I recently had the “pleasure” of consulting for a
Licensed Master Electrician who also holds his own 6D License. The job was for
a very big corporate “fat cat” in the Hamptons. I was retained to assist in the
Installation of a $30K plus Security System. As most of us do our own
specification and design, I was somewhat taken back when the contractor
presented me with an incomplete design specification that was the result of the
electrician playing “match the Quote”, which he of course, won. My Job was to
then “consult” with the GC on the locations of devices. You can well understand
my distaste for Unqualified Designing when I was instructed by the GC,
via the owner’s “handler” that the design was NOT to be deviated from! Ok,so
I’m to located a $300 Bosch Smoke Detector IN the clients Master Bathroom, AND
directly over the Kitchen Cooking Appliances! Can’t Change it! On advice
to the GC, (unheeded, mind you) they were installed in incorrect locations. The Electrical/Alarm
Contractor was advised as well. Seeing as I was HIS employee (no subcontracting
agreement existed) I was on his payroll for the duration of the job, HE now
assumes the liability and responsibility for any alarm, trouble and install
issues that may result.
The Electrical/Alarm
Contractor was also contracted to install wiring ONLY(materials provided
by The “AV Contractor”: ( you’ll like
the rest of this story!) for Lighting Control, Home Automation Control,
Home AV, and Alarm Control via the Home Control System, all non-line voltage
wiring. Well, the Electrician seems covered for the Installation of the wiring
for the above systems via his Master Electrician License in Suffolk County. He
also is covered by his 6D License to install the Security System and associated
wiring. He’s properly licensed as a Master Electrician to install all the
Lighting Control Equipment and wiring. A properly Licensed Master Plumber was
contracted to install all the HVAC automation Control wiring and systems as
well, which the AV Contractor also interfaced with and controlled.
As Shakespeare once inferred: “Ah, now here’s
the rub!” Upon my astute investigation, here’s what I found: The AV Contractor
was hired and contracted by the owner for the “Installation” of the AV System
exclusive of the wiring installed by the ME. Because this Company “did such
excellent work”, was a contractor to “the Stars” before, got glowing accolades
in CEPRO Magazine and did the owner’s Manhattan Townhouse, he MUST know what
he’s doing and would be properly licensed and certified to perform this work,
right?
NOT
ON YOUR LIFE!
I
found out that:
1.) He and his Company( and his Partner, for
that matter) have NO Master Electrician License in Suffolk County ( Funny, I
personally observed his Technicians and Partner making Line Voltage connections
in a Lutron Lighting Control System Panel!)
2.)
He and His Company have NO Suffolk County Restricted Electrical License for
Voltages under 90V and wiring associated with non-security/non-monitored
Electrical Systems. (Again, How does he legally make all the wiring
terminations, connector installations and install, test and program all the
equipment for the AV System without an ME License or Suffolk Restricted
Electrical License?)
3.)
The BEST One: His SAVANT Home Automation System directly interfaces with the Ademco
Security System to Control and Observe it via Wi Fi and iPad via an RS232
connection directly to the alarm control panel. Ron Petrarca, past President of
LIAA offered this, “where does this guy get off doing this? ANY interfacing to
a Security System, be it hard wired or wireless requires a 6D License!” I’ll
bet you can guess what comes next……..yep, NO 6d License for Him, his partner or
his Company.
I
brought this all to the attention of the Electrical/Alarm contractor, whose
comment to me was, “Don’t say anything. I don’t want to lose the job or get
throw off, and not get paid!” Well, you all know me……as soon as I’m compensated
for my labor in full; Phone Calls, Complaint Forms, Fines, Rewards, you all get
the picture! Bottom Line: We all need to be our own “Judge, Jury and Hangman”
when we see unlicensed activity. Report it, make your Contractors, GC’s and
Customers aware that you WILL not tolerate this and WILL report it to the
proper authorities. Suffolk County has an online Complaint Form as well as a
reward system. LIAA and NYESA also have complaint forms available. USE THEM! We
are all in a downsided business, being hacked at from unscrupulous Individuals,
Verizon, Lowe’s and the rest. We owe it to ourselves and our Industry to
promote Legitimate and Licensed Companies; Alarm, Electrical, AV, Automation,
Home Audio, or whomever has jurisdiction over the installation.
Mike Sokoly:
MES
Security/Electrical Training Center
Secretary: Long Island Alarm Association
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