Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
AFSA Representative Dedicates Time, Expertise on Technical Committee
The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) serves its members in numerous ways: through training, education, technical representation, and social networking among others. A major workhorse for AFSA is serving on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) committees to impact the standards-making process.
NFPA technical committees keep codes and standards up to date. Numerous AFSA representatives serve on these committees. (See the related article in the May/June 2016 issue of Sprinkler Age.) One representative, Stephen Leyton, Protection Design & Consulting, San Diego, California, has served as the principal AFSA representative to the NFPA 14, Standard For The Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, committee since 2000, and in 2016 was appointed as the committee chairman. This committee’s primary responsibility is to create documents on the installation of standpipes and hose systems in buildings and structures.
“The committee has been reorganizing the chapters and revising the content aggressively over the past five cycles since the 2000 edition,” says Leyton. “I’m most proud of having been one of the core members of the committee who have been involved throughout the entire process. And today, NFPA 14 much more accurately reflects current thinking in both the industry and fire service with regard to the configuration and adequacy of fire hose water supplies.”
Serving on a committee takes time and dedication. Committees usually meet twice per code cycle, in addition to the study and review of materials before each meeting. AFSA representatives are also required to write technical articles for Sprinkler Age.
“We appreciate Steve’s commitment to NFPA,” states AFSA’s Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services Roland J. Huggins, P.E. “Representing our members and having a voice in the standards making process is a task AFSA takes seriously.”
Congratulations to Leyton for his 16 years’ service on NFPA 14 and his appointment as committee chairman. For more information on NFPA technical committees, visit nfpa.org.
For details on serving as an AFSA representative on a committee, email Huggins at rhuggins@firesprinkler.org. Anyone may submit a request to be considered to AFSA’s NFPA Representative Review Committee. Although not a requirement, it is highly desirable that candidates be a NICET III or above or a Professional Engineer (P.E.).
