At Esscoe, we are incredibly proud of the range of services we provide, the friendly hospitality we embrace, and the results that keep our clients coming back. Whether you’re inquiring about a security system or in need of an inspection, Esscoe can take care of your life safety needs. Don’t just take our word for it—check out a few client testimonials that highlight our team’s dedication to getting the job done right!
Professionalism Every Step Of The Way – “I have had the privilege to work with Esscoe on nearly 40 projects over the past 20 years. Those projects range from security upgrades to new fire alarm system installations. Esscoe has really set themselves apart from their competitors in their teaming approach with each project. You can count on true professionalism and support at time of bid, through construction, and close out. The support is driven by their prompt and reliable Customer Service.” -Jayson Lange, Aldridge Electric
Our Team Is Dedicated To Success – “I couldn’t be more impressed with Esscoe. From the moment we engaged with them, their commitment to excellence was evident. Their team is incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and attentive to every detail. They are truly experts when it comes to Edwards systems and they go above and beyond to help me maintain a safe and reliable fire alarm system.” -Patrick Gunville, The University of Chicago Medicine
Reliable Support Whenever You Need – “Esscoe understands that a fire system is an important investment for the owner, offering competitive pricing to match. I have been extremely satisfied with their wide range of services, including system maintenance, repairs, and upgrades. Esscoe has consistently provided comprehensive services, ensuring that our fire alarm system remains in optimal condition and functions reliably at all times across our entire college campus.” -John Briseno, Lake Forest College
Now that you’ve heard from some of our valued clients, don’t hesitate to give us a call today! Contact our experts at 847.847.3200 or email us at info@esscoe.com
Convergint Acquires Esscoe, Expanding Service Offerings in Midwestern U.S.
Acquisition Adds More Than 80 Colleagues, Expanding Service Capabilities in Education, Finance, Utilities, Government, Healthcare, and Data Center Markets
September 09, 2024 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Convergint, a global leader in service-based systems integration, today announced that it has acquired Esscoe, a premier provider of mission-critical security and fire and life safety systems in the Chicago and Midwest regions. Esscoe is a local market leader, offering exceptional design and engineering capabilities and fully integrated, tech-enabled security solutions. The acquisition enables Convergint to accelerate growth across the Midwestern U.S.—building on Esscoe’s long-standing reputation for delivering cutting-edge solutions to its customers.
“Their commitment to market-leading service has earned them a loyal, extensive customer base across this critical region. Their mission resonates strongly with Convergint’s own Values and Beliefs and dedication to being our customers’ best service provider.”
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Lake Zurich, Illinois, Esscoe provides customers with essential security, life safety, and mass notification systems. The acquisition adds more than 80 local colleagues to Convergint, leveraging Esscoe’s established customer base to greatly expand market reach and technology expertise. Esscoe will bolster Convergint’s key service capabilities across verticals including financial, utilities, government, healthcare, and data centers.
“Esscoe’s deep technological expertise and innovative approach align perfectly with our strategic growth plans,” said Ann Fandozzi, CEO of Convergint. “Their commitment to market-leading service has earned them a loyal, extensive customer base across this critical region. Their mission resonates strongly with Convergint’s own Values and Beliefs and dedication to being our customers’ best service provider.”
“For nearly two decades, Mike Cook, Todd Keppy, and I have led Esscoe with a commitment to innovation and customer success,” said Scott Bartmess, Principal, Esscoe. “By joining Convergint, the Esscoe team is elevating our capacity to support customer growth locally, nationally and globally. This partnership allows us to join our expertise with Convergint’s extensive resources, creating a powerful combination that will be highly beneficial for the success of both our valued customers and colleagues.”
About Convergint
Convergint is a 2.5 billion USD global, industry-leading systems integrator that designs, installs, and services electronic security, cybersecurity, fire and life safety, building automation, and audio-visual systems. Listed as the #1 systems integrator in SDM Magazine’s Top Systems Integrators Report for the past 7 years, Convergint leads with over 10,000 colleagues and more than 220 locations worldwide. To learn more about Convergint, visit www.convergint.com.
For the first time since 1976, the worldwide standards for smoke detectors have been updated. The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standard for Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems recently published the UL 268 7th Edition, the biggest change to smoke alarms in 30 years. The new regulations in fire safety aim to tackle modern fire threats and simultaneously improve building occupant’s life safety.
How much can fire threats and safety change in 30 years? In a rapidly changing world, advancements in technology also means safety threats become more advanced alongside it. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), the average escape time from a fire in 1978 was roughly 17 minutes. However, thirty years later, that time sharply decreased to an average escape time of only 3 minutes. With modern day threats becoming faster and more dangerous, smoke detection systems need to be strides ahead to keep people safe.
The primary difference between the UL 268 6th and 7th editions is the update to better address synthetic materials. More often than not, the items in our homes, offices, schools and other places are made of synthetic materials like polyester or polyurethane foam. These materials are very flammable in comparison to natural materials that were more widely used 30 years ago, like cotton and wood. The UL 268 7th Edition can distinguish between these different materials and has the capability to react to synthetic fires quickly.
The other major update from the 6th edition to the 7th is the technology to distinguish between real fire threats and nuisance alarms. Has this ever happened to you? You are cooking and accidentally set off the smoke detector, so to stop the noise, you deactivate your smoke detector or take the batteries out altogether. The 6th edition was designed to activate at any sign of smoke, but in the long run, it led to more tenants turning off their smoke detectors and not turning them back on, increasing their risk of not knowing if there is a real fire threat. The UL 268 7th Edition was designed with this exact circumstance in mind, and is now able to differentiate between fire threats and nuisance alarms such as cooking smoke or even dust that accumulates over time.
In 2018, Edwards became the first multi-criteria smoke detector manufacturer to receive UL 268 7th edition certification with the new Signature Optica detectors. Edwards’ Optica Duct Detectors are uniquely designed to resist the environmental challenges of the HVAC environment and use detection algorithms to differentiate between nuisance particles, like cooking smoke, dust or steam, and serious threats.
Modern day fire threats require modern solutions, and the new regulations included in UL 268 7th Edition ensure that you and your community can stay safe and more aware of your surroundings. For more information about how you can update your system to the 7th edition, contact esscoe.com!
Managing a large facility comes with complicated challenges. With multiple vehicles and entities operating on different schedules, you need an advanced security system that can juggle just as much as you. We’ve compiled the most important security measures you can implement in your facility so you can keep things running on schedule without having to worry about security.
License Plate Recognition Be alerted to authorized and unauthorized vehicles entering your facility. Gain insight into your facility and surrounding area, enhancing safety and efficiency. Create and manage databases to track activity and trigger system events.
Truck Gate Safety Actively protect and monitor vehicular and intermodal access points to your facility and property. Simplify and secure the flow of traffic at entrances and exits with integrated solutions into access control and video surveillance systems.
Perimeter Security Secure your facility from unauthorized access with increased awareness, through turnstiles and sensors against unpermitted access and other threats.
Access Control Authenticate the identities of employees and visitors as they enter and leave the facility. Integrate intrusion sensors to share alarm notifications for perimeter detection events.
Video Surveillance Monitor vulnerable areas, analyze, and record video footage to detect suspicious activity. Utilize advanced camera analytics to track people and objects across critical boundaries to trigger notifications and external systems, such as security lights and network audio.
Fire Command Centers Address emergencies like severe weather, fire and security immediately with a master microphone and voice evacuation signaling control unit so everyone in your facility can be alerted and exit safely. Control your smoke exhaust, and removal systems all from the same command center.
Managing the security of a large distribution center can be difficult, so let us do the heavy lifting for you. Esscoe offers professional camera setup and fine-tuning to ensure accuracy and reliability for your security systems. Offerings include PoE cameras as well as solar-powered solutions communicating back to a central video management system. Contact us today to learn about our solutions!
At Esscoe, we specialize in safeguarding your building and its occupants with top-tier fire alarm and life safety solutions. Our commitment is to provide the highest level of protection and peace of mind.
Esscoe offers tailored solutions that align with your specific requirements. From the installation of state-of-the-art fire alarm systems to ensuring their ongoing functionality, we have you covered. Our services are designed to meet the unique demands of your facility, ensuring optimal safety at all times.
We pride ourselves on servicing and inspecting equipment from all manufacturers, regardless of their age or make. With Esscoe, you can trust that your fire alarm systems are in expert hands.
Esscoe provides web-based reporting and archiving solutions, ensuring that your records are accessible and well-maintained for years to come. Accurate record-keeping is crucial for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with safety regulations, and we make this process seamless and efficient.
For more information about our services and how we can help protect your building, contact us today. Esscoe – where safety meets excellence.
Keeping communities, campuses, and perimeters safe has never been more crucial. Introducing the Genetec AutoVu Cloudrunner, a cutting-edge solution for comprehensive vehicle monitoring and investigation.
What is AutoVu Cloudrunner?
AutoVu Cloudrunner goes beyond traditional License Plate Recognition (LPR). It’s a vehicle-centric investigation solution that provides access to key physical characteristics and analytics surrounding vehicle behavior. This enables quick identification and extraction of suspect vehicles, making it an invaluable tool for security professionals.
Key Benefits
AutoVu Cloudrunner offers a range of benefits designed to enhance security operations:
Proactive Danger Detection: Identify potential threats before they escalate.
Rapid Deployment: Utilize solar and cellular technologies for swift installation.
Scalable Model: Flexible hardware and subscription options to fit various needs.
Collaborative Capabilities: Work seamlessly with neighboring stakeholders.
Remote Calibration and Updates: Ensure optimal performance with easy remote adjustments.
24/7 Operation: Continuous protection with cloud, on-premises, and evidence custody platforms.
For more information on how AutoVu Cloudrunner can enhance your security efforts, visit Genetec AutoVu Cloudrunner or call Esscoe!
Security and Life Safety Systems are crucial for any business. Such important systems need reliable advisors, someone you can wholeheartedly trust. When it comes to reliable advisors, there’s no one more reliable than Esscoe.
Esscoe is capable of equipping an entire building with a comprehensive set of security software and hardware systems. Our experienced team of certified designers, engineers, and security subject matter experts can perform design, benchmarking, deployment, and physical/logical maintenance of your security systems.
To learn more, watch our short video above or contact an Esscoe representative.
Genetec has unveiled their new Security Center SaaS, and we’re excited to share with you the amazing benefits offered by this software as a service! This unified software solution provides enterprise-grade access control, video management, intrusion and communications monitoring, automation, forensic search, and more through cloud-native services.
The Benefits:
Fast Spin up new sites anywhere in the world with remote connectivity, deployment, and management
Non-stop Get continuous access to new software capabilities and features as they become available
Easy Make your enterprise-grade deployment and maintenance easier with security software offered as a service (SaaS)
Scalable Scale up to thousands of sites and devices with seamless connectivity, hybrid storage options, and edge computing
Flexible Choose to record video locally or in the cloud, select cameras that best suit your needs, and decide where to store and process your data
Security and Life Safety Systems are essential features of any facility. Unfortunately, many businesses don’t pay enough attention to the health of their systems until it’s too late.
Don’t wait for a disaster to reveal the weaknesses in your workplace safety. Take proactive steps to help avoid these three common mistakes companies make regarding their Security and Life Safety Systems.
Falling Behind on Routine Maintenance
After system installation is finished, many facilities believe that’s the end of it. They don’t check in on their systems, and other than the occasional required test or inspection, they just leave it be. As amazing as it would be to never need to check in on your systems, that unfortunately is not the case.
Security and Life Safety Systems are like any other machine, they will degrade over time. Mechanical parts wear down, storage media becomes fragmented, electrical circuits fail, batteries lose their charge, and eventually, the system will stop working entirely.
To prevent this, routine maintenance is required. Don’t just stick to the bare minimum. Regularly inspect your systems to ensure everything is in proper working order, making sure to document your findings and communicate with technicians to fix any problems. Taking a proactive approach of identifying potential issues before they become critical problems is essential to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone at your facilities.
Mismatched equipment & system incompatibilities
Another common mistake often occurs before the emergency even happens. Using equipment or systems from different manufacturers can cause incompatibilities leading to system failure. Different systems may not be able to properly communicate with each other. Firmware mismatches can arise when a new enhanced version of the user interface (i.e. the VMS, Video Management System) platform rolls out with a lot of neat new features, users are often quick to adopt it. However, if they overlook updating their camera’s firmware (or other edge devices) to ensure compatibility with the VMS, it is likely that the camera’s video will no longer record because of the outdated firmware at the edge device, like a critically positioned camera.
Ensuring all your Security and Life Safety Systems are able to effectively communicate and work together in one integrated system is essential for keeping your facilities safe. Determining which systems are compatible with each other can be difficult, but system integrators like Esscoe can help! Esscoe is one of the few systems integrators able to equip an entire building system with access control, fire alarm, surveillance video, paging, mass notification, and rescue assistance systems.
Ignoring Staff Education
A common expression among Navy Seals is: “In moments of stress, human beings don’t rise to the occasion but instead sink to the level of their training.” Your staff need regular training on how to respond to emergencies, as during a real emergency situation they won’t have time to find the emergency plan and read it over.
Ensure staff have the opportunity to practice for potential emergencies. Teach staff where to find escape routes, what surveillance cameras to monitor, the location of emergency equipment like fire extinguishers, and how to properly use emergency notification systems. Not only that, but encourage preventative behaviors like proper flammable material storage as well. Training is of the utmost importance to ensure that when an emergency happens, everyone knows how to respond.
It’s also essential to refresh your staff’s training regularly. Training is perishable, if staff don’t have the opportunity to revisit those concepts, they will likely forget most if not all of their training.
Keeping these three common mistakes in mind will help you ensure safety in emergency situations. Take a proactive approach and avoid these mistakes before they turn into a disaster.
This next generation of EST LED Strobes is here! Designed to help reduce installation and maintenance costs, the EST 185cd LED Strobe contains numerous upgrades over traditional Xenon devices. To showcase the benefits of the new EST HIGH CANDELA (185cd) LED Strobe, here’s some statistics based on a facility with about 1,000,000 sq feet, mounted at a 40-foot clear height (a typical Logistics/Warehouse Structure):
93% LESS current draw than a 177cd Xenon Strobe
Uses LESS expensive 6 Amp NAC Power Supplies (vs. 10 Amp) because of the lower current draw.
Provides open area visual notification with ONLY 198 devices
All 198 strobes can be powered with ONLY THREE (3), 6 Amp Power Supplies, using just ELEVEN (11) circuits!
In comparison, 198 old Xenon Strobes would require over TEN (10) Power Supplies, using FORTY (40) circuits!
That’s a REDUCTION of – Seven (7), 20 Amp Circuit Breaker Panel connections.
REDUCTION of SEVEN (7) conduit runs to and from NAC panels.
REDUCTION of FOURTEEN (14) lead-acid batteries.
LESS wall space consumed by Fire Alarm systems.
Using 12 Gauge Wire, connect TWENTY-FIVE (25) Strobes on a single 1,600’ notification appliance circuit.
Using 14 Gauge Wire, connect TWENTY (20) strobes on a single 1,000’ notification appliance circuit.
In this comparison, Xenon Strobes only allow up to THREE (3) 177cd Strobes on a single notification appliance circuit. WHY? their current draw is so high, that more than THREE (3) creates too much voltage drop over a 12- or 14-gauge fire alarm cable to maintain the code minimum operating voltage for the strobe.
Reduction in maintenance costs with LESS equipment needing maintenance (power supplies, batteries, notification appliances).
Now multiply YOUR labor cost to install TWENTY-NINE (29) LESS circuits, SEVEN (7) LESS NAC panels, (7) LESS Circuit Breakers and you have REAL, QUANTIFIABLE, SAVINGS at today’s higher construction costs!
Overall, the savings from the new EST HIGH-CANDELA LED Strobe are too good to pass up! Contact us today about how your next project!