Wayne likes open architecture
By Martha Entwistle
Updated Tue January 1, 2008
ORLANDOâ€â€Especially when a fire alarm installation is a retrofit, Rob Shannon prefers to install a non-proprietary system.
That was the case recently, when Shannon, alarm superintendent for Wayne Automatic Sprinkler (which also does fire alarm work), updated the fire alarm system at Maitland Green, an office park here. The job took two weeks, mainly because the building is fully occupied with businesses.
Shannon installed a Silent Knight 5820XL Addressable panel, which is non-proprietary. With people working throughout the building, “it’s a huge advantage to be able to use the existing wiring.â€Â
The Maitland job was a standard installation for Wayne Automatic Sprinkler, which has been in business since 1978. Danny Harrod, alarm operations manager for Wayne, in December said the privately held company had projected 2007 earnings of $100 million. In 2006, the company had $85 million in earnings. “The past two years, we’ve had significant growth, last year was a record-breaking year,†he said.
While most of its work is in sprinklers, Wayne entered the fire alarm business about 15 years ago. “That way we can offer customers a package deal without having to use subcontractors,†Harrod said.
Wayne’s fire alarm business now makes up about 10 percent of revenues. Wayne has six offices in Florida and one in North Carolina and 580 employees.
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