Building Management Hawaii February/March 2014 - (Page 26)

Safe & Secure How hiring the right security company can protect you against unintended liabilities. By Frank Commendador SEcurity I n the past several years, the contract security industry in Hawaii has had a huge influx of national and international newcomers. Some of the companies are local start-ups, while others are new to the Islands. Fair competition strengthens the security industry as a whole because it motivates most of its professionals to provide superior service at the risk of not growing and eventually going out of business. I would imagine it is becoming increasingly difficult for association board of directors, property managers and those wanting to hire a contract security company to select a company that has their best interest in mind. 26 February-March 2014 BMH Jan-Guard Hawaii Inc., a fully insured, licensed and bonded contract security company that has been in business since 1999, and some of its competitors have come across at least four contract security companies that are not licensed to do business in the state of Hawaii but are nevertheless doing business on Oahu and the Big Island. We suspect there are more unlicensed security companies out there to be identified. It appears some of these companies have lost their licensed "principal" guard, or are in the process of going before the Board Of Private Detectives and Guards, or are simply trying to dodge the licensing requirements. In any case, in Hawaii it is illegal to perform contract security guard work without a current and valid license issued by the State of Hawaii Commission of Private Detectives and Guards and may subject the company hiring a non-licensed company to a wide range of unintended liability exposure. Whether you have a current contract or are looking for a new security guard company, insist that the company provide you proof of being duly licensed. In Hawaii it is standard practice for a bonafide guard agency to have two licenses. The first is a licensed "principal" guard who is usually the experienced person granted a license by the Board of Private Detectives and Guards, and the second is an agency license. Another very important factor in helping you select or keep your contract security company is an initial and thereafter periodic checks with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA). Also, visit the Regulated Industries Complaints Office at www. businesscheck.hawaii.gov. This is an excellent website to check out any business in Hawaii and obtain the latest score card on a company's compliance to Hawaii State Law and consumer issues. Because our society in general is so litigious, you should pay equal attention to the contract security company's insurance polices and limits of coverage. Confirm that your guard company's insurance limits for general liability, worker compensation and auto are at least equal to yours or higher. This will prevent any "gaps" in coverage, as your insurance policies are intended to be secondary and the guard company's insurance policy as primary when dealing with loss caused by the guard company. www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com http://businesscheck.hawaii.gov http://www.buildingmanagementhawaii.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Management Hawaii February/March 2014

ENERGY MANAGEMENT
Engineered Efficiency: A Holistic Approach
Why Host An EV Charger
The New Age Of Energy Metering
Are You On Island Time?
Time To Stay Cool
Through The Tinted-Glass, And What Savings You’ll Find There
SECURITY
Managing Off-Site
Safe & Secure
HVAC: Top Trends
EDITORIAL Notes
An Industry Unites At Expo 2014
The (Often Overlooked) Success Factor
On Site: Men At Work

Building Management Hawaii February/March 2014