What are electrical safety hooks, and how do they work?

How is the arc rating of a fabric determined?

What are the differences among EH, SD, CD and DI ratings on footwear?

What environmental factors should electric utility crews consider when setting up aerial devices on a worksite?

I’m creating a training program for my electrical workers. What do you recommend as best practices to keep them safe from arc flash incidents and other electrical hazards?

How can the “silver tsunami” lead to an increase in electrical safety?

What considerations should be taken into account when adding electric vehicles to a fleet?

Will you please describe a typical arc flash accident that you would be called on to investigate? If possible, please include the root cause of the accident, the type of equipment involved, the tools used by the employee and the resultant injury.

When it comes to electric arc flash protection, can “layering” flame-resistant garments be a cost-effective, practical way to clothe workers as they move between tasks with different hazard ratings?

I work in a hot environment, and the protective arc-rated clothing required increases discomfort and fatigue. Are there certain choices in arc-rated clothing available that are cooler and more comfortable?

How do facility managers assess potential arc flash risks and select the appropriate flame-resistant apparel?

I’m the safety manager at my company, and I’ve just been assigned to hire someone to do an arc flash hazard analysis. Where do I begin?

As an employer am I legally obligated to provide NFPA 70E training and, if so, are there specific documentation requirements for the training?

In the recent edition of NFPA 70E, high-resistance grounding is recognized as an arc flash reduction technology. In what way does employing HRG technology address the concern regarding arc flash?

How does arc testing differ from real-life arc flash incidents?

What recent innovations have the potential to protect workers from electrical injuries?

How do I navigate the implementation of medium-voltage arc-resistant equipment?

How often should we review our arc flash study? Do older buildings have a grandfather clause? With the changes in IEEE 1584, do we have any liability if we don’t recalculate because some areas will have higher energy levels now?

What is the leading cause of arc flash, and what procedural changes can be adopted to eliminate the threat?

What is the difference between an electrical risk assessment, a shock assessment and an arc flash assessment?

What are thermochromic solutions, and how can they help protect workers from arc flash hazards?

Two generations of the Pastore family direct Crime Prevention Security Systems—and consider employees their extended family. From left: Office Manager Jessica Pastore; Vice President of Sales Randi Elrad; President John

When The Protection Bureau saw the recession coming, it decided on what some would call a risky course of action. The company chose to use an offensive — not defensive — growth strategy, expanding its offerings and growing its customer service department. It proactively connected with its current clients through a new Client Care Department and a company-wide, downright fanatical focus on customer satisfaction and intentional interaction.

Every year, Protection 1 sets an internal theme. In 2011, the theme was “Unstoppable,” which evolved from a paraphrase of a Thomas Edison quote that says, “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves,” describes Jamie Haenggi, chief marketing officer, Protection 1, Romeoville, Ill.

Vivint Inc., Provo, Utah, is not a security company. Well it is, but it isn’t. On the one hand, it sells security systems and is the No. 4 security company on the SDM 100, so some people call it a security company. On the other hand, it also offers a full line of home automation services, leading others to call it a home automation company. Confused?

Talk to a Protection 1 employee and there is a palpable energy that radiates outward about their job, the company and the customer. Chicago-based Protection 1, has always contained a deep-rooted love for the customer. But while employees embraced the concept, the execution was missing, as Protection 1 experienced declining growth for seven consecutive years.

Transformation is rarely instantaneous. It generally starts with one small initial change — repeated over and over. For Protection 1, small changes in every area of the company have produced remarkable transformation, resulting in a year deserving of the SDM 2012 Dealer of the Year award.

Steady and rapid growth in the dealer program market, like the kind Security Networks, SDM’s 2012 Dealer of the Year Honoree, has had in recent years requires more than a good marketing program or exciting services. Security Networks, West Palm Beach, Fla., prides itself on an average of 40 percent growth year-over-year for the past eight years, its president, Richard Perry, tells SDM.

Protection 1, Chicago, acquired Vintage Security, Washington, D.C. The new addition is the largest acquisition in Protection 1’s history.

Ascent Capital Group announced that its primary operating subsidiary, Monitronics International Inc., established a deal to acquire Security Networks for a total transaction price of $507.5 million.

Guardian Protection Services doesn’t value short-term sales, technologies, or relationships. The company’s longevity hinges on coupling long-term commitments with responses to market changes.

Redundancy via three central stations along with broader product offerings and services for dealers and a deeper opportunity for dealers nationwide to share best practices are just a few of the key benefits that Mace Security International, Cleveland, Ohio and Security Partners, Lancaster, Pa., believe will result from an acquisition by Security Partners of the Mace Central Station.

In 2008, ADS Security was the SDM 2008 Dealer of the Year Honoree. Since then nothing — and everything — has changed at the company, which is the 2014 Dealer of the Year.

Curious about who has won in the past? Over the last 38 years an incredible range of dealers have impressed SDM with their unmistakable success, innovation, use of industry best practices, and notable growth and accomplishments. Each year the winners are truly a snapshot of what is great about the industry.

SDM’s 2015 Dealer of the Year combines both old and new ideas to pave the way for the future.

Vector Security’s commitment to revamping its internal structure to be prepared for what’s ahead; strong dedication to employee advancement; and passion for doing what’s right for customers and the industry overall earned itSDM’s 2015 Dealer of the Year Award.

They say necessity is the mother of invention.

SDM has extended the deadline to July 7 for companies to apply to become the 2017 SDM Dealer of the Year, an annual recognition of companies that demonstrate unmistakable success, a high level of innovation, the use of industry best practices, and notable growth and accomplishments in the security dealer industry.

Industry giant ADT is not only awake, it is focusing heavily on providing premium customer service and a better experience overall.

Lexington, Ky., is known for a few things: horses, bluegrass, bourbon, a historic downtown area, and — when it comes to security systems — Bates Security/Sonitrol of Lexington.

From its humble beginnings in a Toyota Corolla, CPI Security — originally Crime Prevention Inc. — has operated with a singular focus.

What do termites, diamonds and security have in common? All three are components of the history of this year’s SDM Dealer of the Year. Sonitrol began when Al Cronk, a police officer, was interested in verifying alarms using audio; Bob Baxter invented microphones to detect termites in trees.

When it comes to maintaining relationships with customers, this company is at the top of its game, all while increasing revenue and keeping employees healthy, happy and engaged. 

The DuraTech Self-Retracting Device features a side cable payout and an internal braking system that provides fast-acting braking for maximum stopping power in the event of a fall.

The GuardRite Retractable Barrier is a modular and self-storing barrier system that can withstand up to 30,000 pounds of impact at 4 mph, making it ideal for guarding rail docks, finger docks, and wide loading and flatbed loading areas, as well as protecting sensitive equipment and pedestrian areas

KNIPEX Tools has introduced 24 tools with tether attachment mounts for its Tethered Tool Pliers Program.

Journeyman FLEX Aluminum and Steel Harnesses are rated to a 425-pound capacity and comply with OSHA regulations and ANSI standards.

The NEWTON EASYFIT HI-VIZ Fall Arrest Harness has a fluorescent-colored vest with reflective strips.

The Kernmantle Rope Temporary Two-Person Horizontal Lifeline is available in spans of 30 and 60 feet.

The patent-pending Hi-Viz green HyperLite is the lightest Type IA and IAA fiberglass extension ladder in the world – weighing up to 40 percent less than ordinary fiberglass ladders without sacrificing strength or stability.