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.
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
add a comment
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
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
add a comment
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
add a comment
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.
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
1 comment so far
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
add a comment
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
2 comments
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.
Onward and Upward 