Security Sales & Integration June 2022 - 58

SMARTS & PARTS
Tech Talk by Bob Dolph
Tech Training
Revisited
TOOL OF THE MONTH
Keeping track of the many
sections in your NFPA 70
book can be challenging. This
96-tab set, available from
Mike Holt Enterprises, comes
with additional wiring size
poster, and two Ohms Law
wheel stickers for your binder
and tool box.
▶ AS WITH ANY OCCUPATION, we have rules
and regulations. Some are fi rm and written in
stone, and then others not so much. Still, it is important
for any serious systems tech to understand
which is what and how to follow them.
What got me thinking about this topic was
that I recently ran across a novice alarm tech
that was self-taught on YouTube who had asked,
" Where can I get some low-voltage training
about codes, local and national? " So, I felt it was
a good time for review.
Myself, having been in the industry for some
time, have some thoughts on where and what to
look for with reference to low-voltage and security
systems training. However, if you are just
starting out, or even looking at the prospect of
being a systems tech, you probably have no idea
of where to begin.
If you are a nonindustry person looking for ideas
on where to go for low-voltage (<50 volts) training,
you will most likely fi rst run across programs
that are designed by and for electricians. I have no
complaints about this approach, except it usually
misses the true essence of low-voltage systems such
as CCTV, security, fi re, audio, etc. Installing power
outlets and lighting, and low-voltage systems are
two diff erent arenas.
Th is is where I feel our industry has fallen
Bob Dolph has served
in various technical
management and advisory
positions in the security
industry for 30+ years. To
share tips and installation
questions, email Bob at
bdolph.ssi@gmail.com. Access
content from his 20+ years as
Tech Talk columnist by going
online at securitysales.com/
author/bdolph.
58
short in promoting our many exciting and rewarding
jobs to the outside world. We all know
the great shortage for skilled labor in our industry,
but what are we doing about it? Not much
from what I have seen.
Do we have public commercials or even online
YouTube documentaries for those curious to discover?
Very little from what I have recently noticed.
Do we go out to the high schools and display all
the cool things we do with our systems? Th e industry
needs to get on the ball, especially when the
rest of the world is fi nally discovering the value of a
trade school education.
I have selected a listing of what I feel are valuable
tech training resources, which I hope will at least
get a seriously interested future low-voltage technician
on the right track. Many programs require
some investment in either an organization's memSecurity
Sales & Integration JUNE 2022
bdolph.ssi@gmail.com
bership and/or program registration. Potential future
techs must realize that early on they will have
to make some minimal investment in their career.
However, there are a few diamonds in the rough,
which are free. So keep an eye out.
ESA National Training School (NTS) is a
highly recognized provider of training, certifi cations
and continuing educations for the evolving
electronic security and life-safety industry. Check
out their NTS course catalog. courses.esaweb.org
BICSI ICT Installation Program is highly recommended
if you want to start your path to being
an expert in cabling. Even with a more wireless
world, much depends on a secure wired backbone.
Many great certifi cation programs. bicsi.org
Mike Holt Training Resources has many good
programs and training material. Mike's programs
have been around for many years, and I have even
taken some of them. Th ere are many FREE resources
as well, so make sure to take a close look.
You may want to talk to your company about his
training packages which deal with both electrical
and low-voltage practices. Mike is a true expert on
the National Electrical Code (NEC). Make sure to
check out his free 2020 NEC Changes Summary.
You also might want to check out his code blogs as
well. mikeholt.com
CEDIA Academy is the place to go if crimping
wire, running and calibration may sound like a
foreign language. Th ese programs off er both basic
and advanced training for smart home technology
systems. Hands-on installer training will provide
you with a foundation for a successful career as a
home technology professional. cedia.net
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
is the mother of all regulations and codes in the
electrical trade, including low voltage. Did you
know that the NEC is actually NFPA 70? Also,
did you know that for the last decade you can read
NFPA code for FREE just by going to the NFPA
Free Access section? NFPA.org
While you will see considerable reference to
NFPA codes such as NFPA 70 (NEC) and NFPA
72 (fi re), one of the best takeaways for a serious
tech is to study and read as much of possible. It
is not so you have to memorize the multitude of
rules and regs, but to get an overall feeling of what
is meant by " doing the job correctly. "
Many simple statements in the NEC, such as
" installed in a neat and workmanlike manner "
(Chapter 1, 110.12) should be the beginning of
why and how such work is accomplished.
securitysales.com
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Security Sales & Integration June 2022

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