Chief Economist Advises Overall “Wait-and-See” Approach Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) Chief Economist Anirban Basu forecasts continued momentum for the construction sector next year but advised an overall “wait-and-see” approach based on leading and lagging indicators and economic uncertainties, according to a 2020 economic outlook published in Construction Executive magazine. …
Read More »Have Issues with ITM?
Members Save Time and Money with Informal Interpretations The informal interpretations featured in this issue of Sprinkler Age address inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) issues. Informal interpretations are prepared by the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Technical Services Department— John August Denhardt, PE, FSFPE, vice president of Engineering & Technical …
Read More »Merit Shop Scores Released
Florida Tops Rankings for Second Year in a Row Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has released its 2019 Merit Shop Scorecard, an annual ranking based on state policies and programs that encourage workforce development, career and technical education, job growth, and promote fair and open competition for taxpayer-funded construction projects. …
Read More »Headrick Wins National Apprentice Competition Top
Talent Competes During AFSA38 The stage was set. It was October 4, 2019, and hundreds of onlookers flooded into the bustling exhibit hall at AFSA38: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in San Diego, California, to witness the 26th Annual National Apprentice Competition hosted by the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). …
Read More »Industry Forecast Looks Good for 2020
Avoiding Recession… for Now It seems rumors about a pending recession were swirling as 2019 drew to a close and as forecasters gazed into their crystal balls for 2020. Those fears seem to have been held off for at least another year, according to construction industry experts and the contractor …
Read More »Honor Those Who Have Made a Difference
Nominations Accepted Online for Top Fire Sprinkler Industry Awards The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is accepting nominations for its top honors: the prestigious Henry S. Parmelee Award, esteemed Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year award, and the new yet highly regarded Young Professional of the Year award. The awards …
Read More »Construction starts to slip in 2020
Dodge Data & Analytics Releases Outlook Dodge Data & Analytics has released its 2020 Dodge Construction Outlook, a mainstay in construction industry forecasting and business planning. The report predicts that total U.S. construction starts will slip to $776 billion in 2020, a decline of 4 percent from the 2019 estimated …
Read More »Chair’s Message
As I look forward to this new year, I want you to know that I bring you both good news and bad news: Our economy is booming, and our economy is booming. No, that’s not a typo. The good news? We are still on a record-setting pace for the number …
Read More »Thank You for Your Support!
Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is proud to recognize those members who are celebrating milestone membership anniversaries. The member companies featured have belonged to AFSA for 15 or more years of continuous membership. Several members are celebrating milestone anniversaries in November and December including Associate …
Read More »Council Elects 2020 Officers
AFSA Manufacturer/Supplier Members Have a Voice The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council elected its officers October 4 at the AFSA38: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in San Diego. Chris Stason of Victaulic Company in Temecula, California was elected as chair of the Council and Derek Allen of …
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