California TV Ban Even Worse Than We Thought
The California Energy Commission’s ruling treats all TVs the same, regardless of the application. California retailers will suffer.
We opened two years ago as a two-person, part-time CE installer. We have been successful in the home audio and home theater markets and have also done a limited amount of CCTV. Because we have targeted middle income housing and have not pushed the high-end market, we have not done any home security systems. We realize there is a lot of opportunity with home security and we are starting to get interest from builders of high-end homes. We want to start slow and cover our bases before doing an installation. Are there any resources that anyone would recommend for learning more about home security?
Where are you located? Some states, like florida for example have their own alarm association group. Your local distributor can also help with manufacturer training or just pick a brand you like and call them up and tell them what you’re doing. I picked GE because it integrates well with elan. Keep in mind that if you prewire for a alarm tomorrow you will have some time to figure it out before it’s finished. You can also use the first house as a training tool and experiment with it before it’s finished. The panel is really the only part that is even remotely hard and that comes with instructions. You could call up some alarm companies and have them walk your home and bid it to get some ideas from them as well as to costs and what your competition might charge. Good luck
We opened two years ago as a two-person, part-time CE installer. We have been successful in the home audio and home theater markets and have also done a limited amount of CCTV. Because we have targeted middle income housing and have not pushed the high-end market, we have not done any home security systems. We realize there is a lot of opportunity with home security and we are starting to get interest from builders of high-end homes. We want to start slow and cover our bases before doing an installation. Are there any resources that anyone would recommend for learning more about home security?
Thanks
What State are you in? All states reguire a license. Alarms are much harder in the sense then audio systems, because they come with a great deal of responsibility. I would think long and hard before I would consider installing alarms. The Insurance is much more expensive also. There is much more money to be made in audio and less headaches, trust me we have been doing both for 20 years. The competion is fiece, with ADT, Brinks, etc. just my opinion.
I have reviewed the codified law and there are explicit requirements for electrical wiring. However, nowhere does it define low voltage security system as electrical wiring nor requirements forlicensure of low voltage system installation. Therefore, I am under the impression that we do not need to pursue additional state licensure.
I am having our insurance agent look into premium adjustments so it will be interesting to see what the difference is from our current coverage.
As far as additional information, between my business partner and I we have two bachelor degrees in engineering and a masters degree in engineering. We are not too concerned with being able to understand the systems once we have the proper training. We will look into dealer training as recommended and perhaps someCEDIA training is available.
We have been referred to Honeywell by a local competitor, has anyone worked received any training directly from Honeywell?
Does anyone promote soley the installation of CCTV, motion sensors, etc with home automation as opposed to a security system with monitoring service (ADT, etc)? I should have clarified that this is what we are more interested in doing.
In the past if people have wanted a monitoring service we have provided them with an ADT referral sheet. We would probably continue to do this so we would not to have to deal or compete directly with the large security companies.
Within our industry there are a few areas where we can earn recurring revenue. Alarm monitoring being the major one. The decision regarding what areas of our industry your business pursues is personal, but the potential in alarm monitoring can’t be ignored. There are certainly issues that come with it, and if your business is new it is probably more advisable to get good at a few things then branch out.
As for our business, we didn’t even wire alarms at first. We would recommend to home owners and businesses to get an alarm company. Now, 6 years later, we wire them and monitor them. Our customers appreciate that we can take care of all the low voltage, phone, data, satellite, cable, audio, security, cameras, gate, intercom, central vac, lighting control, automation and control.
On the road to getting here, there was a time when we would run the wire and try to install as much integrated automation as possible and not monitor the alarm. We still give our customers this option.
]SHIELD Security Systems FDC provides turn-key entry into the security market for small business owners (in home theatre and low voltage electricians). Our franchise owners retain monitoring profits and benefit from recurring revenue, increase sales and long term equity. We help businesses like yours infiltrate this market by assisting with licensing, liability issues, training, on going support and an integrated account management system. The August issue of CE Pro featured an article about how the SHIELD franchise might be the perfect answer for smaller companies vying for a piece of the security market. The SHIELD Security concept allows integrators an alternative to referring their security business to a competitor. Visit: http://www.shieldsecurity.net for more info. Or, call, 716-681-6677
There are a number of good resources available to you. Some of the trade organizations include the security industry association which is the manufacturers group, https://www.siaonline.org/. There is also the National Burglar & Fire Alarm Association, http://www.alarm.org/, and the central station alarm association, http://www.csaaul.org/. Another good source of information are the alarm product manufacturers. In addition, I have attached a list of the various state license requirements in a Word document. Contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
We opened two years ago as a two-person, part-time CE installer. We have been successful in the home audio and home theater markets and have also done a limited amount of CCTV. Because we have targeted middle income housing and have not pushed the high-end market, we have not done any home security systems. We realize there is a lot of opportunity with home security and we are starting to get interest from builders of high-end homes. We want to start slow and cover our bases before doing an installation. Are there any resources that anyone would recommend for learning more about home security?
Thanks
First, I would sign up and attend the ISCWest Show if you can make it (http://www.iscwest.com/). You’ll gain alot of insight on product resources, both from the Mfg standpoint, as well as reseller/integrator such as I am. Additionally, you get to evaluate many of the products your likely to have questions about as time rolls forward. You’ll also find lots of free security publications available as well.
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Additionally, ASIS is another good resource. (http://www.asisonline.org/)
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With respects to installation guidelines, Although many states havn’t yet identified the video surveillance wiring scheme (if you will), it does fall under the low voltage contractors license, equal to that of an installer for low voltage landscape lighting, or alarm installations.
Remember that all camera’s will need power at some point. Excluding special installation that take advatage of solar and the like, your cabling will likely encompass one of two types:
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Traditional CCTV, it will be Siamese Cable which is an all-in-one Coax & single pair 16-18 Gauge Power Lines.
Traditionall CCTV wiring is pretty much straight foward when it comes to termination. Your left with configuring the camera and any recording equipment in the same usual fashion that you would if you were to setup a VCR at home.
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IP Video utilizes Ethernet cable, that will in some cases use seperate power lines, but as technology has moved forward, more and more Mfg’s have integrated POE (Power Over Ethernet) into there IP-Video product lines. POE is where both power and data are transmitted over a single Ethernet cable.
IP Video also requires you (should) have good knowledge of Ethernet Terminations, Networking Technology, and Computer knowledge for when choosing to install a software DVR solution.
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In respects to camera’s…. It really all depends upon the clients needs, and the products capabilities.
If you are still interested by starting installing alarm systems, go to Distributions companies like ADI, Tri-Ed or any other and they will make sure you are well train.
Within our industry there are a few areas where we can earn recurring revenue. Alarm monitoring being the major one. The decision regarding what areas of our industry your business pursues is personal, but the potential in alarm monitoring can’t be ignored. There are certainly issues that come with it, and if your business is new it is probably more advisable to get good at a few things then branch out.
As for our business, we didn’t even wire alarms at first. We would recommend to home owners and businesses to get an alarm company. Now, 6 years later, we wire them and monitor them. Our customers appreciate that we can take care of all the low voltage, phone, data, satellite, cable, audio, security, cameras, gate, intercom, central vac, lighting control, automation and control.
On the road to getting here, there was a time when we would run the wire and try to install as much integrated automation as possible and not monitor the alarm. We still give our customers this option.
Los Boskie, we use Rapid Response. rrsm.com Would love to see some discussion about what others have found in their research. Rapid Response is based in New York, though they have reps all over. We’ve been pleased with the service we receive.
Los Boskie, we use Rapid Response. rrsm.com Would love to see some discussion about what others have found in their research. Rapid Response is based in New York, though they have reps all over. We’ve been pleased with the service we receive.
-Morgan
Thank you so much , I think thats who i was thinking of , i saw them at cedia and had their info but lost it.
Rookie—Deciding to install monitored security systems is a good idea. I am glad to hear you are taking that step. If unemployment continues to rise, security is going to become an increasing concern among homeowners.
Also, I recently read an article asking industry veterans what was the biggest trend they saw in 2009. Bill Bozeman, head of the PSA Security Network (a prominent integration group), said simply, “Integrators without recurring monthly revenue will fail.”
for monitoring we use Emergency24.com - the service and online features are just plain awesome. clients can also be setup for online use with limited features. Give them a try
for monitoring we use Emergency24.com - the service and online features are just plain awesome. clients can also be setup for online use with limited features. Give them a try
California TV Ban Even Worse Than We Thought
