Accel - FAQ

Frequently asked questions:

Q. Do you offer gate control via your remote video monitoring services?
Q. Can you inspect my fire system even though you did not install it?

ACCEL HOME

Q. Who will be monitoring my alarm system?
Q. How much does a security system cost?

PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Q. What are the physical requirements for a Security Officer?
Q. What are the working conditions?

Q: Does Accel offer any kind of Benefits for Security Officers?

Q. Are background checks and drug screens a requirement for all Accel security officers?

Q. What type of training do your security officers have before working a job?

Q. Who trains your security guards?

Q. I’ve heard that Accel security guards are better that your competitor’s guards. What makes them better?

EMERGENCY GENERATORS

Q. What is the cost of installation?

Q. How long does it take to install a Guardian generator?

Q. How do you size the generator?

Q. What is the expected life of the engine?

Q. Where can I get parts?

Q. How much oil does the engine crankcase hold?

Q. What type of oil is recommended?

Q. Propane tanks are usually rated by pounds. Is there a conversion that can be applied to the fuel consumption numbers?

Q. How loud is the generator?
Q. Where can I get a manual for my generator?
Q. How much fuel does a Guardian use?

Q. When the unit powers on for the weekly exerciser program, is there any interruption in power?

Q. The generator I've chosen has a 100-amp transfer switch. What if I have 200-amp service in my home?

Q. Will 200-amp automatic transfer switches be available for 12, 15 and 20kW Guardian generators?

Q. Why use natural gas instead of diesel?

PROTECTION & TECHNOLOGIES

Q. Do you offer gate control via your remote video monitoring services?
A. Yes, we can monitor and remote control many commonly used systems and controls through the advanced software applications in place at our central station.

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Q. Can you inspect my fire system even though you did not install it?

A. Yes we can. Accel has Technicians qualified and experienced in several different systems thus allowing us to serve a wide range of systems

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ACCEL HOME

Q. Who will be monitoring my alarm system?

A. Accel Protection & Technologies, LLC. entrusts this aspect of our business to Acadian Monitoring Services (AMS), an Acadian Ambulance owned company. In addition to being a UL-Listed (Underwriters Laboratories) central station, AMS also has a live, redundant station in Houston, Texas. This gives them the capability to “swing” monitored accounts to and from each location, as needed, which is very important in the case of a local emergency or if a hurricane is heading in our direction.

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Q. How much does a security system cost?

A. This varies from house to house and building to building. Entry points (i.e. doors and windows), use of the system, and customer needs all play a part in calculating the cost of a security system. This is an investment in your property so you should treat it as such. Getting an evaluation of your particular circumstances from a trained professional is the first step you should take. Accel Protection & Technologies, LLC. can provide the guidance you need in making an informed decision.

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PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Q: What are the physical requirements for a Security Officer?

A. Able to sit, stand, and/or walk for long periods of time. Have full range of motion to include use of hands to fingers and ability to bend to pick up objects and crouch when needed. Additional movements may include running, climbing and jumping. Have full command of all five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. Specific vision requirements include close vision, night vision, depth and color perception and the ability to to adjust focus. Have the ability to lift at least 80 pounds with regularity. Have the ability to remain alert and aware of surroundings at night.

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Q. What are the working conditions?

A. Must be able to work in extreme temperatures and weather conditions outdoors. This includes but is not limited to: heavy rain and hot and cold conditions. Noise level varies by client location and officers are often expected to enter loud areas while conducting patrols. Many locations are remote and require an officer overnight when the client is not operating.

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Q: Does Accel offer any kind of Benefits for Security Officers?

A. Yes. Accel offers paid vacation and sick leave, 401K package and medical benefits*.

     *Rescrictions may apply

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Q. Are background checks and drug screens a requirement for all Accel security officers?

A. Accel has a rigorous screening and hiring process consisting of drug/substance screening, background, criminal record, and fingerprint checks through the F.B.I., Louisiana State police and local law enforcement agencies.

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Q. What type of training do your security officers have before working a job?

A. The Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners requires all employees hired for the position of security officer to complete two (2) eight hour classes followed by written examinations. Accel also sends officers to advanced training courses in Maritime Security, COMSEC, Safe-Gulf, Defensive Driving, PPE Safety and Accident Prevention, Verbal Judo, CPR and first aid classes. Additionally, those officers designated to work on armed posts must complete eight hours of firearms training, consisting of classroom, written examination testing and qualification on the firing range.

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Q. Who trains your security officers?

A. Accel Protection & Technologies, LLC employs its own in-house Instructors. All instructors are certified through the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners. Our firearms instructors are active P.O.S.T. firearm instructors for law enforcement agencies in Louisiana . Our classroom security officer instructor served ten years in the US Army and is a former state trooper.

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Q. I’ve heard that Accel security officers are better that your competitor’s guards. What makes them better?

A. Accel’s commitment to service excellence is what makes it a leader in the security industry. Our superior service begins with our team members as well-chosen security officers are Accel’s most valuable asset. Accel is committed to hiring high caliber officers who are professional, intelligent and dedicated. Our pre-employment screening, background checks, on-going training and quality assurance measures ensure that Accel officers are the industry’s finest.

EMERGENCY GENERATORS

Q. What is the cost of installation ?

A. The installation costs depend on several factors:

(1) Location of generator

(2) Location of gas supply.

(3) Location of circuits to be protected (whole house, selected, sub-panel).

(4) Any wiring changes required to your electrical system to accommodate the generator and transfer switch.

(5) Permits and/or inspections required. To have an accurate estimate of the costs involved and the correct generator required we suggest a site survey.

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Q. How long does it take to install a Guardian generator?

A. The air-cooled 12kW and 15 kW, which now come equipped with a comprehensive installation kit, can take as little as 4 hours to install. The liquid-cooled 15kW to 40kW generators will normally take up to 14 hours over 2 days. The increased installation time is that the air-cooled units are shipped on a composite mounting pad while the liquid-cooled units, because of their weight, must be placed on a stronger mounting surface. Concrete slabs are poured in place and need one day to set properly, which accounts for the additional installation time. If the installer can source a prefabricated mounting pad that will meet the increased weight requirements of a liquid-cooled unit, the installation time will be reduced accordingly.

The length of time is based on a "typical" application. It does not apply to extended runs of conduit or gas piping or the placement of a unit far away from the incoming gas or electrical service.

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Q. How do you size the generator?

A. (1) Whole house - The generator supplies power to all of the circuits in the house, this will require a larger generator than the selected circuit option. (2) Selected circuit - The generator supplies power to the circuits you select as being essential (refrigeration, lighting, septic pump, well, A/C, etc.) to you during a utility power outage, this will usually require a smaller generator than the whole house option. The total power requirements of the selected circuits will determine the size of the generator required.

The only completely accurate way is to have an electrician apply an amp meter to the circuits or appliances that are being chosen to operate under emergency backup power. It is recommended that the amp draw be measured as the appliance "starts up" when that appliance uses an inductive or resistive motor.

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Q. What is the expected life of the engine?

A. A properly maintained engine should provide over 20 years of operation under emergency standby conditions. Keep in mind that the units are not intended to provide prime power (24 hours a day 365 days a year).

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Q. Where can I get parts?

A. Parts can be ordered by contacting Accel. The part numbers are located in the owner's manual.

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Q. How much oil does the engine crankcase hold?

A. Air-cooled 12kW and 15kW - 1.7 qts. Liquid-cooled 15, 20 and 25 kW - 4.0 qts. 35 and 40 kW - 4.5 qts.

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Q. What type of oil is recommended?

A. For the 12 kW and 15 kW air-cooled units: above 20° F use 10W-30, below 20° F use 5W-20 or 5W-30. After the first oil change, all-season 5W-30 synthetic oil should be used. API Service Class SG, SH or SJ should be used in all cases.

The recommended oil for the liquid-cooled units is 15W-40. All oils should be SAE rated high detergent oil that meets or exceeds API Service Class SF requirements for gasoline engine.

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Q. Propane tanks are usually rated by pounds. Is there a conversion that can be applied to the fuel consumption numbers?

A. Yes. For general conversion, propane weighs 4.24 pounds per gallon.

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Q. How loud is the generator?
A. The air cooled generators are all about 70db’s (comparable to a commercial lawn mower) at 20 feet. What does this mean? It means you can have a regular conversation between two people standing next to a running air cooled generator. Remember, Guardian has been manufacturing generators for 40 years; they are designed for residential neighborhoods. The new Elite and QuietSource liquid cooled generators are much quieter than the standard models. If noise is an issue, take a look at the QuietSource 11KW, 15KW, 20KW, 25KW, 30KW and 40KW models.

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Q. Where can I get a manual for my generator?
A. Generator and transfer switch manuals are available from Accel.

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Q. How much fuel does a Guardian use?

                                       Air Cooled

       Liquid Cooled

Output 12 kW 15 kW 15 kW 20 kW 25 kW SAE 40 kW

Natural Gas
cu ft/hr 168 240 277 369 441 735

Propane
cu ft/hr
(gal/hr) 71.8
(1.97) 102.3
(2.8) 110
(3.1) 143
(4.0) 175
(4.8) 310
(8.8)

These are fuel consumption values at 100% (full) load . It is unlikely that the unit would run at full load for an extended period of time. Therefore, your consumption could decrease accordingly.
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Q. When the unit powers on for the weekly exerciser program, is there any interruption in power?

A. The generator has an exerciser program which starts the generator weekly, to assure you that your generator is operational and ready when needed. The exerciser program does not interrupt the utility power to your home.

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Q. The generator I've chosen has a 100-amp transfer switch. What if I have 200-amp service in my home?

A. It is always recommended that emergency circuits be isolated by the emergency load center. An isolated sub-panel will prevent the possibility of the generator becoming overloaded. Thus, the system will respond automatically.

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Q. Will 200-amp automatic transfer switches be available for 12, 15 and 20kW Guardian generators?

A. Yes but, it is not electrically necessary. The outputs of these generators are safely carried with the 100-amp automatic transfer switch.

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Q. Why use natural gas instead of diesel?
A. We usually use diesel only in locations where natural gas is not available.

The biggest advantage of a natural gas generator is they ability to directly tie the generator with the fuel source for homes already receiving natural gas as an energy source. Thus a virtually unlimited supply.

Diesel fuel generators require checking for fuel contamination as diesel fuel can grow fungus and harmful slime-producing fungi that clog filters and pipelines, attack rubber fuel system components and whose waste products aid in the corrosion of metal surfaces. Diesel fuel may not be available during an emergency situation.
Diesel is a heavy pollutant and very ($ 5.00 + per gallon delivered) costly.
Natural gas generators have an advantage over diesel generators in cost and that natural gas is cleaner burning.
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Last Update 08/02/2010