How Being a Problem Solver Transformed Me from Receptionist to Director of Operations in Three Years In June 2012 I found myself staring longingly at a lakeside cabin for rent hoping to convince my dad to help me make this desire a reality. I was a jobless art school graduate with …
Read More »Making a Difference for Over Twenty Years
AFSA Virginia Chapter Supports Central Virginia Burn Camp It is summer and it is time for the kids to have some fun. The Central Virginia Burn Camp just had their 22nd year of camp. Camp was the week of June 14-20 with the theme “Cruising Around the World.” The Virginia …
Read More »Educating Students About Fire Sprinkler Careers
AFSA Member Partners With Texas Construction Career Academy In March of this year, as an enrichment opportunity through the San Antonio, Texas Northside Independent School District (NSISD) Construction Career Academy (CCA) program, Jim Cantilli and I of AFSA member American Automatic Sprinkler had the opportunity to be the guests of Mr. …
Read More »George Wagner Awarded 2015 Parmelee Award
Honoring a Contractor Who Helped Educate the Industry Becoming a leader doesn’t happen overnight. Leaders work their way through the ranks and rise to the top thanks to a combination of hard work, perseverance, and traits and qualities that make them a true trailblazer. In recognition of his dedication and …
Read More »AHJ Perspective: Catch 22
When does fire prevention end and fire suppression begin? The flippant answer is: when someone calls 911 reporting a fire. The fire has occurred. Prevention implies that it wouldn’t happen. But, it did. Now, someone has to go put it out. And now, the outcome may well be determined by …
Read More »Hanging and Bracing Challenges to Lightweight Construction
Different Construction Materials Create Different Issues I may be aging myself, but do you remember the days of using the maximum spacing for hangers and the 40, 80 rule? There was no concern that the building structure would not support the sprinkler pipe, and we spaced lateral braces 40 ft …
Read More »Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act Re-Introduced
On Tuesday, September 22, Congressmen Tom Reed (NY-23) and James “Jim” Langevin (RI-2), AFSA’s 2007 Advocate of the Year, introduced the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act (H.R. 3591). Senators Susan Collins (ME) and Thomas Carper (DE) introduced identical legislation, S. 2068, in the Senate on the same day. As introduced, the …
Read More »AFSA Names Outstanding Chapter of the Year
Carolinas Chapter Becomes First Award Recipient The Membership & Chapter Development Committee of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) recently selected its Carolinas Chapter as the first recipient of the Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award. The award was established to recognize excellence in chapter administration and programs. Selection criteria …
Read More »AHJ Perspective: Ratings, Fire Testing and Standards – Part Four
“Rode hard and put away wet.” That was a cliché that I have heard many times when witnessing something that had undergone a severe test and was just about ready to fall apart. The cliché started out describing horses that were put away without proper grooming, but the imagery matches …
Read More »Ed Van Walraven Named Advocate of the Year
Retired Fire Marshal Dedicated to Life Safety As a proponent for total life safety, retired Aspen, Colorado Fire Marshal Ed Van Walraven has embraced all aspects of fire prevention. His work at the city, state and national level has helped establish ordinances and shape standards for those in the fire …
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