Convergint specializes in providing some of the most innovative Fire Alarm & Life Safety technologies available. By assembling a project team with vast industry experience and technical competence, Convergint works with clients to deliver compliant, non-proprietary solutions.
When it comes to innovative fire technologies, there are fewer people with a better understanding of this market than Convergint’s Rob Scovel. Here Rob shares some real-world insights for organizations who are looking for answers on how to solve their most pressing challenges.
Tell us about your professional background and role at Convergint.
I have more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Before joining Convergint, I was at Honeywell for 14 years. Over the course of that time, I gravitated from security to fire alarm & life safety. My role at Convergint is Vice President of Business Development in the Seattle marketplace.
The vast majority of our work in Seattle is design/build. This means that we need to understand current building and fire codes and apply them to the particular project, based on its use and occupancy. To be successful in this niche, we need to be “code geeks” who can apply both the general rules and the local jurisdiction’s nuance to each job. We also need to maintain strong relationships with each jurisdiction to assure we are on the same page from the beginning. This ensures a simple review and inspection process.
Tell us about Convergint’s fire alarm & life safety capabilities.
Whether a customer’s need is performance-based or centered on code compliance, our goal is to engineer solutions that provide continuous workplace safety, operational efficiency, and AHJ compliance. These include applications for smoke detection, one- and two-way voice communication, elevator recall, smoke control, and critical system monitoring. We back up these services with trained and certified technicians who are committed to delivering unequaled customer service.
What types of organizations do you work with?
I work with a very diverse group, all depending on the project. Stakeholders could be anyone from end users, owners, property managers, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), contractors, consultants, or trade groups. Each has a different perspective and unique objectives, which keeps my job interesting.
What is one of the most difficult jobs you’ve encountered?
Likely the most complicated job I have been involved with over my 16 years at Convergint has been an art museum in Seattle. This job included two separate entities sharing space across a project which covers an entire city block and 42 stories. Design complexities include multiple (18) EST3 nodes, engineered smoke control, two separate fire control centers, pre-action sprinklers within the museum and in all floors above the art museum, and a very complicated evacuation matrix. We have supported service and tenant improvements since this was completed in 2004, so this project continues to test our skills.
Who are some of the fire & life safety partners Convergint works with?
We maintain strong relationships with the world’s leading fire alarm & life safety product manufacturers. Instead of being tied to a single provider or manufacturer, Convergint promotes open-source, non-proprietary systems, thus enabling you to avoid sole-source dependency while ensuring long-term system flexibility and cost competitiveness.
In Seattle, our strategic partners include Edwards/EST, Xtralis, Cooper Wheelock, Silent Knight, Bosch, and Kidde. However, partners vary by office and how many people are certified in the technology. Convergint has many other fire & life safety partners in the United States and in Canada.
Beyond system installation, what else does Convergint do for fire & life safety customers?
Our solutions for fire alarm & life safety reach far beyond system installation. System testing, preventative maintenance, web-based reporting, and around-the-clock emergency service are available on all systems, not just those we install.
Service comes in many forms: testing, break-fix, preventative maintenance, and more. Building safety compliance is critical to service companies, building owners, and fire and safety officials responsible for occupant safety. Another thing Convergint offers, leveraging BuildingReports.com, is supplying accurate and verifiable data to ensure comprehensive safety compliance. BuildingReports’ mobile and online inspection reporting tools enable inspectors to quickly gather data on fire & life safety devices to ensure working order and code compliance through easily verifiable inspection reports.
Convergint has a large network of certified and trained fire professionals across the country. Contact Convergint’s Fire Alarm & Life Safety experts below to learn more about the right solutions for your needs.