Sprinkler Age May/Jun 2016

SprinklerAge NFPA 13

An American Fire Sprinkler Association Publication

Vol 35 / 03 May/Jun 2016

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SprinklerAge

Vol 35 / 3

May/June 2016

Features 10 | Rack Storage With Solid Shelving

Can ESFR Sprinklers Be Used?

14 | Early Suppression, Fast Response Sprinklers

Making Them Work for You

20 | Management and Training Seminars Shine

Seize the Opportunity at AFSA’s Annual Convention in Nashville

26 | Productive Conflict

Take Your Organization to the Next Level

30 | Fierce Competition at National Craft Championships

Lee, Nelson Take Home Medals in Fire Sprinkler Competition

32 | How to “Win a Bid”

Success = Details + Hard Work

ON THE COVER This issue covers NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, early suppression fast response sprinklers and management topics.

Photo courtesy of NFPA.

36 | Members Benefit from Informal Interpretations

Utilize This Free Service to Save Time and Money

37 | Explanations on ESFR Sprinkler Protection

Informal Interpretations Offer Assistance on Technical Questions

40 | The 80/20 Rule

Balancing Ownership and Management Responsibilities

42 | Foundation Research on ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions

Multi-Phase Project From NFPA Research Affiliate

6

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

8

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

52 AHJ PERSPECTIVE 54 AFSA NEWS 54 CALENDAR 56 CHAPTER NEWS

44 | Customer Service

56 ASSOCIATION NEWS

45 | Victory in Maryland

59 U.S. CONSTRUCTION

46 | Ed Altizer Honored with Award

60 PRODUCT NEWS

The Business of Subcontractors Bill Defeated That Would Have Weakened Home Sprinkler Requirement Retired State Fire Marshal Receives Fire Sprinklers Save Lives Award

48 | AFSA Involvement on NFPA Technical Committees

Commitment to Codes and Standards

58 NEW MEMBERS 59 CANADA CONSTRUCTION 62 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS 64 INDUSTRY NEWS 66

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

50 | Donors Make the Difference

Thank You for Investing in the Future of Fire Protection

SPRINKLER AGE, (ISSN 0896-2685) is published bimonthly for $33.95 per year by the American Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc., 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350, Dallas, Texas 75251. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, Texas and additional mailing offices.

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to SPRINKLER AGE, 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350, Dallas, Texas 75251.

Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016 5

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE EDITORIAL: 214 349 5965

BY MICHAEL F. MEEHAN AFSA Chairman of the Board

STEVE A. MUNCY, CAE, Publisher D’ARCY G. MONTALVO, Editor, ext. 115 dmontalvo@firesprinkler.org NICOLE DUVALL, Director of Communications, ext.

126; nduvall@firesprinkler.org

ADVERTISING: 214 349 5965 CHARLOTTE JOHNSON, Communications Coordinator, ext. 134; cjohnson@firesprinkler.org

CIRCULATION : 214 349 5965 AMY SWEENEY, Asst. to Membership Director, ext.

119; asweeney@firesprinkler.org

As the years fly by and we go about the course of running our association, we are guided along with a seasoned and strong staff that is growing and changing with the times. The guidance and assistance they give to the Board of Directors is top flight, their morale is high and their work efforts are tremendous. Our goal is to provide services and insights for all aspects of fire sprinkler contracting. To that end we have the following standing committees: Apprenticeship & Education, Bylaws, Center for Life Safety Education, Chapter Grants, Contractor Support & Advisory, Convention, Convention Site Selection, Fire Sprinkler Public Education & Awareness, Insurance & Safety, Legislative, Membership, and the Past Chairs’ Committee. Each standing committee is led by an elected Board member who picks his committee membership from the full AFSA Board and volunteer industry leaders. Staff back in Dallas assist us in this the process; they are the ones doing the heavy lifting of running the association day in and day out.

AFSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MICHAEL F. MEEHAN, CHAIRMAN 757-213-3660 WAYNE WEISZ, FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN 209-334-9119 THEODORE C. WILLS, JR., SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN 610-754-7836 LINDA M. BIERNACKI, SECRETARY 318-841-0330 THOMAS J. MCKINNON, TREASURER 925-417-5550 JOSEPH A. HEINRICH, IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN 785-825-7710 DONALD G. ALBARES, 504-837-0572 DWIGHT BATEMAN, 713-910-3242 PAUL DELORIE, 603-432-8221 ROD DIBONA, 605-348-2342 LYLE HALL, 858-513-4949 R. DONALD KAUFMAN, 505-884-2447

Recently the Board has come up with some new initiatives and directives that have substantially increased the load on staff. The largest new effort is the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (ITM) program. The goal of this effort is to train technical field staff in the requirements of ITM and to have those participants become NICET certified immediately upon course completion.

The industry needs this and the amount of effort, time and money to pull it all together is huge.

JACK A. MEDOVICH, 410-787-0639

We also have a Next Generation workgroup that is adding new insights and energy to the Board and our perspectives. It is not only important to mentor and assist the next generation, it is important to listen and learn from them.

Their perspective is refreshing.

MARILYN ELLIS, Director of Administrative Services, ext. 112

We constantly get technical advisory updates from Roland Huggins and his staff. We closely monitor our investments and finances and have outstanding professional advisory. On occasion, we will create an ad hoc committee to address specific concerns. Presently, we have one such committee to monitor the recent class action claim that was made against manufacturers and suppliers of CPVC pipe and fittings.

Sprinkler Age is devoted to the professional development of the Fire Sprinkler Industry. Deadline is 1st of the month preceding publication.

There is a lot of activity in our industry and it is coming from all directions – licensing issues, technical installation issues, insurance issues, manufacturing issues, education and training issues – and all demand attention and action.

The staff in Dallas and my fellow Board members are working hard to provide some insight and help to assist in making our industry strong and our businesses successful. n

6 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

JEFF PHIFER, 803-438-2994

AFSA MANAGEMENT: 214 349 5965 STEVE A. MUNCY, CAE, President FRANK MORTL III, CAE, Executive Vice President LESLIE CLOUNTS, Director of Education Services, ext. 130 NICOLE DUVALL, Director of Communications, ext. 126

MARLENE M. GARRETT, CMP, Senior Director of Meetings & Conventions, ext. 118 ROLAND J. HUGGINS, PE, Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services, ext. 121

Published by American Fire Sprinkler Association, 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350, Dallas, Texas 75251.

Call (214) 349-5965, FAX (214) 343-8898, or email sprinklerage@firesprinkler.org for information.

Copyright © American Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc. All rights reserved. PRINTED IN USA. Unless expressly stated otherwise, all editorial and advertising material published is the opinion of the respective authors and/or companies involved and should not be construed as official action by or approved by Publisher or the Association.

Sprinkler Age is a membership benefit, provided free of charge to AFSA members. For information on non-member and/or foreign subscription rates, call (214) 349-5965.

ABOUT AFSA MEMBERSHIP AFSA annual membership dues are a sliding scale for Contractors and Associates and a flat fee for Authorities Having Jurisdiction. (Members receive a free subscription to Sprinkler Age.) Write or call AFSA for membership information. See AFSA’s website at firesprinkler.org.

Š2016 Atkore International, Inc. All rights reserved.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT

BY FRANK MORTL III, CAE AFSA Executive Vice President

Initiative. What a great word for any professional to embrace, particularly in the fire and life safety industry.

By definition, initiative is the ability to assess and initiate things independently. In the nonprofit association world, where voluntary leaders make decisions on behalf of members, providing worthwhile programming for companies to take initiative and further develop their professional skills is critical to an organization’s success. Fortunately, since its very inception in 1981, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has been led by extremely intelligent and dedicated volunteers who not only shared a common vision for creating programs and training courses to support fire sprinkler contractors, but took the initiative to join AFSA, volunteer at high levels, and develop resources for members to help grow their businesses.

Having worked with numerous Boards of Directors and Chairmen over many years, I’ve become accustomed to the excitement of grand ideas that either paid off with myriad impactful benefits to members or underachieved due to a lack of overall vision. In my first year (2015) with AFSA, I was treated to the leadership of Joe Heinrich as Chairman of the Board. Early in my tenure, I happened to ask the question of what, if any, were Joe’s leadership initiatives for his term as AFSA’s Chairman, given he had the power and opportunity to act and take charge. Rather ambitiously, Chairman Heinrich had chosen increased membership engagement as well as the development of a new Next Generation workgroup as the two major initiatives he would like to pursue in conjunction with the association’s rock-solid history of providing merit shop fire sprinkler contractors with training, consulting, communication and representation programs.

Coming off of some particularly challenging years for our industry as well as the overall economy, Joe’s vision to engage with more members throughout the country was not only a worthy goal for AFSA, but a necessary one in the pursuit of enhanced contracting performance as a response to the country’s economic upturn. Joe’s initiative proved to be the tonic contractor members were looking for as evidenced by the dramatic upturn in program engagements for 2015. Whether it was significant increases in craft training programs, continuing education, management training, chapter participation, social media followers, informal interpretations, convention atten8 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

dance, Sprinkler Age circulation, webinar attendance, or SprinklerForum subscribers, the ability to increase AFSA’s membership engagements allowed for merit shop contractors to be better trained and better educated, ultimately making them more profitable.

Regarding the future of our great industry, Chairman Heinrich pushed through some initial reluctance in his effort to establish a focus on the future of the workforce by creating a Next Generation workgroup. Joe helped comprise a group of 40-year-old and younger individuals that includes contractor members, representatives of manufactures and suppliers and AFSA staff to identify platforms and activities. Having already drawn heavy involvement from the 20 and 30 somethings into local chapter activities and AFSA national programming, the hope is that these young professionals will take the initiative and develop into our future industry leaders. Joe had the foresight to see a need, craft a path for success, and oversee the execution of this critically important direction for AFSA. The American Fire Sprinkler Association is better off today for the strategic initiatives provided to its membership as a result of the leadership displayed by its Immediate Past Chairman Joe Heinrich. His two bold goals have helped lay a foundation for immediate and long-term success for merit shop contractors while also leaving a blueprint for how future AFSA leaders can achieve industry progress simply by taking initiative. n

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Rack Storage With Solid Shelving Can ESFR Sprinklers Be Used?

ROLAND J. HUGGINS, P.E. | American Fire Sprinkler Association

Historically if you wanted to use early suppression fast resonse (ESFR) sprinklers but had solid shelving, you were out of luck (go directly to jail – do not pass go – do not collect $200). Up until the 2010 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, it explicitly stated that ESFR could not be used with solid shelving. The same is true for control mode specific application (CMSA). That changed starting with the 2013 edition. Additionally, the guidance for the protection of solid shelving with control mode density application (CMDA) has evolved, though you’d never know it by reading just the individual paragraph that covers it. Let’s start with a brief discussion of the path in the standard by first looking at the old criteria since knowing the history helps if one needs to explain the change. As a side note, I find it amusing that the criteria between the different sections are slightly different for no reason (other than it’s the result of a beast with multiple parts moving at a rapid rate of speed during the development phase). In looking at the 2010 edition of NFPA 13, it explicitly states in multiple locations that CMSA and ESFR sprinklers can be applied only to racks “without solid shelves.” Before delving into the change, let’s take a minute to look at what is meant by solid shelves.

10 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Historically, this issue was exclusively about control mode density area protection (aka spray sprinklers). So we’ll quickly look at definitions and the prior text on the current sections 16.1.6 and 17.1.5. This is critical since there has been a monumental shift in when an assembly is considered solid shelving. In the beginning, this classification applied to the features or components of the bare rack assembly. As the definition from the 1998 edition of NFPA 231C, Standard For Rack Storage Of Materials, stated, “Solid, slatted, and other types of shelving within the rack that obstructs penetration down through the rack.” It’s also interesting that the requirement for in-rack sprinklers applied only if both transverse and longitudinal flues were blocked.

The 1999 edition of NFPA 13 retained the same criteria when it incorporated the storage criteria from the NFPA 231 family of standards. The 2002 edition of NFPA 13, deleted the reference to both flues and introduced the 20 ft2 and 64 ft2 area variables. The 2007 edition remained the same. Actually there was a big change but it was blocked at the NFPA annual technical session so the text reverted to the 2002 edition. Surprisingly, it took several cycles to get back to where the technical committee attempted to go in 2007.

The issue of defining solid shelves was not the focus floor action, but was affected as collateral damage. The 2010 edition took half a step toward the end result by adding a definition for rack shelf area that included the load blocking the openings. It also added a definition for solid shelf rack that identified the components of the rack itself (effectively a repeat of what was and still is in the definition for solid shelving). It took a bigger step backwards by changing the title of 16.1.6 and 17.1.5 to solid shelf rack. At this point, the classification is explicitly determined by the components of the rack assembly and although defined the phrase “rack shelf area” is not really used within the standard. Solid shelf rack references shelf area but just to indicate openings in said area. The committee assumed it had clarified this issue as indicated by the summary of changes in the front of NFPA 13 stating, “Changes to rack storage in this edition include a new method to calculate the rack shelf area.” The 2013 edition saw no changes. For the 2016 edition it was realized the intent had not been accomplished. The definition of solid shelving was changed to include “or by the placement of loads that block openings that would otherwise serve as the required flue spaces.” The titles of sections 16.1.6 and 17.1.5 were changed back to solid shelving. There is now no ambiguity that it is not just what the empty rack assembly looks like but what the operational rack looks like. This really is not a surprise if you think back to the old definition in the 1998 edition of NFPA 231C where it said “ ... that obstructs penetration down through the rack ... .” As a side note, it’s actually a two-way street whereby it’s not just the ability of the water to penetrate downward but also for the heat to go upwards and activate the sprinklers in a timely manner.

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Let’s now look at the shift regarding ESFR and CMSA systems.

In the 2013 edition section 16.2.3.2 for ESFR protection for storage up to 25 ft deleted the restriction on rack storage involving solid shelves. A new section was also added, “16.2.3.2 ESFR sprinklers shall not be permitted to protect storage on solid shelf racks unless the solid shelf racks are protected with in-rack sprinklers in accordance with 16.1.6.” The same change was made in Chapter 17, but for storage greater than 25 ft. No ambiguity here. The problem, though, is that only about 15 percent of the applicable criteria was changed. The other 85 percent (such as the summary tables for these sections, Chapter 16 for storage greater than 25 ft, Chapter 17 for storage less than 25 ft, and all the CMSA sections) retained the old text allowing its use only without shelves. That might not give you a lot of confidence but the writing is on the wall. This was all cleaned up in the 2016 edition. All four sections for CMSA now say, “CMSA sprinklers shall not be permitted to protect storage on solid shelf racks unless the solid shelf racks are protected with in-rack sprinklers in accordance with 16.1.6” (or 17.1.5). For ESFR, the 2013 edition text for sections 16.2.3.2 and 17.3.3.1.1 remained and was added to the other two sections. In order to maintain the tradition of being consistently inconsistent, though, sections 16.3.2 and 17.2.3 applied a slightly different format. Instead of deleting the old restricting text, it was modified to reference the new allowance so it reads, “17.2.3.1.1 ESFR protection as defined shall not apply to the following: (1) Rack storage involving solid shelves, except as permitted by 17.2.3.1.2.” As a final item, let’s look at where in-rack sprinklers are located when solid shelving is present. The guidance is obvious when all the tiers are obstructed. The 2016 edition provided new guidance on what to do when only a portion of the rack has solid shelves (See Figure 1).

New text in both Chapters 16 and 17 (only Chapter 16 is shown) says: “16.1.6.7 Where solid shelves obstruct only a portion of the rack, in-rack sprinklers shall be installed horizontally, within the flue a minimum of 4 ft (1.2 m) beyond the end of the solid shelf, and vertically as follows: (1) In accordance with 17.1.5.1 and 17.1.5.2 for CMDA sprinklers (2) Beneath all tiers under the highest solid shelf for CMSA and ESFR sprinklers” Additionally, this information was repeated (with a slightly different format) in all eight CMSA and ESFR sections with the following text: “Where solid shelves are used, in-rack sprinklers shall be installed in every level below the highest solid shelf.”

Unfortunately, no changes were made to the age-old text on CMDA that still says, “Where solid shelving in single-, double-, and multiple- row racks exceeds 64 ft2 (5.9 m2) in area or where the levels of storage exceed 6 ft (1.8 m), sprinklers shall be installed at the ceiling and below each level of shelving.” The old text when the solid shelving is less than 64 ft2 still states, “… sprinklers shall not be required below every shelf….” This is nice and clean when every tier has solid shelving, but it is ambiguous when only portions are 12 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Figure 1. Location of in-rack by sprinklers type. (PDF created with deskPDF PDF Writer. Trial docudesk.com.)

obstructed. This issue was discussed during the committee meeting and the intent is that for CMDA, that in-racks should be installed just beneath the individual tiers with solid shelving. We can easily see this for 16.1.6.2 and 17.1.5.2 by defining shelving as solid shelving. Fixing 16.1.6.1 is not as easy. The main proof that this is, indeed, the intent is that CMSA and ESFR would not have explicitly identified that for them, every tier beneath the highest solid shelf requires in-rack sprinklers. It would have simply been stated as a general requirement. Let’s talk a little bit about why there’s a difference. Ceiling-only protection with CMSA and ESFR can be used for very aggressive fires. Ceiling-only protection for CMDA doesn’t fall in this category. When the fire potential can be aggressive, in-rack sprinklers are required. When a solid shelf is present, the additional in-rack sprinklers are being added to the other required in-racks. As such, a single tier of in-rack sprinklers, combined with a barrier, is considered to provide equivalent protection for the portion of the rack beneath it as that provided by ceiling only CMDA sprinklers for the same open rack.

It’s obvious that the technical committee still has some minor refinements to complete on this issue. It’s also obvious that the beast will always be moving at a rapid pace but with the overdue clean up/reformatting taking place this cycle (that seems to occur every 10 years or so), the number of moving parts has increased greatly. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Roland Huggins, P.E. is the vice president of engineering and technical services for AFSA. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland and a member of the NFPA. Huggins has served on the NFPA Standards Council and is a member of multiple NFPA technical committees, including NFPA 13, NFPA 25, and NFPA 5000 (Building Code). NFPA activities include participating on the editing of the Sprinkler Handbook and Fire Protection Handbook.

Other national activities involve the NFPA Research Foundation, UL Standard Technical Panels, and NICET. Huggins is a veteran.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The article and its content is not a Formal Interpretation issued pursuant to NFPA Regulations. Any opinion expressed is the personal opinion of the author and presenter and does not necessarily present the official position of the NFPA and its Technical Committee.

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Early Suppression, Fast Response Sprinklers Making Them Work for You WES BAKER | FM Global

Since the late 1980s, early suppression, fast response (ESFR) sprinklers have been viewed as one of the greatest innovations in fire protection since Henry Parmelee first introduced the automatic sprinkler in 1874.

Since NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, indicates that you do not need in-rack sprinklers if you have openframe racks, building heights at or below 45 ft (13.7 m) and a commodity hazard no greater than cartoned unexpanded Group A plastics, many warehouses are constructed at a maximum height of 45 ft and protected with ESFR sprinklers. If you’re a warehouse manager for one of these types of facilities, you have nothing to worry about – right?

Automatic sprinklers have come a long way since 1874. In 1881, Frederick Grinnell introduced a 0.5 in. (12 mm) orifice-sized upright sprinkler, what we now call a K5.6 (K80) sprinkler that had a deflector design that resulted in water distribution similar to today’s conventional spray sprinkler. This sprinkler distributed roughly half the water upward beyond the deflector, while redirecting the other half downward toward the fire area. The standard spray sprinkler was introduced in the 1950s using a deflector design that distributed the large majority of the water discharge downward toward the fire area and away from the sprinkler in a parabolic spray pattern, which became known as the sprinkler’s umbrella pattern. With the introduction of the density/demand area design concept in the late ‘50s, the 14 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Figure 1. Fire test of DRR. Courtesy of FM Global.

standard spray sprinkler eventually became known as the control-mode density area (CMDA) sprinkler.

Full-scale fire testing in the 1960s with K5.6 (K80) and K8.0 (K115) CMDA sprinklers demonstrated that protecting storage arrangements of this era was a major challenge for these sprinklers. Supplemental in-rack sprinkler protection was typically needed when storage heights were greater than 15 ft (4.6 m).

Research and testing at FM Global, a leading commercial property insurance company, in the 1970s led to two major innovations in sprinkler design: (1) the development of the quick-response thermal element for use in residential sprinklers, and (2) the development of the large-drop sprinkler, which was the first sprinkler specifically designed for the protection of storage and became the

first sprinkler now referred to as a control-mode-specific application (CMSA) sprinkler. The quick-response thermal element allowed for sprinklers to operate in a more timely fashion, compared to their standardresponse forefathers, so that water could be discharged into the fire area while the fire was relatively smaller than before. The large-drop sprinkler, which was a standard-response K11.2 (K160) upright sprinkler, allowed for larger droplets at lower operating pressures, thus improving the water penetration into the fire area and reducing the number of operating sprinklers activated during full-scale fire testing.

These two innovations led to the possibility of developing a sprinkler that could suppress storage fires. The quick-response thermal element allowed sprinklers to operate while

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these items can be categorized as affecting either the timely response of the sprinkler or the sprinkler’s ability to deliver an acceptable amount of water down through the entire storage array.

Figure 3. K 22.4 Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company pendent ESFR sprinkler. Courtesy of FM Global.

the fire was still relatively small and the large-drop sprinkler demonstrated how larger water droplets could improve the performance of ceilinglevel sprinklers. Research and product testing led to the development of the first ESFR sprinkler, which was a K14.0 (K200) quick-response 160°F (70°C) nominally rated pendent sprinkler, by (1) utilizing the pendent orientation to take advantage of its efficient water delivery, and (2) creating a new deflector design that discharged water not only into the umbrella pattern but also in a high-momentum jet spray emanating directly below the sprinkler.

Since the release of the first ESFR sprinkler, several versions have become available on the market.

Today, not only are ESFR sprinklers available in a pendent orientation, but upright ESFR sprinklers are also available and dry-pendent ESFR sprinklers have been introduced as an option for cold-storage areas. The K-factor values of ESFR sprinklers have changed over the years, too.

Since the introduction of the original K14.0 (K200) ESFR sprinkler, other ESFR sprinklers have included K16.8 (K240), K22.4 (K320), K25.2 (K360); and one company recently introduced a K28.0 (K400) sprinkler.

While ESFR sprinklers are viewed as the greatest thing since sliced bread for storage protection, due to their ability to eliminate the need for in-rack sprinklers in many instances, key items need to be considered to help ensure their performance during a fire is not compromised. Many of 16 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Many factors can affect a sprinkler’s timely response to a fire, including the presence of irregular flue spaces, solid shelves, the flow of high-velocity air at ceiling level, heat/smoke vents, excessive ceiling slope, obstructed ceiling construction and/or the proximity of sprinklers to the underside of the ceiling above.

In order for ceiling sprinklers to operate in a timely fashion, the heat from a fire must be able to grow vertically before it has a chance to start spreading horizontally – as horizontal fire spread is what ESFR sprinklers must be able to prevent.

Both irregular flue spaces as well as solid shelves within storage racks will promote horizontal fire spread. To avoid this potential scenario, NFPA 13 specifies that nominal 6 in. (150 mm) wide transverse flue spaces are needed between loads and at rack uprights, though it also provides random variations in both the width and vertical alignment of the flue spaces. In addition, NFPA 13 stipulates that any storage racks having solid shelving must be protected with in-rack sprinklers at every tier level below the top solid shelf in order to allow ESFR sprinklers to be utilized.

Once the heat makes its way to the top of the storage array, care has to be taken to ensure that air currents don’t negatively impact the ability of the heat to reach the ceiling. High airflow produced by units such as swamp coolers, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, or high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) type fans can affect the buoyant heat plume from reaching the nearest ceiling sprinklers in a timely fashion. NFPA 13 addresses the presence of HVLS-type fans by requiring the shutdown of the fans upon the activation of the sprinkler’s waterflow alarm FM Global currently

addresses HVLS fans in a similar Fashion in Data Sheet 2-0, Installation Guidelines for Automatic Sprinklers, but also limits airflow velocities at ceiling level to a maximum 5 ft/sec (1.5 m/sec) to avoid having the heat plume pushed horizontally away from the sprinklers nearest the fire origin.

Once the heat reaches the ceiling, many items can affect the ability of the heat to spread out to the nearest ESFR sprinklers. Obstructed ceiling type construction is a form of ceiling construction that can channel heat and prevent it from getting to the nearest sprinklers resulting in a potentially serious delay. To address this concern, NFPA 13 requires that obstructed ceiling construction must have structural members that are noncombustible and do not extend more than 12 in. (300 mm) below the ceiling in order to avoid having to install ESFR sprinklers within every channel formed by this type of ceiling construction. Ceilings that are sloped can cause the heat from a fire to bank up the slope as opposed to spreading out in a uniform pattern under the ceiling, thus potentially delaying the time it takes the sprinklers to reach their operating temperature. NFPA 13 addresses this issue by limiting the ceiling slope to a maximum of 10° (a pitch of 2 in 12) under which ESFR sprinklers can be installed. The Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) is currently working on a project to look at ceiling slope in the presence of ESFR sprinklers. Research from this project may result in new guidance for ESFR sprinklers under unobstructed ceiling construction, as well as guidance for ESFR sprinklers when installed under noncombustible obstructed ceiling type construction.

This project may be completed in time to contribute to the 2022 version of NFPA 13.

Since sprinklers operate when exposed to a sufficient amount of heat, the premature opening of a heat and/ or smoke vent can allow heat from a fire to escape up through the opening – thus delaying a sprinkler’s operation

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and potentially compromising the protection provided. To avoid this situation, NFPA 13 provides restrictions on the use of automatic heat and/or smoke vents in buildings protected by ESFR sprinklers.

Lastly, the thermal element of a sprinkler must be in relatively close proximity to the ceiling in order for the sprinkler to operate quickly. To allow for a sprinkler’s thermal element to sense the heat from a fire in a timely fashion, NFPA 13 indicates that the sprinkler deflector for K14.0 (K200) and K16.8 (K240) pendent ESFR sprinklers must be located no more than 14 in. (360 mm) below the ceiling; this vertical distance increases to 18 in. (450 mm) for K22.4 (K320) and larger pendent ESFR sprinklers.

For K14.0 (K200) and K16.8 (K240) upright ESFR sprinklers, the deflector of the sprinkler must be no more than 12 in. (300 mm) below the ceiling.

Even if the sprinkler responds to a fire in a timely manner, that is only

half the battle. To achieve fire suppression, an ample amount of water from the sprinkler must be able to penetrate down through the fire plume as well as the entire height of the storage array in order to vertically quench burning surfaces. Several factors can adversely affect a sprinkler’s ability to deliver an acceptable amount of water through the entire storage array during a fire, including the presence of solid shelves, irregular flue spaces and obstructions between the sprinkler and the top of storage.

As mentioned, NFPA 13 provides guidance when solid shelves are installed within storage racks protected by ESFR sprinklers as well as direction on how to maintain acceptable flue spaces. These guidelines help to ensure that heat from a fire can grow vertically as quickly as possible, with as minimal horizontal fire spread as possible, and also allow for sprinkler discharge to reach most vertical burning surfaces within the storage array.

Every warehouse seems to have its fair share of objects at, or near, ceiling level that can potentially obstruct sprinkler discharge. Common structural roof members, which usually stay consistent for the life of the building, include joists, bridging, beams and cross-bracing. Other common items that tend to be potential obstructions to ESFR sprinklers include ductwork, roof drains, cable trays, electrical conduit and lighting. NFPA 13 provides guidance to avoid these two obstructions to ESFR sprinklers: obstructions at or near the ceiling and obstructions below the elevation of the sprinklers.

The guidance for obstructions at or near the ceiling are provided to account for relatively solid objects, such as beams, ductwork, etc., that could affect the sprinkler’s umbrella pattern. The guidance for obstructions below the elevation of the sprinkler are provided to account for objects, such as bottom chords of joists, bridging, ductwork and other

18 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

similar objects, that could affect either the sprinkler’s umbrella pattern or the discharge of the sprinkler directly below it. Work that was recently completed by the FPRF on isolated obstructions no wider than 4 in. (100 mm) is expected to be used to modify the current guidelines in NFPA 13. The FPRF is expected to continue work on the study of ESFR obstructions that will further help identify when objects located relatively close to each other are grouped together, which could lead to potential changes in the obstruction guidelines for ESFR sprinklers. The FPRF also may update the guidelines on how ESFR sprinklers, when required, can be installed under obstructions. The hope is that this work would also be ready in time for the 2022 version of NFPA 13.

As you can see, several factors can affect the proper performance of ESFR sprinklers. While there is more to proper ESFR performance than what is highlighted above, following NFPA 13 guidelines can help ESFR sprinklers to operate during a fire in a timely fashion as well as deliver a sufficient amount of water throughout the entire height of the storage array – thus greatly increasing the chance for a suppressed fire. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Weston (Wes) Baker, Jr. is an AVP and Senior Engineering Technical Specialist in the Engineering Standards Division at FM Global. He was named the 2011 William M. Carey Award recipient by the Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF) for his technical paper “Storage Sprinkler Design Criteria” – the concept behind the recent release of FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 8-9, Storage of Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and Plastic Commodities. Baker is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and an NFPA member serving on both the NFPA 13 Installation and NFPA 13 Discharge committees. He has been with FM Global for 30 years and is currently responsible for data sheets related to the protection of storage as well as the installation guidelines for sprinklers that are used for storage protection.

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Management and Training Seminars Shine Seize the Opportunity at AFSA’s Annual Convention in Nashville D’ARCY MONTALVO | American Fire Sprinkler Association

Grow your business and set your sights on success by attending the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) 35th Annual Convention & Exhibition “A Grand Ole Opportunity: AFSA in Nashville.” Offering 60 hours of technical and managerial seminars, this year’s event promises to provide numerous opportunities to better your business. To be held Wednesday, September 14 through Saturday, September 17, 2016, the convention will be headquartered at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

AFSA’s convention draws over 1,100 participants from around the world. This is the nation’s largest gathering of fire sprinkler professionals, and offers unparalleled professional development opportunities. Following is a brief description of topics to expect at the convention, many offering attendees the opportunity to earn CEUs or CPDs. A Transparent Look at the Fire Sprinkler Contractors Insurance Market Robert H. Leonhart – This seminar will address the insurance market and how it relates to industry specific concerns, the needs of every fire sprinkler contractor, and how to assure your insurance company can meet these needs.

It will explain the Insurance Concierge Service available to AFSA members that can really separate your insurance program from the competition, by bundling Loss Control, Claims Handling, Experts and Audit services to the contractor. (0.1 CEUs | 1.0 CPDs) Basic Fire Alarms with Sprinkler Systems Terry Victor – This seminar will look into the basics of fire alarm systems so sprinkler contractors have a better 20 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

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Dooley

understanding of the different types of systems and their wiring arrangements, the differences between sprinkler system devices that interface with a fire alarm system based on the type of response they provide, and the requirements for monitoring and notification of different signals from the sprinkler system. (0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs) Building Your Backlog: Regardless of Market Conditions Randy Stutzman, FMI – Knowing how to build and manage your firm’s backlog is crucial. With a new business landscape clearly in view, it is time to tune up your firm’s abilities. Your staff knows that it is everyone’s job to win work and keep customers happy and loyal. The key is giving them the right tools, ideas and techniques they need in order to engage new and existing customers and win work faster than your competitors. (0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs) Building Your Inspection Team Panel Russ Leavitt, C.F.P.S., C.F.P.E., S.E.T., Telgian Corp.; Jack Medovich, P.E., Fire & Life Safety America; & Dwight Green, Accredited Training Solutions – Building a professional inspection team can be challenging in today’s market. This seminar examines proven methods for recruiting, vetting, and training inspectors who have little or no previous fire protection system experience. This

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Golinveaux

knowledge is critical for any contractor who is trying to build a sustainable inspection and testing service offering.

To assist in their efforts, attendees will learn about AFSA’s new ITM training program. (0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs) Challenges of Fire Sprinkler Protection for Architectural Features Tom Wellen, P.E. – The current building trends are outpacing the guidance of the NFPA 13 standard and listings of sprinklers. This seminar addresses these challenges such as high ceilings, cloud ceilings, slatted ceilings, integrated HVAC ceiling panels, concealed spaces, etc.

NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, cannot be expected to address all so there are some methods, approaches, and resources that can be deployed to keep the project on track.

(0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs) Connecting Actual Job Costs Back to Estimating Ryan O’Shea, FMI – One of the biggest risks to a company in a low-margin construction economy is executing a project differently than how it was estimated (and vice versa). The best way to maintain profitability is to create field-friendly budgets, to aggressively track and manage direct costs, and to incorporate actual performance into future estimates. (0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs)

Corrosion, MIC, Incompatible Materials: What is Really Happening In Sprinkler Piping? Scott Futrell, P.E. – Black steel, galvanized, and CPVC all experience failures related to MIC, incompatible materials, and / or corrosion.

This course will address these issues and assist attendees in identifying the problems and illustrating the different failure modes for steel and nonmetallic piping systems as well as describing and explaining how they occur, what the warning signs are, if any, and comparing what is actually being done to make them worse, or to accelerate the occurrences. (0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) CPVC: Overview, Common Questions & Chemical Compatibility Donald Townley – This seminar will provide attendees with an overview of CPVC and answers to common questions in the fire protection industry.

The CPVC system overview will give a brief history of the product and explain performance characteristics along with listings, approvals and standards. Common questions will be answered including where CPVC can and cannot be used, and an update on chemical compatibility. (0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs) Eliminating the Use of Density/ Area Curves for the Future of Fire Sprinkler Designs James Golinveaux – Density/Area method of hydraulically calculating a sprinkler system has served us well for many years, but it is time for it to go. Depending on the Density/Area method is similar to believing cassette tapes were the best music would ever sound.

Design Pressure is a better method of evaluating performance, but we still have more to learn. (0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) Ensuring Antifreeze Systems Meet the Current NFPA 25 Requirements Joan Leedy – This seminar will be a review of the current NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, recommendations for antifreeze solutions including where and when it can be used, what concentrations are acceptable, and how to refill a system. It will include a review of the upcoming deadlines for potentially eliminating antifreeze solutions in sprinkler systems if a listed solution does not become available. It will explain how to

Green

Klaus

test antifreeze to determine the percentage solution of glycerin and propylene glycol to ensure the system meets the NFPA 25 code requirements. (0.1 CEUs | 1.0 CPDs) Field Supervisor Training Series (Part 1): Improving Field Productivity Bob Caputo, C.F.P.S., C.E.T. – This first segment will address the need for sharp focus on field productivity, providing specifics on why and how to improve field performance, measuring productivity, smart use of field resources and manpower,

Leavitt

Leedy

and building better teams to drive toward positive outcomes. (0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) Field Supervisor Training Series (Part 2): Planning For Success Bob Caputo, C.F.P.S., C.E.T. – This second segment will focus on pre-game planning: anticipating and avoiding common mistakes, eliminating lost time, the importance of pre-job start-up calls and meetings, using project estimate data and job conditions to create action plans, and recording progress using job

Seminars Spotlight: Next Gen Track Part 1: Developing Your Leadership Pipeline

Randy Stutzman, FMI Rapid changes in the fire protection industry are significantly affecting the way we do business at every level. These factors are also profoundly affecting our ability to recruit and retain quality people, especially as we attempt to develop them into future leaders. By making certain your organization understands how to attract and retain star talent, you will ensure your leadership pipeline stays full and your organization will continue to succeed. (0.15 CEU | 1.5 CPDs)

Part 2: Communicating Across Multi-Generations

Bob Caputo, C.F.P.S., C.E.T. Communication is the most important part of any relationship whether business or personal, but for many of us communicating has become more difficult than ever before, in part, because of changes in the way we communicate. Generation X and millennials speak a different language than did their Baby Boomer parents and grandparents. This seminar will focus on this timely and important topic with open discussion on how we move our industry and our companies forward through changing times and changing generations. After all, some of them are human… right? (0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs)

Part 3: The Millennial Generation

Bob Caputo, C.F.P.S., C.E.T. The millennial generation is one of the most sought after – and perhaps most misunderstood by the older generations. The coin has been flipped and we’re now seeing that teaching and learning has become a two-way street with young and old learning from each other. The rate of change has never been more rapid or vital to the health of your business! Let’s get together and talk about it, laugh about it and learn from each other in this AFSA series addressing Next Generation issues and challenges. (0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs)

Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016 21

systems understand freeze protection.

(0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs)

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Leyton

cost reports and as-built progress plans.

(0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) Field Supervisor Training Series (Part 3): Leadership Skills Bob Caputo, C.F.P.S., C.E.T. – The conclusion of this three-part series will focus on improving communication skills: motivating people, confronting and dealing with difficult people and situations, and team building. Identify contributions of project players in terms of successful startup and continuation of jobs in progress. (0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) Fire Sprinklers in the IBC and IFC Tom Wellen, P.E. – The codes are an important part of your library in addition to the NFPA standards. Not knowing what the codes require can have a detrimental affect on your daily operations. This seminar will address the requirements for sprinklers by the codes, rated separations, and conflicts. (0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs)

Medovich

Morcos

Flexible Sprinkler Drops Mike Dooley – This course will provide attendees technical information on flexible drops and why they were developed. The course will go into detail on the differences in hose construction of flexible drops, review FM and UL approvals and listings and where to find this information, differences in the hydraulic calculations, the different bend radius’s, and different mounting bracket assemblies available in the market.

(0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs) Freeze Protection for Fire Sprinkler Systems Russ Leavitt, C.F.P.S., S.E.T. – This seminar involves an in depth discussion regarding the when, what, and how of freeze protection for fire sprinkler systems. The highest numbers of subrogation claims submitted against fire sprinkler contractors involve the freezing of fire sprinkler systems. It is critical that contractors who install and maintain sprinkler

Seminars Spotlight: AHJ Exclusives Two seminars will presented exclusively for Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs).

Fire Sprinkler System Plan Review

Ken Wagoner C.F.P.E., C.F.P.S., S.E.T. & Steven Scandaliato, C.F.P.S., S.E.T. This course will include requirements for plans and calculations contained in Chapter 23; class exercise in hands-on review of a fire sprinkler system plan, including overall design concept, hydraulic calculations, seismic bracing, and the underground supply system. (0.4 CEU | 4.0 CPDs)

Rough-In Inspections and Final Acceptance Tests

Steven Scandaliato, C.F.P.S., S.E.T. & Ken Wagoner, C.F.P.E., C.F.P.S., S.E.T. Among the many milestones found in the process of sprinkler system design and installation, the rough-in inspection is arguably the most important. Rarely are sprinkler systems inspected and tested by the same personnel that perform the shop drawing review. As a team, installers and fire service inspectors are our last chance to “get it right” regardless of design intent and plan review accuracy. This seminar will explain the synergy required in the design and installation process exposing the critical areas of each needed to ensure that lives and property will be saved. (0.2 CEU | 2.0 CPDs)

22 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

High-Rise Standpipe Systems & NFPA 14 Update Steve Leyton – This presentation discussion of NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, will include performance-based standpipe design, vertical staging of fire pumps, proper zoning and protection of standpipes, pressure regulation, auxiliary water storage on upper floors, and changes to NFPA 14, 2016 edition. (0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) In-Rack Sprinkler Design James Golinveaux – When ceiling only designs are not available, In-Rack sprinklers are often the only solution. Understanding the new design and installation rules from NFPA, FM and Manufactures are critical to providing adequate fire protection. Attendees will have a better understanding of the selection, design and installation process of in-rack sprinklers. (0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) NFPA 13, 2016 Edition: Commodity Classification Update Angele Morcos – This presentation will be a discussion of the work that went into updating the commodity classification guidelines in the 2016 edition of NFPA 13 and how to implement them. This presentation will also provide insight on the scientific research, testing and analysis that is conducted to determine commodity classification. (0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs) NFPA 13, 2016 Edition Update Matthew J. Klaus, P.E. – This session will focus on the technical changes of the 2016 edition of NFPA 13 to include the impacts on the design and installation sprinkler systems. Topics of discussion will include modifications to the commodity classification tables, cloud ceilings, air vents and exposed, expanded group A plastic storage. (0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) NFPA 13 Installation Rules, Chapter 8 James Golinveaux – Chapter 8 of NFPA 13 is the hiding spot for everything we don’t know where to put into the standard. This course will break this chapter down into the relative sections for a comprehensive understanding of the rules of installation. The attendee will

Randal G. Stutzman

better understand the intent of the installation rules and identify important criteria often overlooked due the chapter’s complexity. (0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) NFPA 13 Obstruction Rules Explained Matthew J. Klaus, P.E. – This session will look at the various obstruction rules in Chapter 8 of NFPA 13 and outline the application of the rules based on the type of sprinkler being installed. The program will outline where the various sprinkler rules should be applied, including the three and four times rules, and also define types of obstructions to better apply the standard. (0.1 CEUs | 1.0 CPDs) NFPA 25, 2014 Edition Russ Leavitt, C.F.P.S., S.E.T. – This seminar provides an overview of the 2014 edition of NFPA 25.

The latest edition of the standard refines the owner’s responsibilities including the requirements frequencies of inspections and tests, and revisions that assist in limiting the liabilities associated with performing inspections, testing, and maintenance. (0.1 CEUs | 1.0 CPDs) NFPA 25, 2017: A Move Forward Russ Leavitt, C.F.P.S., S.E.T. – This seminar discusses the major revisions with the 2017 edition. These revisions include a reformatting of the Chapter Summary Tables, and splitting the requirements for deluge and pre-action valves in Chapter 13. The seminar will also include a review of revisions that were proposed but not accepted by the technical committee.

(0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs) Organizing For Growth: How to Build a Sustainable Organization Ryan O’Shea, FMI – One of the most painful aspects of the market downturn has been the trauma experienced by many contractor organizations. Many firms had enjoyed such robust growth during the previous decade that most had never felt the pain of reductions, hiring freezes and cutbacks in professional development in force. Now many companies are questioning if they have the right organizational strategy and resources in place as the market changes yet again.

(0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) Seismic Brace Layout and Calculations Kenneth W. Wagoner C.F.P.E.,

Director Randy Stutzman is a director at FMI, management consultants to the construction industry. As a specialist in corporate mergers, acquisitions, and strategy development, Randy helps contractors throughout the country develop and implement plans that are uniquely tailored to meet individual needs. This involves helping clients acquire additional businesses, sell existing business units, or ensure that profitable organic growth is achieved. In any case, the goal is always to maximize shareholders’ value.

Scandaliato

Randy grew up in a family-owned construction and development business. In 1978, he joined FMI and began working with contractor clients to help them better manage their businesses. In addition to his responsibilities as a consultant to individual contractors, Randy is responsible for FMI’s merger and acquisition services for several industry segments. As an instructor for FMI seminars, Randy teaches and publishes subjects related to mergers and acquisitions in the construction industry, field productivity improvement, pricing and bidding strategies, financial management for contractors, field management training, integration of consolidated companies, and a number of other topics.

Siderowicz

C.F.P.S., S.E.T.– Protection of fire sprinkler systems from damage due to earthquakes is mandated by building and structural codes in areas where Randy is ais graduate of Indiana University of seismic activity likely.

This seminar Pennsylvania, holding a master of business administration. received a bachelor’s degree in will cover layout ofHelateral and longitudibusiness management from David Lipscomb University. nal braces, as well as vertical and lateral restraints, including the necessary calculations to support the brace layout.

Additionally, some information will be provided on revisions to the standard affecting seismic bracing in the 2016 edition. (0.15 CEUs | 1.5 CPDs) Selling Service Agreements on Life Safety Systems Joe Siderowicz – This presentation will be a discussion of how to sell service agreements on sprinkler systems, what to offer, how to present the agreement, and how to close service agreements on life safety systems. (0.1 CEUs | 1.0 CPDs)

Stutzman

Tihen

Randal G. Stutzman FMI Corporation 5301 Cypress St. Suite 201 Tampa, FL 33607

The Benefits of Corrosion Mitigation: Why Prevention Makes Cents! Josh Tihen – Over the last 15 Tel: 813.636.1364 years, new innovative products such as Fax: 813.636.9601 E-mail: rstutzman@fminet.com nitrogen generators, automatic air vents Web sites: www.fminet.com | www.fmisource.com and corrosion monitoring stations have hit the market. These products have slowed corrosion and extended the life of sprinkler systems, thus increasing their value. This seminar will explain why appropriate corrosion prevention techniques are a financial win for the contractor, the engineer, the end user and the industry as a whole. (0.1 CEUs | 1.0 CPDs) The Construction Value Chain: Matching Your Value Proposition to the Needs of Your Customer Randy Stutzman, FMI – Remember that customers buy on their perception of value. If you do not differentiate yourselves in the eyes of the buyer, you will

SEPTEMBER 14 17, 2016

NASHVILLE

AF SA

A GRAND OLE OPPORTUNITY Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016 23

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Victor

force the customer to buy solely based on price. In order to improve your results, you must conduct an objective analysis of your strengths and then match them to the right market sectors and targets, capitalize on shared values with your customers, learn how to communicate your core competencies to create the best value for your customers and company, and separate customer value points from selling price.

(0.2 CEUs | 2.0 CPDs) Book Your Stay Convention headquarter hotels are booked years in advance for an event. Due to an increase in attendance over the years at AFSA’s annual convention, there was a need to increase the

?

Wagoner

Wellen

group room block at this year’s venue.

Therefore, AFSA rescheduled the official 2016 convention dates for September 14-17 so that the headquarter hotel, the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville could accommodate the larger attendance size.

All of this year’s seminars, exhibits, networking breakfasts and lunches, the opening general session, golf tournament, and transportation to offsite tours and parties will be held within the resort’s conference complex. This premier Opryland hotel offers guests an unforgettable getaway with all the excitement and energy of Music City under one spectacu-

AFSA recognizes individuals/ organizations for their dedication to enhancing education and awareness of fire sprinklers by awarding its “Fire Sprinklers Save Lives” award.

Established in 1998, the “Fire Sprinklers Save Lives” award’s goal is to highlight individuals and organizations NOT involved in the fire sprinkler industry who are truly making a difference in their community by recognizing the importance of our life saving industry and promoting the use of fire sprinkler technology.

Do you know someone who deserves the

“Fire Sprinklers Save Lives” award?

Send nominations to: AFSA - Public Education & Awareness Committee 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350 Dallas, Texas 75251 Fax: 214-343-8898

24 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

To nominate someone outside of the fire sprinkler industry, please send your name and contact information, your nominee’s name, contact information and a brief description why this person/ organization is being nominated.

lar roof. Featuring an extraordinary selection of dining, shopping, recreational activities and entertainment, there’s never a shortage of things to do at this resort. The resort also impresses with its Gaylord Springs Golf Links, home to the AFSA Convention Golf Tournament on September 14. Gaylord Springs Golf Links has been recognized consistently among GolfWeek’s best courses to play in Tennessee.

To be sure you get the benefits of booking in the official AFSA room block, be sure to book directly through AFSA’s convention webpage (firesprinkler.org/convention) or through the helpful booking agents at 615-889-1000. Be sure to state you want the AFSA Group Rate of $210 (outside view) or $235 (atrium view) plus tax inclusive of resort fee. In addition, request a room closest to the convention center when making your reservation!

AFSA encourages convention attendees to sign up for a Marriott Elite Rewards account if they do not already have one.

The advantage to being a member at the Gaylord Opryland is that members are eligible to check-in at the Magnolia Desk, the most convenient location if requesting a room near the convention center. The hotel reservation deadline is August 12, 2016.

After this date, AFSA attendees will not be guaranteed the group rate.

Start Planning Now! Mark your calendar and start making plans... AFSA promises to offer education, excitement and entertainment at this year’s convention! For more information on this year’s event, visit firesprinkler.org/convention. And don’t forget to reserve your room at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center at the special AFSA group rate. Don’t miss this grand ole opportunity in Nashville! n IMPORTANT NOTE: Don’t let your reservations be hijacked! In the past, several AFSA members have received calls from hotel reservation companies claiming to be representing AFSA and its convention. AFSA does not have any housing companies associated with its 2016 convention. Reservations made at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center through a reservation company, such as Global Housing or Exhibitor Services, do not qualify for AFSA networking meals. While hotel resellers may contact you offering housing for your trip, they are not endorsed by or affiliated with AFSA or its show and entering into financial agreements with such companies can have costly consequences.

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Productive Conflict Take Your Organization to the Next Level RANDY NELSON | VFS Fire & Security Services

Do you work in a harmonious business environment? If so, you could be mired in mediocrity or headed for extinction. While the thought of working in a “culture of conflict” sounds like a painful existence, it could be the differentiator that pushes your organization to the next level.

In Patrick Lencioni’s book “The Five Temptations of a CEO,” one of the temptations to avoid is selecting harmony over conflict. That would seem to be contrary to popular opinion. Shouldn’t we all strive to have harmony in our workplace? Who would want to work in an environment where conflict was the culture of the organization?

To understand Lencioni’s point, we need to take a closer look at how he defines both conflict and harmony.

For the remainder of the article, when I mention the word “conflict,” I’m referring to “productive conflict,” the kind of conflict that raises positive debate and issue awareness.

In contrast, when we mentally conjure up the word “harmony” in respect to the workplace, we think of a group of smiling people going about their business. We think of people always being positive and never rocking the boat. This might seem good on the surface but in this scenario, what we don’t see is the undercurrent of office politics, frustration and anger boiling under the calm surface.

While reading Lencioni’s book, I understood how much of a temptation harmony is for an organization. I can recall several situations in meetings with staff when the debate between two people started to get heated. As the conversation escalated, 26 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

tensions climbed and people started to get uncomfortable, I’d find myself quickly intervening to pacify the situation. This, as I later found out, was completely the wrong approach.

While a confrontation that involves tempers flaring or either of the parties becoming defensive is unproductive and to be avoided, a debate involving productive conflict should be encouraged. That’s how real change happens.

Without productive conflict, an organization (or a relationship) doesn’t advance to the next level.

Think about a long-term relationship you’ve had with either a friend or significant other. Everything is “harmonious” in the beginning during that honeymoon period, only showing each other the best parts of both parties. Over time as the little things start to annoy you, nothing is said in order to maintain the harmony. Eventually, frustration and anxiety can take over with one or both people reaching a boiling point.

At this point, usually an argument ensues, hopefully a constructive one.

After the argument, there is a new understanding between the two of you and the relationship moves to another level. When two people trust each other enough to air their concerns and have a constructive debate, they reach a new appreciation for each other and move the relationship to a higher level. The same thing can happen in an organization in order to move relationships and the business to a higher level.

Incorporating “conflict” into the culture of an organization doesn’t happen overnight and shouldn’t be undertaken until the organization understands that this is acceptable. A high level of trust must be developed between all employ-

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ees so that when conflict gets brought to the surface, no one feels they are being “thrown under the bus.” This obviously works best with a group of people who have worked together for a period of time. The team needs to be reminded that they are in a safe workplace and that frank conversations will help move the organization forward. This culture will likely be very different for new employees, so this culture should be emphasized starting with the interview process all the way through the employee orientation and initial coaching.

One key factor for this to be successful is trust. Trust must be one of the cornerstones in a company culture that embraces conflict. A workplace that has built a high level trust throughout the organization and that allows people to routinely engage each other in productive conflict and debate is a high functioning organization.

When I speak of productive conflict, I’m really talking employees engaging in frank and direct conversations. This is sometimes referred to as “addressing the elephant in the room.” It’s also important that all employees feel respected throughout this process. If anyone starts to feel as if they are being attacked, that person will shut down and become defensive. At that point, the message you are trying to send won’t be heard. Therefore, the message has to be delivered in a way that it will be heard and foster a constructive debate. I have found it beneficial to “ask” for permission to have a direct conversation.

An example conversation might be: “We both have the same objectives, we all want to achieve success and I have a perception that some things in your department aren’t as productive as they could be. My perceptions could be incorrect and I’d like you to correct me if they are. If not, I might have some thoughts on how to improve results. Are you okay with having a frank conversation about this?”

In most instances, people are responsive to being asked for help. This takes down the walls and encourages 28 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

conversation. I have seldom found people unreceptive when asked in this manner. Once given permission, state your concerns and perceptions clearly and directly so there is no alternative interpretation. Frequently invite the other person to voice their opinion and disagree with your position, this is constructive debate.

There are times in any organization where constructive conflict is necessary. A group meeting of you staff or a department is a great opportunity to initiate constructive conflict. I like to open these types of meetings like this, “This is valuable time we are taking to have this meeting so let’s make the most of it. We have worked together long enough that we have built trust between each other and we should be able to speak our minds and be direct with each other. If you leave this meeting thinking or feeling that things have been left unsaid, then you become part of the problem.” At this point, the best thing that a manager or leader can do is to get out of the way and allow the conversations flow.

Resist the temptation to jump in during uncomfortable moments because this only hijacks the constructive process. If the debate starts to stall, continue to provoke the conversation until everything you think needed to be addressed was discussed.

Whether you call it “stirring the pot” or “rocking the boat,” there are ways that this can be done in a positive manner. Providing a healthy environment where people can freely debate important issues that promote positive change is very productive and profitable. In summary, an organization that encourages “productive conflict” as its culture is a highly functioning organization with trust between the staff members as its cornerstone. What’s better than that? n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Nelson, P.E., is CEO of VFS Fire & Security Services, Orange, California. He is a an AFSA representative on NFPA 16 Technical Committee for Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems.

Fierce Competition National Craft Championships Lee, Nelson Take Home Medals in Fire Sprinkler Competition CHARLOTTE JOHNSON | American Fire Sprinkler Association

In the first week of March, 11 fire sprinkler apprentices from all over the United States descended upon Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the 2016 National Craft Championships (NCC). Held during the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) Workforce Development Conference, the NCC hosted 200 craft trainees who competed for top honors in 15 competitions representing 13 crafts, from carpentry to HVAC to fire sprinkler. Competitors first took an intense, two-hour written exam, and then competed in a day-long, hands-on practical performance test.

The competition began at 8 a.m. Inside the convention hall, competitors in bright orange shirts and white hard hats stood in closely gathered groups, receiving instruction from competition officials. Families, friends, and all competition onlookers were kept outside the doors until the buzzer sounded the start of the competition. When the signal echoed over the concrete, the doors opened and the convention floor was flooded with eager attendees.

Oblivious to their audience, the fire sprinkler apprentices began their work, crouched on the concrete before a small wooden platform and plethora of disassembled parts, armed only with their tools and a few instructions.

Competitors were tasked with building a dry pipe valve riser. Then, they were instructed to trim the dry pipe valve as detailed in a product data sheet provided. Points were deducted for trim that did not appear to be straight or had leaks during testing.

As the competitors worked, judges roamed throughout the competition floor, watching the progress and taking notes

The gold medal winner was Nathan Lee, an apprentice with AFSA member Cox Fire Protection, Tampa, Florida.

30 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

on technique. The Fire Sprinkler Division judges were Larry Cate of Absolute Fire Protection in Severna Park, Maryland; John Lane of Anne Arundel County, Maryland; Carlos Nunez of All-Pro Fire Protection in Miami, Florida; and Daniel Mathias of Absolute Fire Protection in Severna Park, Maryland. The Craft Competition Technical Advisor was Gordon Farrell of Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation.

David Victor of VSC Fire & Security served as assistant project manager, and Phill Brown of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) served as project manager.

Suppliers included Tyco, Ferguson Fire & Fabrication, Globe Fire Sprinkler, and Cox Fire Protection.

The competition was heated. Some competitors spent extra time prepping their materials, while others began building right away. Some were slow and methodical while others worked swiftly. The competition lasted until the buzzer sounded at 3 p.m., and except for an hour-long break for lunch, the apprentices were hard at work the entire time.

When an apprentice decided he was finished, he called the judges to his station and, in the presence of a judge, identified all riser and trim components, port locations and their functions. He performed a hydrostatic pressure test at street pressure and set a dry valve with appropriate air pressure. He then performed an annual operation test (trip test). After resetting the valve, he performed the quarterly water flow alarm test. Finally, he explained the function and importance of a main drain flow test.

“We had contestants run the gamut of finishing early to finishing right on time,” says Victor. “They were all

Douglas Nelson, an apprentice with Cox Fire Protection, Tampa, Florida, won the bronze medal.

Jon Boykin with AFSA member Wayne Automatic Sprinkler Comapny, Apopka, Florida, was a finalist.

Jared Sutliff, Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc., Lodi, California and AFSA’s National Apprentice Competition winner, won the safety award.

Devon Greene, employed by AFSA member Space Coast Fire & Safety, Inc., Merritt Island, Florida, was a Fire Sprinkler finalist at NCC.

Jason Smith, an apprentice with AFSA member Piper Fire Protection, St. Petersburg, Florida, was a competition finalist.

challenged – a number of them had never done this task before. Every one of them I think enjoyed themselves highly and are going to walk away from this having learned a new skill.”

I’m doing and grow as much as I can in that area before I move on,” says Lee. “I’d like to keep designing for three or four years to achieve quality craftsmanship. Ten years down the road I’d like to be running my own company.”

Winners were announced at the awards breakfast the following day. AFSA members Nathaniel (Nathan) Lee and Douglas Nelson, both of Cox Fire Protection, took first and third place, respectively. The Safety Award went to Jarred Sutliff of Cen-Cal Fire Systems, who won the AFSA Apprentice Competition in Phoenix in 2015. His AFSA win included the chance to compete in the National Craft Championships.

The winner of the bronze medal, Douglas Nelson, also works for Cox Fire Protection. He began with the company five years ago and has thoroughly enjoyed his time there. Placing at the National Craft Championships has gone a long way toward validating his career. “The competition is a chance for me to show everyone what I can do,” says Nelson. “I have been putting in the time and working hard to be a top professional in this trade.”

Gold-medal winner Nathan Lee was more surprised than anyone by his own win. As a layout technician for Cox, he draws blueprints on a daily basis but he hadn’t touched a wrench in over a year. But while the practical test was a challenge, he knew he had come prepared. “It’s a lot of stuff that I deal with on a daily basis,” says Lee. “Knowledge I’ve used in the field before or in drawing. The guys that design still have to be able to build what they’re drawing. It’s important to know how it works. The competition really reminded me of how much detail goes into what we do.”

Jared Sutliff, the winner of AFSA’s 2015 National Apprentice Competition in Phoenix and the only AFSA-sponsored competitor at the National Craft Championships, was proud to walk away with the Safety Award. The winner of the Safety Award handled the installation in the safest way possible, from the arrangement of the tools to the installation of the materials.

Lee entered the fire protection industry in 2009 and began working for Cox Fire Protection in 2012. “They’re great people,” he says. “They have recognized potential in me. Anybody who works [at Cox] who has initiative and drive to push forward, they are going to get you the education you need to further your career. They’re interested in getting quality craftsmen into the field and they hope to inspire loyalty. They have with me.”

The whole convention was a whirlwind for Lee, from dinners out with different fabrication companies, to networking with other apprentices, to being called on stage as the gold medal winner. Even though he and several fellow competitors went home with the flu, it was an event he will always remember fondly.

Phill Brown, who has worked with AFSA for over 22 years, has attended every National Craft Championship that AFSA has taken part in, and he has enjoyed every one of them. “This year’s ABC National Craft Championships were the largest ever held,” says Brown. “It was exciting to be there, and I will miss being a part of it.”

Brown retired from AFSA on April 15, 2016, and he will be missed by all of his colleagues at AFSA and in the industry as a whole.

Since 1987, the National Craft Championships has seen more than 2,000 men and women compete in what has grown to become one of the construction industry’s most recognized and revered craft skills events. The fire sprinkler apprentices that competed this year were all at the very top of their field, and while only a few went home with medals, each one left Florida with a valuable experience under their belts and a fresh perspective on their trade. n

Now that he has won the gold, Lee intends to continue to pursue designing. “I like to be really good at something that Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016 31

How to “Win a Bid” Success = Details + Hard Work GEORGE WAGNER | AFSA Virginia Chapter

One of most important things a sprinkler contractor must do is to learn how to “win a bid.” In the sprinkler world, you must learn how to keep feeding the beast in order to stay in business and that means you have to get really good at winning bids.

To be really good at winning a bid, you must work very hard at bidding and learn how to be really smart in handling the bid process. In winning the bid, everyone must keep in mind that anyone can be stupid and offer a low bid, but in order to make a profit you must have a rock solid bid. After all, making money is required for you to have a healthy business. Winning a bid is a lengthy process and I will describe the steps that must be taken.

Look for the right bid opportunities for you and your company. They should be the type and size job that you have experience in and that you feel comfortable that your company can handle. It would be crazy to bid a $3,000,000 job if you only employ six fitters. It would be crazy to try to bid a nuclear power plant if you have no experience in that type of job.

Don’t get crazy and take unnecessary risks in your bidding.

Obtain a full set of plans and specifications and review them thoroughly. Make detailed notes on what is required in your scope of work.

Do a simple layout and calculation to determine the basic design and pipe sizes.

Look for ways to outsmart your competition in the design of the system.

Vet your ideas to the architect and engineer, owner and insurance company if need be, to assure that your design will be accepted.

You do not want to take the risk of changing the design for the original plans and specifications if you are going to be held to that original requirement.

32 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Do a thorough pick off of materials for the bid.

Consider all site conditions and go to the jobsite if it is an existing property.

Know everything you can about the conditions on the site so you can put together a knowledgeable bid.

Develop a plan to design the project and develop the hours estimated to design the job. Review these hours with your design manager or design staff.

Understand the bonding requirements on the job as if you have to provide one. Will you have to pay for it or will it be an extra?

Develop a complete and detailed estimate.

Know what overhead and profit you want on this project and know where your bottom number is.

Develop a complete and detailed proposal detailing what you are including in your bid and what you are excluding.

Develop a plan for the installation and develop the hours estimated to install the job. Think about the site conditions as there are 100 things that could impact your labor. Review your labor estimate with your manager of construction staff.

Understand the players who you are bidding, too. It is very different bidding directly to an owner versus bidding to 10 general contractors. Not every general contractor is the same and some are very difficult to work with. You need to take this into consideration when bidding the job.

Review the schedule for the project and think about material and labor escalations. If the job is a two-year job, you will have escalations on materials you purchase for the job and you may have several raise cycles where your employee’s salary is increased. You must add escalation to your bid.

Try to find out who your sprinkler competition is on the bid as it will have you make a more informed bidder on bid day.

Double check the site conditions to think about any impact to delivery of material, storage of material or installation of material. Simple requirements like having the laydown area a half mile from the building or having to work off dirt, not concrete, floors will have a huge impact to you bid.

Look at the special conditions of the specifications to see if you have any impacts to consider.

Understand the insurance requirements of the job. If the conditions require a $5 million umbrella and you only have $1 million, it could be costly to have to provide it and not be paid for it.

Review with all the owner’s general contractors prior to the bid what your scope of the bid will be and what your exclusions will be. Show them how knowledgeable of the job you are.

On bid day hand deliver or call in your bid; never email it or fax it. Confirm your bid by email, fax or regular mail after the bid. When you deliver or call in your bid, make sure that you explain in detail what you are providing. Many contractors just want a price, but do not fall into that trap if there are unusual things about the bid. You want to make sure early on that you educate the people taking the bid of the unusual items so they make sure your competitors have those items covered.

Follow up immediately on the bid to see who was the winning general contractor.

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Follow up immediately with the owner or winning general contractor to see where you stand. Many sprinkler contractors do not do a good job on follow up. Weeks or months later is too late. You may not be the low bidder on bid day, but you can still end up with the job if you are smart and you take immediate actions. Be aggressive in the follow up.

Get your face in front of the owner or winning general contractor as soon as you can. Your action can make a difference.

When you see the owner or winning general contractor, do the following:

• Explain your bid in detail.

• Bring out unusual items that your competition may not have covered.

• Tell them your plan to get the job completed.

• Explain the team you have in place to do the job.

• Let them know your experience in the industry and on this type of job.

• Give them reference letters from others where you have successfully completed this type of job.

• Sell yourself.

• Sell your company.

• Sell this owner of general contractor on your ability to do this job and be

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his best candidate to perform the sprinkler work on this job.

I know that things have changed in the contracting world, and I have to tell you that I am “old school” in having face-to-face personal relationships. Many younger salespeople think this is unnecessary. My 46 years of experience tell me differently. While things have changed, we still deal with people every day to obtain a winning bid.

The staff who faxes their bid in and never follows up on their bid, waiting for the contract to come rolling in the mail will lose bidding against me. The old saying “You snooze, you lose” will be in place and I will be aggressive, get in front of the owner or general contractor, and sell myself and my company and walk out the door with a signed contract or a signed letter of intent before you ever knew I was there.

All of these actions are important to win the bid.

I cannot tell you how many times I was second, third or even fourth bidder and I received the contract on the job due to my actions. Often I was not the low bidder but was awarded the job. Many of my competitors were too lazy to do what I did. Many of them wanted to just sit back in their office and wait for the contract to come in the mail. That is not the way to be successful.

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As hard as it is to “win the bid,” now you are awarded the job. The real hard part starts now, to perform the installation of the project as per your plan and to bring the job in under your estimated cost. By performing properly on the job and impressing the owner or general contractor, it will be easier next time to “win the bid.” It is now time to start all over again to “win another bid” as you have to feed the beast to stay in business. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: George Wagner has served the fire sprinkler industry for over 45 years, through Worsham Sprinkler Company, Wagner Consulting Services, and currently as executive director of AFSA’s Virginia Chapter.

He holds a NICET Level III in Automatic Systems Layout and numerous other certifications. He served on the national AFSA Board of Directors for five years and five AFSA committees, and currently is the project facilitator for AFSA’s Inspection, Testing & Maintenance program to develop NICET Level II Inspectors. Wagner is the 2015 recipient of AFSA’s highest honor, the Henry S. Parmelee Award.

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Members Benefit from Informal Interpretations Utilize This Free Service to Save Time and Money CHARLOTTE JOHNSON | American Fire Sprinkler Association

Have you ever had a technical question that you just couldn’t seem to answer? Found yourself wondering who was in the right when you disagreed with an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) or design team?

As a member of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), there is an industry resource available to you that could do wonders when you find yourself in one of those situations: AFSA’s informal interpretations. Informal interpretations are written interpretations on any subject related to automatic fire sprinklers, produced by the AFSA technical services team using resources from the AFSA library, NFPA standards, building codes and the NFPA technical committees. In 2015, members saved nearly $80,000 and over 200 hours on their jobs by putting AFSA’s technical services department to work for them. Currently, there are over 4,400 interpretations available online, and members can contact the department directly with specific questions on the AFSA website (firesprinkler.org).

Eric Brown of ABC Fire and Cylinder Service, Reno, Nevada has contacted the technical services department many times with questions regarding antifreeze, inspection, rack storage, residential, and construction defect lawsuits.

“In about half of the cases, it is to settle a question regarding design, in-house,” says Brown, “and the other half is AHJ related. A few times have been just for personal knowledge.”

In one particular case, Brown worked with a client that ran a tire recycling plant. The AHJ told them they would need an ESFR system in order to protect the recycling machine as well as the tires stored inside the building. The customer had an existing Ordinary Hazard Group II system, which they would have had to 36 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

demolish in order get the new ESFR system. After doing a survey of the client’s building and operations, Brown’s opinion was that the client needed to upgrade the existing system to an Extra Hazard Group II as the tire storage was considered miscellaneous storage and the byproduct of the recycling machine equated to vulcanizing. “I brought this to the AHJ and he said that the only way he would buy my argument was to have a fire protection

“Informal interpretations have saved our customers and us hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past 15-plus years. They alone are worth the price of membership.” engineer (FPE) write a letter in favor of my opinion,” says Brown. So he submitted an AFSA informal interpretation request. “While I was off a little bit on my determination, the informal interpretation proved my theory right. While the customer had to upgrade their existing system, they were not required to tear it out and start over, which saved them about $60,000-$100,000.”

Another frequent informal interpretations customer, David Shaffer of Western New York Fire Protection LLC, Buffalo, New York, uses the service at least a dozen times a year, and only has positive things to say about it. “Roland Huggins in particular has been very good at taking the time to not just provide an answer, but to lead me to the correct code so I can learn,” says Shaffer.

“It’s not just giving me an answer, but guiding me. I find that as a designer that’s very, very helpful.”

Ken Gwozdecki of Diamond Automatic Sprinkler, Inc., Mt. Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, has had similar experiences with AFSA’s informal interpretations. He uses the service at least six times a year, primarily when trying to confirm a sprinkler system design criteria based on the type and arrangement of storage being protected. When asked if the program has saved him money, Gwozdecki was quite sure that it has. “Since we don’t have any local PEs in our area to consult with, it would cost us much more to hire an outside PE for each situation we encounter.”

Jeff Rovegno of Mr. Sprinkler, Roseville, California, uses informal interpretations whenever the code is not clear on a specific issue, or whenever his team does not agree with the AHJ’s interpretation of a particular code section. He especially appreciates how easy it is to get the answers he needs. “We are grateful that AFSA understands that many times we have an urgent need for feedback in order to resolve critical path issues that can arise during the course of a project,” says Rovegno. “The prompt and thoughtful responses we have received give substance to our positions and have been instrumental in resolving important issues in a professional and creditable manner.”

If you are looking for ways to put your AFSA membership to work, look no further. This benefit is available right now, and easily accessible when you visit firesprinkler.org/technical-services/ informal-interpretations. As Eric Brown put it: “Informal interpretations have saved our customers and us hundreds of thousands of dollars over the past 15-plus years. They alone are worth the price of membership.” n

Explanations on ESFR Sprinkler Protection Informal Interpretations Offer Assistance on Technical Questions The informal interpretations featured in this issue of Sprinkler Age 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 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 assumes no liability for the opinions or actions taken on them.

Subject: Drop Ceiling Construction for ESFR Protection QUESTION: “I have a warehouse project with a 59-ft deck and they want to install a drop ceiling at 45 ft and install an ESFR system with pendant heads. Is there any certain ceiling construction that is required for an ESFR pendant system? Can a standard acoustical tile grid system meet the requirements?”

ANSWER: In response to your questions we have reviewed NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2016 edition as the applicable standard as well as FM Global Data Sheet 2-0 dated January 2014. Our informal interpretation is that NFPA 13 does not address ceiling construction or minimum required uplift pressures from fire. FM Data Sheet 2-0 was referenced for guidance since NFPA 13 does not address this question. Section 2.2.1.6 for ceiling slope of storage sprinklers. This says to install a flat, continuous false ceiling (see Appendix A for definition) over

the affected area and for 20 ft beyond in all directions. The design of the false ceiling is to be constructed in accordance with Data Sheet 1-12, Ceilings and Concealed Spaces, and ensure it can withstand a minimum uplift pressure of 3 lb/ft2 with sprinkler protection provided below the suspended ceiling. Appendix A defines a false ceiling as: “A solid continuous sub-ceiling that is installed in accordance with Data Sheet 1-12, Ceilings and Concealed Spaces, and aligned parallel to floor level at a given vertical distance below the primary ceiling or roof. Sprinkler protection is installed under the false ceiling and designed in accordance with the occupancy-specific data sheet. The purpose of a false ceiling with sprinklers installed below it is to typically address hazards that can negatively affect sprinkler performance such as excessive clearance, excessive airflow velocities, excessive ceiling slope or loss of the heat plume through exhaust openings at ceiling level. Design the false ceiling to withstand a minimum fire plume uplift velocity pressure of 3 lb/ft2 Suitable ceiling materials include minimum 3/8-in. plywood or gypsum board as well as corrugated or sheet steel. If the false ceiling is made of ordinary plywood or other combustible construction, sprinkler protection may also be needed above the false ceiling (see DS 1-12). If the false ceiling is hung from the existing roof framework, ensure the roof can withstand the additional dead load.”

Subject: Open-Top Containers QUESTION: “We have 15-ft high rack storage for HDPE plastic totes both empty and filled with metal

parts. The totes are five sided with openings and open-top. Also, there are wood pallets with plywood sides both filled with metal parts and empty.

What are the protection criteria for these commodities?”

ANSWER: In response to your question we have reviewed NFPA 13, 2016 edition as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is noted below.

There are several issues to address regarding this application. The protection criteria cannot be provided since there are unknown details regarding the storage. Chapter 5 will give guidance on the classification of the commodity.

The plastic bins will be addressed first.

The metal parts can be classified as a Class I commodity. So when the metal parts are packaged inside polyethylene packaging, this doesn’t necessarily make it a Group A plastic commodity. This is shown in 5.6.3.4.1 number (6) that it meets the definition of a Class IV commodity when it contains greater than five percent and up to 15 percent by weight of Group A exposed unexpanded plastic. Thus, if you fall within the parameters of the Group IV commodity, then provide protection accordingly. If the weight or volume of Group A plastics is borderline or exceeds the Class IV parameters, then the commodity can be classified as unexpanded Group A plastic. When the plastic container is empty, the commodity would be unexpanded Group A plastic. Fire tests of commodities have shown that fires can take on burning properties of its packaging.

This is mentioned in annex material in A.5.6.1.1 and indicates that classification is also affected by such factors as the primary storage or shipping container material, the amount of air Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016 37

space, and the location of the more hazardous materials within the container. For example, a Group A plastic product enclosed in a five-or six-sided metal container can be considered Class II, while a ceramic product heavily wrapped in tissue paper and placed in a corrugated carton could be Class III. In looking at this annex information, there are metal parts packaged in a Group A plastic five-sided storage bin.

If the amount or volume of plastics exceeds those specified in the definition of a Class IV commodity, a fire involving the plastic bins may take on the properties of a fire involving unexpanded Group A plastics. Next are wood pallets with plywood sides both filled with metal parts and also when they are empty. This meets the definition of a Class III commodity in Section 5.6.3.3.

Lastly, protection of open-top containers has limitations. Sections 16.1.7 and 17.1.6 indicate that the protection of open-top containers shall be considered outside the scope of Chapter 16 and 17. See Section C.12. This restriction on spray sprinklers applies only to rack storage. The bottom line is that open-top containers cannot collect water. The definition of open-top container is located in 3.9.1.19 as a container of any shape that is entirely or partially open on the top. The annex A.3.9.1.19 provides text to clarify that the containers can prevent water from running across the top to storage and down the flues and can also collect water. Number 3 addresses containers that can have wire mesh siding or large uniform openings along the bottom perimeter of each container, such that water enters the container at the same flow rate and discharges evenly into the flue spaces, should not be considered as an open-top container provided the contents of the container are not water absorbent and are not capable of blocking such container openings. The containers for this application appear to have openings where they would not be considered open-top containers.

Without the openings, the container will prevent water penetration to a fire in lower levels where it is needed. Rack or flue collapse can also occur if too much water is collected. This is also supported by fire tests indicated under 38 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

C.12 with open-top containers in the upper tier of storage and a portion of the third tier of storage produced an increase in sprinkler operation from 36 to 41 sprinklers and a more pronounced aisle jump and increase in fire spread in the main array. With that said, one has to determine if water will be collected in the containers. If the containers are arranged so that water will not collect in the containers below covered containers on top and water will run down the container commodity, then all containers would not need to be covered. If the containers below can collect water, then something has to be done so that water will not be collected. If a container has solid sides but open at the top and bottom or has slatted or mesh openings, it would be allowed if it was not capable of entrapping the water discharge.

Subject: Barriers Under Grouped Obstructions QUESTION: “We are currently working on a large ESFR warehouse project where a large number of electrical conduit banks run and chill water lines that create continuous non-solid obstructions to the overhead ESFR sprinklers and will require additional coverage below. The FM Data Sheet 2.0 goes in depth as to additional items that must be incorporated into the building, such as solid shields under open conduit runs, pipe runs, and/or cable trays, but there appears to be no such direction or verbiage in NFPA 13. Is there a standard that addresses the placement of these additional ESFR heads in order to aid in heat collection, and protection from overhead sprinkler discharge?”

ANSWER: In response to your question we have reviewed NFPA 13, 2016 edition as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is that NFPA 13 does not provide guidance to provide a barrier under grouped obstructions. New guidance in the 2016 edition does not answer your question above but it is related. It identifies in Section 8.12.5.3.3 that pipes, conduits, or groups of pipes and conduit to be considered individual,

they must be separated from the closest adjacent pipe, conduit, cable tray, or similar obstructions by a minimum of three times the width of the adjacent pipe, conduit, cable tray, or similar obstruction. The annex provides an example that says in A.8.12.5.3.3, a 1 in. diameter conduit would need to be 3 in. from the nearest pipe or conduit to be considered as an individual obstruction. Otherwise, the pipes and/ or conduits would be considered as a group obstruction when applying the criteria in Section 8.12.5.3.1. Thus your alternative can be to follow the criteria of FM Global Data Sheet 2-0 for obstructions and grouped objects with and without barriers. NFPA 13 does not address barriers for grouped obstructions and requires the application to meet Section 8.12.5.3.1.

However, cold soldering is a concern without some type of barrier where NFPA 13 leans toward preventing cold soldering. Section 8.5.5.3.1.1 says that sprinklers shall be located below the obstruction and not more than 3 in. from the outside edge of the obstruction. Then Section 8.5.5.3.1.2 says where sprinklers are located adjacent to the obstruction (so as to be exposed to the ceiling discharge), they shall be of the intermediate level rack type. In addition, Section 8.12.5.3.4 for Open Gratings indicates that sprinklers installed under open gratings shall be of the intermediate level/rack storage type or otherwise shielded from the discharge of overhead sprinklers (with guidance on the shields provided in A.8.5.5.3.4). n EDITOR’S NOTE: These interpretations were prepared by AFSA’s Technical Services Department in answer to specific questions from contractors and/or AHJs. These opinions are provided for the benefit of the requesting party, and are provided with the understanding that AFSA assumes no liability for the opinions or actions taken on them.

AFSA members can access over 4,400 informal interpretations online. Visit firesprinkler. org, click on “Technical Services” and then “Informal Interpretations.” (Member user name and password required to gain entry.)

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The 80/20 Rule Balancing Ownership and Management Responsibilities AMY SCHUMAN | The Family Business Consulting Group

Many business founders dream of the day that the next generation will join them in the business. While entry of the next generation can be a very exciting time, it also presents challenges. One of the many decisions the family must make at this point is how to treat these young people. Should they be treated just like everyone else, or given special consideration as family members and current or future owners?

Too much special treatment is not desirable, creating a sense of entitlement. However, it is unrealistic to expect a next generation family member to be “just like everyone else.” He or she will

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likely be a future owner, and as such will require a different kind of exposure and knowledge of the business.

To prepare a strong group of next generation owners, they need extensive exposure and experience to the business they will own one day. Next Generation (NG) members who are treated like any other employee may lose valuable opportunities to build the skills they’ll need as future owners.

One solution to this dilemma is a new application of the familiar 80/20 rule.

Have the next generation owner spend 80 percent of their time in their job, and 20 percent of their time outside the normal responsibilities of their job. This 20 percent would be devoted to special projects and activities specifically geared to helping the next generation person prepare him/herself to be a knowledgeable, capable owner. Activities that fall into this 20 percent might include: • Participating in a strategic planning session • Visiting an important customer or supplier • Attending a Board of Directors meeting • Taking an ownership-related class or seminar • Listening in on a parents’ estate planning session • Scheduling a regular (monthly/ quarterly) lunch or coffee with top management relatives • Identifying and regularly meeting with a mentor outside the family and business The 80/20 solution has worked in many businesses of varying sizes and industries. It has many advantages. Probably the most significant advantage is that it

recognizes the reality of the successor’s situation. They are not, and will never be, “just another employee.” Others will always be aware of their family/ownership status, and they’ll always be under the microscope to some extent. As much as they might want to blend in, not be noticed, and have an experience just like anyone else, that is not a realistic option.

They have to learn to manage the dual role – of employee and owner – from the start.

We should note here that the 80/20 split is appropriate for NG members working in the business. For NG members who are not involved in the business operations, dedicating time to ownership preparation is still important. And, the activities identified for the ownership preparation above still apply. However, the time allotted to ownership preparation may vary, depending upon other constraints on the NG owners’ time (e.g. employment, school, parenting, etc.) Families often dedicate time at shareholder meetings for NG owner education, particularly if there is a group of NG owners in a tight age range.

While the 80/20 approach can be very effective, special assignments for NG members should be planned carefully.

Considerations include: Next Generation Member Skills and Interests Assignments should be selected that balance the need for exposure to new areas with the desire for the NG member to complete the task successfully. Also, allowing NG members to gravitate to jobs that naturally fit their interests and abilities has to be balanced with requiring a wide exposure to a range of business areas.

No Special Treatment Upside

Special Consideration as a Future/Current Owner Downside

Upside

Downside

Learns the reality of the work world

Misses opportunities to gain owner- Take advantage of opportunities to ship preparation learn and grow as an owner

Sense of entitlement

Gains empathy for employees

Misses opportunities to develop skills more quickly

Prepare knowledgeable next-generation owners/ managers

Distance, antagonism from nonfamily employees

Gains respect and credibility with others

May become demotivated

Reflects the reality of the situation

Unrealistic experience and expectations

Figure 1. The upsides and downsides of balancing management and ownership responsibilities.

Timing of Assignments Once areas of exposure have been identified, they need to be sequenced appropriately. And, timing of succession must be considered as well. Other considerations include not leaving someone too long in a job or area they hate, as well as leaving people in a job long enough to really benefit.

Supervision The NG member will benefit more from an assignment if an appropriate supervisor is chosen.

Consideration should be given to the supervisor’s coaching style, willingness to deliver honest feedback to family members and empathy for the NG member’s situation.

Performance Management To gain valuable experience from an assignment, the NG member needs feedback on his/ her performance. Before the assignment begins, clear goals should be established, and a system for measuring performance against the goals should be established, including a clear understanding of who will be evaluating performance.

And, an understanding should be established between the NG member, his supervisor and family members concerning what feedback the family will receive on the NG members’ performance. If the family anticipates more than one NG member will enter the business, a structure should be created to manage entry. This structure will answer questions such as: • How will NG assignments be selected?

• How will NG performance be evaluated?

• How will family members in the business interact with each other?

If regular meetings of family members have not already started, entry of the NG is a great time to establish such

meetings. In addition, regular gatherings of NG members can be beneficial.

Besides the obvious team building benefit — building a strong, trusting group of next generation owners — the NGs can share tips for success and provide each other with support.

There are many decisions to be made with NG members begin to enter the business. The more thoughtful planning that goes into managing the entry process, the more likely the NG members will be to succeed. The 80/20 rule allows you to set high expectations while

recognizing the reality that the next generation owner will never be just like everyone else. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Amy M. Schuman is a principal consultant with The Family Business Consulting Group, Inc. and co-author of the new book, Human Resources in the Family Business. The FBCG is a leading management consulting firm serving the unique needs of multi-generational family businesses worldwide. Learn more at thefbcg.com.

Correction: Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. and Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship Donations As reported in the March/April 2016 issue of Sprinkler Age magazine, the Center for Life Safety Education (CLSE), an educational affiliate of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), is proud to sponsor two scholarships programs: the Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship and the Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship. These programs honor dedicated industry veterans who made a difference in the fire sprinkled industry by offering scholarships named in their honor to students studying for a fire protection engineering career.

We inadvertently did not include Leonhardt Pipe & Supply, Huntersville, North Carolina on the list of donors for the Thomas S. Waller scholarship and we appreciate their bringing the incorrect list to our attention. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this list may have caused. We are reprinting the donor lists again in this issue on page 50, with the correct information.

The 2016 winners and donors of both the Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. and Thomas S. Waller Memorial scholarships will be featured in a future issue of Sprinkler Age. Your donations help students attain their educational goals and professional dreams while positively impacting this industry. Supporting either fund is greatly appreciated by the winners, their families, and the DeCamara and Waller families.

For more information about either scholarship, visit clse.org. Thank you for your continued support. n

Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016 41

Foundation Research on ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions Multi-Phase Project From NFPA Research Affiliate AMANDA KIMBALL, P.E. | National Fire Protection Association

Early suppression fast response sprinklers (ESFR) are high-volume, highpressure sprinklers that are often used to protect combustible storage as an alternative to installing in-rack sprinklers. Compared to the standard spray sprinkler, ESFR sprinklers have a significantly different spray pattern and they apply much larger amounts of water to the fire, which makes them more sensitive to obstructions such as beams, trays, lights, etc. As such, special considerations need to be given to the impact that obstructions near the sprinkler heads have on the successful operation of ESFR sprinklers.

Currently, the 2016 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems, contains specific requirements that are intended to limit obstructions from inhibiting the spray pattern of ESFR sprinklers. If a particular obstruction fails to meet these specific requirements, NFPA 13 allows for two additional methods to resolve an obstruction to an ESFR sprinkler. If an obstruction is too close to a sprinkler head than the obstruction must be eliminated, or ESFR sprinklers can be added to the underside of the obstruction. Rearranging the layout of the sprinkler system or adding sprinklers beneath an obstruction can prove difficult and costly.

Recently, tests have been conducted with obstructions that are not allowable by NFPA 13 where the ESFR sprinklers still proved successful in controlling the fire. The information provided from these tests as well as information from further testing could be valuable for any revisions of the NFPA 13 requirements for ESFR sprinklers and obstructions.

42 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Figure 1. Photo from actual delivered density (ADD) testing with obstruction. Photo courtesy of NFPA.

For these reasons, the Fire Protection Research Foundation initiated a twophase project, titled “Obstructions and ESFR Sprinklers.� The first phase of the project consisted of a literature review to gather available test data regarding ESFR sprinklers and obstructions, analyzing the knowledge gaps within the data, and developing a research plan for future ESFR sprinkler testing. The second phase of the project consisted of implementing the test plan developed in the first phase. Phase 2 testing focused on open web bar joist obstructions and identified remaining knowledge gaps for future phases.

Beginning in March 2014, researchers from Aon Fire Protection Engineering (now Jensen Hughes) began conducting a literature review of related ESFR testing methods and data. Areas of focus were identified through the literature review that were lacking representative data. Further understanding of these

areas was deemed to be useful to the overall objective of assisting the NFPA 13 technical committee. A test plan was then developed that aimed to obtain information which was not gathered through the literature review.

Phase 2 of the project then began, which included conducting experimental tests based on the plan developed in Phase 1.

Two separate types of tests were conducted: Actual Delivered Density (ADD) testing and full-scale fire testing.

ADD testing (both with and without obstructions) was utilized to identify the obstruction parameters for the full-scale testing. The full-scale fire testing consisted of five large-scale fire tests, each of which was conducted with double-row racks using a nominal storage height of 30 ft and a ceiling height of 40 ft and standard cartoned unexpanded Group A plastic. The five large-scale tests were conducted to gather data to establish the acceptable

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Figure 2. Photo from actual delivered density (ADD) testing with no obstruction. Photo courtesy of NFPA.

threshold that the ESFR sprinkler could be obstructed until the obstruction prevented the ESFR sprinkler from meeting its performance objectives. The pass/fail criteria for the full-scale tests were: a maximum of eight sprinklers activating, fire generally contained in ignition array, and ceiling temperatures remained low enough such that exposed structural steel would not be endangered. All full-scale tests were conducted with K-17 ESFR sprinklers.

After the completion of Phase 2 testing, several conclusions were made and highlighted in the report: • “A K-17 ESFR sprinkler obstructed by a bar joist with a 6-in. offset from the closest edge of the obstruction and without a horizontal bridging member produced acceptable results.

• A K-17 ESFR sprinkler obstructed by a bar joist with a 3-in. offset from the closest edge of the obstruction and without a horizontal bridging member controlled the fire with 12 sprinklers activating.

• Tests 3 and 4 showed that regardless of horizontal offset, a bridging member with a vertical separation of 19.5 in. on a 36-in. deep bar joist with a 6-in. offset, provides acceptable results.”

Based on this series of tests, the impact of obstructions up to 5-6 in. in width, 6 in. horizontally from the sprinkler, and

at a vertical distance of 22 in. from the sprinkler are better understood. The effect of bridging members 1½ by 1½ in. in size is also known.

Another outcome of the Phase 2 work were recommendations for future work, which includes additional testing of bridging members on different bar joist depths to increase the understanding of the vertical distance effects of the obstructions. There is also a need to explore the impact of miscellaneous obstructions such as light fixtures, cable trays, etc. Therefore, the Foundation is continuing work with a Phase 3 project that will focus on these topics.

The ESFR and obstruction project was supported financially by the Foundation’s Property Insurance Research Group (PIRG), Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation, IKEA, P&G, Target, Tyco, and Viking. The reports from both Phase 1 and 2 are available on the Foundation’s website, nfpa.org/foundation. n

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Customer Service The Business of Subcontractors E. COLETTE NELSON | American Subcontractors Association

When it comes down to it, the primary business of subcontractors is service.

Subcontractors are retained to provide services and products to prime contractors, owners or other subcontractors. In the monopsonistic (i.e., one buyer, many sellers) environment of the construction industry, companies hiring subcontractors can afford to be choosey.

Some still chose subcontractors strictly on the low bid principle. Other prime contractors prequalify subcontractors on characteristics such as safety records or history of working relationships. When there are many qualified companies vying for work, a company’s reputation for excellence in customer service can make it stand out in a crowd. Here are some tips to improve customer service in your organization: Emphasize the importance of customer service to all employees. Field workers, supervisors, office employees and managers must be aware that they represent the company at all times. Even the simplest situation, such as answering a phone, presents an opportunity to prove a company’s commitment to customer service.

Create a culture that fosters customer service. Managers should lead by example. Commitment must come from the top of the organization so that employees see its importance.

Never assume that your employees understand what excellent customer service is, how to provide it, and why it is important. Through formal or informal training, subcontractors should show employees how to represent the organization. Showing your employees how customer service affects the profits of the organization and overall health of the organization will provide them with incentive to improve customer service.

44 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Give employees the power to provide customer service. Allowing employees to act independently in this arena is difficult for some managers. Management needs to give employees the authority to resolve customer complaints. Customers don’t want to hear, “Only my boss can approve that and he’s not around.”

Reward your employees for providing excellent customer service. An incentive program can enhance your employees’ customer service effectiveness.

Foster a customer culture that includes loyalty and commitment.

Satisfied employees are motivated to provide top quality customer service.

Unhappy employees typically take out their frustrations on others, including customers.

Develop a “can do” attitude. If your customers only hear “that can’t be done” from you and your employees, customers soon will turn to other subcontractors who can find a way to get it done.

Analyze your business practices and processes to make sure they respond not just to your needs, but to your customers’ needs. For example, does your invoice provide all of the information your customer needs to process it?

Maintain open communication with customers. Stay close to the customer and show empathy for his or her needs.

It is hard to make sure the customer is getting what it wants if you do not know what it wants.

Respond quickly to all complaints.

Remember, if you don’t think something is a problem and your customer does, it’s a problem. Be careful, however, not to “over promise.” It is always better to

under-promise and over-deliver than the other way around. Even if the customer is always right, sometimes you cannot fix a problem immediately. Let the customer know what you are doing to resolve the problem and how long it will take. Work with the customer to come up with a win-win solution. Keep the customer posted on your progress. If the customer knows you are doing all that you can, it is less likely to be an upsetting experience.

Pay attention to the details. Very often it’s the little things that impress customers.

Treat customers with courtesy and respect. People like to work with people they know and trust. If you build a strong relationship with certain prime contractors, they are likely to provide repeat business. Of course, it is rather difficult to go out of your way to be polite and respectful to someone who is five months late in paying you. For its own protection, a subcontractor should set the limits as to how far it should go to promote customer service. These limits should be well-communicated to employees so they understand where the line will be drawn.

Educate your customers on how well you are doing and how effectively you can respond to their needs. Brag about your customer service performance. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: E. Colette Nelson is chief advocacy officer for the American Subcontractors Association.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Reprinted with permission from the American Subcontractors Association, asaonline.com.

Victory in Maryland Bill Defeated That Would Have Weakened Home Sprinkler Requirement A legislative bill that riled fire sprinkler advocates for its ability to eliminate a crucial piece of life safety for Maryland residents has been defeated.

Pre-filed in 2015 and sponsored by Maryland Delegate Christopher Adams, the bill would have given local counties the ability to opt out of the state’s sprinkler requirement.

Adams told local media outlets that the state’s law has the ability to negatively impact new home construction, a myth extensively countered by NFPA research.

Maryland media have focused on home fire sprinklers since the state updated its building code last year, with many outlets favoring the position of fire sprinkler opponents.

“Most of the papers were on Delegate Adams’ side,” Richard Smith, vice chair of the legislative committee for the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, tells NFPA. The firemen’s association has its own residential sprinkler committee, which worked to fight the bill. “He got more publicity than we did.”

Foreshadowing an uphill battle, Smith and fire service members began meeting with legislators the summer before the bill was filed. “We knew it was coming,” he says. “We knew which committee it was going to and which subcommittee it would wind up in. We started visiting [committee members] and asking them for support. We brought documents with us. A lot of the information that was being passed out [from sprinkler opponents] was, as usual, incorrect.”

Smith says he shared with legislators information on Maryland building

permits dated as far back as five years.

Certain areas, such as Prince George’s County, has had sprinkler ordinances dating back to the early ‘90s that have had a direct impact in saving lives and reducing fire-related injuries. In other areas, says Smith, building booms were occurring. “In one county [strictly against a sprinkler requirement], we spoke to a number of contractors who said they were holding permits because they didn’t have the time to build all of the homes,” he adds.

Maryland’s fire service also conducted close to 10 live burn/fire sprinkler demonstrations since October. “We had several of the burns filmed and sent to legislators,” says Smith.

“When they see something like that happen, it opens their eyes. I gave it to the chair of the legislative committee, and they showed it at a committee meeting.” The demonstrations attracted positive media coverage, as did a series of commentaries penned by local firefighters.

Local advocates also linked up with Sher Grogg, who lost her brother, sister-in-law, and three nieces and nephews in a catastrophic home fire last year in Maryland. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation produced a video of her advocacy work. She also shared her story with local legislators.

standards in Maryland are the minimum standards [found in all model building codes].”

All of these tactics worked; the bill recently died after committee members voted not to move it forward.

Though the bill has died, steps to promote home fire sprinklers have not dwindled. “I’m going to visit each one of the legislators and thank them, and then we will start again by supplying them with good information, just in case [another bill] comes up next year,” says Smith. Another live burn demo is also planned this week.

For sprinkler advocates fighting similar legislation, Smith offers this advice: “[Fighting anti-sprinkler legislation] takes a lot of time and dedication. I’ve been here since June working on this, along with other people from the association. Make friends with your legislators. Gain their trust. Supply them with honestto-goodness facts. Emphasize that this is a life-safety issue for the homeowner and fire service. In Maryland, there’s 25,000 volunteer firefighters that don’t get paid to go out and protect property.” n EDITOR’S NOTE: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) launched the Fire Sprinkler Initiative in 2009, aimed to increase the number of new, one- and two-family homes protected by sprinklers. For more information visit firesprinklerinitiative.org.

When it came time for a public hearing on the sprinkler bill this year, the fire service and safety groups responded in full force. Representatives from NFPA and fire sprinkler installers were present to oppose the bill. “Our whole campaign was about life safety,” says Smith. “We kept emphasizing that the [building] Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016 45

Ed Altizer Honored with Award Retired State Fire Marshal Receives Fire Sprinklers Save Lives Award On Tuesday, April 5, Charles E. Altizer (Ed), P.E., C.B.O., C.F.O., retired state fire marshal of the State of Virginia, received the “Fire Sprinklers Save Lives Award” from the Virginia Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). He was honored with the presentation of the award at the chapter’s April meeting in Richmond.

Altizer began his service with the State Fire Marshal’s Office in 1974. During his career, as an inspector, field engineer, assistant state fire marshal and state fire marshal, he worked for many years at the state, local and national levels with federal, state and local government agencies, builders, architects, engineers, state trade organizations and associations, and national model code organizations to help ensure Virginia’s codes building and fire codes provide safety to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Altizer is a 1970 civil engineering graduate of Virginia Tech and is a registered professional engineer. He also holds certifications in several other areas in the building and fire protection fields including certified fire inspector, certified fire official, certified building official, and is certified by the federal government as a life safety code surveyor.

He is past president of the International Fire Marshals Association and chairman of the National Association of State Fire Marshals Model Codes Committee.

He served for 20 years on the Virginia Fire Services Board and has served on several other national and state committees responsible for developing the building and fire codes, which are used as the basis for Virginia’s Building and Fire Codes. Altizer has received several awards including the National Association of State Fire Marshals’ Olin L. Greene Outstanding Fire Prevention Service Award along with other members of the organizations code committee and was the first fire marshal to receive the Virginia Building and Code Officials Association Meritorious Service Award.

George Wagner, executive director of the Virginia Chapter, presented the award and cited Altizer’s work on behalf of the fire sprinkler industry. He noted, “Ed has for many years been an outspoken proponent of saving lives through the increased use of fire sprinklers. He was instrumental in getting fire sprinklers installed in numerous buildings at Virginia Tech along with other locations, and he has been shown strong leadership and support in the effort to 46 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Ed Altizer (left) receives AFSA’s Fire Sprinklers Save Lives Award from AFSA Virginia Chapter Executive Director George Wagner.

protect people in their homes through stronger residential fire protection requirements.

“As Ed has told me in the past: ‘Most people know how I feel about sprinklers. It is all about saving lives, injuries, and lastly property in that order, and for the exact same reason I support smoke detectors, and other fire protection systems and devices. I just believe that the discussion should start with sprinklers and go from there when it comes to safety of citizens and first responders. I learned that early in my career from a great leader and all that I have seen in 42 years certainly says he was correct.’

“Clearly, Ed Altizer is exactly the kind of person AFSA had in mind when this award was created.” n EDITOR’S NOTE: AFSA created the Fire Sprinklers Save Lives award in 1988 to recognize individuals outside the fire sprinkler industry who help dispel negative myths about fire sprinklers by generating public awareness of the truth about this life-saving technology. A deserving recipient of this award, Ed Altzier joins a distinguished list of fire marshals, building officials, television personalities, and others who have embraced fire sprinkler technology and become advocates of its use in life safety. AFSA’s Public Education & Awareness Committee accepts and recommends nominees for this award and they are approved by the AFSA Board of Directors. To nominate someone from your area, simply send a letter to AFSA, Fire Sprinkler Public Education & Awareness Committee, 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350, Dallas, TX 75251, or email nduvall@firesprinkler.org with the subject line, “Fire Sprinklers Save Lives Award.”

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AFSA Involvement on NFPA Technical Committees Commitment to Codes and Standards CHARLOTTE JOHNSON | American Fire Sprinkler Association

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is, among other things, the leading authority on all fire codes and standards. These codes and standards are kept up to date by NFPA Technical Committees (TCs), which serve as the principal bodies responsible for the development and revision of NFPA codes and standards. Code cycles range from once every three years to once every five years, with the standards that experience more change on a shorter cycle. Committees usually meet twice per code cycle.

Not just anyone can be a member of a TC; appointment is based on technical expertise, professional standing, and commitment to public safety. If a member of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is interested in being appointed to an NFPA TC, he or she should submit his or her information to the AFSA’s NFPA Representative Review Committee by Standard Number

Standard Name

contacting Roland Huggins, P.E., AFSA’s vice president of engineering and technical services. The committee will then take them into consideration for a position. “Any member who is interested in participating should submit their names to me,” says Huggins. “Although it’s not a requirement, it’s highly desirable that they be a NICET III or above, or a Professional Engineer (P.E.).”

There are other ways for the public to become involved in the process without becoming a representative. If you have a specific change you would like to see made to the code, you can easily make your voice heard by going to NFPA directly.

Anyone can submit a proposed change, also known as a Public Input, and the committee itself will initiate changes. All changes are published in a First Draft report. Anyone can AFSA Representative

11

Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam

Principal: Dave Sornsin, Sornsin FP Design & Consulting, Fargo, ND Alternate: Chris Born, Clark Nexsen, Inc., Norfolk, VA

13, 13D, 13R

Sprinkler Correlating Committee

Principal: Roland Huggins, AFSA, Dallas, TX Alternate: Don Becker, RJC & Associates, Dallas Center, IA

13

Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria

Principal: John Denhardt, Strickland Fire Protection, Forestville, MD Alternate: Steven Scandaliato, SDG, LLC, Fountain Hills, AZ

13

Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria

Principal: Roland Huggins, AFSA, Dallas, TX Alternate: Jim Fantauzzi, North East Fire Protection Systems, Burnt Hills, NY

13

Sprinkler System Installation Criteria

Principal: Mike Meehan, VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA Alternate: E. Parks Moore, S&S Sprinkler Company, LLC, Mobile, AL

13

Sprinkler System Installation Criteria

Principal: Tom Wellen, AFSA, Dallas, TX Alternate: Jason Gill, Fire & Life Safety America, Richmond, VA

13R/D

Residential Sprinkler Systems

Principal: Phill Brown, AFSA, Dallas, TX Alternate: Dan Mathias, Absolute Fire Protection, Severna Park, MD

13R/D

Residential Sprinkler Systems

Principal: Jack Viola, JFV Engineering, South Hadley, MA Alternate: Brent Zimiga, Rapid Fire Protection, Inc., Rapid City, SD

13

Hanging and Bracing of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems

Principal: Tom Wellen, AFSA, Dallas, TX Alternate: Ray Lambert, Western Fire Protection, Inc., Poway, CA

13

Hanging and Bracing of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems

Principal: Ken Wagoner, Parsley Consulting, Escondido, CA Alternate: Duane Johnson, Strickland Fire Protection

14

Standpipes

Principal: Stephen Leyton, Protection Design & Consulting, San Diego, CA Alternate: Tom Wellen, AFSA, Dallas, TX

15

Water Spray Fixed Systems

Principal: E. Parks Moore, S&S Sprinkler Company, LLC, Mobile, AL Alternate: Jack Viola JFV Engineering, South Hadley, MA

16

Foam-Water Sprinklers

Principal: Randy Nelson, VFS Fire & Security Services, Orange, CA Alternate: Byron Weisz, Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc., Lodi, CA

20

Fire Pumps

Principal: Bill Harvey, Harvey & Associates, Fountain Inn, SC Alternate: Tom Wellen, AFSA, Dallas, TX

22

Water Tanks

Principal: Phill Brown, AFSA, Dallas, TX Alternate: Greg Patrick, Treasure Valley Fire Protection, Boise, ID

48 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

submit a proposed refinement to the First Draft report. The committee makes further refinements, and then these changes are published into a Second Draft report. Additional changes can be made by submitting a Notice of Intent to Make a Motion (NITMAM) and if accepted as a certified amending motion, presenting the change at the annual NFPA technical session. If there are no amending motions filed, a standard is adopted as drafted by the committee. Visit nfpa.org/codesand-standards, select the code you are interested in changing, and you will see whether or not that code is open for public input. If it is, simply sign into your NFPA account (or create an account) and submit your suggested changes. However, members are often a big part of changes made to codes and standards through AFSA’s informal interpretations. When AFSA receives enough requests for interpretation on a certain code or standard, that is taken into account at the next committee meeting. While this will certainly influence changes, there is no substitute for speaking up and letting NFPA know what changes you want made. “Comments directly from people in the field, from the contractors, carry a lot of weight,” says Huggins. “We represent contractors, but we are just one voice, and when multiple voices from the industry make themselves heard, the potential for changing the standard goes up greatly.”

Standard Number

A large number of AFSA representatives have been on TCs for many years. John Denhardt, Strickland Fire Protection, Forestville, Maryland, has served on the NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria committee for the past 10 years, and he agrees that it is a process full of continual change, and one that requires balance.

“The committee has many different points of view – insurance companies, sprinkler companies, AHJs [Authorities Having Jurisdiction], fire marshals – everyone has a motive,” says Denhardt. “But we try to keep a check-and-balance system, and come up with a consensus document that best represents the industry. So the standard is constantly evolving.”

TC representatives are volunteers, and the work that each representative puts into their committee is greatly appreciated by everyone at AFSA. “We know how busy everyone is,” says Huggins. “The fact that they take time out of their busy schedules to serve on these committees and help to advance the industry is admirable, and we very much appreciate their time, effort and expertise.”

Anyone interested in getting more involved with the development of NFPA codes and standards is very much encouraged to do so!

Visit nfpa.org or contact Roland Huggins via email at rhuggins@ firesprinkler.org. n

Standard Name

AFSA Representative

24

Pr0ivate Water Supply Piping Systems

Principal: Phill Brown, AFSA, Dallas, TX Alternate: Jeff Rovegno, Mr. Sprinkler Fire Protection, Roseville, CA

25

Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Systems

Principal: Jack Medovich, Fire & Life Safety America, Baltimore, MD Alternate: Howard Clay, VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA

30

Storage and Warehousing of Containers and Portable Tanks

Principal: Martin Workman, The Viking Corporation, Hastings, MI Alternate: Chris Kachura, Southeast Fire Protection, Houston, TX

33

Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials

Principal: Jared VanGammeren, Midwestern Mechanical, Sioux Falls, SD

80A

Exposure Fire Protection

Phill Brown, AFSA, Dallas, TX

170

Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols

Principal: Phill Brown, AFSA, Dallas, TX Alternate: Tom Wellen, AFSA, Dallas, TX

232

Record Protection

Principal: Linda Biernacki, Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, LA Alternate: Brent Agan, US Automatic Sprinkler Corporation, Carmel, IN

291

Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants

Principal: Phill Brown, AFSA, Dallas, TX Alternate: Jeff Rovegno, Mr. Sprinkler Fire Protection, Roseville, CA

409

Standard on Aircraft Hangars

Principal: Bob Garrett, VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA Alternate: Grant Campbell, Fire & Life Safety America, Chesapeake, VA

415

Standard on Airport Terminal Buildings, Fueling Ramp Drainage, and Loading Walkways

Principal: Bob Garrett, VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA Alternate: Grant Campbell, Fire & Life Safety America, Chesapeake, VA

423

Standard for Construction and Protection of Aircraft Engine Test Facilities

Principal: Bob Garrett, VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA Alternate: Grant Campbell, Fire & Life Safety America, Chesapeake, VA

750

Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems

Principal: Rick Jackson, Jackson Associates, Inc., Commerce Township, MI Alternate: Daniel Briggs, Jackson Associates, Inc., Commerce Township, MI

1031

Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner Professional Qualifications

Principal: Ron Greenman, Bates Technical College, Gig Harbor, WA Alternate: Ken Wagoner, Parsley Consulting, Escondido, CA

5000

Building Code Correlating Committee

Principal: Tracey Bellamy, Telgian Corporation, Atlanta, GA Alternate: Roland Huggins, AFSA, Dallas, TX

5000

Residential Occupancies

Principal: Phill Brown, AFSA, Dallas, TX Alternate: Mike Meehan, VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA

5000

Industrial, Storage, and Miscellaneous Occupancies

Principal: John Desrosier, TYCO Fire Products, Cranston, RI Alternate: Roland Huggins, AFSA, Dallas, TX

5000

Assembly Occupancies

Principal: Steven Scandaliato, SDG, LLC, Fountain Hills, AZ Alternate: Tom Wellen, AFSA, Dallas, TX Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016 49

Donors Make the Difference Thank You for Investing in the Future of Fire Protection The Center for Life Safety Education (CLSE), an educational affiliate of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), is proud to sponsor two scholarship programs: the Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship and the Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship. These programs honor dedicated industry veterans who made a difference in the fire sprinkler industry by offering scholarships named in their honor to students studying for a fire protection engineering career.

Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship – University of Maryland (UMD) The DeCamara Scholarship celebrates 32 years of giving in 2016, and has awarded over $115,000 in scholarships. Established by the AFSA Board of Directors in 1984, the program benefits outstanding juniors and seniors majoring in the Fire Protection Engineering curriculum at the University of Maryland in College Park, DeCamara’s alma mater. The program presents two scholarships each year.

AFSA honors DeCamara for his commitment to the fire sprinkler industry and the association. As president of DeCamara Fire Protection Products (DFPP), he became involved during AFSA’s

early years. In 1983 he chaired the Budget & Finance Committee and co-chaired the then newly formed Manufacturers & Suppliers (M/S) Council. Later that year, DeCamara passed away of a heart attack, leaving behind his wife Terry and their five children. Terry is still involved with the scholarship committee today, evaluating applicants and presenting scholarship awards.

Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship – Oklahoma State University (OSU) The AFSA Board of Directors voted to fund a second scholarship in 2005 after industry leader Thomas S. Waller passed away. Waller devoted more than 40 years to the fire protection industry. He served as chairman of the board of Viking Fire Protection of the Southeast in High Point, North Carolina, and also gave much of his time to AFSA. He helped form the AFSA Carolinas Chapter and served on the board of directors of the North and South Carolina state chapters. He also served on the AFSA Board of Directors from 1985-1995 and as national chairman of the board from 19891991. Waller believed in the value of education and was determined in his efforts to provide educational opportunities for young people, both in and outside of the industry. The Waller scholarship is presented to juniors or seniors enrolled in the Fire Protection & Safety Technology program in the College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. To date, the Waller Scholarship has provided over $30,000 to OSU FPST students.

Donation Appreciation The DeCamara and Waller scholarships fund are supported by voluntary donations from corporate and individual members of the fire protection industry and their friends and associates. AFSA and CLSE thank the individuals and companies listed for their contributions to the 2015 scholarship, as well as the donors who chose to remain anonymous.

“We couldn’t fund these scholarships and help these students attain their goals if not for the individuals and companies who donate,” comments AFSA Executive Vice President and CLSE President Frank Mortl III, CAE, “We are very appreciative of everyone’s support and know that these students will be valuable professionals in the fire protection industry.”



50 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Your donations help students attain their educational goals and professional dreams while positively impacting this industry. Supporting either the DeCamara Scholarship Fund, Waller Scholarship Fund or both is greatly appreciated by the winners, their families, and the DeCamara and Waller families. Remember, as CLSE is a 501(c)(3) educational affiliate of AFSA, all contributions made to these scholarship funds are tax deductible.

“I am excited by the fact that I am part of a profession that can help so many people,” says Rosalie Wills, 2012 DeCamara winner. “As a fire protection engineer, I want to provide safety to others and also help them to understand the profession.

Being able to work as an FPE is an accomplishment itself. It has provided me with the reward of knowing that I may have helped someone in the future if a disaster were ever to occur in a building that I helped with.”

To make a one-time donation or become a regular donor, visit CLSE online at clse.org and click on “Scholarships” or mail a check to DeCamara Scholarship or Waller Scholarship, c/o CLSE, 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350, Dallas, Texas 75251. For more information or to apply for either scholarship, visit clse.org/scholarships.htm. n

2015 Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship Fund Contributors

2015 Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship Fund Contributors

ACCU-Fire Fabrication, Inc., Morrisville, PA ACT Pipe and Supply, Inc., Houston, TX Advanced Fire Protection, Inc., Woodinville, WA Aegis Fire Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, CA Aegis Technologies, Inc., Wayne, PA American Sprinkler Co., Inc., Harahan, LA Anchor Fire Protection, Perkiomenville, PA Atlanta Sprinkler Inspection, Dacula, GA Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co., Inc., Salina, KS Browning Fire Protection, Medford, OR Carolina Fire Protection, Inc., Dunn, NC Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc., Lodi, CA Central Carolina Sprinkler Co., Lincolnton, NC Crawford Sprinkler Company, Hickory, NC Crawford Sprinkler Co. of SC, Inc., Lugoff, SC Dakota Fire Protection, Inc., Grand Forks, ND Andrew DeCamara, Sherman Oaks, CA Teresa DeCamara, Dresher, PA Diamond Automatic Sprinkler, Inc., Boiling Springs, PA Mike Dooley, Holliston, MA Fire & Safety Systems Co., Ocean, NJ Fire and Life Safety America, Hanover, MD Fire End & Croker Corp., Elmsford, NY Fire Protection Products, Inc., Carlsbad, CA Fire Tech Systems Inc., Shreveport, LA Freedom Fire Protection, LLC, Longmont, CO General Air Products, Inc., Exton, PA Fred H. Grenning, Lake Zurich, IL Hampshire Fire Protection, Londonderry, NH Hampshire Fire Protection, Westfield, MA Hub City Sprinklers, Inc., Hagerstown, MD J & J Fire Protection Co., Inc., Butler, PA J-Four Enterprises, Inc., Roseville, CA Jimco Fire Protection, Inc., Augres, MI Kolbi Pipe Marker Co., Arlington, IL Russell Leavitt, Mesa, AZ MCM Mechanical Corp., Fairfield, NJ Richard Matsuda, Dallas, TX Metro Fire & Safety Equipment Co., Inc., Carlstadt, NJ Noble Company, Grand Haven, MI Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Liberty, SC Southeast Fire Protection, LP, Houston, TX United Sprinkler Co., Inc., Fredericksburg, VA Vanport Fire Sprinklers, Inc., Vancouver, WA Viking Group, Inc., Hastings, MI VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Ashland, VA Warren Sprinkler Co., LLC, Clifton, NJ Western Fire Protection, Poway, CA Wiginton Fire Systems, Sanford, FL

Advanced Fire Protection, Inc., Woodinville, WA Aegis Fire Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, CA Aegis Technologies, Inc., Wayne, PA Allied Fire Protection, LP, Pearland, TX American Automatic Sprinkler, Fort Worth, TX American Sprinkler Co., Inc., Harahan, LA Anchor Fire Protection, Perkiomenville, PA Atlanta Sprinkler Inspection, Dacula, GA Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co., Inc., Salina, KS Browning Fire Protection, Medford, OR Carolina Fire Protection, Inc., Dunn, NC Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc., Lodi, CA Central Carolina Sprinkler Co., Lincolnton, NC William Corbin, Garland, TX Crawford Sprinkler Company, Hickory, NC Crawford Sprinkler Co. of SC, Inc., Lugoff, SC Dakota Fire Protection, Inc., Grand Forks, ND Diamond Automatic Sprinkler, Inc., Boiling Springs, PA Fire & Safety Systems Co., Ocean, NJ Fire Protection Products, Inc., Carlsbad, CA Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, LA Foster Engineering & Consulting, LLC, Columbia, SC Freedom Fire Protection, LLC, Longmont, CO General Air Products, Inc., Exton, PA Fred H. Grenning, Lake Zurich, IL Hampshire Fire Protection, Londonderry, NH Hampshire Fire Protection, Westfield, MA Hub City Sprinklers, Inc., Hagerstown, MD J & J Fire Protection Co., Inc., Butler, PA J-Four Enterprises, Inc., Roseville, CA Jimco Fire Protection, Inc., Augres, MI Janet Knowles, Plano, TX Kolbi Pipe Marker Co., Arlington, IL Russell Leavitt, Mesa, AZ Leonhardt Pipe & Supply, Huntersville, NC Lewis Fire Protection, Inc., Villa Rica, GA MCM Mechanical Corp., Fairfield, NJ Richard Matsuda, Dallas, TX J. Scott Mitchell, Panhandle, TX Noble Company, Grand Haven, MI Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Liberty , SC Southeast Fire Protection, LP, Houston, TX Vanport Fire Sprinklers, Inc., Vancouver, WA Viking Group, Inc., Hastings, MI VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Ashland, VA Warren Sprinkler Co., LLC, Clifton, NJ Western Fire Protection, Poway, CA Wiginton Fire Systems, Sanford, FL Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016 51

AHJ PERSPECTIVE

BY RONNY J. COLEMAN

Mi Casa, Su Casa Some people say that size doesn’t matter.

They often quarrel over the significance of scale when arguing about quality. Bigger is not always better. In a sense, we engage in

this argument all the time when arguing about whether sprinklers are a good idea or not. Are they good enough to protect high-rise buildings but not appropriate for

“Having received the designation of Quality Contractor from AFSA has been a major benefit to Fire Tech. Not only does it distinguish us

from other sprinkler companies in our area, it instills pride in our employees.

Our employees work hard to stay ahead of the competition and this lets them know that the hard work does pay off.”

Linda Biernacki President, Fire Tech Systems, Inc. Shreveport, La.

single-family dwellings? Is there any difference between the use of sprinklers in industrial occupancies versus their desirability in the residential environment?

If you are a proponent of sprinklers, you have to be able to argue that what is good for one fire environment should be good for another fire environment, if the intent is to stop fires when they are as small as they can possibly be. That is the main theme behind life safety in residential sprinklers, yet we have a lot of argument from builders and developers about that decision.

Recently, I was conducting research on residential sprinklers when I ran across an unusual example that might prove the point that sprinklers are truly a life-safety device if properly installed. To set the stage for this, I need to ask you a question. Have you ever seen a sprinkler side-by-side test? I have personally conducted dozens of them and almost always centered around a 10 x 10 module. When the side-by-side fires are conducted, the unsprinklered side usually takes a severe beating. Anybody who has ever observed one of these side-by-sides has a hard time denying damage wrought by that simple demonstration.

Now let’s go to the real world. The typical American home is around 2,600 ft2.

Generally speaking, rooms are about 10 x 12 or 10 x 20 depending on architectural design. If we are looking for scale, a fire in a single-family dwelling is usually confined to the building of origin but is still one of the most lethal environments we have.

To learn more or to apply, visit

www.firesprinkler.org AFSA’s Quality Contractor Program was created to publicly recognize those contractor members that have documented their commitment to corporate responsibility. It is not an accreditation or certification program. Contractors that meet the exacting criteria set forth in the application will be formally acknowledged by AFSA as an “AFSA Quality Contractor.” Visit www.firesprinkler.org for more information.

52 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

But, is that environment changing? I would submit that there is a very subtle change occurring that may need our sprinklers even more so than large-area buildings. Have you ever heard of the “tiny house” movement?

The concept of the tiny house is based on putting human beings into a space of less than 250-400 ft2. In general, the tiny house

movement is a description of the architectural and social movement that advocates living a simpler lifestyle in these small homes. Admittedly, a house that is only 8-ft wide and 15-ft long is not for everybody.

But, research on the internet clearly proves that it is a concept that appeals to a specific lifestyle. The tiny house movement reimagines a lifestyle of a single-family dwelling and there is nothing quite like it. If you would like to know more about the concept, go to the internet and type in the words “tiny house movement.” But, don’t stop there. Ask yourself this question: Should these tiny houses be protected by residential sprinklers just like every other occupancy? My answer is yes, they should be protected. I will take you back to the side-by-sides that we have used so frequently. How long does it take for a fire to reach flash over in a 10 x 10 compartment with normal fire loading? The answer is about two to three minutes.

If a fire occurs in that 2,600 ft2 single-family dwelling, we are already telling people they have less than five minutes to escape. In the context of tiny homes, the flame spread

In-building Risers

could be incredibly rapid and there is usually only one exit to get out. Fire safety may be more critical there than anywhere.

If you are a television watcher, you may have seen this phenomenon on the DIY network. The tiny house concept is being touted as a solution to thousands of homeowners dilemma of life simplification.

But, it may be creating another risk management scenario for the fire service.

I am not going to argue whether it is a good or bad thing from a standpoint of housing.

But, I will argue that as tiny houses become more mobile and older, they are going to create a new risk-management scenario that should be addressed. As simple as they are in construction, you should be able to put a sprinkler system in at an extremely scaled-down version. Don’t go looking in the NFPA codes for how to sprinkler a tiny house. I fully expect that the tiny house home builders are going to have the same negative reaction that single-family dwelling owners have towards sprinklers. Nonetheless, the risk for a person sleeping in a loft is quite severe in such a small confined space.

There is a phrase that is used in Spanish that represents hospitality. The Anglo version is “My house is your house.” Somewhere along the line there needs to be a supportive statement that “My house is as safe as your house.” I would encourage those of you that have tiny houses in your community to engage in dialogue with these homeowners.

If this trend continues, we might need to come up with a new standard. Maybe it will be called 13T for “tiny house.” But, just because it is a tiny house, it should not be looked at as exempt from ravages of fire. If someone is living in there, and heat sources exist within the building, it needs to be better protected. As the old saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ronny J. Coleman is currently the president of Fireforceone. He is a past president of the IAFC and CFAI. Over his lifetime, he has received numerous awards including the AFSA’s 1989 Henry S. Parmelee Award, the 2011 Mason Lankford Award from the Congressional Fire Services Institute, and the Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award from Fire Engineering in 2014. He continues as a contributor to the fire service in many ways.

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Calendar June 9-12 FSCATX Skins & Fins League City, TX fscatx.org

13-16 NFPA Conference & Expo Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV nfpa.org

14 Greater Bay Chapter Seminar: NFPA 25, 2013 CA Edition Livermore, CA firesprinkler.org/event/livermore-canfpa-25-2013-ca-ed/.org

July 18-29 Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School AFSA Headquarters, Dallas, TX firesprinkler.org

August 3 LFSA Seminar: NFPA 20, 2016 Ed. Baton Rouge, LA lafiresprinkler.org

September 14-17 AFSA 35th Annual Convention & Exhibition Gaylord Opryland, Nashville, TN firesprinkler.org

October 3-14 Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School AFSA Headquarters, Dallas, TX firesprinkler.org

5 AFSA Virginia Burn Survivors Golf Tournament Williamsburg, VA afsavirginia.com

Seminars subject to change. Call (214) 349-5965 to confirm locations and times. For information on Chubb and/or OSU programs, visit firesprinkler.org and click on “Training Calendar.”

54 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

AFSA NEWS Matkin Joins AFSA The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is proud to announce the addition of Wendy Matkin to its Education Services Department.

Matkin will work directly with Leslie Clounts, director of education services, as the education programs coordinator.

“We are thrilled to have Wendy join the AFSA team,” says Clounts.

“Her earnest personality combined with her strong background in training development will go a long way to provide excellent service for AFSA members.”

Matkin will assist in developing, updating, and monitoring education courses for fire protection contractors to meet growing demand for continued education. She will perform online course development and member support as it pertains to the apprenticeship program, eCampus, and ITM training correspondence.

Born and raised in the Dallas area, Matkin spent the past decade in Chicago, Atlanta and North Carolina, working as a national trainer for the insurance industry. She graduated in 2014 from Southern Methodist University with a degree in communications and public relations, and spent several years working in that field before joining the team at AFSA. Visit firesprinkler.org.

AFSA Contractor Members Can Access 401k Retirement Plan Contractor members of AFSA have access to a great solution when it comes to planning for retirement. It’s called a Multiple Employer Plan (MEP). This plan is sponsored by AFSA and managed through Transamerica Retirement Solutions and the firm of Pinnacle Financial Services. An MEP is a retirement plan for businesses that typically have a common interest, but that are not commonly owned or affiliated. These businesses are referred to as “adopting employers” when they elect to join the MEP. It is a lowercost plan that includes no audit cost and no cost for 5500 filing. It means a reduction of work for your staff, and a reduction of fiduciary liability. If you are an AFSA contractor member looking to save for retirement, this just might be the plan for you. For more details, visit firesprinkler.org/member-center/ business-solutions.

AFSA Promotes Wellen The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has promoted Tom Wellen to the position of manager of fire protection engineering. Wellen has worked with AFSA since 2006, starting as a fire protection engineer and being promoted to senior engineer several years later. In this new position, Wellen will be the primary lead in providing informal interpretations and will participate on multiple NFPA technical committees, identifying solutions to questions not well addressed by the standards using tools such as fire modeling. He will also participate in instructing the design school and presenting technical seminars to the sprinkler industry, including AHJs and engineers. Visit firesprinkler.org.

Design School Opportunities AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning Schools teach the essential fundamentals of system layout in accordance with the 2016 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

These schools are designed for those with no experience or those who need assistance with design. The students learn by actually planning and drawing sprinkler systems while studying and applying NFPA 13. Sixty percent is study of the NFPA 13 standard and 40 percent is preparation of fire sprinkler system layout, shop drawings, and hydraulic calculations. Classes are held at the AFSA headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Classes are kept small and enrollment is open exclusively to AFSA contractor members until six weeks prior to each school. Enroll now for July and October classes at firesprinkler.org/school.

Insurance Discounts for AFSA Members Being an AFSA contractor member means access to special packages from insurance provider Blue River Underwriters, offering flexible insurance plans that address the specialized needs of the fire sprinkler industry. By working with independent insurance agents, their experienced team of underwriters, risk engineering specialists and claims specialists delivers service that fire sprinkler contractors require and deserve.

With an “A XI” rating for financial strength, their carrier’s reputation is built on a solid foundation. If you are looking for a carrier who can protect your client’s interest while you focus on the daily requirements, they are there to help. They provide packages for commercial general liability, automobile, workers comp and more. Visit blueriveruw.com. n

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CHAPTER NEWS

At left: California AFSA chapters represented at the California Fire Prevention Institute exhibit during week-long seminars for California AHJs and fire personnel. At right (l to r): Lorelei Upshaw, executive director, Greater Bay Area Chapter; John Upshaw, director, CAFSA; and Paulene Norwood, executive director, Sacramento Valley Chapter.

AFSA’s Virginia Chapter held an NFPA 25, 2016 edition seminar in March that was well attended.

Pacific Northwest The AFSA Pacific Northwest Chapter held a chapter meeting on February 10, 2016. There were 18 members in attendance, representing 14 member companies. The guest speaker, Tom Johnson from NW Policy Group, explained the legislative process and the role of lobbyists. Johnson also discussed the disposition of some bills pending that are important to the fire sprinkler industry. During the meeting, nominations were made for new officers. Tracy Moore and

positions for the last six years. Barrios first got involved with AFSA in early 2015 by attending the chapter meetings and found it very informative and positive.

“As I attended more of the chapter meetings I became more involved and wanted to be able to help this chapter to accomplish its goals. I am very excited for the opportunity to serve the chapter and I look forward to a positive future for this chapter,” comments Barrios.

Tiffany Moore of Moore Fire Protection were nominated for chair and vice chair, respectively, and Chris Russell of Security Solutions was nominated for secretary/treasurer. Elections will be finalized at the next chapter meeting.

Visit firesprinkler.org.

Southern California The Southern California Chapter of AFSA has hired an executive director, Amber Barrios. She has worked in the fire sprinkler industry in several different

IF YOU MISSED THE HEALTH INSURANCE OPEN ENROLLMENT DEADLINE, CONSIDER THESE OPTIONS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE. 1. SHORT TERM MEDICAL: This insurance option will help you bridge the gap until your new health insurance begins or until next open enrollment period. You can get coverage effective the next day and choose a term length as few as 30 days.

Virginia On March 31, 2016, the AFSA Virginia Chapter held an NFPA 25, 2016 edition seminar at the Henrico Country Fire Training Center in Henrico County, Virginia. There were 77 attendees. Tracey Bellamy of Telgian Corporation was the presenter. The chapter was proud to host this event at a reduced rate for AHJs. Thanks the Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office for sending its full staff of 28 to the seminar. Visit afsavirginia.com. n

2. SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD: If you have a life event (getting married, having a baby, moving to a different state, etc.), you qualify for a special enrollment period. You are eligible to apply for a health plan within 60 days of the qualifying event.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

3. GROUP INSURANCE: You can enroll in a group health insurance plan if your company has a minimum of two eligible employees. There are no open enrollment periods.

AFSCA The AFSA Arkansas Chapter recently held elections for officers: Coleman Farrar, Arkansas Automatic Sprinklers, Inc. was elected president and chairman of the board; Wallace Reed, Reliable Fire Protection, Inc. was elected as vice president and vice chairman of the board; Randy Gilliam of Northwest Fire Protection, Inc. was elected as secretary/treasurer; and Tommy Clements of Arkansas Automatic Sprinklers, Inc. was elected as membership chairman.

Don’t be without health insurance! Contact us by email at mmic@mmicinsurance.com or call toll free 1-800-349-1039 (8:00 am - 4:30 pm CST) to discuss individual or group health insurance options available to you. One of your association benefits is the ability to obtain a free no-cost, no obligation individual or group health insurance quote.

PLEASE NOTE: If your health insurance plan is renewing, this is an excellent opportunity to obtain an alternative health insurance quote from Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants, Inc. to compare against your health insurance renewal. To obtain a free no-cost no-obligation quote, visit: mmicinsurance.com/AFSA If you wish to obtain a health insurance quote to cover yourself and /or family, click “Proposal Request Form for Individual and Families.” To obtain a small-group health insurance quote to cover employees, click “Proposal Request Form for Group.” All health insurance quotes will be emailed within 48 hours. If you do not wish to obtain a health insurance quote or purchase insurance, your association membership allows you to obtain a free discount pharmacy card providing savings of 10-60 percent. Click “Free Prescription Discount Card.”

56 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

FSCATx On June 9-12, 2016, the Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas (FSCATx) will hold its 6th Annual Skins & Fins Tournament!

It will include a tabletop vendor show, continuing education classes, a golf tournament and a fishing tournament! Register today to be part of the fun! Visit fscatx.org. n

IT’S TIME TO THINK

INSIDE THE BOX

This past winter cold weather was a main cause of dry fire sprinkler system failure and frozen auxiliary drains were the main cause of those failures. Stop replacing auxiliary drains that freeze and break with auxiliary drains that freeze and break.

AGF’s COLLECTanDRAIN® Model 5400 provides a temperature controlled environment for the sprinkler system’s auxiliary drains, increasing their capacity to collect condensation in colder temperatures while eliminating freeze-ups. Now is the time to install a Model 5400 so next winter’s temperatures won’t put your dry fire sprinkler system at risk.

www.testandrain.com

AFSA MEMBERSHIP New Members The following is a list of new members that have joined as of April 15, 2016.

Region 1

Associate American Tank Mark Luzaich Windsor, CA Kinger Industry, Inc. Bob Zhu City of Industry, CA Contractor Avalon Fire Protection Ryan Parise Anaheim, CA Bellwether Erika Heywood Boulder Creek, CA Inland Empire Fire & Safety, Inc. Mike Di Cesaris Pomona, CA

Unified Fire Authority Stewart Gray Salt Lake City, UT

Mr. Fire Protection Rafael Plata Houston, TX

Region 3

Region 5

AHJ Minot Fire Department Brian Anderson Minot, ND

AHJ North Collier Fire District Rosalee Simmons Naples, FL

Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College Robert Bartels Marinette, WI

Associate All Risks Wendell Altman Acworth, GA

Contractor Sunrise Fire Protection Ian Ostby Wyoming, MN

Region 4 Contractor Gulf Coast Tank and Construction Roni O’Connor Rosenberg, TX

Lafireco Jorge Canales Inglewood, CA

Region 2 AHJ Medford Fire-Rescue Chase Browning Medford, OR

Region 6

Patriot Fire Protection Jeffrey Eubanks Locust Grove, GA

Contractor Aqueduct Fire Protection Systems Meg Szumowski Franklinville, NJ

Speedy Fire Protection, Inc. Jorge Forte Miami, FL

Oneida Fire Protection Vincent Padula Philadelphia, PA

Strategic Connections, Inc. Clay Call Raleigh, NC

Peak Fire Suppression, LLC Peter Leoutsakos Brooklyn, NY

Contractor Afran, Inc. Maria Heyna Miami, FL

Weaver Fire Protection Services Weaver Raulerson Groveland, FL

T. McGowan Fire Protection, Inc. Torin McGowan Ronkonkoma, NY

AIT Life Safety Randy Scott Orlando, FL

Designer BMR Engenharia De Projetos Monica B. Remonato Pinhais, PR

Designer Akua First Fire Systems Robert Gibson Saluda, VA

David P. Locker David Locker Hardeeville, SC

Region 7

Firezone Sprinklers, Inc. Eric Penichet Coral Gables, FL

Kodiak Fire Protection, Inc. Casey Edwards Allen, TX

Muller Fire Protection, Inc. Rogelio Muller Miami, FL

JMC Fire Protection Services, Inc. Jack France Margate, FL

Contractor Iron Works Fire Protection Co, LLC Calvin Murphy Bow, NH

AFSA Chapter Contacts Arizona Cindy Hesch– Exec. Dir. 602-390-1398 Arkansas Coleman Farrar– Chair.

479-986-9090 Carolinas afsacarolinas.com Dean Bush – Chair.

704-732-3343 John Turnage – Exec. Dir. 919-624-3456 Chesapeake Bay afsachesapeakechapter.org Jay Strickland – Chair.

301-474-2441 Danielle Fowler – Exec.

Dir. 410-964-0841 Connecticut afsact.org Rick Russo – Chair.

203-877-7983 Wendy Callahan – Exec. Dir. 978-855-6495

Florida afsafl.org Bart Trueblood – Chair.

813-662-9200 Carolyn Mohr – Exec. Dir. 239-771-3907 Greater Bay Area Dan Mendoza – Chair.

925-552-5870 Lorelei Upshaw – Exec. Dir. 925-913-0145 Greater Kansas City 2nd Wed. of each month Mark McKenzie – Chair.

913-432-6688 Cliff Becker – Exec. Dir. 816-221-1651 Louisiana Linda Biernacki – Chair.

318-688-8800 Mid-Atlantic afsamac.org Jay C. Stough – Chair.

215-345-8066 Heather Field– Exec. Dir. heather@afsamac.org

New Jersey Thomas J. Bowlby Jr. – Chair.

908-229-9595 Robert K. Melofchik Sr. – Exec. Dir. 201-741-0056 New Mexico 2nd Mon. of each month Pete Newsted – Chair.

505-980-1261 Dave Wilson – Exec. Dir. 505-573-6712 North Central As called by Chair Michael Winiecki – Chair.

651-484-5903 Michelle Loren – Exec. Dir. 320-676-3771 Northern New England Ryan Gadhue – Chair.

802-922-3236 Bob Broughton – Exec. Dir. 802-899-3769

Ohio Don Eckert– Exec. Dir. 513-310-9660 Pacific Northwest afsanw.org Tracy Moore – Chair.

425-271-5598 Ron Greenman – Exec. Dir. 253-576-9700 Rocky Mountain Brent Heiner – Chair.

801-540-3473 Adam Millward – Exec. Dir. 801-216-4545 Sacramento Valley sacvalleyafsa.org Bill Gray – Chair.

916-663-3582 Paulene Norwood – Exec. Dir. 916-296-0635

San Diego As called by Chair.

Ron Aday – Chair.

858-513-4949 x 307 Terri Leyton – Exec. Dir. 619-684-5845 South Carolina scfsa.org Jason Strickland – Chair.

243-664-0077 Jule Buffington – Exec. Dir. 803-951-2800

Virginia afsavirginia.com Jack Medovich – Pres.

804-222-4393 George Wagner – Exec. Dir. 757-378-7212 Yankee Michael Payton – Chair.

508-378-7215

Southern California Jeff Bridges – Co-Chair.

888-523-4734 Terry Housholder – Co-Chair.

714-632-8646 Amber Barrios – Exec. Dir. 562-833-9492

AFSA Affiliate Contacts Alabama Affiliate alfiresprinkler.org Charles Bielair – Pres.

334-270-8571 Greg Willis – Exec. Dir. 334-546-4257

58 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Georgia Affiliate georgiafiresprinkler.org Ray Vance – Pres.

678-993-2054 Billy Wood – Exec. Dir. 404-226-8304

Oklahoma Affiliate ofsa.info Gary Field – President 918-266-2416

Texas Affiliate fscatx.org David Stone – Pres.

713-466-9899 Carol McCain – Exec. Dir. 281-361-8069

CONSTRUCTION REPORTS U.S. Construction...

New Construction Starts in February Climb 10 Percent At a

seasonally adjusted annual rate of $667.6 billion, new construction starts in February advanced 10 percent compared to the previous month, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Much of the lift in February came from the nonbuilding construction sector, as its electric power and gas plant category included a $3 billion segment of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in Texas as well as the start of six power plant projects valued each in excess of $200 million. Nonresidential building also helped out in February with a moderate gain, resuming its hesitant upward track after the lackluster activity reported at the outset of 2016. However, residential building settled back in February following its improved January performance. For the first two months of 2016, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were $87.1 billion, down 16 percent from the same period a year ago which featured the start of several massive LNG terminal projects. If the volatile electric power and gas plant category is excluded, total construction starts on a seasonally adjusted basis in February would be down 1 percent from January, while the year-to-date comparison on an unadjusted basis would show a six percent decline.

Monthly Summary of Construction Contract Value Prepared by Dodge Data & Analytics

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, In Millions February 2016 January 2016 % Change Nonresidential Building $185,492 $178,302 +4 Residential Building $281,269 $294,706 -5 Nonbuilding Construction $200,851 $134,748 +49 Total Construction $667,612 $607,756 +10

U.S. Construction...

March Construction Eases Back One Percent At a seasonally ad-

justed annual rate of $660.5 billion, new construction starts in March receded one percent from February’s pace, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. Total construction starts had jumped 13 percent in February, led by a huge gain for the electric utility and gas plant category. While the dollar amount of electric utility and gas plant starts fell considerably in March, accompanied by a pullback for public works, the latest month featured a substantial increase for nonresidential building as this sector is providing more evidence that it’s regaining upward momentum. In addition, residential building in March registered moderate growth, helped by the continued strength for multifamily housing. During the first three months of 2016, total construction starts on an unadjusted basis were $141.7 billion, down 10 percent from the same period a year ago that included the start of several massive power plants and liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals. If the volatile electric utility and gas plant category is excluded, total construction starts on a seasonally adjusted basis in March would be up 4 percent from February, while the year-to-date comparison on an unadjusted basis would show just a modest four percent decline.

Monthly Summary of Construction Contract Value Prepared by Dodge Data & Analytics

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, In Millions March 2016 February 2016 % Change Nonresidential Building $228,104 $185,081 +23 Residential Building $292,028 $284,336 +3 Nonbuilding Construction $140,400 $200,665 -30 Total Construction $660,532 $670,082 -1

THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000=100, Seasonally Adjusted) February 2016...............141 January 2016.....................129

THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000=100, Seasonally Adjusted) March 2016...............140 February 2016.....................142

YEAR-TO-DATE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Unadjusted Totals, In Millions

2 Mo. 2016 2 Mo. 2015 % Change Nonresidential Building $24,637 $31,163 -21 Residential Building $37,913 $34,785 +9 Nonbuilding Construction $24,519 $37,220 -34 Total Construction $87,069 $103,168 -16

YEAR-TO-DATE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Unadjusted Totals, In Millions

3 Mo. 2016 3 Mo. 2015 % Change Nonresidential Building $42,106 $46,095 -9 Residential Building $63,603 $56,815 +12 Nonbuilding Construction $36,024 $54,313 -34 Total Construction $141,733 $157,223 -10

Canada Construction...

Canada Construction...

February CANADATA Y-T-D Figures on Construction Starts

March CANADATA Y-T-D Figures on Construction Starts

Types of Construction

Feb

Types of Construction

Mar

TOTAL CANADA ($ Millions) RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL Major Sub-categories: Office Buildings Stores INSTITUTIONAL Major Sub-categories: Medical Education INDUSTRIAL Major Sub-categories: Plants ENGINEERING Major Sub-categories: Waterworks Roads Electric Power Oil and Gas ALL CONSTRUCTION

2016 2015

TOTAL CANADA ($ Millions) RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL Major Sub-categories: Office Buildings Stores INSTITUTIONAL Major Sub-categories: Medical Education INDUSTRIAL Major Sub-categories: Plants ENGINEERING Major Sub-categories: Waterworks Roads Electric Power Oil and Gas ALL CONSTRUCTION

2016 2015

23,764 6,387

Feb

% Change

28,535 15,627

-17 -59

2,069 9,115 -77 1,251 1,652 -24 8,029 13,985 -43 1,344 4,482 311

5,925 3,661 2,095

-77 22 -99

19 22,433

1,838 68,092

-99 -67

1,432 2,294 3,509 3,938 262 1,151 16,003 55,202 60,644 128,333

-37 -10 -77 -71 -53

*Start figures are also available for many more categories of construction and according to provincial, city and county levels of regional detail. CanaData is a statistics-gathering and forecasting agency for the construction industry and is a part of CMD Canada, (416)-758-6400.

36,054 11,390

Mar

% Change

46,791 22,812

-23 -50

3,309 12,235 -72 2,403 3,198 -24 11,563 21,667 -47 1,991 7,422 -73 6,150 7,596 -19 302 2,137 -86 198 30,298

1,877 81,964

2,243 4,264 6,651 7,346 813 7,246 18,271 55,204 89,607 175,372

-89 -63 -47 -9 -88 -66 -49

*Start figures are also available for many more categories of construction and according to provincial, city and county levels of regional detail. CanaData is a statistics-gathering and forecasting agency for the construction industry and is a part of CMD Canada, (416)-758-6400.

Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016 59

PRODUCT NEWS Tyco Announces the Next Generation of Butterfly Valves Tyco Fire Protection Products, a division of Tyco, introduces the BFV-300 butterfly valve. The BFV-300 is now a lighter, more compact design that allows for more efficient installation, easier operation and better long-term performance. New unique features of the valve make it smaller, lighter and easier to install and service.

Tapping boss locations save time by allowing for quick upstream direct connection to a deluge valve and downstream connection of additional components, or drainage for dry maintenance.

The traveling nut gearbox features a single moving part, allowing for a smaller, more compact design that is easier to handle, install and operate. On average, the gearbox is 50 percent smaller than conventional gearboxes and contributes to the creation of up to 40 percent lighter weight than traditional butterfly valves on the market.

The BFV-300 also features a QR code printed on the gearbox cover for instant on-site access to digital on-line product information by scanning the code with a smart device. Other features of the BFV-300 include a grooved or wafer connection for installation on a range of systems, and supervisory open and closed options – supervisory open to isolate the alarm valve, or supervisory closed for use in a by-pass system. Additionally, the valve is 100 percent silicon free and available in sizes from 2 in. to 12 in. (DN50 – DN300). The BFV-300 is also fully approved globally for greater assurance. The new BFV-300 is the next generation butterfly valve. Visit tyco-fire.com.

Victaulic Introduces FireLockTM InstallationReady™ Fittings Victaulic introduces the new FireLockTM Installation-Ready™ fittings (No. 101 90° elbow, 102 tee and 103 45° elbow). Designed for fire protection systems, the fittings require less fasteners, resulting in faster, simpler installation while maintaining a safe and efficient jobsite. The simplicity of the FireLock EZ™ Rigid Coupling – Style 009N, combined with the convenience of a single-unit design solution, Victaulic FireLock Installation-Ready™ fittings provide fast, easy pipe connections with no need to disassemble. Standard grooved pipe and accessories are joined by simply pushing the InstallationReady elbow onto the pipe and tightening three bolts, versus the standard four, therefore removing prep and lifting of two additional steps; installing in less than half the time of conventional fittings. Visit victaulicfire.com.

FPPI Butterfly Valves Now Available In Additional Sizes Fire Protection Products, Inc. (FPPI) announces it has added two new items to its popular line of butterfly valves: the 11/4-in.

60 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Photos at left and above: Victaulic’s FireLock Installation-Ready Fittings. Upper left: 101 90° elbow. Lower left: 102 tee. Above right: 103 45° elbow. grooved butterfly valve and the 11/2-in. grooved butterfly valve. Together with the already established 2-in. and 21/2-in. grooved butterfly valves, FPPI now offers four different sizes to meet the diverse requirements of modern fire sprinkler systems. All FPPI Butterfly Valves are UL/ULc Listed and FM Approved (1-in. size is UL Listed and FM Approved). Visit fppi.com.

ECS Announces FM Approved Nitrogen Generator Engineered Corrosion Solutions LLC (ECS) announces that the ECS Protector line of nitrogen generators is now FM Approved. Factory Mutual developed Product Standard 1035 to provide approval criteria for nitrogen generators used in dry pipe and preaction fire protection systems. The ECS nitrogen generators are the first FM approved systems available to the fire sprinkler industry. Visit ecscorrosion.com.

Globe Introduces 5.6K Interstitial Combustible Sprinklers Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation announces the addition of interstitial combustible specific application upright sprinklers.

The Globe Model IC sprinkler is a quick response, upright, specific application sprinkler designed to protect light hazard combustible

concealed spaces as required by NFPA 13. The Globe model IC is cULus Listed, and is available in temperature ratings of 175°F (79°C) and 200°F (93°C).

The Globe Model IC may be installed in both Steel and CPVC systems, with best-in-class design characteristics. Visit globesprinkler.com.

Ames Launches New Grooved-End Pressure Reducing Control Valve Ames Fire & Waterworks announces a new grooved-end automatic control valve (ACV) for reducing water pressure in fire protection systems.

The groovedend 910GF ACV is UL Listed and available in 2 in. to 8 in. sizes. It is typically installed in commercial or industrial fire sprinkler systems to automatically reduce a higher inlet pressure to an adjustable lower outlet pressure.

The diaphragm-actuated, pilot-operated valve is sensitive to downstream flow and pressure fluctuations. The new ACV complements the Ames package of products designed for fire protection systems, which includes the Colt™ and Maxim™ Series backflow preventers, gear-operated slowclose ball valves, in-building risers, and UL/FM strainers. Visit go.AmesFireWater.com/Fire. n

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FOR YOUR FIRE/SPRINKLER COMMERCIAL INSURANCE NEEDS, PLEASE CONTACT:

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*Fire/Sprinkler program not available in New York City, SD, ND, and Cook County, IL.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Globe Appoints New Technology and Technical Support Staff Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation announces the addition of two key product development and technical support roles. Kevin Maughan has been appointed senior manager, new technologies, and Gordon Farrell has joined Globe as techMaughan nical services manager. In the newly created role of senior manager, new technologies, Maughan will be coordinating efforts of Globe’s Research and Development Team, New Technologies, and Technical Support. Farrell will Farrell provide technical and specification support to contractors, AHJs and engineers, and will be actively engaged in new product development and creation of technical literature. Visit globesprinkler.com.

ASA Announces John H. Hampshire Award and Outstanding Service Awards The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) bestowed its highest honor, the John H. Hampshire Distinguished Lifetime Service Award, for lifetime service to ASA and the construction industry on Walter Bazan Jr., Bazan Painting Co., St. Louis, Missouri, during an awards gala on March 5, 2016. John H. Hampshire, Inc., was a Baltimore, Maryland-based subcontractor that helped found ASA, and the prestigious Hampshire Award is presented to an individual who shares the vision of ASA’s early leaders and dedicates his or her lifetime working to achieve that vision. ASA also honored Anne Bigane Wilson, P.E., CPC, Bigane Paving Company, Chicago, Ill., and Richard B. Usher, Hill & Usher, LLC, Phoenix, Arizona, with the association’s Outstanding Service Award. This award recognizes an individual or individuals for “exemplary service to ASA.” Wilson served as the 2002-03 ASA president and continues to actively advocate for ethical contractor behavior, the end of predatory contract clauses, and the fair treatment of subcontractors and specialty trade contractors.

AFSA Employment Opportunity The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is looking for an individual to join our team and support our members across the nation (and beyond…)! We are seeking candidates with experience in the contracting sector who hold a current NICET Level III or IV certification.

We are looking for someone with 10-plus years of experience, and knowledge of sprinkler system layout, stock listing, coordination and hydraulic calculations to join the AFSA team in Dallas, Texas.

Successful candidates will have a detailed understanding of the primary NFPA standards, an ability to perform manual hydraulic calculations (by hand), and good communication skills including practical experience working with AHJs, owners, and general contractors. Experience conducting training and/or public speaking is desirable. For more details on this exciting opportunity, visit firesprinkler.org/afsa/careers/.

AFSA supports and influences the sprinkler industry by working on NFPA technical committees, teaching and training to broad audiences, and providing informal interpretations on critical issues. If you would like to join a professional staff that has helped shape the industry for 35 years, send your resume to: AFSA, 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350, Dallas, TX 75251 or email resume@firesprinkler.org with the subject line “Technical Services.”

NOTICE: AFSA does not run employment ads in Sprinkler Age regarding general employment opportunities for other associations, member and non-member companies, etc.

62 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Usher earned an Outstanding Service Award in 2002 and was the recipient of the 2007 and 2009 ASA President’s Award. Likewise, Usher remains extremely involved in ASA and has been a leader on insurance and surety issues. He served on a risk management panel discussion on March 4 during SUBExcel 2016. Visit asaonline.com.

NFPA Announces 2016 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award Winner The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has selected Sherrie Leeka, public education officer for the Westminster Fire Department, Westminster, Colorado, as the 2016 Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year.

Leeka will be recognized at NFPA’s Conference & Expo this June in Las Vegas. The Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year award, presented annually, recognizes an educator who works for a local fire department or fire marshal’s office in the U.S. or Canada, uses NFPA’s materials in consistent and creative ways, demonstrates excellence and innovation in reaching out to the community, and views NFPA as the leading source for fire safety information. Visit nfpa.org.

ASA Members Elect Robert Abney to Serve as 2016-17 President The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) members elected Robert Abney to serve as the Association’s 2016-17 president. Abney’s term will begin on July 1. He will succeed Letitia “Tish” Haley Barker, Haley-Greer, Inc., Dallas, Texas. Abney is the division president for the Southaven, Miss., branch of F.L. Crane, a contractor specializing in interior and exterior finishes. ASA members also elected Jeff Banker, Banker Insulation, Chandler, Arizona, as vice president; Courtney Little, ACE Glass Construction Corporation, Little Rock, Arkansas, as treasurer; and Anthony Brooks, Platinum Drywall, Maumelle, Arkansas, as secretary.

Officers serve a one-year term, July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017. ASA members elected Jason File, Les File Drywall, Inc., Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Jeff VanderLaan, Kent Companies, Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan, to the board of directors.

These directors serve a three-year term, July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2019. Visit asaonline.com.

n

Planning for your future just got a little easier.

introducing

If you are currently offering a retirement plan, American Fire Sprinkler Association has a better way to offer 401(k) to your employees. It’s called a Multiple Employer 401(k) Plan. This plan is sponsored

by American Fire Sprinkler Association and managed through Transamerica Retirement Solutions (“Transamerica”), and the firm of Pinnacle Financial Services.

A Multiple Employer Plan, also referred to as an MEP, is a retirement plan for businesses that typically have a common interest, but that are not commonly owned or affiliated. These businesses are referred to as “Adopting Employers” when they elect to join the Multiple Employer Plan.

What are the Benefits?

• Potential costs savings • Hours of Administrative time savings • Reduction of work for your staff • Shifting of plan responsibility • Reduction of fiduciary liability • No more plan audit (if applicable) • No more plan document or legal filings • Allows you to focus on your business • Flexibility to have maintain your own plan design and features To learn more about this new AFSA Retirement Plan benefit,

contact John.Hershenberg@pfslink-e.com or 817-300-5539.

INDUSTRY NEWS The Macomb Group Expands into North Carolina Sterling Heights, Michigan-based The Macomb Group has acquired the operations of Mechanical Supply Co., a North Carolina-based distributor of pipe, valves and fittings to commercial and industrial customers. As the eighth-largest industrial distributor of pipe, valves and fittings, The Macomb Group now will operate 19 locations in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. Visit macombgroup.com.

ERICO is Now a Pentair Company ERICO is now a part of Pentair, a global provider of products, services and solutions for its customers’ diverse needs in water and other fluids, thermal management and equipment protection.

The complementary nature of ERICO’s products and applications, combined with Pentair’s global infrastructure will create a broader and stronger offering for customers in the commercial and industrial sectors. Furthermore, the addition of key branded product lines to the Pentair business, including ERICO, CADDY and LENTON, will provide existing customers

with an expanded stable of quality products to choose from across a variety of application and environments. Visit Pentair.com.

Telgian Executive Witnesses MOU Signing Between NFPA and UAE Ministry of Interior Fire, security, and life safety services provider Telgian Corporation Executive Chairman Russell Leavitt traveled to Abu Dhabi in March on behalf of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) board of directors to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NFPA and the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Interior. The agreement, signed by NFPA President Jim Pauley and Major General Jassim Mohamed Al Marzooqi for the UAE Ministry of Interior, is a mutual commitment between the two parties to advance fire and life safety practices in the United Arab Emirates. As part of the agreement, NFPA will assist in the development of training and certification programs, joint research projects, conferences and seminars, and the adoption of various codes and standards in the UAE. Visit telgian.com.

SprinklerEcampus.com The best value in eLearning today!

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THE AFSA WAY... To assist contractors in maintaining a quality workforce, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) and its Fire Sprinkler eCampus offer hundreds of online training programs that award CEUs (as recognized by IACET) and CPD credits (as recognized by NICET).

Online courses include: • Applied Sprinkler Technology / System Layout • Hydraulic Calculations • Seismic Bracing • Beginning CAD • Codes, and many other topics...

Check it out at www.SprinklerECampus.com

64 Sprinkler Age | May/June 2016

Jensen Hughes Acquires Aon Fire Protection Engineering Corporation Jensen Hughes announces that it has completed the acquisition of Aon Fire Protection Engineering Corporation (“Aon FPE”). Formerly known as Schirmer Engineering, Aon FPE is a global provider of fire protection engineering, fire code consulting and security services to commercial, industrial and government facilities through 15 office locations in North America and a significant presence in the Middle East. The combination of Jensen Hughes and Aon FPE increases the technical expertise and resources available to provide fire protection and forensic engineering, risk analysis and fire modeling, system design, code consulting, commissioning, research and testing and project management solutions that encompass fire protection, life safety, security and related disciplines to clients of both companies on a global basis.

Visit jensenhughes.com.

KPI Holdings, Inc. Acquires Marco, Inc. KPI Holdings, Inc.’s President and CEO John M. Lawlor announced the purchase of Marco, Inc., the Pennsylvania-based fire sprinkler contract-

A Grand Ole Opportunity

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30+ Educational Seminars North America’s Largest Sprinkler Exhibition Optional AFSA Convention Tours Golf Tournament

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American Fire Sprinkler Association’s 35th Annual Convention & Exhibition Gaylord Opryland • Nashville, TN • September 14-17, 2016 Visit firesprinkler.org/convention

INDUSTRY NEWS CONT. ing company. The company will be rebranded Marco Protection Systems, LLC, and will retain its current staff and headquarters in Exton, Pennsylvania. KPI Holdings, Inc. is also the owner and parent company of Keystone Fire Protection Co., another company specializing in the sale and service of life-safety systems. Visit marcofire.com.

more than half of the town’s homes are protected by fire sprinklers. In the video, Jim Ford, Scottsdale Fire Department fire marshal, discusses how the ordinance has significantly decreased the city’s fire losses without diminishing the necessity of the fire service. The video can be found on NFPA’s Fire Sprinkler Initiative website FireSprinklerInitiative.org/Scottsdale.

enhance educational efforts supporting sprinklers in new Canadian homes. Prior to this partnership, The Co-operators have underscored the necessity of sprinklers in new homes through its mythbusting resources. Moreover, it sponsored a groundbreaking study calculating the health care costs of patients burned in home fires without sprinklers. Visit firesprinklerinitiative.org.

NFPA Produces Video on Scottsdale Fire Sprinkler Ordinance NFPA has produced a new video underscoring the benefits of a home fire sprinkler ordinance in Scottsdale, Arizona, that went into effect 30 years ago. To date,

Canadian Insurance Group and HFSC Form Partnership The Co-operators, a Canadian owned and operated insurance group, has established a formal partnership with the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) to further promote and

Construction Employment Rises Forty-three states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) added construction jobs between February 2015 and February 2016 while construction employment increased in 27 states between January and February, according to analysis of Labor Department data released by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Association officials said the pullback in energy prices and farm

You don’t have to be a genius.

income appeared to be dampening demand for construction in some states while firms in other states continue to expand. California added the most construction jobs and North Dakota lost the highest percent and total number of construction jobs. New hiring figures show contractors continue to be able to find and hire new workers despite widespread reports of labor shortages. Visit agc.org. n

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AGF Manufacturing, Inc. 57 Argco 28 BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems 15 Blue River Underwriters 61 Building Reports 3 Bull Moose Industries 25 Easyflex IBC Engineered Corrosion Solutions 19 Ferguson Fire & Fabrication, Inc. 55 Fire Protection Products, Inc. 39 Fire Sprinkler eCampus 64 FlexHead Industries, Inc. 4 GECCO, Inc. 26 Metraflex 34 Noble Company (The) 33 Potter Electric Signal Co. 13, 43 Raimondo Consultants, Inc. 18 Reed Manufacturing Company 29 Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. IFC South-Tek Systems 9 SprinkFlex, LLC 7 Tyco 17, BC U.S. Tool 10 Victaulic 11 Viega/Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. 35 Viking Group 27 W.S. Darley 50 Watts Water Technologies 53 Wupperman, Inc. 47

Greater Challenges.

Smarter Solutions.

Storage and distribution facilities are evolving. So are the challenges you face when protecting them. That’s why Tyco is leading the way with solutions designed to help optimize protection for sites with narrower aisles, greater heights, and a changing array of commodities and packaging. Tyco solutions include the highest ceiling-only protection with ESFR sprinklers, low install cost with EC sprinklers, and industry leading valves, all with pure performance.

To find out how we can help future-proof your storage protection, visit us at NFPA booth #600, go to www.tfppshow.com/NFPA, or contact your Tyco representative.

Safer. Smarter. Tyco.

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