Explosion Suppression Businesses July 24, 2013
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: dustexplosions, explosions, Fenwal, fire protection, Fire Systems, life safety, NFPA, Protex Central
add a comment
UTC Climate, Controls and Security announced yesterday, July 23, 2013, that it has sold its Industrial Explosion Protection business to IEP Technologies, LLC of Boston, MA.
IEP Technolgoies, LLC is a new company formed from four leading explosion protection companies in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland. According to their press release, their mission is to offer leading edge explosion protection solutions to their customers worldwide by designing the best protection solutions, manufacturing innovative explosion protection components; providing precise applications engineering; and supporting their systems with responsive sales/service.
The new company was formed in response to UTC’s transformation to divest non-core businesses. The explosion protection business is a niche business which requires customized application engineering; best suited to a single focused company.
Leadership of the new company comes from the four acquired business units. Randy Davis, Chief Executive Officer and President, is a 26 year industry veteran and most recently was General Manager of Global Explosion Protection for United Technologies Fire and Security.
According to a press release from Sentinel Equity Partners, the private equity firm that formed IEP Technologies, Eric D. Bommer, a Sentinel partner said, “We are very excited about IEP Technologies’ growth potential and thrilled to be partnering with its talented management team.” IEP Technologies’ creation came about through a lot of hard work by IEP Technologies’ management, Sentinel’s team, and a large group of dedicated outside advisers to complete a highly complex corporate carve-out, including four separate business units spread across four different countries.”
Protex Central, Inc is an authorized service center for Fenwal IEP Technologies for the states of Iowa and Nebraska.
To learn more about IEP Technologies, click here.
NFPA Considering New Standard for Hybrid, Gas and Fine Water Droplet Systems May 23, 2013
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: clean agent, clean agents, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, fire suppression systems, Fire Systems, FSSA, insurance underwriters, life safety, NFPA, nfpa standards council, Protex Central, water droplet, water mist systems
2 comments
The NFPA Standards Council is considering a proposal by Victaulic for a proposed new standard for Hybrid, gas and fine water droplet systems. The Council is soliciting public comments on the need for the project, information on resources on the subject matter, those interested in participating on a technical committee if established, and experience in the intended application of this technology. The Council is specifically looking for manufacturers that 
are actively developing hybrid droplet systems and whether there are enough common installation practices and procedures available to support a standard, and the intended application for this technology. The Council is also seeking input on whether the subject matter could be covered by an existing technical committee or possibly through the creation of a new document.
I’ve written to NFPA in support of such a standard’s creation. Here’s my pitch:
As a 28 year veteran of the special hazards fire suppression industry and from my vantage point as past president of the Fire Suppression Systems Association, I write in support of a new standard for hybrid, gas and fine water droplet systems.
The innovative technology involved with these hybrid systems is not adequately addressed by any existing NFPA standard whether it be NFPA 13, NFPA 15, NFPA 750 or NFPA 2001. Because of the lack of any clear and definitive standard, these new hybrid systems are at a disadvantage in the marketplace. AHJ’s, insurance underwriters, owners, engineers and other stakeholders are reluctant to embrace these systems because of no nationally recognized standard to which they can look for guidance in the design, installation, testing and maintenance of these systems. Moreover, independent third party testing agencies are prevented from listing such systems without the existence of a nationally recognized standard from an organization such as NFPA.
As an installer of special hazards systems including clean agent and water mist systems, I see a clear need for an independent standard. Too often we see applications that have to settle for a less than optimum solution because there is no national standard to which they can turn for reference and support. This is a disservice to a marketplace that is innovating new products and systems, yet is prevented from the benefits of similar fire suppression innovation because of the lack of a standard.
I encourage NFPA to seriously consider the establishment of a separate standard for hybrid, gas and fine water droplet systems. If need be, I would be willing to consider submitting my qualifications and resume for membership on such a new standard committee. Feel free to contact me if I may be of further assistance to the Standards Council in considering this important request.
The public comment phase is open until May 30, 2013. Persons wishing to submit comments should address them to Amy Cronin, Standards Council Secretary and e-mail to mmanyard@nfpa.org.
Industry To Gather for FSSA 31st Annual Forum February 22, 2013
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, hot aisle cold aisle, NFPA, Protex Central
add a comment
Over 170 industry leaders will gather for the 31st Fire Suppression Systems Association Annual Forum in Bonita Springs, Florida beginning Saturday, February 23rd through Tuesday, February 26, 2013. 
A variety of topics ranging from economic outlooks to environmental impact trends will engage the attendees. Mixed with industry networking opportunities and social events The 31st Annual Forum is shaping up to be another great meeting.
Onward and Upward will blog daily from the meeting site with observations and industry insights. Stay tuned!
To learn more about FSSA, visit www.fssa.net
Happy 47th Birthday, Protex Central! February 1, 2013
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems.Tags: alarm, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, low-voltage, Protex Central, security
add a comment
Protex Central, Inc. marks the start of its 47th year in business today, February 1, 2013.
Through its first 46 years, Protex Central, as a 2012 SAMMY Award Finalist for Installer of the Year, has become a nationally recognized systems integrator in the fire and security market space.
Starting with only himself and a helper, Dennis Mullen, Chairman of the Board, has provided the vision and leadership of this dynamic and reliable enterprise. Operating from three fully-staffed office locations, Protex Central provides a variety of installation, testing and maintenance services across numerous vertical markets.
With second generation firmly in place, Protex Central’s envisioned future is to become the premier systems integrator in its marketplace by continuing to provide premium-level customer experiences. To learn more about Protex Central’s envisioned future click here.
Protex Central Featured In On-Line Article on Mass Notification Systems November 20, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Good Stuff to Share, Mass Notification Systems.Tags: alarm, Change Leadership, fire alarm, Fire Systems, life safety, Mass Notification Systems, NFPA, Protex Central
add a comment
Protex Central, Inc. is featured in the November 20, 2012 on-line edition of Today’s Systems Integrator. The article focuses on Protex Central’s continuing efforts to promote various Emergency Communications Systems (also referred to as Mass Notification Systems – MNS) solutions to it customer base as well as specific vertical markets.
Read the article by clicking here.
To learn more about Protex Central’s Emergency Communication Systems offerings and to download a White Paper on the subject, please click here.
Protex Central Presents to Hawkeye State Fire Safety November 1, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, Iowa Alarm Association.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, iowa state fire marshal, life safety, NFPA, Protex Central
add a comment
Protex Central recently presented to annual meeting of the Hawkeye State Fire Safety Association at the new Fire Department in Ankeny, Iowa. The gathering of over 100 building, fire and code officials from across Iowa featured education sessions on a variety of current topics including the latest 
revisions to the International Building Code and International Fire Code.
Protex Central presented a noontime review of recent changes in agent design concentrations featured in the 2011 edition of NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems. Shawn Mullen, President and Chief Energy Officer at Protex Central, delivered the presentation and fielded questions from the attendees.
For more information about the Hawkeye State Fire Safety Association click here.
Lund Fire Protection Appointed As Waukee Plan Reviewer September 30, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association.Tags: alarm, clean agent, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, Mass Notification Systems, NFPA, Protex Central, security
add a comment
The City of Waukee, Iowa has appointed Lund Fire Protection of Norwalk, Iowa as the third party plan reviewer. According to the official announcement from Cory Pergande, of the Waukee Fire Department, “starting September 24th, 2012 all new construction projects inolving a fire protection system (e.g. fire alarm, Type I hood extinguishing systems, fire pumps, sprinkler, standpipe and clean agent systems) submittals must be submitted to our third party reviewer.”
The announcement further indicates “questions about code interpretations should still be directed to Cory Pergande at the Waukee Fire department for consideration, our third-party reviewer only reviews plans to the extent of the applicable codes and standards and does not approve any alternative designs. Submittal approval, disapproval, and the granting of permits to start work must still be obtained for the City of Waukee.”
In addition to Lund Fire Protection, owner Jonathan Lund, currently serves as President of the Hawkeye State Fire Inspectors Association.
For additional information about this new process, contact Cory Pergrande at the Waukee, Iowa Fire Department or via e-mail at: cpergande@waukee.org.
Popular Clean and Green Demos Set for July 25th and 26th July 18, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, hot aisle cold aisle, life safety, NFPA, Protex Central
add a comment
Protex Central’s popular Clean and Green Fire Suppression Demonstrations dates are set for Wednesday, July 25th in our Urbandale, Iowa offices and Thursday, July 26th in our newly relocated Omaha, Nebraska offices.
If you’ve never experienced a clean agent fire suppression event, here’s your chance.
You can learn more by visiting:
Protex Central Earns A+ BBB Rating July 6, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Good Stuff to Share.Tags: alarm, Change Leadership, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, Protex Central, security
add a comment
Protex Central has earned a Better Business Bureau A+ rating for customer complaint resolution.
According to the recently released BBB report, Protex Central “meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.”
Additionally, the report notes “BBB accreditation does not mean that the business’ products or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB, or that BBB has made a determination as to the business’ product quality or competency in performing services.”
The Better Business Bureau has not recorded a single customer complaint for Protex Central in the last three years. Protex Central has been a member of the BBB since 1999.
In announcing the report, Shawn Mullen, President and Chief Energy Officer, commented that “we are pleased to be recognized by the BBB for our commitment to customer satisfaction. We believe it’s the cornerstone of our core purpose to strengthen our business by protecting yours.”
A copy of the report is available by clicking here.
Onward and Upward 