Iowa Alarm Assn Meeting Is Nov 17th November 14, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association, Security Systems.Tags: alarm, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, life safety, low-voltage, security
add a comment
The Iowa Alarm Association’s next meeting will take place on November 17, 2011 at Smokey D’s BBQ Restaurant just north of I-80/35 off of 2nd Ave. in Des Moines beginning at 6:00 p.m.
President Ron Heldt has announced the following topics to be covered at the meeting:
1. Details on the Cedar Rapids tradeshow scheduled for February 2012
2. IAA election of officers for 2012
Persons and companies involved with security, life safety and low-voltage systems are encouraged and welcome to attend. If possible, please RSVP to Ron Heldt at ADT Security Systems.
FESCAB Meeting Postponed Until Dec. 21, 2011 November 10, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association, Security Systems, Uncategorized.add a comment
The Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office has postponed the regularly scheduled November meeting of the Fire Extinguishing Systems Contractors Advisory Board until December 21, 2011.
For more information, please contact the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office at 515-725-6156.
FESCAB Meeting Postponed Until Nov 16, 2011 October 11, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association, Security Systems, Uncategorized.add a comment
The Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office has postponed the regularly scheduled October meeting of the Fire Extinguishing Systems Contractors Advisory Board until November 16, 2011. The October date conflicts with the Hawkeye State Fire Safety Association’s annual meeting in Ankeny.
For more information, please contact the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office at 515-725-6156.
September 22 Is Next Iowa Alarm Assn Meeting September 20, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association, Security Systems.Tags: alarm, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, life safety, low-voltage, security
add a comment
The Iowa Alarm Association’s next meeting will take place on September 22, 2011 at Smokey D’s BBQ Restaurant in just north of I-80/35 off of 2nd Ave. in Des Moines beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Captain Dave Murrilow of the Des Moines Police Department will provide a special presentation.
Other topics to be discussed at the meeting include:
1. Details on the Cedar Rapids tradeshow scheduled for early 2012
2. ISFM Alarm Contractor’s Advisory Board Update
3. Much more…
Persons and companies involved with security, life safety and low-voltage systems are encouraged and welcome to attend. If possible, please RSVP to Ron Heldt at ADT Security Systems.
NFPA 750 and Water Mist Focus of Seminar August 18, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems.Tags: clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, NFPA, Protex Central, wind turbines
add a comment
Protex Central and Victaulic will present New Trends in NFPA 750 Water Mist Fire Protection Systems on September 13, 2011 at the new FFA Enrichment Center on the campus of Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa.
Seminar explores NFPA 750 and associated technologies
The two hour seminar will focus on NFPA’s standard on water mist fire protection systems (NFPA 750) as well as different water mist technologies including Vicatulic’s hybrid system: VORTEX.
VORTEX is a unique fire suppression system that provides a homogenous mixture of nitrogen and water to create a highly effective suppression capability. VORTEX systems feature several important factors including:
- environmental sustainability
- near zero wetting
- no clean-up or downtime
- safe for occupied spaces
Common applications for VORTEX technology include: industrial applications; electrical generator enclosures even data centers.
A complimentary box lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Reserve a seat by contacting Shari Mullen at (515) 252-9932 or via e-mail at: shari.mullen@protexcentral.net.
PROTEX CENTRAL RECOGNIZED IN 2011’s TOP 100 SYSTEMS INTEGRATORS LIST July 15, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Good Stuff to Share, Iowa Alarm Association, Security Systems.Tags: alarm, Change Leadership, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, Protex Central, security
add a comment
SDM Magazine has announced Protex Central, Inc. as one of the top 100 systems integrators in the county. The recognition is revealed in SDM Magazine’s July 2011 edition of the 16th Annual Systems Integrators Report. Protex Central ranks #76th in the current listing.
According to SDM “this exclusive report ranks, by revenue exclusive of reoccurring monthly revenue, the largest firms that contract electronic security projects for commercial, industrial, institutional, government, and other non-residential markets.”
Shawn Mullen, President and Chief Energy Officer of Protex Central, Inc. stated “we’re delighted to be considered as one of the country’s top 100 systems integrators. As this is our third consecutive year in the Top 100, our continued presence in the rankings is recognition of our commitment to our core values of ethics, professionalism, and excellence. Our customers are the real winners as they’re the ones who have entrusted their safety and security needs to us. In so doing they’ve allowed us to grow and expand.”
Mullen continued, “This recognition continues to bolster our envisioned future of becoming the premiere systems integrator in our market area. This is something that we’re committed to at Protex Central because we know our core value is to strengthen our business by protecting yours.”
Protex Central, Inc. is a family-owned systems integrator specializing in fire and security related systems and services. With offices in Urbandale, Iowa and Nebraska locations in Omaha, Hastings and Scottsbluff, Protex Central provides layout, installation, testing and maintenance services throughout upper Midwest.
Cooper Demonstrates Mobile Speaker Array with Protex Central June 27, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Mass Notification Systems.Tags: alarm, fire alarm, Fire Systems, life safety, Mass Notification Systems, Protex Central
add a comment
Protex Central recently completed certification as an authorized Cooper Mass Notification Systems (MNS) Layered Solutions provider.
Full-scale live demonstrations on the campus of Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and Protex’s offices in Urbandale, Iowa featured Cooper’s Mobile Speaker Array (MSA) unit.
While at Creighton the Mobile Speaker Array was connected to Cooper’s WAVES Base Station via digital, Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology @2.4GHz. The distance between the Base Station and the MSA was approximately one-half mile. The Urbandale demo included a set-up and live announcement demonstration test from the MSA’s on-board control station.
Both demonstrations featured crisp and clear voice instructions with little if any distortion or reverberation from surrounding buildings.
Cooper’s Mass Notification Systems Layered Solutions are flexible and modular for any number of applications including temporary events. Outdoor speaker arrays are just one part of an overall mass notification system. One good term that is used is “A system of systems.” There are consideration for interior MNS as well as alerting via text messages, cell phones, e-mail and even satellite radio.
This entire area is just in its infancy. It will be interesting to see the changing dynamics of people’s expectations as to how they want and expect to be notified of emergency and critical situations.
Presentation Holds Attention of 140 Character Conference June 21, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Good Stuff to Share.Tags: alarm, Change Leadership, clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, Dr. Tom Hanson, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, Protex Central
10 comments
A recent presentation at the Des Moines 140 Character Conference featuring NOVEC 1230 Fire Protection Fluid held the attention of roughly 150 persons in attendance. The conference was held this past May at the Stoner Theater in the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. It was simultaneously broadcast over the internet. This is a clip of my presentation entitled: It Sucks To Be Left Behind.
The 140 Character Conferences seek to highlight the use of social media in a variety of ways. I took the wild chance of submitting an application about how I’m trying to position myself (and my company, Protex Central) as the “go-to” solutions provider. I’ve had several inquiries on the agent and much disbelief that it’s not water. It’s not magic – it’s just technology at it’s best.
Telecommunications Companies Seek Exemption from Iowa’s RME Law June 17, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association, Security Systems.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, security
add a comment
The Iowa House recently passed and sent to the Iowa Senate H.F. 697 in an effort to break the stalemate over Iowa’s budget for the coming fiscal year that starts July 1st. It is not clear how the Senate will resolve the many issues contained within the 588-page omnibus bill. What is clear is an attempt by telecommunications companies to skirt Iowa’s fire extinguishing & alarm systems contractors and installers licensing law (Chapter 100C). To see the bill click here.
Buried within the legislation are provisions (sections 670 – 671) that allow telecommunications companies to contract with a qualified individual to fulfill the duties of a responsible managing employee (RME). Iowa law requires companies who offer fire extinguishing and/or alarm system services to be certified by the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office and employ (not contract with) a qualified individual to be responsible for the management of the services provided. Interestingly enough is Iowa’s ban on any qualified individual serving as a responsible managing employee for more than one employer.
It appears that this provision if allowed to pass with the rest of the legislation would give telecommunications companies an unfair advantage over certified contractors who must employ RMEs – not contract out their services. Moreover, the safety and security of Iowa’s citizens may be undermined. No assurance is provided that the contracted RME even resides within the state or is readily available to directly supervise the layout, installation or maintenance of fire and security related systems.
As one who is active in the industry and serves on the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Advisory Board, I can’t support this provision to weaken laws designed to protect and secure Iowans.
Iowa Alarm Association Meets May 19 May 18, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Security Systems.Tags: alarm, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, life safety, low-voltage, security
add a comment
The Iowa Alarm Association’s next meeting will take place on May 19, 2011 at Smokey D’s BBQ Restaurant in just north of I-80/35 off of 2nd Ave. in Des Moines beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Topics to be discussed at the meeting include:
1. Continued discussion on the Cedar Rapids tradeshow scheduled for early 2012
2. Preview of the association website
3. Discussion of future guest speakers
4. Much more…
Persons and companies involved with security, life safety and low-voltage systems are encouraged and welcome to attend. If possible, please RSVP to Ron Heldt at ADT Security Systems.
Onward and Upward 