Industry

The Outlook for 2016 In 2010 I authored an article for Sprinkler Age regarding international opportunities for American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) contractors. As you recall, at the beginning of 2010 we were in the midst of the economic crisis that is referred to as the “Great Recession.” I wrote …

Steady Economic Recovery Forecasted Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) forecasts a continued steady economic recovery for the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industries in 2016. Despite a weak global economy, the industry’s solid economic recovery in 2015 should continue in 2016, led by strong consumer spending. “As the mid-phase of …

Informal Interpretations Save Members Time, Money The informal interpretations featured in this issue of Sprinkler Age address obstruction concerns. AFSA’s informal interpretations are provided to AFSA members by Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services Roland Huggins, a P.E. registered in fire protection engineering; Director of Technical Program Development Phill …

Economists, Contractors, Manufacturers and Suppliers Report on 2015 and Forecast 2016 After a year of finally seeing signs of recovery and growth in 2015, the construction and fire protection industries seem to be at the same pace or better for 2016. Dodge Data & Analytics forecasts that overall U.S. construction starts …

Dodge Data & Analytics Predicts $712 Billion in 2016 Dodge Data & Analytics (construction.com) has released its 2016 Dodge Construction Outlook, a mainstay in construction industry forecasting and business planning. The report predicts that total U.S. construction starts for 2016 will rise 6 percent to $712 billion, following gains of …

AFSA Member Participates in National Apprenticeship Week Last year, the United States Department of Labor established the week of November 1-7 as National Apprenticeship Week 2015. The event is an opportunity for the national apprenticeship community to tell the story of registered apprenticeship and is an invitation to business and industry, …

Addressing Recalled Sprinklers Changes Significantly NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, is still in cycle for the next edition. The upcoming changes were based on almost 300 public inputs and just over 170 public comments. Although the process isn’t completed there are …

What Has Changed and Why I know most jurisdictions are just starting now to enforce the 2013 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. However, the 2016 edition is now officially out and will start being applied over the next few years. Thinking about it, in …

Industry’s First Inspection,Testing and Maintenance Program Focuses on Growing ITM Segment The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is pleased to offer the industry’s first Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (ITM) Inspector Development Program in response to member demand. AFSA’s new ITM Inspector Development Program prepares candidates for NICET’s Level II certification …

Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act Reintroduced in Senate and House If there is one thing that is easy to agree upon, it is that fire sprinklers save lives and property. Those in the fire sprinkler industry have always known this. So why are there still homes and commercial structures without sprinkler systems? …