Fire alarm systems are an important investment in your building. Whether you’re looking to design a new system or replace an old one, it’s hard to know who to turn to for the best, most qualified service. You’ve likely come across fire alarm technicians and electricians in your search for a partner, but which is better to take care of your fire alarm system? If you get it wrong, the results could be physically and financially disastrous.

Certification requirements can overlap in some areas, but there are distinct differences due to the specialized nature of fire alarm systems. Let’s see how fire alarm technicians and electricians differ.

What’s the difference between a fire alarm technician and an electrician?

– Scope: Electricians work with various electrical systems, including wiring, lighting, power distribution and HVAC systems. Fire alarm technicians focus specifically on fire alarm systems, which involve installing, maintaining and repairing components such as smoke detectors, control panels, notification devices and communication systems.

– Certification Focus: Any fire alarm technician should have earned their NICET Fire Alarm Systems certification or NFPA 72 certification. To handle their expanded scope of work, fully certified electricians like those at RK Electrical need certifications that go above and beyond what’s needed for fire alarm systems. This offers the ability to have one partner for all your needs rather than multiple partners.

– Training Emphasis: Fire alarm technicians receive specialized training solely focused on fire alarm technology and compliance with fire safety regulations. On the other hand, electricians undergo that training and more to focus on a number of other services such as safety protocols, electrical theory and building codes.

– Regulatory Requirements: Both electricians and fire alarm technicians must comply with regulatory requirements, but the specific regulations they must follow can differ. Electricians must adhere to electrical codes set by organizations such as the National Electrical Code (NEC). Fire alarm technicians must comply with fire codes and standards established by organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Which is better for designing, installing and servicing my nonresidential fire alarm system?

Electricians have a wider skillset and abilities to work on multiple systems while fire alarm technicians are more narrowly focused and specialized. But what if you could have a partner with the certifications required for both electricians AND fire alarm technicians? That’s what makes RK Electrical the clear choice for businesses in the Colorado Front Range.

RK Electrical’s experts aren’t simply fire alarm technicians; they’re fully certified electricians. We’re proud to have earned certifications by Pikes Peak Regional, Denver Blue Card and NICET 1, 2 and 3. Our commitment to continuing education means our team will always be current with the certifications needed to be your sole partner. For example, a fire alarm technician can’t troubleshoot your system if they find an issue during routine maintenance or inspection. You’ll need to consult an electrician, but why complicate your project with multiple companies when you can use one? Our comprehensive certifications give you the benefit of a turnkey solution, no matter what the unexpected brings. 

How RK Electrical can help

RK Electrical can design, install, replace, upgrade, test and maintain AES radios. We handle everything from recommending electrical devices to running wire and installing conduit and raceways to provide comprehensive services that your system needs to function at its best, including:

– Electrical components, such as device terminations, copper conductors and distribution boards.

– Physical hardware like metal conduit, mounting brackets and raceways.

– Commissioning and inspection services for reliability assurance.

We work on any brand, including popular fire alarm systems like Notifier from Honeywell and EST by Edwards. To keep you confident, we also provide a service warranty that includes testing and maintenance for one year.

Why you can trust us

RK Industries is a family business with roots tracing back to 1963. Established in 2015 as part of RK’s continuously expanding construction services, RK Electrical has become a leading commercial electrical contractor that specializes in the installation and maintenance of fire alarm networks for a wide variety of customers.

How to get started

Let’s have a conversation! Contact us to review your needs and see how we can partner to keep your people and property safe.

Fire alarm systems are indispensable safeguards, providing early detection and crucial alerts that can save lives and mitigate property damage. When it comes to relying on a commercial fire alarm system to protect your building’s occupants, there can be no compromises on quality or service. Here are the top five things to consider when evaluating the best fit for your business’ fire alarm system.

1. Detection methods

Fire alarm systems can use various detection methods, and one size or type does not fit all. Do you need smoke detection, heat detection or a combination of both? Should you have a conventional analog system or an addressable digital system? Consider the environment where the system will be installed and choose the appropriate detection method. For example, photoelectric smoke detectors are effective for detecting smoldering fires, while ionization smoke detectors are better at detecting flaming fires. Not sure what you need? RK Electrical can help with that.

2. Reliability and scalability

Look for a fire alarm system from a manufacturer that’s known for producing reliable and high-quality products, such as Edwards, Honeywell, Siemens, Bosch, Simplex and Potter. The system should have built-in redundancies and fail-safes to minimize the risk of false alarms or system failures. It’s also crucial that your fire alarm system can adapt to your needs and be easily expanded or upgraded to accommodate changes in your building layout or occupancy requirements.

3. Compliance with standards and regulations

Verify that the fire alarm system complies with relevant standards and regulations, such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and local building codes. Compliance ensures that your fire alarm system meets the minimum safety requirements and may be necessary for insurance purposes.

4. Ease of use and maintenance

Choose a fire alarm system that is user-friendly and easy to maintain. Intuitive interfaces, clear documentation and accessible maintenance procedures make it easier for facility managers to operate and manage the system effectively.

5. Integration with other systems

Consider whether you need your fire alarm system to integrate with other building systems, such as HVAC, access control or surveillance systems. Integration can provide additional functionality and streamline operations, but it requires compatible systems and proper configuration.

How RK Electrical can help

Fire alarm systems are an investment in your building. Do you have a trusted, certified partner to make sure you’re protected in an emergency and compliant with all current codes and standards? RK Electrical’s experts aren’t simply fire alarm technicians; they’re fully certified electricians. We’re proud to have earned certifications by Pikes Peak Regional, Denver Blue Card and NICET 1, 2 and 3. Our commitment to continuing education means our team will always be current with the certifications needed to be your sole partner. 

RK Electrical can design, install, replace, upgrade, test and maintain AES radios. We handle everything from recommending electrical devices to running wire and installing conduit and raceways to provide comprehensive services that your system needs to function at its best, including:

– Electrical components, such as device terminations, copper conductors and distribution boards.

– Physical hardware like metal conduit, mounting brackets and raceways.

– Commissioning and inspection services for reliability assurance.

We work on any brand, including popular fire alarm systems like Notifier from Honeywell and EST by Edwards. To keep you confident, we also provide a service warranty that includes testing and maintenance for one year.

Why you can trust us

RK Industries is a family business with roots tracing back to 1963. Established in 2015 as part of RK’s continuously expanding construction services, RK Electrical has become a leading commercial electrical contractor that specializes in the installation and maintenance of fire alarm networks for a wide variety of customers. We provide a turnkey solution that Colorado Front Range businesses trust to be the single partner for all their needs.

How to get started

Let’s have a conversation! Contact us to review your needs and see how we can partner to keep your people and property safe.

Electric vehicle technology and infrastructure are continuing to develop, and are becoming increasingly accessible. Sales are projected to increase by as much as 70% in 2021. As we move toward a more environmentally sustainable future, we can expect electric vehicles to be a major part of it.

Electric vehicles (also known as plug-in electric vehicles, or EVs for short) derive all or part of their power from an electric grid. This includes AEVs (all-electric vehicles) and PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles). AEVs are powered by one or more electric motors, and store their electricity in batteries. PHEVs, on the other hand, use batteries to power an electric motor which is charged by an electrical grid, but use conventional fuel to power the internal combustion engine.

With EVs becoming increasingly popular, consumers wonder what the future looks like for internal combustion engines. Fortunately, combustion engines are able to be completely replaced by electric engines. This is known as an electric vehicle conversion. This process requires removing the combustion engine and all its connected components, and replacing them with an electric engine and batteries. Most gasoline-powered vehicles can be converted to electric, but converting a highly aerodynamic car yields the best results. The cost of an electric vehicle retrofit varies based on the type of vehicle and the parts that are needed.

There is also an increased demand for home EV chargers as well as EV charging stations. This has led to the development of EV charging networks, like Electrify America. These networks have locations all across the United States, providing convenient charging stations for people on the go. RK Electrical has the ability to install EV chargers in your home or business. Contact us at 303.785.6934 or rkelectrical@rkindustries.com to learn more!

Forecast: 2021 US EV Sales To Increase 70% Year Over Year, CleanTechnica, 10/30/20
Converting Your Car to an Electric Vehicle, Treehugger, 5/13/20
Comparing Public Electric Vehicle Charging Networks, MYEV, Accessed 7/27/21
Explaining Electric & Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Environmental Protection Agency, Accessed 7/27/21

Companies are always on the lookout for employees who will stay long-term and are committed to growing and improving. Likewise, employees want to work for companies that will provide them with opportunities to develop their skills.

Mentorships are a great way to help employees, both new and experienced, expand their knowledge and personal development. They focus on positive workplace behavior and performance, providing employees with the training needed to be successful.

Traditionally, mentoring relationships have involved senior employees guiding their younger colleagues, but hierarchy and age aren’t necessarily important in modern workforces. As long as mentors have experience that can help others learn, this is all that matters. For instance, younger employees can teach older employees about ever-changing technology in the workplace.

Successful mentoring relationships can also naturally create a rich multigeneration office culture by combining the top qualities of each participant. Senior employees traditionally have a great work ethic, loyalty and dedication. Whereas, younger employees may come to work with new ideas and passion. Together, they can make for a positive and effective team.

Research has shown that workers who have a mentor enjoy greater job satisfaction, and mentors learn from those they are guiding. But, mentoring in the workplace not only benefits the mentors and mentored, it also benefits companies with increased employee retention and knowledge sharing. On top of that, mentoring programs have shown to increase company diversity, with participation expanding minority representation in management-level positions.

Top Benefits of Mentorship in the Workplace

Something important to note is that mentoring relationships should never be forced. This can cause employees to resent the idea as an obligatory task. Instead, sharing the positive benefits with employees and offering to help connect them with a mentor, when and if they are ready, is most effective. To be prepared, companies should gather information about employee skills, communication styles and career goals. A major key to successful mentorship relationships is connecting employees who communicate well together, can connect on a personal level and are working toward attaining similar goals.

In the end, mentors need to feel that their time is valued in order to achieve a successful mentorship relationship. Those who are mentored must think of the experience as an investment in their growth, rather than a sure path to promotion.

Apprenticeships prepare workers for highly skilled construction jobs. Employers invest time and money in hands-on training, often along with regular classes. The model provides valuable real-world experience and educational instruction for workers who would like to break into an industry that is new to them. The end goal of an apprenticeship is attaining national skills standards and becoming licensed in a particular skilled trade.

There are many benefits to apprenticeship. However, many people often overlook apprenticeships, instead opting to attend college or beginning their career with an entry-level position.

Here are the top three reasons to consider an apprenticeship:

1. Learning While Earning
   Going off to college or a trade school can be a great educational experience, but it can cost a lot of money that many simply do not have. On top of that, it can be challenging to hold a full-time job in order to pay for expenses while in school.
   
   Apprentices are paid a basic living wage (the national average is $15/hour) to start while also learning and gaining experience every day. As an apprentice’s skills grow, wage increases and promotions often follow.

2. Access to Ongoing Mentoring
   Apprentices are usually assigned a mentor who is an experienced construction professional. The mentor’s role is to help plan and guide an apprentice’s learning along the way. They provide valuable feedback and support to improve an apprentice’s skills and are always available to answer questions.
3. Increased Future Opportunities
   Being involved with the day-to-day operations of a business during an apprenticeship, which usually takes two to four years to complete, allows apprentices to make connections with many important people within the industry.
   
   Future employers will also see the hard work that was required to complete the apprenticeship and will surely value that education and work ethic when considering hiring an individual.
   
   In addition, apprentices have the potential to earn college credit toward a degree through their apprenticeship program, should they decide to work towards gaining an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree at a later date.

The apprenticeship model prepares workers to compete in today’s economy. The hands-on training keeps apprentices current with innovations and technology. Moreover, the majority of apprentices stay on as full-time employees upon completion of an apprenticeship, allowing for a successful long-term career with a competitive salary without college debt.

The RK Apprenticeship Program helps provide skills for a much needed construction workforce. If you are interested in starting an apprenticeship in construction, click here to learn more about what our program offers.

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year was anything but predictable or normal. Predictions for 2021 are cautiously optimistic with a combination of positive and some negative growth for the construction industry, arguably one of the largest sectors worldwide. Although large hotel and higher education projects have declined recently, others have increased, such as healthcare facilities and warehouse construction to meet current needs.

Because of measurements put in place to keep everyone safe, businesses have had to change how they function and communicate both internally and externally, limiting in-person interactions. This has also caused delays in some projects. The need to know what is happening on a job site has become greater than ever. As a result, even in an industry that is otherwise resistant to embracing new technology, construction has seen an increase in adoption of construction-specific technology, from BIM to 3D-printing, facilitating a more versatile way of working.

Without further ado, here are the top eight construction trends predicted for 2021.

1. Keeping focused on safety with continued social distancing, protective gear and enhanced protocols for cleanliness
2. Increased hiring for seamless execution of current and unexpected future projects
3. Implementation of construction-specific equipment and technology to supplement a declining workforce
4. Expanded distribution and manufacturing facilities to meet current e-commerce demands
5. More complex urban development and infrastructure projects
6. Renewed focus on sustainability and renewable energy
7. Expanded use of modular construction, increasing quality while also reducing costs and project timelines
8. Increased construction cost and pressure on the bottom line, as net profits remain slim

Construction companies must prepare themselves for the uncertain future. Luckily, with many recent innovations already in place, the construction industry has begun to optimize processes in all phases of construction.

Key developments in the construction industry will likely continue to grow and change as we progress through 2021, and we look forward to it.

Digital Builder, 2021 Construction Trends: 20 Insights from Experts, 12.17.20

Construction Dive, 2021 Outlook: 6 Trends that Will Influence Construction this Year, 1.04.21

Chad Fisher Construction, Commercial Construction Trends For 2021, 12.07.20

Method:CRM, Key trends in the construction industry for 2021, accessed 1.19.21

Let’s Build, 5 construction trends you want to look out for in 2021, accessed 1.19.21

Culture is the character of an organization. It’s the values, traditions, behaviors, interactions and attitudes displayed every day. Workplace culture is to an organization what personality is to an individual.

Positive workplace culture attracts talented people, affects happiness, engagement and satisfaction, while also improving performance. A company’s culture is influenced by everything from leadership and management to workplace policies, practices and people.

When looking to work for a company, the primary factors are often the company’s brand value and compensation to employees. While many believe these are enough to attract talent, work culture often plays an even bigger role in retaining good employees. Workplace culture makes some places great to work and other places miserable. It affects relationships between employees and leadership. This can mean the difference between working with each other for the common good of the company or arguing every step of the way.

A company’s culture is so important in bringing out the best in employees even during not-so-great times. Negativity not only crushes creativity and an employee’s will to perform but also stops the development of dedication to a company’s success.

When it comes down to it, humans are relatively simple beings. Working in a positive environment with a good culture affects the way we think and how we act with one another. So, make your workplace a positive one!

RK strives to create a rewarding workplace for employees by hosting several employee-focused events and recognition ceremonies throughout the year, check them out here.

By: RK Electrical

Pulling wire is a big part of being an electrician and having the right tools is essential. If the correct steps aren’t taken during the pull, it can lead to lost time and patience, and in some cases, needing to entirely replace the damaged wire from a failed pull.

Wire pulling equipment offers many benefits over hand pulling techniques. Here are some of the best reasons to make the switch.

Benefits

• Cost-Savings: Fewer electricians are required on the jobsite since machines can more efficiently handle the effort of a several workers. In addition, they reduce the chance of damaging wires during a pull.
• Time: Wire pulling machines can complete a job significantly faster than 3-5 people could, so deadlines can more easily be met and the scope of work remains on schedule.
• Convenience: Pulling through tight spaces, such as under raised flooring, through ceilings, walls or crawl spaces, is much easier for a machine than bare hands.
• Safety: Wire pulling can be hazardous, but specialized equipment can make the job safer by reducing the strain and cuts that would occur from pulling wire manually.
• Strength: Wire pulling machines are stronger than several men simultaneously pulling.
• Durability:These machines are made to be tough, impact-resistant and typically last many years.

Designed to get all electrical jobs done in the most convenient way, wire pulling machines and equipment are now in demand to complete a job smoothly. RK Electrical uses them daily to get our projects done efficiently and effectively.

By: RK Electrical

Prefabrication is rapidly growing and changing the construction industry, design and customization are major factors for its success. Prefabrication can offer more building options and greater flexibility than traditional construction including high performing thermal and acoustic walls, floors and ceilings with the use of durable and sustainable materials.

Prefabrication is relatively new in electrical construction but is rapidly increasing. As electricians begin to recognize the savings that prefabrication can provide, more are joining the ranks.

PREFABRICATION INVOLVES THREE MAIN PHASES:

1. Structural: Beams, columns and other structural components are manufactured to be easily transported and installed on the construction site.
2. Panels: Elements such as insulation, utilities, waterproofing and cladding are designed to allow for rapid assembly and easy transportation.
3. Modular Construction: Assembly of the factory-finished modules or products to form complete systems.

The concept is so versatile that it can meet the needs of a variety of industries including power and energy, oil and gas, residential and healthcare to name a few. The benefits of prefabrication and routine inspections by trained professionals in a clean and controlled environment have catapulted the evolution of prefabrication. Building information modeling (BIM) has also influenced the design and construction processes as well as cross-trade collaboration, enabling these types of projects to be built on a much larger scale.

INNOVATIVE EQUIPMENT HAS A STRONG IMPACT ON ELECTRICAL PREFABRICATION:

• Smart benders allow a specific angle to be entered into the machine without having to calculate the spring-back on the conduit. This not only speeds up the process but also allows less experienced apprentices to perform custom bends with much less supervision.
• Automatic whip cutters are used to cut metal clad cable. They allow a 1,000 foot reel to be set up, a specific cutting length to be entered and the user to walk away while it performs all of the cuts. The old process required at least two people to perform the work. With this equipment, contractors are able to utilize their labor force in other important stages of the production process.

The future of prefabrication includes integrating with other trades and, at RK Electrical, we are embracing this collaboration. Our team is incorporating prefabricated electrical components such as wall rough-ins, panel builds and lighting packages into modular data center skids built by RK Mission Critical. We are also utilizing some of the newest innovative equipment on the market to get the jobs done.

By: RK Mission Critical

Anyone who works with electricity knows how important it is to be aware of potential safety hazards. These hazards include shock, arc flash heat and explosions that can take place due to electrical mishaps. Predicting the level of hazard can be calculated thanks to the NFPA 70e Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

The NFPA 70e was officially adopted by OSHA and is now a standard that employers and employees must abide by, in addition to ensuing all electrical equipment complies. This compliance is required on any equipment emitting over 50 volts and can effect solar DC systems and UPS batteries.

Electrical safety standards are constantly improving and the NFPA 70e committee updates their standards every few years. David Weszely of Lewellyn Technology highlights changes to the standards for the upcoming year in his article: The Most Important 2018 Changes in NFPA 70e.

Here’s a synopsis of his review:

• A qualified person will need to complete a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) before work or troubleshooting is performed.
• Adding a personal protective equipment (PPE) conformity assessment to promote consistency.
• Arc flash and shock hazard risk assessment now include the “potential of human error.”

Weszely suggests that companies make sure all qualified workers have access to the 2018 NFPA 70e standard, update their electrical safety program and schedule on-site NFPA 70E electrical safety training.

RK Mission Critical offers prefabricated modular facilities and skidded MEP equipment for multiple industries. The facilities and equipment we produce require complex electrical system installation and commissioning – meaning our team understands the importance of the NFPA 70E standard and requires all team members working on electrical systems to be properly trained. RK Mission Critical has a certified electrical safety professional and Electrical Engineers on staff that can personally answer questions on electrical safety integration of our systems with theirs. Contact us at info@rkmissioncritical.com.