American Alarms

Internet Protocol (IP) Dialers Can Save You Money

ajacobs — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:03:38 +0000

Recently we’ve replaced some traditional (telephone line) fire alarm dialers, with IP dialers. These new IP dialers, in most jurisdictions, still meet the local and NFPA codes because they provide an alternate path of communication. The back-up path is GSM (cellular) wireless signal. The monitoring accounts at the central station are more expensive (sometimes as much as double), but it eliminates the need for ANY telephone lines at the fire alarm panel. Current codes calls for 2 phone lines (one dedicated/primary and one backup/shared) or two other methods of transmission, like IP/GSM. Many of our commercial customers pay $40-50/month per line for their phone service, and one IP/GSM monitoring account is $35-40/month. So, we’re seeing that many customers could have a payback/break-even on the dialer switch-over of only 18-24 months.

Check your phone bills and your current fire alarm monitoring setup. Maybe you could be saving some money, too!

- Adam

NICET has gone paperless!

ajacobs — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:54:11 +0000

NICET (National Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technologies) has migrated to a completely computer-based testing platform (CBT). Applicants will now choose which certification they are testing for – Level I, Level II, Level III, or Level IV, rather than testing “elements” that accumulate toward eventual certifications. American Alarms has four employees testing for improved certifications. At the time of this writing, we have (1) NICET Level III Fire Alarm and (2) NICET Level II Fire Alarm certified technicians. On October 31st, 2011, most jurisdictions will begin enforcement of the NICET certification requirement for all fire alarm system design, service, testing, programming, and installation.

American Alarms to roll into Urbandale – July 4th!

ajacobs — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:21:24 +0000

Come see us in the Urbandale, Iowa parade on Independence Day. We’ll either have a big red fire truck (still working on some mechanical issues) or a cool classic car with our banner on the side. Either way, we’ll be there, and you should too! Parade starts at 10AM, with more candy than even a GOOD Halloween haul.