Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
AFSA’s Technical Advisory Council (TAC) met on July 25, 2024, to continue their efforts to establish AFSA’s positions on upcoming issues for the second draft meetings for the 2026 editions of NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, and NFPA 200, Standard for Hanging and Bracing of Fire Suppression Systems.
In addition to reviewing proposed changes to the codes and standards, the TAC reviewed a decision that came down from the NFPA Standards Council regarding multi-representation on NFPA technical committees. Historically, AFSA has held two seats on each of the following committees: AUT-SSI (NFPA 13 – Installation), AUT-SSD (NFPA 13 – Discharge), AUT-HBS (NFPA 13 – Hanging and Bracing), AUT-RSS (NFPA 13R/13D – Residential), but AFSA will now only have one seat on those committees.
As stated in the letter from the Standards Council Secretary:
The Standards Council has been reviewing multi-representation across all technical committees. This endeavor has taken the course of multiple meetings with the Council considering each committee and each organization individually and methodically… At the April 17-18th Standards Council Meeting, the Council voted to remove AFSA’s multi-representation.
While AFSA was disappointed by the decision, we are not discouraged. AFSA staff will still hold the organizational seat on these core technical committees to represent the collective position of the TAC and AFSA membership. There continue to be additional opportunities to serve on NFPA technical committees as an organizational representative for AFSA, and those actively involved in the TAC (not necessarily voting members) will have priority. To date, AFSA members have been approved by the TAC to serve as organizational representatives on the Technical Committees on Foam (NFPA 11), Aerosol Products (NFPA 30B), Finishing Processes (NFPA 33), Internal Combustion Engines (NFPA 37), Laboratories Using Chemicals (NFPA 45), Detention and Correctional Occupancies (NFPA 101/5000), Fire Protection Features (NFPA 101/5000), Health Care Occupancies (NFPA 101/5000), and Hybrid Fire Extinguishing Systems (NFPA 770). It should be noted that these are only approved through TAC to represent AFSA and all applicants still need to be appointed by NFPA Standards Council.
The latest appointments by NFPA Standards Council for AFSA Organizational Representatives on NFPA Technical Committees include:
• Kevin Hall, AFSA, NFPA 14 (SPI-AAA), Principal
• Brent Kearney, Protection Design and Consulting, NFPA 420 (CGP-AAA), Alternate
• Steve Leyton, Protection Design and Consulting, NFPA 420 (CGP-AAA), Principal
It cannot be stressed enough that the TAC is intended to represent AFSA’s position on technical matters. While voting seats on the TAC are currently limited to 15 contractor members, all AFSA members are permitted—and encouraged!—to attend the meeting, participate, and voice your opinions so that vote on issues considering a wider perspective. The next TAC meeting will be held in early November. If any AFSA member is interested in participating, please reach out to me at khall@firesprinkler.org to be added to the communications list.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kevin Hall, M.Eng., P.E., ET, CWBSP, PMSFPE, is the senior manager of engineering and technical services for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). He is a member of several National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) technical committees responsible for developing the model codes and standards, including, NFPA 1 Fire Code, NFPA 13/13R/13D Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 20 Installation of Stationary Fire Pumps for Fire Protection, NFPA 25 Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, and NFPA 200 Hanging, Bracing, and Anchorage of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. He also represents AFSA on numerous UL technical committees responsible for revising and maintaining the product standards used in the sprinkler industry. He is a registered professional engineer in Delaware and Maryland, NICET III certified in water-based system layout, a certified water-based system professional through NFPA, and a professional member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees from the University of Maryland College Park in fire protection engineering. In 2021, he was recognized as one of SFPE’s “5 Under 35” award recipients. Prior to his association and committee work, he worked for Reliance Fire Protection in Baltimore, Maryland as a project manager overseeing projects of various sizes and complexity.
