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.
Happy Birthday, Protex Central! January 31, 2011
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
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Protex Central, Inc. marks the start of its 45th year in business on February 1, 2011.
Through its first 44 years, Protex Central has become a recognized systems integrator in the midwest’s fire and security marketplace.
Starting with only himself and a helper, Dennis Mullen 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.
A Pro’s Reaction To A False Alarm January 17, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Good Stuff to Share.Tags: alarm, fire alarm, Fire Systems, life safety
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During a recent overnight stay in the wonderful city of Milwaukee, my son and I were rousted out of bed by the sounding of the fire alarm.
Being the 25-year fire protection systems professional that I am, I immediately began to think of reasons that the alarm was false. No way was I going to get dressed and leave the warmth and comfort of my resting place. With the incessant temporal cadence blaring at or above the requisite dB level, I soon reasoned that I should, as a professional, lead by example and exit the building. And so I did.
On my way out of the stairwell, I encountered the problem – a pulled manual station. Coming towards me was the night manager with reset key in tow. Once reset, he radioed the front desk and the alarm was silenced.
I introduced myself and encouraged him to find the perpetrator and prosecute. He said he already had a very good idea of who it was and that the police had already been summoned. Fire department personnel were pulling up as the alarm was silenced.
Lesson learned for me was that I was glad there wasn’t a fire and that the system worked as it was supposed to. I hope the neaderthals who pulled the station are prosecuted to the fullest extent.
Bottom line: this fire protection professional would rather have an alarm and not need it than to need an alarm and not have it.
Iowa Alarm Association Meets January 20 January 8, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Security Systems.Tags: alarm, fire protection, life safety, low-voltage, security
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The Iowa Alarm Association’s first meeting of the year will take place on January 20, 2011 at Smokey D’s BBQ Restaurant in Des Moines beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Featured speaker for the meeting will be Jonathan Lund, Fire Protection Engineer with the City of Des Moines Fire Prevention Bureau. He will be discussing fire alarm plan review and submittal procedures. Lund has been in the position since joining the department in 2008. He is a graduate in fire protection from Oklahoma State University. He is also president of Lund Fire Protection.
New officers for the coming year were elected at the December meeting and are:
Ron Heldt, President
Bill Howard, Vice President
Matt Sarcone, Secretary
Ken Samek, Treasurer
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 