Archive: October 2005
NBFAA gets a seat at the code-making table
October 27, 2005Martha Entwistle
IRVING, Texas--Saying they're happy to have a seat at the table, the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association announced yesterday that its president, Merlin Gilbeau, has been appointed to the International Code Council.
Gilbeau will join representatives from many other industries and companies on the ICC. The ICC develops codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools.
While codes must be adopted by a city, county or state before they can be enforced, most...
North American Video heads west
October 27, 2005SSN Staff
BRICK, N.J.--North American Video will expand its reach by adding two facilities in Las Vegas and Arlington, Wash.
The additional facilities enable the systems integrator to improve service and support to existing customers, while giving it the ability to pursue additional customers, said Cynthia Freschi, president of North American Video.
The facilities include demonstration showrooms, technical support services and sales engineering personnel, as well as product preparation and warehouse space.
This...
Pelco, Flir cast light on alliance
October 27, 2005SSN Staff
CLOVIS, Calif.--A thermal imaging company and security camera manufacturer are working together to come up with a new series of thermal and visible light surveillance systems.
Portland, Ore.-based Flir Systems and Pelco announced an alliance in mid-October to design, manufacture and distribute the thermal and visible light surveillance systems. Each company will manufacture certain products exclusively for one another, and both will distribute the products through their network of distributors.
Flir...
Tried, tested and true - Group to review biometric products
October 27, 2005Chelsie Woods
MORGANTOWN, W.V.--Have you ever wondered whether a particular biometric fingerprint product performs accurately or if it meets certain biometric standards? A non-profit group plans to answer those questions and more as part of a new testing program that launches early next year.
The National Biometric Security Project is leading the effort to test biometric products, such as iris, fingerprint, hand geometry and voice scans. The group begins its Qualified Product List in early 2006 and expects to...
MVP raises funds to assist risk management firms
October 27, 2005SSN Staff
MCLEAN, Va.--Monumental Venture Partners will raise $75 million for early stage IT companies, such as enterprise risk management software firms throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The firm plans to close its private round of funding by the middle of next year.
"We expect to begin investing that money next year," said Roland Oliver, president of Monumental Venture Partners. Oliver estimated that 25-40 percent of the investment pool could go to security applications and will assist about...
Midwest finds success in construction market
October 27, 2005Martha Entwistle
DES MOINES, Iowa--Growing at a rate of 20 percent per year for the past five years has earned Midwest Alarm Service special recognition from Notifier Fire Systems, a division of Honeywell, at the distributors' annual conference earlier this month.
Midwest Alarm does much of its business in the construction market, said Dustin Smyth, president of the company. Ninety percent of his business is fire, but the company does do some CCTV, access control and other security work, he said.
Smyth credits his...
ICC adds residential sprinkler requirements to appendix
October 20, 2005SSN Staff
PATTERSON, New York--The National Fire Sprinkler Association said "history was made" at the 2005 International Code Council Final Action Hearing in Detroit on Oct. 4, when the ICC voting membership placed fire sprinkler systems in all new one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses by adding the requirement in the Appendix of the International Residential Code.
To make this code change, voting members had to overturn a decision from the IRC committee, who previously denied the code change.
In order...
Interface antes up in Texas
October 20, 2005SSN Staff
ST. LOUIS--Interface Security Systems added another security business to its portfolio, with its purchase of Hawk Security Services, one of the largest security companies in Texas.
The transaction gives Interface Security a significant presence in the Dallas/Fort Worth market.
In Texas, Hawk Security serves 12,500 customers, of which 75 percent are residential accounts, through an office in Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio and Tyler. The company also specializes in infant location monitoring, identification...
Free car washes land guard firm in hot water
October 20, 2005SSN Staff
KANSAS CITY, Mo.--A security guard company had its license pulled after the owner received free car washes by signing a log book at a gas station that was reserved for Kansas City Police vehicles.
According to a story in The Kansas City Star, the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners shut down American Security after learning about car washes on the police department's dime. The police department has a contract with the gas station to wash its vehicles.
American Security's owner reimbursed the...
Sprinklers required, indirectly
October 20, 2005SSN Staff
WALTHAM, Mass.--If a proposed city ordinance here passes, owners of existing residential hotels, rooming houses and college dormitories may be required to install fire sprinkler systems, the Daily News Tribune reported.
The proposed ordinance would force these so-called lodging houses to apply for a new license if they fail to renew on time.
To prepare for the ordinance change, Ralph Gaudet, the building commissioner here, said his department would begin cracking down on owners whose properties do...