December 31, 2011

 

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Licensing comment / question

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Ken

I believe the intent of the Florida law, similar to New York, is that every entity must hold a license. This means, if you are 1099'ed, you are your own entity and must hold your own license.

Ed Newman

Universal Security Systems

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Hi Ken,

I have a question regarding hiring subs to pull wire for rough in alarm work. How do I get them certified with NYS? Do I certify each employee, or the company?

Stephen

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Answer

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There is the rationale for the state licensing agency keeping track of your employees. If the state licensing law prohibits you from employing convicted felons. By registering the employees the agency will be able to alert you both before and after you hire an employee that the employee is not permitted to be employed by you.

In New York a licensed alarm company is required to "document" its employees, which means finger printing and sending the licensing agency an Employee Statement. That's how the agency checks for new hires and also let's employers know that existing employees have been convicted of a felony and are not longer eligible to be employed in the alarm industry [in New York]. You can't circumvent the law by hiring sub contractors who are not licensed or who employ undocumented employees.

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Business advice

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Ken,

Great forum for the industry... While teaching the NTS classes, I stress that having a successful alarm business is like having a three legged stool....will stand on it's own...The first leg is a good business structure, like a Sub-S corporation, not LLC or even worse, sole prop..... you need that corporate structure to protect your personal assets.... Second leg, is good contracts (like Mr. KK sells, one's which contain all the needed clauses, such as Exculpatory, Limit of Liability, Santa (just kidding) ... contracts can and will protect your business... and Finally, insurance, because when you get sued (and if you are in this business long enough, you will be) you need someone to hire a good defense (like KK)... so you need all three legs of that stool...take one away and the stool (your business) will fall over...

Joseph Hayes, CPP, PSP, SET

New York

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Response

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Don't forget to include complying with licensing requirements.

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ASAP-PSAP conflict with legislation

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Ken:

RE: ASAP-PSAP conflict with legislation;

The Newsletter does a great job of displaying the fragmentation and diversity of the traditional alarm industry, all of which helps to connect-the-dots for anyone trying to research the industry. For example a recent Newsletter and trade journal articles reference the new technology and operating procedure known as ASAP to PSAP ("..this will allow central stations to send dispatch requests to the agencies electronically...."). An outsider investor recently asked if it conflicts with the the legislation on the books of just about every municipality everywhere that specifically outlaws the automatic/electronic dialer for emergency requests.

Ken, can you comment?

Thanks again;

Lee Jones, Support Services Group

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Response

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Lee you lost me on this one. But, I don't think that central station electronic dispatch is the same as the old dialer. The old dialer was entirely automatic and I assume that central station dispatch requires intervention by an operator. If I'm wrong perhaps someone can offer a better response.

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Rj31 jack tid bits

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How about the first interface for alarm panels from Bell, the KS-20445-L1. It actually was an answering machine interface. This worked on 18 vdc and would interface with the Westinghouse 651 series. However, we recommend using the RJ38X jack which is the same as the RJ31X except if the jack is disconnected it will alert the alarm user that a zone is open. We usually put that as a zone, panel & telco tamper. You only have to put a jumper across the blue and orange and series that in with a zone.

I've been in the alarm industry since 1971 and learn something new almost every day.

John Elmore

Security By Elmore Inc