Featured Articles

NAC’S PHASE I EXAM HELPS EVALUATE, PREPARE, AND SHOWCASE YOUR APPRENTICES AFSA’s Annual National Apprentice Competition (NAC) is in its third decade of showcasing sprinkler fitter apprentices. While earning a spot in the Top 7 is the ultimate goal for apprentices, there are benefits to simply entering and taking the …

CONVENTION, EXHIBITION, AND APPRENTICE COMPETITION TO BE HELD IN THE MILE-HIGH CITY Mark your calendars and pack your bags for Denver, Colo., from Sept. 18-21! The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is hosting its Annual Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition miles higher than ever before. Join AFSA at the Gaylord …

With the changes to automobile vehicles over the years and the method in the way parking garages are designed, the model building codes and the sprinkler installation standards have been modified for fire protection of these structures. However, these modifications have not fully addressed the issues. For years, if a …

Why are standards, not standard?  I mean the very word itself conjures up thoughts of other words, like normal, typical, common, habitual, or familiar. However, it seems obvious to those of us in the fire sprinkler world that standards, as in NFPA standards, are not applied, enforced, or accepted in …

February 2024 kicked off the new year with my first AFSA Board & Committee meetings as chair. The meetings were very productive and eventful; each committee set clear goals to better serve, you, our members. Convention Committee Chair, Don Kaufman, along with committee members and AFSA staff, are in full …

CORRECTING DEFICIENCIES AND REPAIRS FOR FACILITY MANAGERS The inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) of water-based fire protection systems is similar to a vehicle’s inspection, testing, and maintenance. Vehicle owners are required to maintain fuel levels, check directional and brake light functions, and monitor tire tread. As a building owner or …

SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS We all know the weakest link in the chain of success for this industry is a lack of qualified and trained people. In fact, I recently had a member tell me that they have such a hard time finding people to hire, they now encourage long-haired, …

Associations play a valuable role, whether it be professional development, business growth, networking, or creating or changing the standards that impact the industry. Whatever the reason, becoming a member of an industry-specific association offers numerous opportunities that positively impact your professional development and the success of your business. Associations provide …

Happy New Year! 2024 is going to be an exciting year for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) and the standards development process. AFSA has formed a Technical Advisory Council (TAC) to establish AFSA positions on technical changes to the documents that affect the sprinkler industry. The TAC is comprised …

TRADITIONAL AND HYBRID LEARNING SCHOOLS OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT Design School is back for another year! The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Beginning and Intermediate Design Schools have become a favorite within the industry and have seen year-over-year success. These training courses can help those wanting to become designers and professionals …