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correction re yesterday's article on use of the contract for security:
for commercial security work, without fire, the appropriate contract is the Commercial All in One.

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MORE COMMENTS ON NFPA SINGLE PATH TRANSMISSION (FROM JANUARY 7, 2016)
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Ken,
    Not mentioned is that any ethernet switch and router the the ip/cell device is using needs to have 24 hours of backup power.  We normally plug in the DMP iComSLF dial capture to ip converter direct to the customer’s DSL router. The routers are normally 12 VDC and a UL power supply as Altronix AL176UL  with two 12vdc 14 amp/hr batteries works nicely.
    Also 24 hours of backup power is needed for the cell communicator or phone line capture to ip device and can be powered by the fire alarm panel or by a separate power supply. 
If using the aux power of the fire alarm panel then it’s necessary to determine if the existing backup batteries are of sufficient capacity to supply backup power of 24 hours with the added cell/ip device.
Only 4 hours of back up power is required if the circuit to power supply is from a building generator. 
    DMP has just come out with a UL approved ip communicator that connects to the phone line outputs of the fire panel and it emulates a central station receiver with handshake, signal reception and kiss off. The iComSLF works well and can be powered by the fire alarm panel but remember to add back up power to the router and any ethernet switches the iComSLF  is connected too.
Best regards,
Jim Sievers
Sievers Security
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Ken,
    I see the NFPA is finally giving their blessing to using GSM Fire Radios as a single communication path.  I haven't read the regs yet, but here is the rub.  When VoIP became king, and it was determined that it was not a reliable communication path, something had to be done.
    What did the NFPA do?  When FiOS started being installed, they accommodated Verizon and changed the rules for battery standby time.  How many guys out there spent hours and hours doing battery calculations, so the standby time of the batteries would be enough to power the system for 24 hours and then ring the horn/strobes for 5 minutes.  Since you only get maybe 8 hours standby time on the Verizon battery, they quickly capitulated.  Funny how they can wield so much power with our industry, but immediately bend over when Verizon decreed it.
    So here is my question:  Now that they have given their blessing for single path GSM radios for commercial fire applications, I wonder if they will change the code back to 24+ hours?  It makes me wonder who has their hand up the back of the NFPA.  Certainly Verizon is one of the puppeteers.
As always,
John from NJ
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COMMENT ON LEGAL SERVICES [THANKS TO THOSE RESPONDING]
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Ken
    I want to say for myself, I have learned more from your forum than any other source.  I completely appreciate this valuable FREE advice you have been offering for years.  I realize you provide this, and your hope is everyone will purchase your contracts.  I for one will purchase your contracts because you do freely give the entire alarm industry an asset.
Thank You, and keep up the good work.
DN
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Ken
    Too bad there are abusers of a good thing and absolute users of others. Keep doing what you do for those that appreciate your industry work.
Joel
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Ken,
    I wanted to say thanks for all you do. I have been in this industry since 1986 (1988 on my own) and my only regret is that I did not find you sooner. I am very impressed with the contracts I purchased form you firm last summer. I am steadily getting all my clients to sign them so I can be more up to date and better protected. In the security industry we protect our customers and, its nice to know there is someone in this industry that protects us. I hope to meet you in person some day either at the ISC west show in Vegas or maybe the next Christmas party.
    Thanks for all you do!
Sincerely,
RB
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Ken
    I'm sorry to hear that you have to go to these lengths in our industry since you have provided "invaluable" services to all of us ......I certainly can attest to the fact that you represented us in a transaction last year to purchase a company and you sent us an invoice and we paid it !  "promptly " the rest of you companies out there just hurt our industry and I resent it. ----as past president of the burglar and fire alarm association of Michigan I'm embarrassed ....please take this opinion to heart ----we should all help each other as much as possible ---especially with the foes out there trying to beat us up ---remember we all have to be right 100% of the time!  that sure isn't true of any other industry ---
Thanks
HL
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Ken
    Thanks for all you do for the industry, even with those “bad apples” out there, I believe the business has more better folks than not…
MB
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Ken,
    I appreciate the time and attention you've given me and my questions in the past at no charge. I know you're busy and have a business to run. You're awesome. Here's a big Thank You to you, Eileen whom I've had a number of conversations with, and everyone at your firm.
Sincerely,
RC
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Ken
    I am sorry to here about the rip off dealers who does not know a good friend to the industry.As long as i have known you you have been a first class person.
LR
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Ken,
    You helped make us a good apple by educating us on having contracts for all of our customers, employee agreements, and SARRG.   We are a better company because of your efforts. Thanks for all that you do.
Ron
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RESPONSE
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    Thanks for all the positive feedback.  The requests for "quick advice" continues unabated, and all inquires are welcome.  It really is my pleasure to assist everyone in this industry, and yes, the industry has been great to me too for almost 40 years.
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