First CSAA/UL Seminar a Success

The first in a series of UL Seminars hosted jointly by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA) in Atlanta, Georgia, February 20-22, 2000 was a great success! Attendees from around the country were treated to two days of presentations to help them understand the UL-Listing process and form partnerships with UL faculty.

This natural alliance between UL and CSAA will assist companies to become UL-Listed as CSAA opens up its membership to non UL-Listed Central Station's planning on becoming UL-Listed. Of the approximately 2,000-2,500 central stations in the United States, only around 400 of them are UL-Listed under the UL categories that qualify them for CSAA membership. This series of seminars should help to change this.

The seminar was opened by CSAA's President, Ralph Sevinor, Wayne Alarm Systems, who thanked everyone for supporting this first seminar and added "As more AHJs require UL certification, this is a good opportunity to raise the level of standards."

Then UL representatives Pete Tallman, UL Northeast Region, Javier Olarte, UL Southeast Region, Tom Presnak, UL Mid-West Region and John Gudmundson, UL Western Region took over and went through a step-by-step analysis of how to get prepared to apply for a UL-Listing. 

They provided sample "Pre-Inspection" data lists and outlined a timetable, as well as, the costs to expect as one moves towards getting a listing. The instructors also handed out copies of the basic requirements for Central Station Burglar Alarm listings, Central Station Protective Signaling listings, Central Station Protective Signaling (Monitoring only) listings, and Residential Monitoring Station listings. In addition, attendees received a copy of UL 827 and UL 1981, the MS PowerPoint presentation, and a copy of the CSAA Standards and Glossary of Terms.

"This was a common-sense, plain-talk approach to a very confusing subject. The instructors were well prepared and most of all, they had empathy for those of us who were/are struggling towards UL certification" said Gerald Hotopp, UAC Security Systems of Charlotte, NC.

During the seminar, the UL faculty and current members of CSAA mixed and mingled with the group making themselves available to answer questions and give suggestions.

"The course answered many of the questions I had about UL. It was very helpful to have several people from UL around to talk to during breaks and free time," said Dawn Demeny of A&A Fire and Security Inc. in Green Bay, WI. Jeff Martin, the Central Station Manager at Security Alarm Corp. in Albany, OR, felt that "the UL instructors were very helpful in 'bridging the gap' that has existed for years between the alarm industry and the UL. I especially like the 'mentor' concept of UL helping the Central Stations become listed". The benefit of having CSAA/UL mentors to call upon with questions was a common sentiment shared by all the attendees.

The next "Obtaining and Maintaining Your UL Listing: A Simplified Approach" Seminar will be held June 11-13, 2000 in Chicago. IL, A third one will be offered in the Los Angeles, CA area in October.

Check CSAA's Web site, www.csaaul.org for up-to-date information on these seminars.