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
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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
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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.
Popular Clean and Green Demo Dates Announced April 30, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, NFPA, Protex Central
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Protex Central’s popular Clean and Green Fire Suppression Demonstrations dates are set for Tuesday, May 17 in our Papillion, NE location and on Wednesday, May 18 in our Urbandale, IA offices.
If you’ve never experienced a clean agent fire suppression event, here’s your chance.
You can learn more by visiting:
Protex Central, Inc. or see a video clip at: PitchEngine
Des Moines 140 Cast Includes Onward & Upward Blogger April 30, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Good Stuff to Share.add a comment
When I finally decided to get active with all this Web 2.0 stuff, little did I realize how “linked”, “faced”, “tweeted”, “blogged” and “googled” I would become.
And so it is that I’ve been selected to present at the upcoming Des Moines 140 Conference “Exploring the State of Now” on Monday, May 9 at the Stoner Theater of the Des Moines Civic Center at 1:50 p.m. I’ll be one of a cast of characters to talk about our experiences and uses of all these various social and communication mediums.
One of my LinkedIn associates suggested I check-out this upcoming conference and put my hat in the ring. So, I did. Here’s the blurb that I submitted. My headline was “It Sucks To Be Left Behind.”
I’m a relative newbie to this Web 2.0, Social Media gig. But at 50 years of age, I’ll be darned if I’m gonna miss getting with this program. I’ll admit it…I’m just getting started and am not as widely “linked”, “faced” “blogged” or “tweeted” as others, but I can share my beginner’s experiences in a fast paced, clear and concise presentation. I can also share why, from a business perspective, leveraging LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter is a no-brainer.I’m certainly no expert on the technologies, but I am an expert on my experiences.
For more information or to buy tickets for this day-long event, click here to visit the 140 Conference web-site.
Iowa Alarm Assn Meets April 21 at Amana’s Ox Yoke Inn April 20, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association, Security Systems.Tags: alarm, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, Fire Systems, life safety, low-voltage, Protex Central, security
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The regular monthly meeting of the Iowa Alarm Association is set for Thursday, April 21st beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Ox Yoke Inn off of I-80 at Exit 151 for the Amana colonies. 
In addition to regular association business, president Ron Heldt will preside over presentations including:
Ken Samek with an update on the IA Alarm Assn. Trade Show
David Gutfreund with a report on the sub-committee meeting and FESCAB
Shawn Mullen of Protex Central, Inc. presenting on his experiences with Social Networking
Please contact Ron Heldt if you plan to attend.
Iowa Fire Contractors Advisory Board to Meet April 13 April 12, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Security Systems.Tags: alarm, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, NFPA, security
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The Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Fire Extinguishing Contractors’ Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 13, 2011 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Public Safety Building, 215 East 7th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319, 1st Floor Conference Room #125.
Slated for discussion are the following items:
- Update from sub-committee on electrical inspections of fire alarm systems
- What constitutes an alarm system that is being installed to be licensed?
- How will the endorsement of the three year provisional be handled on the alarm program?
- Discussion on continuing education for the fire protection installer and maintenance worker
- Qualifying documentation for renewal in two years for the fire protection installer and maintenance worker
The meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.
Please visit: Advisory Board Home Page for additional information and updates.
Iowa Alarm Association to Tour State-Of-Art Facility March 16, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Security Systems.Tags: alarm, life safety, low-voltage, security
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The March 17 meeting of the Iowa Alarm Association will include a tour of the state-of-the-art police headquarters in Ankeny, Iowa.
This isn’t just a tour, it’s an experience of a modern high tech police facility that incorporates functionality as well as vision. The building is a Frank Lloyd Wright design which incorporates natural materials and sunlight to enhance the working environment. In fact, several psychological studies were used and incorporated into the design of the building including interrogation rooms, stairwells and employee break rooms.
The jail is a “hands-free” environment that minimizes prisoner contact while enhancing safety for prisoner and employee alike. The station hosts its own mini-lab, evidence storage, gun range, training room, fitness room and padded defense strategies room. The building has 69 cameras and a variety of areas with motion activated audio recording. The building incorporated a 20 year growth in both personnel and technology which was most challenging.
The building is 76,000 and cost $15.2 million to construct. The residents of Ankeny voted on the bonding in May 2006 and with the highest approval on a bond in the State of Iowa. Construction began with an 82% approval at the polls.
Members will also hear a presentation by Gary Kuty of Kuty & Associates on “Hire Slow – Fire Fast” Growing your Sales Team.
Members should contact IAA President, Ron Heldt, for meeting details.
Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Containment Issues Presented March 1, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: clean agent, clean agents, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, hot aisle cold aisle, NFPA
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Example of HACS/CACS solution
Challenges created by hot aisle/cold aisle containment systems (HACS/CACS) to effective fire suppression system design were presented at FSSA’s Framing for Success Annual Meeting by Jeffery Kidd of New England Fire Systems.
Kidd presented the variety of HACS/CACS solutions that are being implemented in data centers to deal with increasing heat loads. He cited recent studies that showed average data center operating temperatures rising from an average of 72 degrees before 2004 to 81 degrees in 2008. He also noted that it’s not uncommon for hot aisle temperatures to reach well over 100 degrees.
Proposals are currently being presented to the technical committees of NFPA 75 and NFPA 76 to recognize the challenges posed to fire suppression systems by these HACS/CACS efforts.
Kidd noted several items to consider when designing or modifying a fire suppression system where HACS/CACS systems are used including: detection for high air flows; agent design considerations for higher ambient temperatures and obstacle interference for nozzle placement.
FSSA’s annual meeting concludes on March 1.
Non-fire Related System Releases Discussed February 28, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA
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Non-fire related system releases were discussed during a presentation at FSSA’s Framing for Success Annual Meeting in San Juan. Installers Division chair, Eric Burkland, presented a review of six top reasons for non-fire related system releases.
The top six discussed were: (1) dirty smoke detectors, (2) products of combustion caused by HVAC heating elements, (3) freon leaks, (4) unintentional manual release activation, (5) end-user hazard modifications with no regard on system impact and (6) power surges such as lightning strikes.
HFC-227-ea System Discharge
The top six were a result of a non-scientific survey conducted among FSSA installer members prior to the annual meeting. Burkland also discussed several preventative measures that would help to prevent unwanted system releases.
Those preventative measures included: routine system maintenance by qualified personnel; HVAC maintenance; signage installation; personnel training; installation of surge suppressors and notification of qualified personnel when modifying a hazard area.
FSSA’s Framing for Success annual meeting continues through March 1.
Technical Chair Hubert Highlights Activities February 28, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, NFPA
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FSSA’s technical committee chair, Dan Hubert, presented highlights of the technical committee’s work over the past year during a session yesterday at FSSA’s Framing for Success Annual Meeting.
Hubert provided details on a variety of efforts underway with the committee including major contributions to the NFPA comment cycles for 2001 and 72. He noted that FSSA is represented on over 37 NFPA standards committees.
Additionally, he announced the third in a series of Carbon Dioxide design guides covering total flooding applications. It forms a trilogy of documents with the previously published guides for local application rate-by-volume and local application rate-by-area.
Other topics being worked on are design considerations for data centers with hot aisle/cold aisle arrangements, and a possible white paper discussing Class C design concentration applications.
Hubert unveiled a unique software program developed by the committee that quickly and easily correlates all of the NFPA occupancy standards with all of the NFPA design standards. Free copies of the software will be distributed to all meeting attendees on a jump drive.
FSSA’s annual meeting continues in San Juan through March 1.
