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Scaling Up Without Losing Touch THE ADVANTAGE OF STAYING SMALL NOVEMBER 2025
AMERICAN-ALARMS.COM
(515) 266-9888
One thing I’ve learned in this business is that size is not the best measure of impact. We may be a small, family-owned team, but the projects we’ve taken on often rival those handled by much larger companies. Over the last several years, we’ve proven we can scale up to meet the needs of much bigger jobs without losing the personal service that sets us apart. That shift began about seven years ago, when we decided to rebuild our product line. We focused on vendors leading the way in fire alarms, video surveillance, and access control. We wanted systems that were flexible, scalable, and easy to use. The result is that we can now handle projects ranging from a single door or camera to hundreds of them, all on the same platform. The system grows with the property, and the user experience stays simple, no matter how large the job gets. Our goal on the fire alarm side has always been to remove as many headaches as possible. Because these systems are code- based, customers don’t have many choices about what they need, but they should still have something user-friendly. Too often, alarm companies make things more complicated than necessary. We take a different approach. We design and program systems that meet code, but also make sure customers know how to use them.
Some of our recent work shows just how much of a difference that approach makes. The Union at River’s Edge project in downtown Des Moines includes over 200 apartment units and a fire alarm system with over 1,000 devices. Spectrum Heights in Ankeny is larger, but with a similar alarm system and an added emergency call component to ensure accessibility for all residents. The systems we provide are designed to keep those buildings safe, accessible, and code-compliant while staying manageable for the staff who run them. Large projects like these can stretch on for many months and come with unique challenges. To keep everything moving, we rely on strong communication and coordination. Our project manager ensures we order the right parts, schedule the right technicians, and stay connected with electricians, sprinkler contractors, elevator companies, and inspectors. Being a smaller team is actually an advantage in this process. We can respond faster, stay flexible, and keep communication direct. Our goal in all this is always to deliver a safe, working system on time without losing the personal service people expect from us. I’m grateful for the team making that possible. Many of our employees have been with us for a long time and bring a vast knowledge you can’t replace. I’m also thankful for the customers who have trusted
us for 20 years or more. We have built relationships with organizations throughout the region, including Southeast Polk Community School District, Southern Iowa Rural Water Association, Topgolf in West Des Moines, and many apartment complexes and senior housing facilities. Those projects remind us how far we’ve come and how much of an impact a small group of dedicated people can make. As we move into the holiday season, I find myself reflecting on that. I am thankful for the opportunity my father gave me to help lead this company and the vendor partners who have supported our growth. Most of all, I am grateful for the people on our team and the customers who continue to trust us. Your confidence pushes
us to keep improving, project after project.
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Clean Classics Retro Remedies for a Radiant Home Today’s home makeover marketplace is full of high-tech goods and gadgets designed to keep your spaces clean. However, looking to the distant past reveals plenty of practical (and, in many cases, less expensive) options to bring your pad back to perfection. Here are three vintage cleaning tips that still work well today. Markers are no match for rubbing alcohol. Most parents encourage their children to explore their artistic side. Still, the possibility of your little ones becoming future Picassos can become problematic if they use markers to turn your refrigerator, countertops, walls, or other nonporous surfaces into makeshift art galleries. Instead of shrieking in horror upon discovering their creations, reach for rubbing alcohol and apply it to a cloth. Rubbing the fabric on the scribbles will dissolve the pigments, making it easier to restore your child’s ad-hoc canvas to its original, clean condition. Of course, you may want to snap a few photos of your child’s art before wiping it away and consider purchasing more appropriate things for them to draw on! Mint will suppress summer stink. Although the air tends to cool off this time of year, summer will be here again before we know it. If heat and humidity make your garbage cans stink to high heaven, you can find the answer to
overcoming the odor in your garden. Grow or purchase fresh mint and place a sprig in each can daily. You’ll be amazed by how quickly the stench goes away. Tidy pet hair without time travel. Pets bring joy and companionship to our lives, but their hair can do a real number on our rugs and upholstery. Interestingly, the secret to purging pet hair emerged nearly 80 years ago. In the May 1946 issue of Better Homes & Gardens, a reader recommended rubbing a wet rubber sponge on the affected areas, a process that rolls up the hair into easy-to-remove balls. A writer from the magazine decided to test this method last year and the decades- old directions still did the trick.
MODERN SAFETY FOR MULTIFAMILY LIVING SMARTER SYSTEMS, SAFER COMMUNITIES
When you manage a multifamily property, safety is always a top priority. From fire protection to visitor access, these buildings face unique challenges that are very different from those of other properties.
the same habits or tools. Older residents, or those without smartphones, may struggle if there isn’t a simple way to let guests through the door. And managers need to know that people entering the building are actually there to see residents. That’s where good systems come in. Access control tools like secure entry points, e-keys, or video intercoms provide a safe, consistent way to manage visitors. Video cameras can add another layer of security, and many properties are now looking at systems that work together to cover more ground. Video surveillance and access control can be tied together to provide a clearer picture of who is coming and going and what is happening on-site. Integration like this improves safety and makes it easier for managers to handle multiple needs through one platform. Multifamily housing will only continue to grow in size and complexity, and the systems on these properties need to keep pace. The good news is that technology now makes it possible to simplify what used to be complicated. With the right partner and tools, properties can stay ahead of requirements, protect residents, and reduce risks without adding new headaches.
Over the last decade, the expectations for apartment and condo buildings have only grown, and so have the systems designed to meet them. One of the most important responsibilities for property managers is to inspect and test fire alarm systems each year. Unfortunately, one thing I’ve seen happen too often is a company that rushes through this work, hangs a tag on the panel, and leaves. On the surface, it may look like they met the requirement, but in reality, they may not have tested the system thoroughly. When they cut corners, residents, staff, and owners are left at risk, and the liability can be enormous if something goes wrong. Visitor management is another concern for multifamily properties. A building with younger residents may rely on cellphones and apps to let people in, but tenants don’t all have
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When it comes to safety systems, one size does not fit all. A school is not the same as a senior living facility, and neither one is the same as a restaurant, library, or multifamily housing complex. Every property is different, meaning testing and inspections must match what is in the building. NFPA 72 is the national code governing fire alarm and life safety systems. It outlines how often devices should be tested and what functions must be checked. Some things are monthly, others are annual, but the point is that every part of the system needs to be exercised regularly to prove it works. That includes the alarms and the connections to other building systems. What needs to be tested depends on the type of property. In multifamily housing, alarms tie into elevators, sprinklers, and carbon monoxide detectors because people live and sleep there. Restaurants and event centers often have kitchen hood suppression systems that have to be tested to confirm they activate and report correctly to the fire alarm. An office building or warehouse, on the other hand, could have an HVAC system tied to the alarms that has to shut down during an event. Schools and senior living facilities add yet another layer. In schools, we often see mass notification systems where alarms trigger messages to staff and students. Senior living facilities might require alarms tied to specialized call systems for residents who cannot easily evacuate on their own. There are also details people don’t think about. Elevators need to be recalled properly, with confirmed power shutoffs. Access control doors must unlock when the alarm is triggered. Sprinklers and other suppression systems have to be tied in so the fire alarm panel shows the right status. These are not optional. They are part of what inspectors look for when testing for compliance. These complexities are why we only send licensed and certified technicians to work on any system. They know what to look for in different buildings and how to ensure the systems do their job. Ultimately, good testing is about protecting people and ensuring the building is ready when it counts. SAFETY ISN’T ONE SIZE FITS ALL Compliance Testing That Matches Your Property
Pumpkin Dump Cake
• 1 (15 oz) can INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers or pecans • 1/2 cup toffee bits (optional) • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
pure pumpkin
• 1 (10 oz) can
evaporated milk • 1 cup light brown sugar • 3 eggs • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice • 1 box yellow cake mix
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside. 2. In a large bowl, add pumpkin, evaporated milk, sugar, eggs, and pumpkin pie spice. 3. Stir to combine and pour into the prepared pan. 4. Sprinkle the entire box of cake mix on top, followed by nuts or graham crackers and toffee bits. 5. Pour melted butter evenly on top. 6. Bake for 45–50 minutes, until the center is set and edges are lightly browned. 7. Serve warm or at room temperature. DIRECTIONS
Inspired by CookiesAndCups.com
American-Alarms.com · 3
Complete Fire Alarm and Security Service In Iowa And The Midwest, By A Local Veteran-Owned Company American-Alarms.com (515) 266-9888
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1659 E Euclid Ave, Ste. B Des Moines, Iowa 50313
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Service That Scales With You
2. Old Ways, Fresh Days 2. Simplifying Multifamily Safety Systems 3. Code Compliance Built Around Your Needs 3. Pumpkin Dump Cake
4. Make Your Bed Feel Luxurious
LAYERING FOR COMFORT EASY TIPS TO BUILD A BETTER BED
There’s nothing like climbing into a comfortable bed after a long day, but if your bed feels flat or not quite right, it can make falling and staying asleep difficult. The good news is that a few small changes can make a big difference, and you don’t need to spend a fortune or redo your bedroom. You can get that soft, hotel-bed feel by focusing on comfort, one layer at a time.
From there, build up the layers. A light quilt or comforter works well for everyday use, but adding a heavier blanket gives the bed a more grounded, cozy feel. Fold it across the foot of the bed or keep it within reach if you get cold at night. Of course, pillows are another key piece. Use two for sleeping and add one or two for lounging. Choose fills
that match how you sleep, whether you prefer firm support or something softer.
Your mattress is the best place to start. If it’s too firm or starting to sag, a mattress topper can help. Look for something with a bit of cushioning. Memory foam or down alternative toppers are easy to find and can instantly improve how your bed feels. Once that’s in place,
Texture also matters more than people think. A knit throw or velvet pillow can warm up the look and feel
of the whole space, as can soft lighting and a bedside table. When your bed looks and feels comfortable, you’re more likely to use it to
focus on your sheets. Breathable cotton or linen sheets that feel good against your skin can completely change how you sleep. And after a few washes, they soften even more.
rest, not just crash. And once you have it right, it’s hard to settle for anything less.
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