Technical Articles

  • TECHNICAL CHALLENGES

    Can You Meet the Challenge? AFSA’s Engineering & Technical Services Department staff present technical challenges here for you and your co-workers…

  • Higher Standards

    As the May/June 2023 issue of Sprinkler Age will be available at the NFPA Annual Conference and Expo® in Las Vegas, this column will serve a special p…

  • Flashpoint

    I want to take this opportunity to announce that Victoria Valentine has been selected to receive the grade of Fellow in the Society of Fire Protection…

  • Higher Standards

    With the NFPA Conference and Expo behind us, AFSA is now focused on a very active F2022, A2023, F2023, and A2024 revision cycle[1]. For the F2022 and …

  • TECHNICAL CHALLENGE ANSWERS

    CAN YOU MEET THE CHALLENGE? Each issue, AFSA’s Engineering & Technical Services Department staff present technical challenges. Besides testing you…

Hydrostatic Testing in Cold Temperatures

Hydrostatic Testing

Systems Under Construction vs. Commissioned Systems You wouldn’t install a wet-pipe sprinkler system in an area that is subject to freezing and exposed to freezing temperatures, right? I’m guessing you quickly answered that question with an assertive, “Heck no!” Well, if that system is being installed in February in the vast …

Read More »

Questions on NFPA 14?

Questions on NFPA 14

Informal Interpretations Offer Assistance on Standpipes The informal interpretations featured here address standpipes. AFSA’s informal interpretations are provided to AFSA members by Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services Roland Huggins, P.E. and Manager of Fire Protection Engineering Tom Wellen, P.E. These opinions are provided for the benefit of the requesting party, and are provided with the understanding that AFSA …

Read More »

Standpipe Systems: Design and Installation Requirements

Standpipe Systems Design

Although the requirements for standpipe systems are contained in the adopted building code and the installation requirements are contained within the referenced edition of NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, there is often disagreement between the responsible design professional, the fire protection contractor, and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) on the proper design and installation of …

Read More »

Explanations on ESFR Sprinkler Protection

Explanations ESFR

Informal Interpretations Offer Assistance on Technical Questions The informal interpretations featured in this post address NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinklers. AFSA’s informal interpretations are provided to AFSA members by Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services Roland Huggins, P.E. and Manager …

Read More »

Commodity Classifications

Commodity Classifications

The Fire Code and NFPA 13 Standard Don’t Match Up The International Fire Code (IFC), 2015 edition and NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2016 edition have different lists for classifications of commodities. When the two differ, which one do you apply? This could place you in a …

Read More »

Changes in 2016 NFPA 13

changes in 2016 nfpa 13

Understanding Free Flowing Group A Plastics The most important step in developing a design concept for protecting storage occupancies is to determine the overall storage commodity classification. This is not always an easy task, because of the varying extent of products that are stored and the method in which they …

Read More »