Nominate Those Who Have Made an Impact on the Fire Sprinkler Industry 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 …
Read More »Too Busy to Train?
Abandon That Attitude and Embrace Apprenticeship Training! As business in the fire sprinkler industry picks up, more contractor companies are finding themselves with a wealth of projects to tackle. Despite the fact that this is what all contractors hope for, that kind of good fortune can also come with its …
Read More »AHJs and Contractors
Develop Good Relationships According to NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, “the ‘Authority Having Jurisdiction’ [AHJ] is the organization, office or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of a code or standard or for approving equipment, materials, an installation or a procedure.” It should be no surprise …
Read More »Adequacy of Building Structure Support
Responsibility Does Not Lay With Sprinkler Contractors The fire sprinkler contractor demonstrates their professionalism by reputation, experience, and license. Such a license strictly limits their scope of contract to the design and installation of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, systems conforming to the local building code. …
Read More »Five Steps to Better Advocate for Home Fire Sprinklers
How to Better Promote This Technology and, in Essence, Your Business I recently had some informal conversations with members of the fire sprinkler industry involved in residential installations. Their answers helped gauge their current level of fire sprinkler advocacy. While some admitted to promoting home fire sprinklers here and there, …
Read More »California Sprinkler Fitter Classification
What You Need to Know In 2011, California became the first state to pass a statewide fire sprinkler requirement, serving as an example for many other states. With the surge of demand for fire protection in the state, many sought to regulate the marketplace. In 2017, CAL FIRE – Office …
Read More »M/S Council Elections Held
Representatives Work on Behalf of Associate Members The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council has elected its 2017-2018 members, with Mike Dooley of FlexHead Industries in Holliston, Massachusetts, voted as chairman and Chris Stason, Victaulic Company, Temecula, California; voted as vice chairman. “For the past four years, it …
Read More »Three Decades of Design Training
Popular School Prepares Designers to Become Productive Upon Graduation In 2018, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) enters its 34th year of training new designers with its Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School. The course was first launched in 1984 under the tutelage of Dan Mallow, PE. “AFSA has a …
Read More »AFSA Applauds the Inclusion of Sprinkler Provision in New Tax Law
The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) applauds the United States Congress for passing and President Donald Trump for signing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) recently, a comprehensive reform of the U.S. tax code. AFSA members are poised to benefit from several aspects of this monumental legislation, including …
Read More »Increasing Productivity
The Field/Office Connection What is the “secret ingredient” to ensure a successful field workforce? Is it pay, benefits, apprenticeship, mentoring, quality tools and equipment, or maybe communication? This is a question for which companies struggle to find an answer, and one that can make or break the company. Like baking …
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