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Ken
We are licensed electrical contractors in NJ, NYC and Long island having first started in the alarm business over 25 years ago. You DON’T HAVE to be union to be a electrical contractor, some of us chose to be. In fact we do alarm installations on larger projects both union and non union for both national & local companies, including some you all know very well.
They call us when it’s too big for their crew of 4-5 trucks. When they need 10-15 men in a hurry, when they need a couple thousand feet conduit installed, when they need 40,000 feet of cctv or alarm wire run, when you are working on lifts 25’ in the air. Or when it’s a prevailing wage project
We just recently completed the AMC theatre renovation in Edison & Bridgewater NJ. 6 week project. Converted from regular movie theatre to the new dine in seating with full kitchen, new POS systems, new sound & projection systems, new cat 5 wiring, new voice evac fire alarm, new lighting, new call systems ONSITE STAFF CONSISTED OF 74 men working 7 days a week, 12 hours a day, including 2 full time project managers, 2 foreman & 4 sub foreman, office support staff consisted of 1 senior project manager and 1 assistant
Never ending changes for a total completed electrical contract of $ 2,2102,120.00 Not once was any extension of time discussed or even considered.
We were working for the owner, general contractor, sound vendor, theatre supplier, POS vendor all at the same time
That’s right, over 2.2 million of electrical work done in 6 weeks, 74 men, 7 days a week, and the theatres opened on time. What non union contractor could of ever had the resources to have done this……………………….So stop bashing the reputable union contractors of this world.
Some of us as stand up responsible companies.
Scott Diamond
Electrical Solutions
Marlboro NJ
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Ken
As a security integrator who also is a licensed master electrician (and we only do security work), I must respond to everyone who is complaining about the new laws, that you brought this upon yourself. I have had it with going out to customer sites and seeing sub-par, non-code compliant work, especially 110v wiring done by alarm / security contractors. The most scary has been some of the work in NEC Classified locations (explosive or flammable gas, liquids, etc.) The use of non-rated equipment (even just a camera) can result in an explosion that could easily kill people. NYC Electrical Code as well as NEC, adopted almost anywhere, requires a Licensed Master Electrician to perform work in a classified area. Your NYS or NJ security or fire alarm license does NOT allow you to perform 110v electrical work, nor does it allow you to work in classified locations, nor does it allow you to work on 110/220v powered gate operators. You are more than welcome to do that work, once you get licensed and have the appropriate liability and workers compensation insurance. If you don't, and something happens, expect to get sued and maybe even go to jail.
Edward J Newman, Vice President
Universal Security Systems, Inc.
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Ken,
"You won't win" means our right to work is denied. Does that sound legal? Government does lot of illegal activity and get away with because nobody challenges it. Where are the associations when it happens?
Dusan
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Dusan........ Get with the program......
We have the best government money can buy...!!
Mike
CSS
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Ken
In reply to Larry McDonald from Commercial Fire and Communications Inc., you are right that the hypotheical company he used as an example, that is licensed in California but is signing contracts to provided services on a national level, does in fact need a Florida license as well. They would most likely need licensing in most all states that have licensing laws. At this time there is no national license and very few locations that provide reciprocity. Larry mentioned a portion of the Florida statute, 489.516, in his post, about needing a license to sell in Florida which was heads up on his part. If Larry would turn the pages back a bit and go to FS 489.505 (2) (9) (12) (24) (25) (27) and (28) it would help explain a lot. To make it simple, if a person is providing services on a structure in Florida and being compensated for those services under an expressed or implied contract then they are a contractor, hence needing a contractors license, regardless of where the contract was signed. They may want to look into the employee classification laws and Workers Comp laws while they are at it since the Florida Statute also addresses those areas seeing they can differ from state to state.
Bob Worthy CPP, President
Secur Technologies, Inc.

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Ken
Why do people from other states have so much to say about NYC when they know nothing about it , the alarm industry, electricians or the Union. What is this fixation with electrician and the union and the belief that you know more and can do a better job possibly based upon one horror story? They have training and schools that are excellent and they do know how to install fire alarm systems with guidance. The S-97 if you look into it is the best thing that can happen to the fire alarm industry in NYC and the NYFAA had a big part in putting it in place. It legalizes us in doing fire alarm work in the city of New York by us. All you guys that have everything to say about the state license should read the law as it applies. A city with over one million people does not have to accept it and that is the case here somewhat here. The state license is a precursor requirement indirectly for this new Certificate of Fitness and electrical contractors are not exempt and must get it too; so it is fair right across the board. Stop this nonsense and complaining and either abide by the law or don’t do work here. Those people complaining probably do very little in NYC or they would know what win fall this is. Constant complain by meaningless people who if asked to contribute money to such a suit would just run away. Put your money where your mouth is or just shut up. Why micro manage nonsense and complain. Got something to say join the fire alarm association and say it not just here. To join go to NYFAA.org
Yours truly,
SG
Past President NYFAA
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If you need one or 50 licenses, our licensing department can assist you. Contact Jennifer Kirschenbaum,Esq. at 516 747 6700 ext 302 or email her at Jennifer@Kirschenbaumesq.com for assistance and advice.

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