Protex Central Launches New Website May 5, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, Good Stuff to Share.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, Dealer of the Year, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, life safety, Mass Notification Systems, nurse call systems, Protex Central, SAMMY Awards, security
add a comment
Protex Central, Inc., a SDM Top 100 Systems Integrator and SAMMY award finalist announces the launch of its new redesigned website at www.protexcentral.com.
Working closely with John Hardy of Hardy Communications and David Sutter of the ICreative Group, Protex Central has re-branded its on-line presence with a bold and informative web design. Drawing on the collective web crafting experience of the Hardy/ICreative team, Protex Central’s new site is becoming a destination site for industries and individuals to learn about the solutions-based approach that Protex Central offers to the marketplace.
Featuring industry segmentation pages and solution highlights as well as Protex Central’s new re-branded logo, www.protexcentral.com seeks to educate and inform users on the unique benefits that Protex Central offers.
Shawn Mullen, President and Chief Energy Officer at Protex Central commented, “we’re very pleased with the overall direction of our new website and the re-branding of our corporate image. We’ll leverage our web presence with a renewed focus on solutions-oriented offerings to move us to the next level and beyond.”
Protex Central Named Sammy Installer Award Finalist March 10, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, Good Stuff to Share, Iowa Alarm Association, Mass Notification Systems, PSA, Security Systems.Tags: alarm, Change Leadership, Dealer of the Year, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, ISC West, life safety, Protex Central, SAMMY Awards, security
add a comment
Protex Central, Inc. has been named a 17th annual SAMMY (Sales and Marketing) Award finalist for Installer Of The Year in the small to midsize company category by Security Sales and Integration magazine. The SAMMY Awards is the industry’s only program of its kind to recognize and honor installing security dealers and integrators for their marketing, business, installation and overall excellence.
Shawn Mullen, President & Chief Energy Officer of Protex Central, noted, “We’re thrilled to be honored with this nomination. Our team is focused on the next level of professionalism and excellence for our customers’ benefit. Our envisioned future includes measuring ourselves against key industry standards. This nomination is validation of our vision.”
Security Sales and Integration will announce the winners at an open awards ceremony in Las Vegas on March 27 — the eve of opening day at ISC West. ISC West is one of the premier security and systems integration industry gatherings. The event will be held at 4:30 p.m. in the Casanova Conference Room 502 at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. All are encouraged to attend.
Mullen will attend the ceremony along with other Protex Central management representatives including, Chairman of the Board, Dennis Mullen; Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Brad Reiber; and Sr. Vice President – Operations, Scott Miner.
Industry Gathers for FSSA 30th Annual Forum February 28, 2012
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 150 industry leaders have gathered for the 30th Fire Suppression Systems Association Annual Forum in Rancho Mirage, CA.
A variety of topics ranging from economic outlooks to water mist fire suppression have engaged the attendees. The hot topic of fire protection challenges associated with hot aisle/cold aisle containment systems was reviewed by Steve Carter of Orr Protection Systems. It’s clear from the discussion generated that this topic continues to be one that FSSA is leading the way on.
Steven Turner with Turner Time Management demonstrated the myriad ways of improving productivity with tips and shortcuts available for smartphones and laptops.
Factory Mutual engineering specialist, Matt Daelhouse, provided an overview of water mist fire suppression systems from Factory Mutual’s perspective. He provided details on the various types of water mist suppression systems that FM Global tests as well as the testing methods employed. He further explained the future testing that take place for other types of hazards to be protected with water mist.
The 30th Annual Forum concludes today with morning sessions devoted to topics of interest for the two divisions represented in the association: Installers and Manufacturers.
To learn more about FSSA, visit www.fssa.net
FSSA Prepares to Celebrate 30th Annual Meeting February 25, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, Uncategorized.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, hot aisle cold aisle, NFPA
add a comment
The Fire Suppression Systems Association is set to celebrate 30 years of fire protection excellence beginning tonight at the opening reception at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Rancho Mirage, CA.
Over 150 attendees will gather to renew friendships, share industry experiences and learn about new activities and initiatives being undertaken by the FSSA.
The in addition to numerous committee reporting sessions, this three day annual meeting features several seminars including:
- Keynote Speaker: economist Alan Beaulieu
- Technical Session: Fire Protection Challenges with Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Containment in Data Centers
- Educational Session: Liability for the NICET Designer
- Educational Session: Maximizing Your Productivity & Efficiency When You’re On the Road
Industry leaders William Eckholm, President and CEO of Firetrace International, and Roger Bourgeois, Founder and President of Bourgeois & Associates, Inc., will be presented with FSSA’s Leadership Award during the President’s Banquet on Monday evening, February 27th.
The FSSA Leadership Award is presented annually to honor individuals in the special hazards fire protection industry that have shown great leadership and responsibility in their professional and personal lives. When choosing a recipient, the FSSA Awards Committee takes into consideration a variety of attributes including dedication to and longevity in the industry, integrity and fairness in their work, and a desire for innovation and change to improve the industry.
To learn more visit: www.fssa.net.
The 30th Annual Meeting concludes on Tuesday, February 28th.
Open Letter to Iowa House Commerce Commitee February 18, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association, Uncategorized.Tags: alarm, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, iowa state fire marshal, nurse call systems, Protex Central, surety bond requirement
add a comment
The following letter was sent to the Iowa House of Representatives Commerce Committee in opposition to HB 2035.
Representative Sodeberg and sub-committee members:
Please know that I, as a registered Iowa contractor and an Iowa State Fire Marshal certified contractor for fire alarm, fire suppression, security and nurse call systems, am opposed to HF 2035 requiring contractors such as myself to post a surety bond.
Requiring a surety bond is unnecessary and, frankly, another attempt for government to interfere with private agreements between contractors and owners. In fact, many owners both public and private already require surety bonds to be posted as a part of the contract.
Iowa State Fire Marshal certified contractors must currently submit an acceptable certificate of insurance along with other industry related credentials to qualify for a contractor’s certification. The surety bond provides absolutely no additional benefit to the citizens of Iowa that the contractor is more qualified and capable of performing his or her work.
Such a requirement further penalizes the fire systems contractor by requiring yet another expense to be met with no benefit to either the contractor or the public.
I have served the citizens of Iowa as an industry representative to the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Fire System Contractors Advisory Board for six years now. I am very familiar with the current regulations imposed by law on such contractors as I have been part of the process from the beginning. This surety bond requirement is unnecessary and bad public policy.
I encourage you to not allow this bill to come before your full committee for a vote.
Sub-committee members and their respective e-mail addresses are:
Representative Chuck Soderberg (committee chair): chuck.soderberg@legis.state.ia.us
Representative Jeff Smith: Jeff.Smith@legis.state.ia.us
Representative Chip Baltimore: Chip.Baltimore@legis.state.ia.us
Representative Brian Quirk: brian.quirk@legis.state.ia.us
SDM Magazine Features Protex Central and Technician Travis Brandt December 23, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, Iowa Alarm Association.Tags: alarm, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, NFPA, Protex Central
add a comment
Protex Central and its Des Moines based technician, Travis Brandt, are featured in the December 2011 issue of Security Distribution and Marketing.
Protex technician Travis Brandt tests a customer's fire alarm and sprinkler monitoring system.
“Fire Sprinkler Monitoring: Know the Code” is an article by Linda Pohle highlighting the opportunities to monitoring fire sprinkler systems in buildings.
The article features several comments from Protex Central’s President and Chief Energy Officer, Shawn Mullen, as well as a photograph of Travis Brandt, a Protex Central technician based in its Des Moines, Iowa office.
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.
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.
Onward and Upward 