Featured Articles

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 …

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 …

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 …

“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 …

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 …

A side-by-side demonstration is one of the best education tools to show the power of fire sprinklers. Two rooms are constructed: one with a fire sprinkler system, the other without. Then, a fire is lit in each room. Home fire sprinklers are designed to activate when the air in the …

A Handy Tool to Identify Your Customer’s Financial Condition Over the years I have found customers fall into three specific stages while doing business on open credit with our clients. Learning how to identify these stages “arms” my clients so they know exactly what to do and when – and their …

Costly Consequences for Worker Misclassification When business is growing and companies are adding workers, classifying employment status of each one can be tricky. Accidental misclassification of workers carries penalties and payment of back wages. Intentional misclassification of workers can carry criminal penalties and back wages. Since the Fair Labor Standards …

Packed Exhibition Complements Seminars, Social Events The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) 2015 convention, AFSA in Phoenix: Rising to Excellence, provides numerous ways to grow your business: 55 hours of educational seminars, many networking opportunities, and a sold-out exhibit hall. Offering the latest products and services available to the fire …

Reaching a Consensus on Strategic Direction Among the many issues that confront family businesses in times of generational transition, strategic direction can be crucial. The strategy that has provided direction for the business during the incumbent generation’s watch may be faltering or tired or largely completed. Strategic modifications, reinvigoration or …