Sprinkler Age Nov/Dec 2021

12 AFSA40 WAS A CELEBRATION LIKE NO OTHER

NOV/DEC 2021

SPRINKLER AGE

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION

VOL 40/06

JACK MEDOVICH P.E. 2021-2022 AFSA CHAIR OF THE BOARD

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SPRINKLER AGE

NOV/DEC 2021 VOL 40/06

FEATURES 12 | SAN ANTONIO SENSATION

AFSA40 was a Texas-Sized Success!

18 | MEMBERS ELECT 2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jack Medovich, P.E. Elected Chair of the Board

22 | TAKE FIVE

Defining the Types of Standpipe Systems

24 | HONORING AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS

Contractor Member Erects Monument to Life- and Property-Saving Device

26 | LEGISLATIVE REVIEW 2021

Codes, Standards, and Regulations in the U.S. and Canada

36 | FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS

Are There Really That Many Requirements?

39 | MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS: SAFETY PORTAL

A 24/7 Online Resource for Members

40 | MEET YOUR 2022 M/S COUNCIL MEMBERS

Representatives Work on Behalf of Associates

41 | A SECOND CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT SPRINKLERS

Online Contest Educates College Students

42 | ITM OF STANDPIPE SYSTEMS

Clarifying Manual Standpipes and ITM Requirements

44 | NEW TRAINING OPTIONS TO MEET EDUCATION NEEDS

ITM, Hydraulic Calculations, ASSE 15010, and NICET Certification Prep

46 | GROWING MEMBERSHIP

AFSA Ushers in Additional Dues Categories

48 | THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries

ON THE COVER: Jack Medovich, P.E., CEO, and founding partner of Fire & Life Safety America, Richmond, Virginia has been elected AFSA’s 2022 Chair of the Board of Directors. Also in this issue: NFPA 14.

6 CHAIR’S MESSAGE 8 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 10 FLASHPOINT 50 AFSA NEWS 50 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 51 CHAPTER NEWS 51 ASSOCIATION NEWS 52 AFSA CHAPTERS 53 U.S. CONSTRUCTION 54 #MEMBERSMATTER! 55 NEW MEMBERS 56 TECHNICAL CHALLENGES 58 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS 60 PRODUCT NEWS 61 INDUSTRY NEWS 62 INDEX OF ADVERTISERS SPRINKLER AGE, (ISSN 0896-2685) is published bi-

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CHAIR’S MESSAGE

T

his is my first article since becoming Chair of this tremendous American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). I am truly humbled to serve all of you in this capacity and will do my best to listen to and meet your needs. As members, you are the most important asset of this Association. It is our job, as your Board, to give you the training and support you desire. I want to thank Ted Wills and Wayne Weisz, who were the past two chairs. They led this organization through some difficult times with staff turnover at the highest level. I feel that our current staff is the best it’s ever been with the addition of Bob Caputo as president and John Denhardt as vice president of Engineering & Technical Services who joined an outstanding team, including Laverne Davis, Marlene Garrett, and all the other AFSA employees. John has created the best technical department our industry has ever seen. Kevin Hall, Josh MacDonald, John Johnson, and Victoria Valentine head a technically gifted department waiting to assist you all in dealing with any technical problems you may have. I’m just grateful that Ted and Wayne fixed all the issues before my term started!

I’ve been told I need to tell you a little bit about myself for those who haven’t met me yet. I am a son of a New York firefighter who absolutely inspired my career path.

Thank you, Dad! I have been a volunteer firefighter for over 40 years. I’ve been in contracting for the past 35 years and was an AHJ prior to that. I am a fire protection engineering graduate from the University of Maryland, a registered professional engineer in multiple states, and have been sitting on NFPA code-writing committees since 1984. I am currently the president and CEO of Fire & Life Safety America. I’ve been on AFSA’s Board of Directors since 2008 and am a past chair of the Chesapeake Bay Chapter and past president of the Virginia Chapter. I also chair a 501c3 organization called the Burn Survivors Foundation (www.burnsurvivorsfoundationva.org), which helps burn survivors in the Mid-Atlantic region.

One thing AFSA does very well is represent you all on various NFPA code-writing committees. Our purpose is to protect the contractor during the code-writing process. We make sure any code-modification proposals are, in fact, good fire protection that enhances life safety (believe it or not, some don’t) and that these proposals don’t add unnecessary risk to the contracting community. This edition of Sprinkler Age will focus on NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems. I sat on this standard’s committee for many years until I asked Steve Leyton to take the baton from me and run with it, which he has done better than I could have ever done! Steve now chairs that standard, and we’re very proud of his efforts. Make sure to read the articles contained in this issue.

The other thing AFSA does great is PARTY! AFSA40 was the best convention I’ve ever attended. The music, food, and technical sessions were out of this world! Congratulations to Convention Chair Linda Biernacki, the Convention Committee, and Marlene Garrett for setting the bar extremely high for AFSA41 in Las Vegas next year. Make sure to see the pictures and summary contained in this edition as well.

I look forward to serving you over the next two years. Please feel free to reach out with any suggestions you may have on enhancing your AFSA experience. Until next time, may God Bless AFSA, the USA, and may God Bless you always and in all ways! n

EDITORIAL: 214-349-5965

BOB CAPUTO, CFPS, Publisher, ext. 124

bcaputo@firesprinkler.org

D’ARCY G. MONTALVO, Editor, ext. 115;

dmontalvo@firesprinkler.org

ADVERTISING: 214-349-5965

REBECCA HERRING, Communications Specialist, ext. 134;

rherring@firesprinkler.org

CIRCULATION: 214-349-5965

REBECCA HERRING, Communications Specialist, ext. 134;

rherring@firesprinkler.org

AFSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS JACK A. MEDOVICH, P.E., Chair, 804-222-1381

LINDA M. BIERNACKI, First Vice Chair, 318-841-0330 PAUL DELORIE, Second Vice Chair, 603-432-8221 ROD DIBONA, Treasurer, 605-348-2342 JEFF PHIFER, Secretary, 803-438-2994

TED WILLS, Immediate Past Chair, 610-754-7836 LYLE HALL, 858-513-4949

R. DONALD (DON) KAUFMAN, 505-884-2447 CHRIS JOHNSON, 727-581-9339

MICHAEL F. MEEHAN, 757-213-3660 JAY STRICKLAND, 301-474-1136 WAYNE WEISZ, 209-334-9119

AFSA LEADERSHIP BOB CAPUTO, CFPS, President, ext. 124 LAVERNE DAVIS, Vice President, Finance & Administration, ext. 112 JOHN AUGUST DENHARDT, P.E., FSFPE, Vice President, Engineering & Technical Services, ext.121

MARLENE M. GARRETT, CMP, Senior Director, Meeting & Education Services, ext. 118 LESLIE CLOUNTS, Director, Education Services, ext. 130 ROGER GRAGG, Director, Marketing & Information Technology, ext. 116 BRUCE LECAIR, Senior Director, Membership & Chapter Support, ext. 139

Sprinkler Age is devoted to the professional development of the fire sprinkler industry. Deadline is 1st of the month preceding publication.

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.

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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.

JACK A. MEDOVICH, P.E. AFSA BOARD CHAIR

6 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

I

PRESIDENT’S REPORT wake up most mornings thinking about how lucky I am to serve this industry as AFSA’s president. Our recent annual convention was an absolute grand slam home run on every level. I cannot say thank you enough to the more than 1,050 of you who attended AFSA40 live and in person. All events were well attended and clearly enjoyed by everyone. The formula for success this year was obviously one part COVID-19 exhaustion, one part great music and food, one part great location, and one part hard work by your AFSA staff! Both of our live bands were great, and the ranch party was amazing, with food as good as any restaurant I’ve ever been to. It was great to see so many of you up and dancing, enjoying the hand-rolled cigars and the company of friends. AFSA41 is planned for the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will certainly have a different feel, but I recommend marking your calendar for October 14-19, 2022, because you won’t want to miss what comes next!

Please join me in welcoming the latest addition to AFSA’s technical services staff, Victoria Valentine, P.E. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and Master of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) with a minor in Spanish. Valentine brings her 20-plus years of industry experience and technical committee work to strengthen AFSA’s all-star line-up and expand our member services exponentially.

She is active in the industry through the American Society of Civil Engineers, International Code Council, National Fire Protection Association, National Institute of Building Sciences, and Society of Fire Protection Engineers. She can be reached at valentine@firesprinkler.org Victoria is married to Dan De Dominic, a sales representative with Reliable Automatic Sprinkler, so we’re talking about a great sprinkler family through and through! Welcome aboard, Victoria!

Benjamin Franklin, a founding father of our nation, said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Education lessens the challenges we face in life and business. The more knowledge we gain, the more opportunities we have, individually and collectively. If COVID-19 had a positive side, it would be the enlightenment of the many ways we can deliver education and training here in the 21st century. Ways we would have never considered prior to being locked down for more than a year! Perhaps more importantly, the opportunity to deliver training in smaller bits and bytes and without the need for expensive travel and work interruption in many cases.

AFSA’s founding principles and mission are centered on training and education for open shop fire sprinkler contractors, providing personal and professional growth for our members, and increasing growth opportunities for our member companies. The AFSA staff and leadership are constantly searching for ways to improve our programs to meet the needs of this ever-growing industry.

With this simple goal in mind, we will be launching several programs we’ve been planning and discussing for many months. First is our three-day hydraulic calculations course with basic hydraulics by hand with a TI 30 hand-held calculator. This course will walk candidates through sprinkler calculations, balancing flows, standpipe calculations, and more. The learning objectives for this course include creating a broader hydraulic thought process for layout technicians,

8 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

estimators, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) by understanding the hydraulic and the cost impact of sprinkler types and spacing options, changing K factors and pipe types to reduce friction losses, and a host of concepts to help create well rounded, thoughtful, and more mature designers and plan reviewers.

Second, and perhaps most exciting, is AFSA’s three-day, hands-on Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (ITM) program. This is not a replacement for our existing 20-month ITM training program, but rather is designed for new and legacy inspectors, insurance adjusters, facility managers, AHJs, and anyone responsible for water-based fire protection system ITM. This program will combine classroom and lab time to cover the requirements of NFPA 25 along with tactile experience with a wide variety of valves and fire pumps for hands on inspection and testing. Attendees can see, hear, and touch equipment while conducting hands-on trip tests and flow tests. Let’s break it in the lab and not at your location! Information can be found in this edition of Sprinkler Age and on our website, www.firesprinkler.org.

We’re also ushering in our two new apprenticeship training opportunities. The first is our virtual classroom for the book portion of apprenticeship at every level. Starting with Book 1, these virtual classes will be scheduled for alternate Thursdays. They will be available as live training or as recorded content to provide the greatest reach and opportunity for those apprentices whose geography or schedules don’t allow live classroom interaction. Participants can be enrolled in AFSA’s apprenticeship program or any other program with no prerequisite requirements. This training will be open to all registrants with minimal monthly fees to cover all costs, including proctored testing and instructor fees.

AFSA’s apprenticeship program will be available for registrants in Q1 of 2022. It will provide an all-encompassing cradle-to-grave nationwide apprenticeship program for those members who have not developed their own federally registered fire sprinkler fitter training program. This program is not intended to compete with existing programs but, rather, provide interested members with an alternative by providing a centralized, managed program based on AFSA’s existing curriculum, which is the basis for all existing open shop sprinkler fitter apprenticeship programs.

AFSA’s Intermediate Level Fire Sprinkler Layout Technician course will be available in 2022 as well. The first three days of this two-week program will include an introduction to CAD and REVIT, Continued on page 21

BOB CAPUTO, CFPS AFSA PRESIDENT

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FLASHPOINT

T

he topic of this month’s column is simple, giving thanks! As I write this column, Thanksgiving is less than a month away. I have so much to be thankful for in my career and life. I want this column to ensure the people involved in my career know I am thankful for them. I cannot possibly mention them all, so if I miss you, please forgive me.

My schooling – From my grade school, Monseigneur Slade School; my high school, Mount Saint Joseph High School; to my college, University of Maryland, at College Park. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the Xaverian Brothers, and the lay faculty pushed me to excel. Settling for second best was not an option. I was not only educated in academics, but I was also taught to be a Christian man who respected all people. My professors at the University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Fire Protection Engineering, led by example. They shared their time and expertise to teach me the field of fire protection.

My family – I had a Polish mom and a German dad. My sister and I were pushed hard, and bringing home a report card with a B was not acceptable. We were taught to work hard and earn what we wanted. My wife Donna of 34 years has been supportive in my career. Donna has always allowed me to pursue my professional dreams. She was there to raise my two beautiful daughters, Sarah and Stephanie. Stephanie is a special education teacher who has done well. Sarah graduated college and is now working in the sprinkler business. In October of this year, Sarah married her college sweetheart, James. He is a terrific you man, whom I now have the honor of calling my son. James also works in the sprinkler business. My wife is now complaining our family dinner table discussion is about sprinklers. While she complains about it, I am secretly smiling on the inside. My kids are trying to learn from me! What a great feeling.

My Strickland family – I had the pleasure of working for Strickland Fire Protection for 28 years. I learned so much from this experience. The owners and my coworkers were terrific and supportive. With them at my side, there was no fire protection project we could not do.

My AFSA family – I joined AFSA as an employee in January 2020 and have been a volunteer for them since 1996. Working with long–time employees like Roger, D’Arcy, Leslie, and Marlene has been a joyful experience. The current employees make my job easier. The Education, Communications, Marketing, and Administrative departments support my Engineering and Technical department and me. The technical staff consisting of Kevin, Joshua, John, and our newest team member, Victoria, are the best of the best. The other day, a member texted me and said, “If there was a Super Bowl of sprinkler technical gurus, AFSA would win the game hands down.” Our President and leader, Bob Caputo has been a longtime friend, mentor, and a “brother” to me. When Bob was named the President of AFSA, I was overjoyed. What a great person.

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My mentors in the fire protection business – the list is way too long to include a complete list here but a few highlights.

Ronald M. Brave, P.E, was my first employer in the fire protection business, and he taught me how a small company could prosper.

Jay Hanna, P.E., guided me on client relations while remaining firm in my beliefs. Jay and Manning Strickland “adopted” me into their family business.

And finally, I need to give a big thank you to the AFSA community – The NFPA Standards Council has made its final ruling. All motions and appeals have been completed. Due to the hard work of the AFSA Board of Directors, staff, membership, and friends, the water supply issue, which we opposed, has been removed from the 2022 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. The current language regarding water supplies in the 2019 edition of NFPA 13 will be carried into the 2022 edition. The summary paragraph from NFPA’s official notice states it well: The Council has reviewed the entire record concerning this matter and has considered all the arguments put forward in this appeal. In the view of the Council, this appeal does not present any clear and substantial basis upon which to overturn the results yielded by the NFPA standards development process. Accordingly, the council has voted to deny the appeal. The effect of this action is that NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Automatic Sprinkler Systems, 2022 edition, will not include text of First revision No. 1195.

We faced an uphill battle on this issue. Our efforts paid off.

Thanks to all!

I am so thankful for my career. However, unfortunately, our industry just lost a good man, Robert “Bobby” Dunn. I worked alongside Bobby for several years and then worked with him on many projects after leaving the same employer. Bobby will be missed, but his spirit will live in me forever. Look for his “In Memoriam” in a future issue of Sprinkler Age. I am thankful for Bobby’s friendship, knowledge, and dedication to this industry.

And I am thankful for you, the readers of Sprinkler Age and members of this industry! I am thankful that what we do as an industry makes a difference. I wish everyone a very Happy and blessed Thanksgiving! n

JOHN AUGUST DENHARDT, P.E., FSFPE AFSA VICE PRESIDENT OF ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL SERVICES

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SAN ANTONIO SENSATION AFSA40 WAS A TEXAS-SIZED SUCCESS!

T

D’ARCY MONTALVO | AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION his year, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) was thrilled to welcome attendees to AFSA40: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition in San Antonio, Texas, September 18-21. Over 1,050 fire sprinkler contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, architects, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and other industry professionals flocked to the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa to celebrate AFSA’s four decades of dedication to merit shop contractors and the fire sprinkler industry.

“AFSA40 drew a crowd that rivaled 2019, our last convention before COVID hit,” comments AFSA President Bob Caputo. “We were ecstatic to welcome everyone back in person to America’s largest fire sprinkler industry event!”

In addition to attending over 60 technical, managerial, and NextGen Initiative (NGI) seminars, attendees explored AFSA’s exhibit hall, filling the resort’s convention center with booths featuring the products and services of 87 exhibiting companies.

AFSA also offered local AHJs a free plan review seminar and a chance to explore the industry’s largest exhibition. Social events, networking meals, and a Hall of History display rounded out the convention’s schedule.

The convention began with a golf tournament on Saturday, September 18, held at the Canyons Course of TPC San Antonio.

There were 128 participants in the tournament, and prizes were awarded to the teams that took first place, second place, third place, and last place, as well as to the man and woman with the longest drive, straightest drive, and closest to the pin.

H. Butch Browning (center) received the Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year award from Legislative Chair Stacey Fantauzzi (left) and Convention Chair Linda Biernacki (right).

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George DiMatteo (left) was chosen as AFSA’s 2021 Henry S. Parmelee Award recipient and received his award from 2019-2021 Chair of the Board Ted Wills at the AFSA40 General Session.

Winners for the golf tournament were First Place: Scott Cox, Dan Madson, Matt McGuire, and Larry Sander. Second Place: Ray Misfeldt, Jace Misfeldt, Tayler Misfeldt, and Luke Gaeta. Third place: Bob Caputo, Andrew Medovich, Jack Medovich, and Rob Sell. Last place honors were awarded to Joe Amberger, Jonathan Carl, Chris Kvistad, and Bill Phair.

For the contests, Rob Sell won the Men’s Straightest Drive and Tayler Misfeldt won the Women’s Straightest Drive. Wes Baker was the Men’s Closest to the Pin and Megan Winder was the Women’s Closest to the Pin. The Men’s Longest Drive was won by Ryan Mcintyre, and the Women’s Longest Drive was won by Megan Winder.

Scott Cox, Cox Fire Protection, Tampa, Florida, (left) was presented with the 2021 Young Professional of the Year award by 2020-2021 NextGen Chair Meaghen Wills.

The seven finalists for the 2021 National Apprentice Competition were celebrated during the general session. From left to right: James Rico, Western Fire Protection, Inc., Poway, California; Matthew Tyre, Titan Fire Protection, Inc., Vista, California; James Ainey, Cox Fire Protection, Inc., Tampa, Florida; Jason Collins, All Fire Solutions, Greenwood, Indiana; Corten Dobesh, Rapid Fire Protection, Inc., Rapid City, South Dakota; Connor Jones, Rapid Fire Protection, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah; and Jonas Cassity, Kobobel Fire Protection, LLC, Windsor, Colorado.

The day rounded out with an AFSA40 Opening Party at the River Bend Pavilion featuring live music by London Calling, a nine-piece Austin band; dancing, outdoor games; and a buffetstyle barbeque dinner.

Sunday was a day full of learning and earning education credits at AFSA40 seminars. New this year, AFSA offered some of the sessions virtually. Fifty-one registrants took advantage of these offerings over a four-day period.

Many attendees also took time Sunday afternoon to explore Texas Hill Country wineries during AFSA’s Fredericksburg Wine Tour. The evening featured an NGI social hour for all AFSA40 attendees to mix and mingle with

professionals under 40 interested in networking with peers and mentors.

Monday offered more seminars followed by the general session, where attendees celebrated four decades of dedication to merit shop fire protection contractors and the commitment to saving lives and protecting properties from fire. AFSA 2019-2021 Chair of the Board Ted Wills presented the 2021 Henry S. Parmelee Award to George DiMatteo, president of Ferguson Fire & Fabrication, who has been dedicated to the fire protection industry and its members for over 40 years. In addition, 2021 Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year Butch Browning, Louisiana State Fire Marshal, was honored for his commitment to the fire sprinkler industry. Finally, Scott

AFSA unveiled its Hall of History to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The display featured videos and memorabilia from the past four decades.

SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 13

Cox, co-owner and president of Cox Fire Protection, Tampa, Florida, received AFSA’s 2021 Young Professional of the Year award for his service to the next generation of industry leaders on local and national levels. Attendees were then invited to the Exhibition Grand Opening Reception for a first look at this year’s exhibiting companies and to enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.

On Tuesday, the seminars continued for a final day of learning and earning CEUs and CPDs. To view and print AFSA40 certificates, attendees must sign in to the Attendee Services Center and complete evaluations from the seminars they attended. If all the seminars aren’t listed, email AFSA’s Education & Meeting Services Department at education@firesprinkler.org.

The exhibits opened again on Tuesday afternoon with great attendance. Four hundred exhibitors from 87 exhibiting companies took over the hall, and attendees enjoyed learning about new products and services for the fire sprinkler industry and networking with fellow industry professionals. During the exhibition, the nation’s top seven fire sprinkler fitter apprentices, from the 150 apprentices who entered this year’s contest, installed mini-sprinkler systems for the enthusiastic crowd.

That evening, the annual Awards Party took place at Knibbe Ranch, a real Texas working ranch. Guests enjoyed a steak dinner with all the trimmings, live country music, dancing, cigars, photo opportunities with Texas longhorns, armadillo racing, and fireworks to celebrate AFSA’s 40th anniversary! The highlight of the evening was the announcement of apprentice competition winners: Matthew Tyre, Titan Fire Protection, Inc., Vista, California, won first place at this year’s competition as well as a cash prize of $5,000.

Connor Jones, Rapid Fire Protection, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, won second place and a $3,000 cash prize. James Ainey, Cox Fire Protection, Inc., Tampa, Florida, took home third place along with a cash prize of $2,000. Honorable mentions and $1,000 cash prizes were awarded to Jonas Cassity, Kobobel Fire Protection, LLC, Windsor, Colorado; Jason Collins, All Fire Solutions, Greenwood, Indiana; Corten Dobesh, Rapid Fire Protection, Inc., Rapid City, South Dakota; and James Rico, Western Fire Protection, Inc., Poway, California. All competition winners also received a commemorative award and tools.

Top Photo: Paulene Norwood (left) and Danielle Fowler fully embraced the San Antonio vibe! Left-column photos from top to bottom: It was a beautiful evening under a gorgeous Texas sky for dinner, dancing, and games. Ted Wills (left), Jack Viola (center), and Chris Johnson enjoyed visiting. The FirstPlace Team celebrated winning the golf tournament. Right photo: Bill Phair (center) accepted the award for Last-Place Team Finish from Buck Buchanan and Linda Biernacki.

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The Awards Party provided an unforgettable evening! Clockwise, from l to r: Incoming Chair Jack Medovich (left) celebrated with Outgoing Chair Ted Wills. The top three apprentices proudly showed off their awards. Laura and Manning Strickland joined in the fun. Cuban cigars were hand rolled for guests. Francie and Lyle Hall pose with a Texas longhorn. A steak dinner with all the trimmings delighted guests. AFSA President Bob Caputo (left) and Russ and Jean Leavitt made time to visit. Sherry and Chris Kachura (left), Leah and Dwight Bateman (right), and Venessa and Chip Bateman (seated) enjoyed socializing.

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“This year’s convention was a true celebration of the fire sprinkler industry coming together for AFSA’s 40th anniversary,” comments Marlene Garrett, AFSA senior director of meeting & education services. “We were so happy to welcome everyone back and so excited by the turnout! We can’t wait to do this again next year.”

A SURE BET IN VEGAS Want to join in on the fun next year? Mark your calendars for AFSA41: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition October 15-19, 2022, at the Bellagio Las Vegas. For more information on this annual event, visit firesprinkler.org/AFSA40.

To view additional photos of the action, visit AFSA’s Flickr photo page at flickr.com/afsa. n

Photos: The Exhibition Grand Opening Reception offered heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and the first chance to visit the top companies in the fire sprinkler industry, offering the best products and services.

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The members of the 2021-2022 Executive Committee are (l to r): Chair Jack Medovich, P.E.; First Vice Chair Linda Biernacki; Second Vice Chair Paul DeLorie; Secretary Jeff Phifer; Treasurer Rod DiBona; and Immediate Past Chair Ted Wills.

MEMBERS ELECT 2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS JACK MEDOVICH, P.E. ELECTED CHAIR OF THE BOARD

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D’ARCY MONTALVO | AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION

he American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) held its 2021-2022 officer elections during the September 2021 Board meeting. Jack Medovich, P.E., president/CEO and founding partner, Fire & Life Safety America, Richmond, Virginia, was elected as Chair of the Board. Other officers elected were First Vice Chair Linda M. Biernacki, Region 4 Director and president, Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, Louisiana; Second Vice Chair Paul DeLorie, Region 7 Chair and senior vice president of Hampshire Fire Protection Company, Londonderry, New Hampshire; Secretary Jeff Phifer, Region 5 Director and president and CEO of Crawford Sprinkler Co. of South Carolina; and Treasurer Rod DiBona, Region 3 Director and

chief operating officer (COO) of the Rapid Fire Protection Group (R.F.P.G), Rapid City, South Dakota.

MEDOVICH TO LEAD THE BOARD At-Large Director and Chair Jack A. Medovich, P.E., is CEO and founding partner of Fire & Life Safety America in Richmond, Virginia. A 1983 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Fire Protection Engineering, Medovich served three years as fire marshal of Fairfax County, Virginia, before joining the fire sprinkler industry 35 years ago. He has been active in AFSA since 1991, is a past chair of the Chesapeake Bay Chapter, and served the Virginia Chapter as chair and as a member of the board of directors for many years. He represents AFSA on the Correlating Committee on Automatic Sprinkler Systems, encompassing NFPA 13, 13R, 13D, 24, and 291. In the past, he has served as a member of the following NFPA committees: NFPA 14, 20, 25, 101, 750, and 5000.

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“Training, recruiting, growth, and diversity will be my focus for the next two years,” comments Medovich.

“Training has been the founding principle of our association since the very beginning. We are excellent in this category, and we cannot take our eye off the ball. We must continue to provide all of the necessary training and education our members need with the best technical staff our industry has ever seen!”

Recruiting is also important to Medovich and the Board Directors. “We need to develop a plan to bring people into our industry. One way to do this is through word of mouth. Through cascading leadership, we need to make our employees ambassadors of our industry, not just merely workers. Our employees need to be proud of what they do—saving lives—and be our recruiting ‘boots on the ground’ to friends, family members, and everyone they meet. We all know that taking employees from each other is just a short-term fix. We need to add people to our collective workforce to solve this issue long-term.”

He continues: “Growth is tied to recruiting since it’s impossible to grow without adding people to our workforce. One avenue to growth will come from our NextGen Initiative. We need to take this initiative seriously and invest the proper funding and effort to bring this young and talented group of people into our industry.”

Medovich notes that the military is another resource for growth. “Where else can we find a group of dedicated, hard-working individuals who have been saving lives already?

It’s a natural transition to bring them into our family.”

Lyle Hall

Chris Johnson

Don Kaufman

Finally, Medovich will focus on diversity. “There is a whole group of people out there that we haven’t even introduced ourselves to, generally speaking, of course.

They all have tremendous assets that our industry could utilize while giving them—and all of our employees—a tremendous career opportunity.

In summary, Medovich says, “We obviously have the normal blocking and tackling that we need to do every day but keeping these objectives in mind might get us to the next level as an association and an industry.”

As Chair of the Board, Medovich leads the AFSA Board of Directors, which is comprised of seven Regional Directors (one for each of the seven membership regions), At-Large Directors, and the Immediate Past Chair. The Board has a wide array of expertise, experience, and education that provides strong support to both the Chair and the association as a whole.

REGIONAL DIRECTORS Region 1 Director Lyle Hall, president and co-owner of Western Fire Protection in Poway, California, has been in the fire sprinkler industry for 43 years, with the last 27 years at Western Fire. Prior to that, he was a helicopterbased wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service. He has a degree in fire science with continuing education at the University of California San Diego. Hall started in the fire sprinkler industry as an apprentice pipefitter and worked his way into design, project management, sales, and eventually management. His past accomplishments include past director on the San Diego Fire Protection Association board; past chapter chair of the San Diego Chapter of the AFSA; past chair of the California American Fire Sprinkler Association – Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee; and past chair of the California Fire Training Alliance. Hall currently serves on the California American Fire Sprinkler Association – Unilateral Apprenticeship Committee and was the Chair on AFSA’s Apprenticeship & Education Subcommittee to develop the ITM program. He currently serves on various AFSA committees and is on the board of directors for the San Diego Chapter of the AFSA. Region 2 Director is Don Kaufman, president of Kaufman Fire Protection, Albuquerque, New Mexico. With over 44

Michael Meehan

Jay Strickland

Wayne Weisz

years in the sprinkler business, Kaufman was instrumental in starting AFSA’s New Mexico Chapter and is a past president of the chapter. On the national level, Kaufman served as the 2009-2011 Chair of the Board and has chaired several committees. He also served as chair of the New Mexico State Board for Professional Engineers and Surveyors, three terms as chair of the New Mexico State Apprentice Council, and currently serves on the New Mexico Construction Industries Commission. He is an active member of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), past president of ABC’s New Mexico Chapter, member of the American Society of Professional Estimators, and past charter president of Albuquerque Rotary Del Sol. Region 3 Director and Treasurer Rod DiBona is the COO of the Rapid Fire Protection Group (R.F.P.G), a Pye Barker Company, with branches throughout the United States, headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota.

DiBona entered the fire protection industry in 1990 and entered the AFSA apprenticeship program in 1991. In October of 1993, he was asked by Marty Hammon to join him, his son, and his son-in-law to create Rapid Fire Protection. DiBona currently serves on the board of directors for R.F.P.G. He is a NICET (National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies) Level III Certified Engineering Technician in Water-Based Systems Layout.

Serving as Region 4 Director and First Vice Chair, Linda M. Biernacki is the founder/president of Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, Louisiana. Fire Tech has two offices and licenses in six states. Biernacki provides over 31 years of industry experience, knowledge, and background. She is 2022-2023 chair elect for the NICET board, past president and board member of the Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Association (LFSA), represents AFSA on the NFPA 232 Committee for Protection of Records, and is past AFSA40 Convention Committee and Membership & Chapter Development chair. Biernacki is certified in NICET Level III Fire Protection Engineering Technology Water-Based Systems Layout and is certified by the Women’s Business Council Gulf Coast.

Region 5 Director and Secretary of the Board Jeff Phifer is president and CEO of Crawford Sprinkler Company of SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 19

Construction Workforce Development Taskforce in 2017, has served on the Board of ABC for the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter since 2015 and is currently the incoming chair, and has also served on the ABC Florida State Board. He holds a Florida Fire Protection Contractor I License and Fire Equipment Dealers’ Licenses Class A and D.

Dwight Bateman (left), who announced his retirement from the AFSA Board of Directors, was honored by Ted Wills for his service to the association and its members at the AFSA40 General Session.

South Carolina, based in Lugoff, South Carolina, one of the oldest family-owned and continuously operated fire sprinkler contractors in the nation. Crawford celebrated its 100th year in 2020. Phifer has been at Crawford for 44 years, working as a fitter, service technician, and in administration. In 1999, he became the third generation to be president and chairman of the board at Crawford Sprinkler Company.

Region 6 Director Michael F. Meehan is president of VSC Fire & Security, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. A 1981 graduate from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, Meehan began his fire sprinkler career working summers as a pipefitter apprentice. He is a NICET Level IV Certified Engineering Technician in Water-Based Systems Layout and has more than 41 years’ experience in sprinkler design engineering, estimating, project management, and senior management.

Meehan is a past AFSA Chair of the Board and represents installing contractors and AFSA on the NFPA 13 committee.

Region 7 Director and Second Vice Chair of the Board Paul DeLorie is senior vice president of Hampshire Fire Protection Co., based in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Hampshire Fire Protection is one of the largest merit shop fire sprinkler companies in New England. DeLorie is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. He has over 37 years’ experience in sprinkler design, estimating, sales, project management, and senior management.

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS At-Large Director Chris Johnson is president and CEO of Piper Fire Protection, Inc., located in Clearwater, Florida. He has served in that capacity since 2002. Johnson is a NICET-certified fire protection Engineering Technician, holding a Level III certification in fire sprinkler design. He has served AFSA’s Florida Chapter since 2011 as Education and Legislative Committee chair as well as vice chair and chair of the chapter.

Johnson was appointed to represent the industry on Florida’s 20 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

Jay Strickland serves as an At-Large Director. He is president of Strickland Fire Protection and co-owner with his two sons, Josh and Micah Strickland. Strickland Fire Protection is located in Forestville, Maryland, and was established in 1983. Strickland has been involved in the fire protection industry for nearly 40 years. He is a past chair of the AFSA Chesapeake Bay Chapter and serves on the Advisory Board for BB&T of Prince Georges County, Maryland. Strickland is NICET Level II, Fire Protection, Water-Based System Layout.

At-Large Director Wayne Weisz started his career as an apprentice in 1979 and worked his way up through the ranks to foreman and later general superintendent at American Fire Systems in Lodi, California. In 1986, Weisz and his brother Byron founded Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc. in Lodi, California, and, in 1997, he established D-M Fabrication, an independent pipe fabricator serving the western U.S., which later sold to a national supplier. Cen-Cal Fire Systems became an AFSA member in 1987, and Weisz has been on the AFSA national Board since 2005. He is actively involved in the AFSA Sacramento Valley Chapter, which he helped to establish in 1999. He has been very involved with apprenticeship issues in California and served on CAFSA’s California Apprenticeship Training Board for over 20 years, including two terms as its chair.

At-Large Director and Immediate Past Chair Ted Wills is president of Anchor Fire Protection Company, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania. He was an active member of AFSA in its early years, serving on the AFSA Board of Directors from 1987-1993.

He began his fire sprinkler industry career in 1972 in the sprinkler division of his father’s mechanical company. Upon graduation from Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania, he and his father started Anchor Fire Protection as a separate company.

Ex-Officio (non-voting) members of the Board are Don Becker, AFSA Life Member, Dallas Center, Iowa; Joe Heinrich; Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co., Inc., Salina, Kansas; Bob Rees, API, High Point, North Carolina; Manning Strickland, Strickland Fire Protection, Inc., Forestville, Maryland; Willie Templin, American Automatic Sprinkler, Fort Worth, Texas; Larry Thibodeau, Hampshire Fire Protection Co., LLC, Londonderry, New Hampshire; Jack Viola, JFV Engineering, LLC, South Hadley, Massachusetts; and AFSA President Bob Caputo, CFPS.

RETIRING DIRECTOR HONORED Region 4 Director Dwight E. Bateman, founder and president of Southeast Fire Protection, Inc. in Houston, is retiring from the Board this year. He began his career as vice president of Semico International, Inc., a fire sprinkler contractor, and opened Southeast Fire Protection in 1986. Bateman has over 43 years of

experience in the industry. He joined AFSA in 1989. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2003 and was Chair of the Board from 2011 through 2013.

Ted Wills, 2019-2021 Chair of the Board, recognized Bateman and all he has done for the association during the opening general session of AFSA40. “I want to thank Dwight for his service to AFSA and the association,” comments Wills. “We greatly appreciate his contributions and the time he has spent working for AFSA members.”

ELIMINATE

FLOODING FROM BROKEN AUXILIARY DRAINS

HERE TO SERVE YOU AFSA’s Board of Directors is strongly committed to the continuance of the merit shop philosophy; the promotion of property and life safety through the use of automatic fire protection; and the continued development of training for fire sprinkler fitters, layout technicians, inspectors, and management.

AFSA members are encouraged to voice any questions or suggestions with any member of the Board or staff. If you have a question or comment, please see the list of contacts located in the front of every issue of Sprinkler Age or on the AFSA website at www.firesprinkler.org/board. n

PRESIDENT’S REPORT CONT. FROM PAGE 8

presented with our training partners, Hydratec Software. This introductory course will be conducted with gaming-level laptop computers provided. Of course, participants are welcome to bring their own laptop and software, but we will be training on importing and converting files as well as creating and working with fire sprinkler system layouts in these formats. The remaining time will be spent getting deeper into NFPA 13, with a strong focus on storage occupancy design strategies. Class sizes will be limited, so early registration will be encouraged.

If you’ve gotten this far into my column, you might be wondering why I‘m always talking about and pushing new training programs, while I’m always wondering how it’s possible that we struggle to fill our classes and seminars. Members constantly tell us they don’t have enough qualified people for the workload and backlog they have. Yet, we offer industry-leading training options to help fill the gaps that very few members take advantage of. AFSA exists to meet the needs of our members, increase political influence, and create networking opportunities. The feedback we receive from members and chapter leaders drives our decisions to invest in the creation of training programs and which ones we keep or drop over time. Please reach out and tell us if these programs are on target or if we’re missing the mark. We need your feedback and, more so, we need your support to fill the pipeline with participants in these structured training offerings.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you in person at a future local chapter meeting. n

M5900 • Stops Flooding caused by Auxiliary Drain Breaks due to Freezing, Improper Maintenance, or Vandalism • For Dry and Pre-Action Systems • Compatible with Compressed Air and Nitrogen Systems • No Power Required • Automatically Resets after System Repair • Retrofit onto Existing Auxiliary Drains • Made in the USA

www.agfmfg.com SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 21

TAKE FIVE DEFINING THE TYPES OF STANDPIPE SYSTEMS KEVIN HALL, M.ENG., P.E., ET, CWBSP, PMSFPE | AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION

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ow many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? Neither the clever fox, the old tortoise, nor the wise owl could provide an accurate count. As the commercial goes—the world may never know. When asking the fox, tortoise, and owl of the sprinkler industry how many types of standpipes exist in NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 2019 edition, the number may vary based on their approach. The

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clever fox might say that there are 10, the old tortoise could say there are seven, but the wise owl would say five, and this is why the owl is correct.

When looking through NFPA 14, the standard provides seven sub-definitions under standpipe system types: 1. Automatic Dry Standpipe System 2. Automatic Wet Standpipe System 3. Combined Standpipe System 4. Manual Dry Standpipe System 5. Manual Wet Standpipe System 6. Semiautomatic Dry Standpipe System 7. Wet Standpipe System

Of the seven definitions provided, only five should be considered actual standpipe system types. Other than specifying that paddle-type waterflow devices can only be installed on wet standpipe systems, that definition is extraneous. As for a combined standpipe system, that will be discussed later.

Standpipe systems have two components that determine their type.

In order to define the type of standpipe, the capacity of the water supply needs to be known and what fluid is normally contained within the pipe. If the water supply is not capable of supplying the standpipe system demand and relies on the pressure introduced by the fire department at the fire department connection (FDC), then the standpipe is manual. If the water supply, excluding the pressure from the FDC, is capable of supplying the standpipe system demand, then the standpipe is automatic. When the water supply is capable of supplying the standpipe system demand, but the full water supply is held back until a device at a hose valve is activated, then the standpipe is semiautomatic. With the first component being defined by the supply, there are three options to choose from.

The second component that defines a standpipe system type is much easier to determine. Simply ask if the pipe is normally filled with water or if the pipe is normally filled with air (or nitrogen). If the pipe is filled with water, then the standpipe is wet. If the pipe is filled with air (or nitrogen), then the standpipe is dry. With the

second component being defined by the fluids normally maintained within the pipe of the standpipe, there are two options to choose from.

Given three options for supplies and two options for the fluid maintained inside the pipe, there are six possible combinations for standpipe system types—automatic wet, automatic dry, semiautomatic wet, semiautomatic dry, manual wet, manual dry. While semiautomatic wet standpipe systems may be a possible combination, they do not have much of a practical application in the real world; thus, there are no specific requirements for them within NFPA 14. Maybe there is a Class III system installed somewhere where the pressures available at the hose connection are acceptable for Class II demands but require activation of another automatic source to supply the Class I demands, but that is unlikely—especially with the trend in the industry to remove small hose connections installed in Class II systems.

Going back to the combined system, while it is currently a sub-definition of standpipe system, it really should have a separate definition. A combined system in and of itself would not clearly define a standpipe system.

You would still need to utilize a supply and type as described above. The only thing that the designation of a combined system tells you is that the standpipe system and the sprinkler system share a water supply and a common riser. The sprinkler system must still be installed to meet the requirements of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and the standpipe system must still be installed to meet the requirements of NFPA 14. This definition simply allows for sprinkler systems to be fed from standpipe risers or hose connections to be located on sprinkler risers.

It doesn’t matter if you think they got chocolate in your peanut butter or got peanut butter in their chocolate; both standards need to be followed.

NFPA 14 is currently undergoing a major reorganization, and much like the

2019 reorganization of NFPA 13, the layout of the standard should create a better document for designers and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to walk through. The first draft report is currently open for public comment, and AFSA encourages all members to review the document and provide any recommended changes to the technical committee. The standards development process does not work without the public, and we need your ideas and thoughts to make the most out of this global document. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Hall is the coordinator of engineering and technical services for AFSA. He is a member of and involved in, several NFPA technical committees responsible for developing the model codes and standards including, NFPA 1 Fire Code, NFPA 13/13R/13D Installation of Sprinkler Systems, NFPA 20 Installation of Stationary Fire Pumps for Fire Protection, NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, and NFPA 915 Remote Inspections. He also represents AFSA on numerous UL standard technical panels responsible for revising and maintaining the product standards used in the sprinkler industry. Hall is a registered professional engineer in Delaware and Maryland, a NICET III in water-based system layout, a Certified Water-Based System Professional (NFPA), and a professional member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE).

He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees from the University of Maryland, College Park, in fire protection engineering. Prior to his association and committee work, Hall worked for Reliance Fire Protection in Baltimore, Maryland, as a project manager overseeing projects of various sizes and complexity for the Contracts Division.

SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 23

HONORING AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS CONTRACTOR MEMBER ERECTS MONUMENT TO LIFE- AND PROPERTY-SAVING DEVICE

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D’ARCY MONTALVO | AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCATION

milio Rodriguez, owner of PACISA (Protección Automática Contra Incendios S.A.) in Alcobendas, Spain, has been passionate about fire protection for over 55 years. His company is an international contractor member of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) and recently financed a unique project to honor the automatic fire sprinkler and increase public awareness about its benefits.

The idea of erecting a sprinkler monument began 15 years ago, in 2006. A new roundabout was required to access the industrial area where PACISA is located. Local Authorities required the company to donate a portion of its premises (approximately 6,000 ft2) to create the roundabout.

“Our company agreed to this altruistic collaboration in exchange for having the possibility of naming this roundabout [or ‘plaza’ in Spanish] as Plaza del Sprinkler,” comments Rodriguez. “We also asked permission to install a monument honoring Henry S. Parmelee and featuring an automatic sprinkler.”

He continues: “The authorities said then that it could be a possibility in the ‘near future,’ but I can hardly believe that ‘near future’ meant 15 years later!”

Rodriguez was persistent, reminding every newly elected mayor about the agreement and continuing his company’s commitment to the city. “Over the last few years, PACISA has been deeply involved with the city of Alcobendas, supporting local sports events and even sponsoring the city’s female basketball team.”

Finally, in June of this year, Rodriguez received written authorization to proceed. PACISA worked with Sculptor Anselmo Iglesias Poli (http://www.anse.space) to make the long-time dream of the monument come true. The project was financed mainly by PACISA. “We asked the top sprinkler manufacturers to use one of their models for the monument, and Viking agreed,” notes Rodriguez. “Poli created a bronze-casted piece of an upright sprinkler head, over 6.5-ft high and weighing 2,200 lbs, onto a Corten steel base, turning our dream into reality.”

The monument was unveiled on September 17, 2021,

by Emilio Rodriguez, CEO of PACISA, and Rafael Sanchez,

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The world’s first monument to automatic fire sprinklers is located in Alcobendas, Spain.

mayor of Alcobendas, on the newly named Plaza del Sprinkler roundabout. The “super sprinkler” is supported on a steel-based frame with a plaque affixed that reads: “SPRINKLER AUTOMÁTICO HENRY S. PARMELEE 1874” as the main intention is to honor the first patented automatic sprinkler.

“As far as we know, this is the first monument in the world to recognize this most efficient device on fire protection, and we at PACISA, after 46 years of total dedication to

Top two photos: In September, the monument was unveiled with many city officials in attendance. Bottom left photo: A plaque explains what automatic fire sprinkler are and their function. Bottom right photo: The roundabout featuring the sprinkler monument has been renamed Plaza del Sprinkler. sprinkler installation, are indeed very proud of this milestone,” summarizes Rodriguez.

“I don’t know whether everyone in the United States knows what an automatic sprinkler is, but certainly in Spain the answer is no, they don’t,” he says. “To help educate everyone, we have fixed an explanatory plate that anyone can read a brief explanation of what the monument is, in English and Spanish. Furthermore, our city hall’s Culture Department will incorporate a visit to this place as part of its cultural routes.”

Alcobendas is the Spain’s third-largest business city, only after Madrid and Barcelona, and is the Spanish headquarters for companies such as British Petroleum, Cisco, Ford, Galp, Lilly, Mercedes, PACISA, Pfizer, Samsung, and Volkswagen.

“The monument is beautiful, and we are jealous that it was created in Spain. I would love to be driving past it here in the United States each day!” comments AFSA President Bob Caputo, CFPS. “We are grateful for PACISA’s dedication to protecting the world from the devastation of fire and finding a unique way to achieve public awareness of automatic fire sprinklers.”

Undoubtedly, the residents of Alcobendas are noticing the new plaza and monument and will learn about the benefits of fire sprinklers. Kudos to this forward-thinking contractor! n SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 25

LEGISLATIVE REVIEW 2021 CODES, STANDARDS, AND REGULATIONS IN THE U.S. AND CANADA

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his issue of Sprinkler Age features our 34th annual legislative review. This summary of legislation and codes offers a quick overview of regulations affecting the fire sprinkler industry in individual states and Canadian provinces. The information in these charts was gathered from a survey sent to the fire marshals of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the provinces of Canada in the fall of 2021. If a response was not received, information that appeared in the 2020 Legislative Review (November/ December 2020 Sprinkler Age) has been reprinted, and the fact that the information is a repeat is denoted by an asterisk (*) after the state or province name in the left column of the chart.

SURVEY QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES The 2021 AFSA Legislative Survey asked the following questions: 1. What, if any, national codes have been adopted by your state?

2a. In adopting the national codes, were any amendments or modifications made to the code or referenced standard (i.e., NFPA 13, 101, etc., or state supplemental rules) that affect fire sprinklers?

2b. If yes, what were the significant modifications (or provide a Web address to reference)?

3a. Which edition of NFPA 13 have you adopted, either directly or indirectly by code reference?

3b. If you haven’t adopted the latest edition of NFPA 13, do you allow local jurisdictions to use the latest edition?

4. Do the codes adopted by your state have a minimum base or a minimum/ maximum for enforcement purposes?

5. Is the scope of state code enforcement limited to the type of occupancy and/or other requirements (i.e., public

26 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

assembly over 100, business over 50 ft, etc.), or is it all encompassing?

6. If buildings are not included in the state jurisdiction, is there a recognized code adoption recommended for local authorities or is it on individual preference?

7. Are you in a code revision/ adoption cycle now? If yes, what codes and years do you anticipate adopting?

8. Has your state adopted NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems?

9. Does your state have any pending legislation regarding fire sprinklers, more restrictive or less restrictive, for: Hotels & Apartments, Dwellings & Lodging Housing, Health Care, High-Rise, Nursing Homes, Education, Public Assembly, Business Occupancies, Mercantile, Institutional, Other.

10. Are you adopting the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC)? If yes, will it be adopted with the residential sprinkler requirement intact or modified/removed? If modified, please specify modifications.

11. Does your state have fire sprinkler retrofitting requirements for the following occupancies? Hotels & Apartments, Dwellings & Lodging Housing, HighRise, Health Care, Nursing Homes, Education, Public Assembly, Business Occupancies, Mercantile, Institutional, College Dormitories, Other.

12. Are there any towns/cities that you are aware of that have retrofitting requirements in excess of the state requirement?

List a contact person and phone number for retrofitting information.

13. Does your state require a P.E. to do sprinkler design concepts (i.e., identify occupancies and water supply)?

14. Does the Office of the State Fire Marshal have authority over all projects in the state or only over state-owned or state-financed projects?

15. Are there any local jurisdictions that you know of in your state that have residential ordinances for the following occupancies? Single-family, multi-family, high-rise condo/apartment? Please list.

16. Does your jurisdiction offer any incentives or initiatives to encourage property owners to install residential and/or commercial fire sprinklers in your area/state?

17. Please provide a telephone number that a person can call if he/she has questions about jurisdiction in your state (i.e. state vs. local authorities) regarding fire sprinkler plan review/inspection.

18. Does your state require certification of Plan Reviewers? Inspectors (AHJs)?

19. Does your state require licensing for: Fire Sprinkler Contractors? Fire Sprinkler Fitters? Fire Sprinkler Technicians? Fire Sprinkler Inspections? Fire Alarm Inspections (separate from sprinkler)?

20. Does your state require licensing for sprinkler drawings: P.E./Architect Seal?

NICET Level III? NICET Level IV? Other (i.e., NFPA’s CWBSD, etc.)

21. Does your state require any of the following for those who perform inspection, testing and maintenance of waterbased fire protection systems? NICET Level I? NICET Level II? NICET Level III? Other (e.g., CSA, Local)?

22. Does your state require seismic protection on fire sprinkler systems?

22. Do you require a signed copy of the owner’s certification (see NFPA 13, section 4.2) as part of the working plan submittal?

The tables on pages 30 through 33 provide the answers to most of the survey questions. The table on page 34 provides licensing and certification information (questions 18-20). The tables on page 35 provide the telephone numbers requested in questions 12 and 17 and the answers to questions 21 and 22.

SURVEY FINDINGS Regarding pending sprinkler legislation (question 9) for the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, Indiana indicated pending legislation for fire sprinklers “to transfer to the fire code from building code.” For dwellings and lodging housing, Massachusetts has more restrictive and less restrictive legislation for “multiple legislative items.” New Hampshire* follows NFPA 101, Life Safety Code®, regarding fire sprinkler legislation.

Oregon* is considering legislation for high-rises. West Virginia* has more restrictive legislation pending for hotels and apartments, dwelling and lodging housing, healthcare, nursing homes, education, public assembly business occupancies, mercantile, and institutional.

The state also has less restrictive legislation pending for high-rises.

Question 10 concerns the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC). Most states indicated they were not adopting that edition for this year’s survey. States that responded “yes” include California, Florida*, Hawaii (the state’s revised statute 46-198 “ ... no county shall require

installation or retrofitting of automatic fire sprinklers in new or existing one- or two-family dwelling unit ... ”), Idaho* (sprinklers not required in one- and two-family dwellings), and Maryland (with the residential sprinkler requirement intact). Iowa is adopting the 2021 IRC without the sprinkler requirement.

Georgia* House Bill 1196 (2010 legislative session) prohibits any residential sprinkler requirement, past or future.

Massachusetts has adopted the 2021 IRC “traditionally modified to remove sprinkler requirements for under 14,000 ft2 oneand two-family dwellings.” Montana* has adopted the code. Minnesota* has adopted the IRC with “single-family and duplex exempt from sprinkler protection; townhomes (three or more under same roof ) required to be sprinkler protected.”

New York* adopted the code with the “removal of NFPA 13D one- and twofamily requirement.” North Dakota* adopted but “removed the requirement due to state law.” Tennessee adopted the IRC, noting that “TCA 68-120-101(a)(8) does not allow mandatory adoption so Section R313 is removed.”

California has adopted the code and Colorado* has adopted it for dwellings associated with public schools. Connecticut* indicated it has adopted the code. The 2015 Michigan* Residential Code was to become effective in February 2016 and was to adopt by reference the 2015 edition of the IRC with amendments, deletions, and additions deemed necessary for use in the state. North Dakota* is adopting but sprinklers are not able to be required in single-family homes. Washington* state adopted the 2015 IRC but did not adopt chapters 11-25 and notes residential sprinklers, if added, need to meet IRC P2904 or NFPA 13D. Arkansas, Mississippi*, New Hampshire,* New Jersey,* North Carolina,* and Rhode Island* are adopting the IRC with the residential sprinkler requirement removed. In Ohio, there are construction trade-offs for the adopted IRC. South Dakota* is not adopting the 2012 IRC and indicated the state fire marshal has no authority in most residential occupancies (i.e., one- and two-family dwellings—only six stories or higher).

South Carolina* has adopted it with modifications and directed readers to see

Province

Province Code Adoption

Additional NFPA Standards

NFPA 13 Edition Adopted

Local Jurisdiction Can Use Latest NFPA 13 Ed.

Minimum Base or a Min/Max for Enforcement

Alberta, Canada*

2014 Alberta Building Code (amended 2010 NBC)

NFPA 13D, 13R, 14, 20

2013

Yes, w/ AHJ

Minimum

British Columbia, Canada*

NBC 2010 amended

2010 NBC adopted in ‘12 but updated in ‘17 to req. NFPA 13R (‘13 ed.). Also updated ‘14 to req.

‘10 versions of NFPA 13D, 14 & 20

2013 as of 12/14

No

Minimum

Manitoba, Canada*

NBC 2015 amended

No

2013

Yes, w/ AHJ approval

Minimum

New Brunswick, Canada*

2010 NBC

NFPA 13D, 13R, 14, 20

2010

Yes, w/ AHJ

Minimum

Newfoundland, Canada*

2010 NBC & NFPA 101

NFPA 13D, 13R, 14, 20

Latest

Yes

Minimum

Nova Scotia, Canada*

2010 NBC

NFPA 13D, 13R, 14, 20

2013

Yes, w/ AHJ

Minimum

Ontario, Canada*

2012 Ontario Building Code (amended 2010 NBC)

NFPA 13D, 13R, 14, 20

2013

Yes, w/ AHJ

Minimum

Prince Edward Island, Canada*

2010 NBC & NFPA 1 & 101 (NBCC Province not Authority)

NFPA 13D, 13R, 14, 20

2013

Yes, w/ AHJ

Minimum

Quebec, Canada*

2015 Quebec Construction Code (amended 2010 NBC)

NFPA 13D, 13R, 14, 20

2007

Yes, w/ AHJ

Minimum

Saskatchewan, Canada*

2010 NBCC with 2013 Saskatchewan amended

NFPA 13D, 13R, 14, 20

2007

Yes, w/ AHJ approval

Minimum

approval

approval

approval approval approval approval

*Abbreviations: NBC-National Building Code of Canada; BOCA/National-Building Official and Code Administrators International; IBC-International Building Code; IFC-International Fire Code; IFGC-International Fuel Gas Code; (cont. on next page)

28 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

Canada Inspection, Testing & Maintenance and Seismic Protection Requirements Seismic protection required on fire sprinkler systems:

Alberta* British Columbia* Manitoba* New Brunswick* Newfoundland* Nova Scotia* Ontario* Prince Edward Island* Quebec* Saskatchewan* 1Manitoba

N N N N N - N N N N

- N Y1 - - Y2 - - - -

Yes/No

- N N - - - - - - -

- N N - - - - - - -

Other (CSA, Local)

NICET Level III

Province

NICET Level II

Required for those who perform inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems:

NICET Level I

2012 International Code Council (ICC) modifications at llr.state.sc.us.pol/bcc.

For states that indicated “no changes” from last year’s survey and for those that did not respond this year, responses are for the 2015 edition of the IRC. While the legislative charts in this issue indicate the most recent responses received from the individual states, some states did not provide updated information to this year’s survey in regards to the 2018 edition of the IRC. Therefore, Sprinkler Age recommends that readers visit the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Fire Sprinkler Initiative website, firesprinklerinitiative.org on a regular basis. Scroll down to the bottom of the web page and click on the “Legislation & Adoptions” tab to find the most up-to-date information on local and state adoption of residential fire sprinkler requirements, as well as anti-sprinkler legislation that has been introduced.

When asked about sprinkler retrofit requirements for occupancies (question 11), numerous states indicated they have requirements. Washington, DC* answered “yes” for all occupancies and noted that “all work to be performed in/

Only in active seismic areas Yes Only in active seismic areas Only in active seismic areas Only in active seismic areas Yes, if required by code Only in active seismic areas Only in active seismic areas Only in active seismic areas Only in active seismic areas

requires apprenticeship certification for sprinklers. 2Nova Scotia requires a Red Seal sprinkler fitter.

on existing buildings will be based on the requirements from the ICC International Existing Building Code (IEBC) 2012, as is currently adopted. The 2015 IEBC is the new anticipated code to be adopted. The 2015 IBC chapter on Installation Standards will list the applicable editions that will be adopted.”

Scope of Enforcement is Limited or All Encompassing

Recognized Code Adoption for Local Authorities or Individual Preference

In a Code Revision Cycle Now? Codes & Years Anticipating Adoption

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 NBCC

-

-

-

-

No provincial code enforcement; done by local govts. (municipalities & regional districts)

Code adopted by province & applies in all local govts.

Yes, working towards adopting NBC 2015 in year 2018

Yes, 2008

-

-

All Encompassing

Provincewide adoption

Yes, 2020 NBC

Yes, 2014

-

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 NBC

-

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 NBC

All Encompassing

RCA

All Encompassing

Regarding nursing homes, Connecticut*, Florida,* Michigan,* Minnesota,* New Jersey,* and Tennessee have retrofit requirements. Georgia* has requirements for existing personal care homes upgrading to assisted living homes. Retrofit requirements for healthcare can be found in Florida*, Minnesota,* and New Jersey.* Signed copy of owner’s certificate as part of working submittal plan

State Requires PE to do Sprinkler Design Concepts

Office of State Fire Marshal Has Authority Over All Projects in State or Only Over State-Owned/ Financed Projects

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

-

-

Local govts would decide

Yes

N/A

No

No

No

Yes

No

Province Only

-

-

-

-

-

No

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

Yes, 2015 NBC

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

RCA

Yes, OBC

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

All Encompassing

RCA

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 NBCC

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 NBCC

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

High-rise Condo/apt

MultiFamily

Local Jurisdiction With Residential Ordinances

SingleFamily

Locally

Provincewide

Adopted NFPA 25

(cont. from previous page) IMC-International Mechanical Code; IRC-International Residential Code; LSC-Life Safety Code; NBC-National Building Code of Canada; NEC-National Electric Code; NFPA 5000-Building Construction & Safety Code.

SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 29

State

State Code Adoption

Additional NFPA Standards

NFPA 13 Edition Adopted

Local Jurisdiction Can Use Latest NFPA 13 Ed.

Minimum Base or a Min/Max for Enforcement

Alabama*

2015 IBC & IFC; 2013 NFPA 1 & 101

No

2013

Yes

Minimum

Alaska

2012 IBC, IFC, and IFGC

Yes, http://dps.alaska.gov/fire/regulations

2010

Yes

Minimum

Arizona*

2003 IFC

Yes, view at dfbls.az.gov under Fire Marshal Arizona State Fire Code. Amendments & code adopted through AZ rule writing process

IFC, 2003 NFPA 13, 1999

Yes

Minimum

Arkansas°

2015 IFC & IBC; 2012 NFPA 101 – All adopted statewide for certain occupancies – public schols, healthcare, limited gaming est., and waste tire facilities only

Yes, sprinklers not required in one and-two-family dwellings subject to the IRC

2010

No

Minimum

California

2018 IBC & IFC, both amended

Yes, moderate. https://www.dgs.ca.gov/BSC/Codes. See CBC Chapter 35

2016

Yes

Minimum

Colorado

2015 IBC & IFC; 2015 IRC; 2012 NFPA 101

No

2013

Yes

Minimum

Connecticut*

2012 IBC, IFC & NFPA 101; 2012 NFPA 1 - amended

Yes, new buildings greater than four stories & all new schools

2010

No

Min/Max

Delaware

NFPA 1 & 101 amended NFPA 13 & 14, 2019, amended

Yes, www.statefiremarshal.delaware.gov

2019

Yes

-

District of Columbia*

IBC & IFC

Yes, currently enforcing the ICC 2012 Codes in conjunction w/modif. as adopted in the 2013 Title 12 DCMR (District of Columbia Municipal Regulations). For adopted codes see: https://dcra.dc.gov/page/ dc-construction-codes

2010 ed. as listed in Ch 35, 2012 IBC

No

Minimum

Florida*

2015 IBC, NFPA 1 & NFPA 101

Florida-specific amendments to NFPA 1 & 101 and IBC. Visit: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/SFM/BFP/FloridaFirePrevention CodePage.htm and https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/florida

2013

No

Minimum

Georgia*

2012 IBC, IFC & NFPA 101 - all amended

Yes, all modifications to NFPA 13, 13R, 14, 15, 20, 22, 24 & 101 are contained in GA Chapter 120-3-3 (revised 1/1/2015)

2013

-

Minimum

Hawaii^

2018 IBC amended, 2018 IRC amended, 2018 NFPA 1 amended

No

2016

-

Minimum

Idaho*

2018 IBC & 2018 IFC - both amended

Yes, referenced standards list was updated to current editions

2019

Yes

Minimum

Illinois*

NFPA 101 amended

Yes, local jurisdictions may adopt their own codes and this varies from place to place

Determined by local juris. based on primary code adoption.

OSFM has adopted the 2015 Life Safety Code® which cites NFPA 13, 2013 ed.

Yes

Minimum

Indiana

2006 IBC & IFC, 2006 IMC/IFG - all amended

Yes, Indiana amendments to codes and standards are at in.gov/legislative/iac/iac_title?iact=675

-

No

Min/Max

Iowa§

2015 IBC & IFC; 2012 NFPA 101; 2021 IMC, UPC, IECC; 2020 NFPA 70

Yes; Email bcinfo@dps.state.ia.us and/or fminfo@dps.state.ia.us

2013

Yes

Minimum

Kansas

2006 IBC & IFC, 2006 NFPA 101; 2018 NFPA 1 Ch. 38 only

https://firemarshal.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/441/ConstructionProject-and-Plan-Submittal-Guide-PDF (Page 10)

2007

Yes

Minimum

Kentucky*

NFPA 1 & 101 & IBC, amended

No

2000

No

Min/Max

Louisiana*

2015 NFPA 101; 2015 IBC amended

Yes, http://lsuccc.dps.louisiana.gov/pdf/Title_17_UCC.pdf

2016

-

Minimum

Maine

2015 IBC; 2018 NFPA 1 & NFPA 101

Yes, removal of one- and two-family homes fire sprinkler requirements

2016

No

Minimum

Maryland

2018 IBC, NFPA 101 & NFPA 1 - all amended

Yes, required the installation of automatic sprinkler protection in all storage occupancies and enclosed parking structures three or more stories in height, regardless of size

2016

Yes

Minimum

Massachusetts

2015 IBC amended, 2015 NFPA 1 amended

Yes, 2015 IBC (IRC) no requirement for sprinklers in one- and twofamily homes. https://www.mass.gov/handbook/ninth-edition-of-thema-state-building-code-780

2010

No

Min/Max

Michigan*

2012 NPFA 101 & 2006 NFPA 1 - both amended

No

2010

No

Min/Max

°Arkansas is in the process of revising the current Arkansas Fire Prevention Code (2012 edition based on the 2012 editions of the IFC, IBC, and IRC with Arkansas amendments). The revised Arkansas Fire Prevention Code will be the 2021 edition and it will be based on the 2021 editions of the IFC, IBC, and IRC, with some Arkansas amendments. While the timeline for adoption of the revised code is not set in stone, the new code in planned to be in place by early 2022. +The District of Columbia Fire Dept. only enforces the DC Fire Code, and does not govern new construction or alterations to existing buildings. The DCRA Agency is responsible for administering the Building Codes and Building Inspections for construction work. ^Hawaii information is provided for Oahu only. §Iowa has adopted NFPA 25

30 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

Local Jurisdiction With Signed Residential Ordinances copy of owner’s certificate as part of working submittal plan

State Requires PE to do Sprinkler Design Concepts

Office of State Fire Marshal Has Authority Over All Projects in State or Only Over State-Owned/ Financed Projects

All Encompassing

IP

No

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

All

State Only

All Encompassing

-

Yes 2021 IFC, IBC, IMC, IEBC, & IFGC

Yes, 2011

-

-

-

-

No

No

All

Limited

RCA

Yes, IFC 2012

Yes, ‘98

-

-

-

-

All

No

State Only

All Encompassing

n/a

No

Yes, ‘11

-

No

No

No

No

No

All with focus on State Only

All Encompassing

-

Yes, 2021 ICC; 2022 NFPA 13

Yes, ‘11

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes or lic. fire sp. contractor

State Only for creating regula-

Limited

IP

Yes, IBC & IFC 2021

2014

-

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

No

State Only

All Encompassing

RCA

No

Yes ‘11

-

No

No

No

No

No

State Only

All Encompassing

-

No

Yes, 2020

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

All

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 ICC Codes w/ amend. which will be adopted into the Title 12 DCMR

Yes

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

No, enforcing NFPA 13 2010 ed.

No

All+

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2018 NFPA 1 & 101, 2016 NFPA 13

Yes, ‘14

-

No

No

No

No

Yes

State Only

All Encompassing except 1 & 2 family & individuallyowned residences

-

No

Yes, ‘11

No

No

No

No

No

No

Juris. varies

All Encompassing

-

Yes, 2021 NFPA 1

No

No

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

-

All Encompassing

RCA

No

Yes, ‘20

-

No

No

No

Yes

No

All

Limited. Generally, state enforcement is limited to state buildings. Local juris. have primary enforcement responsibility.

IP

No

Yes,

Yes,

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

State Only

by juris.

by juris.

All Encompassing

-

Yes, 2012 IBC, IFC, IMC, IFGC

Yes, ‘11

-

No

No

No

-

No

All

All Encompassing

IP

Yes, 2021

Yes, by ref from IFC

-

No

No

No

No

Yes

All

Limited

-

Yes, 2018 IBC/IFC

Yes, ‘08

-

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

All state-owned and all licensed facilities

All Encompassing

RCA

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

-

No

n/a

All Encompassing

RCA

No

Yes, ‘14

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes

All

All Encompassing

RCA

No

Yes, ‘14

-

Yes

-

-

Yes

Yes

All°

All Encompassing

IP

Yes, 2021 NFPA 1, NFPA 101, & IBC

Yes, ‘17

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

All

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2021 IBC (base bldg code) & 2021 NPFA 1 (base fire code)

Yes, ‘14

-

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

State Only & limited authority for state projects

Limited

RCA

No

Yes, ‘11

No

No

No

No

No

No

State Only & other regulated facilities

varies

Locally

Statewide

Adopted NFPA 25

varies

High-rise Condo/apt

In a Code Revision Cycle Now? Codes & Years Anticipating Adoption

MultiFamily

Recognized Code Adoption (RCA) for Local Authorities or Individual Preference (IP)

SingleFamily

Scope of Enforcement is Limited or All Encompassing

tion state and occup. A,E,H,I,R

statewide by reference from 2015 IFC and 2014 NFPA 25. Abbreviations: BOCA/National-Building Official and Code Administrators International; IBC-International Building Code; IFC-International Fire Code; IFGC-International Fuel Gas Code; IMC-International Mechanical Code; IRC-International Residential Code; LSC-Life Safety Code; NBC-National Building Code of Canada; NEC-National Electric Code; NFPA 5000-Building Construction & Safety Code.

SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 31

State

State Code Adoption

Additional NFPA Standards

NFPA 13 Edition Adopted

Local Jurisdiction Can Use Latest NFPA 13 Ed.

Minimum Base or a Min/Max for Enforcement

Minnesota*

2012 NFPA 101, 2012 IBC

Yes, https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/7511.0903/. 5 psi safety margin in calculations. Vestibule exemption (for some). Swimming pool exemption. Certain linen closets & pantries exempt. Control valves chained (even if monitored). Single sprinkler on common wall of attached garages (NFPA 13D). See others on website.

2010

No

Min/Max

Mississippi*

2015 IBC & IFC

No

-

2013 by ref.

Minimum

Missouri

No

No

Everything is being used from ‘99 to current

Yes

Minimum

Montana*

2012 IBC and IFC

No

2010

Yes

Min/Max

Nebraska*

2003 NFPA 1; 2000 NFPA 101

No

2002

No

Minimum

Nevada

2018 IBC, IFC, IEBC & IWUIC - all amended

n/a

2016

Yes

Min/Max

New Hampshire*

2009 IBC amended; 2015 NFPA 1 & 101 - both amended

Yes, no sprinkler req. for one- and two-family dwellings

2013

Yes, w/ variance

Minimum

New Jersey*

2015 NJ IBC New Construction; 2006 IFB NJ as maintenance code - both amended

No

2013 as ref. by 2015 IBC

Yes only by the designer for specific issues not in 2013 ed.

Min/Max

New Mexico

2015 IBC & 2015 IFC, both amended

No

2013

Yes

Min/Max

New York*

2018 IBC & IFC, both amended

No

2016

No

Minimum

North Carolina*

2015 IBC & 2012 IFC, both amended

Yes, amendments to Ch 9 req. removing sprinklers from certain residential occupancies

2013

Yes

Min/Max

North Dakota*

2018 IBC & IFC, both amended

No

2016

Yes

Min/Max

Ohio*

2009 IBC & IFC, both amended

Yes, A-3 sprinkler req.

2010

No

Minimum

Oklahoma*

2006 IBC & IFC, 2007 NFPA 101, all amended

No

2007

Yes

Minimum

Oregon*

IBC & IFC, both amended

No

2013

Yes

Min-Fire/ Max-Bldg

Pennsylvania*

2009 IBC & IFC

No

2007

No

Minimum

Rhode Island*

2012 IBC, NFPA 1 & 101 - all amended

Yes, residential deleted

2010

Yes

Minimum

South Carolina

2015 IBC & IFC, both amended

Yes, see llr.state.sc.us/pol/bcc

2013

Yes

Minimum

South Dakota*

2015 IBC & IFC - amended; Other various NFPA standards

Yes, www.sdlegislature.gov/rules/61:15:01

2013

Yes

Minimum

Tennessee

2012 IBC; 2012 IFC & NFPA 101

Yes, Tenn. statute prevents the state from req. sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings

2010

Yes

Minimum

Texas*

2012 NFPA 101 amended

No

2013

Yes

Minimum

Utah

2018 IBC & IFC - both amended

Yes, Utah Code 15A-5-304

2016

No

Minimum

Vermont

2015 IBC, NFPA 1 & NFPA 101, all amended

Yes, firesafety.vermont.gov

2013

Yes

Minimum

Virginia*

2015 IBC & IFC - both amended

Yes, many exceptions. Excluded single-family sprinklers.

2010

Yes

Min/Max

Washington*

2015 IBC, IFC, IRC, IMC & UPC; 2015 NFPA 101; NFPA 5000 - all amended

Yes, IRC. Did not adopt Ch 11-25. Residential sprinklers if added need to meet IRC P2904 or NFPA 13D

2013

No

Min/Max

West Virginia*

2015 IBC, NFPA 1 & NFPA 101

No

2016

No

Minimum

Wisconsin*

2009 IBC & NFPA 1 - both amended

Yes, systems req. in most bldgs over 60 ft. Different sprinkler thresholds protection and alt. for smaller apt bldgs & townhouses, Comm 6.2.09 (5) Wis. Sec Code

2007

Yes

Minimum

Wyoming*

IBC & IFC. Also whatever NFPA standards that are recognized by IBC

No

All that are rec. by IBC except NFPA 101

Yes

Minimum

≠South

Carolina has statewide authority to enforce state and local fire codes, but the requirement to use its free plan review services comes from the primary AHJ/AHJs that control permits, licenses, etc., and can involve AHJs who are state or local or may involve both. *West Virginia: All municipalities and political subdivisions which have their own Fire Prev. Bureau and personnel to perform plans review and inspection we have under-

32 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

-

No

No

No

Yes

No

All. State Fire Code applies throughout but SFM only has juris. for specialized occup. (healthcare, correctional, day care, schools, hotels, etc.)

No

-

Yes

-

-

Yes

Yes

State Only

No

No

No

No

No

No

-

Neither

Yes, 2018 IBC & IFC

Yes, ‘17

-

No

No

No

No

No

All

RCA

Yes, 2012 NFPA 101

Yes, ‘02

-

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

All

Limited

RCA

No

Yes, ‘17

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

State Only

All Encompassing

-

Yes, 2015 NFPA 1 w/ ref.; 2015 IBC & IRC

-

-

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

State Only

All Encompassing

RCA

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

State Only

Limited

-

Yes, 2021

No

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

State Only

All Encompassing

-

No

Yes, ‘17

-

-

-

-

Per ‘16 ed.

Yes

State Only

All Encompassing

RCA

No

Yes

-

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

State Only

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2018

By IFC

reference

No

No

No

Yes

Yes, not necessarily PE but design req.

All

Limited

-

No

Yes, ‘08

OH Fire Code

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

State Only

Limited

RCA

No

Yes, ‘02

-

-

-

-

-

No

All

All Encompassing

IP

Yes, 2009 IRC 7/1/11

Yes, ‘08

-

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

State Only

All Encompassing

RCA

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

No

PA Fire Marshal has no code

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015

Yes, ‘11

-

No

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

All

See llr.state.sc.us/pol/bcc

See llr.state.sc.us/ pol/bcc

Yes, see llr.state. sc.us/pol/bcc

Yes, ‘14

-

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

All≠

Limited

IP

Yes, reviewing 2021 IBC & IFC, NFPA standards referenced will follow

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Certain projects only

Limited

RCA

Yes, ‘18 IRC

Yes, via IFC ref.

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

All

Limited

IP

No

Yes

-

-

-

-

No

No

State Only

All Encompassing

RCA

No

Yes, ‘17

-

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

No

State Only

Limited

RCA

Yes, 2021 IBC, NFPA 1 & 101

Yes, ‘14

Yes, ‘14

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

All

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, ‘18 NFPA 13

Yes, ‘14

-

No

No

No

No

No

State Only

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2018

Yes, ‘14

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

n/a

All Encompassing

RCA

No

Yes

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes

All Encompassing

IP

Yes, ‘12 IBC, IECC, IMC, IFGC, IEBC & NFPA 1

Yes, ‘08

-

-

-

-

Eng., arch., or sp. contr.

n/a

All*

Limited

IP

No

No

Yes

-

-

-

No

No

State Only

Yes, anticipate update to 2018 IFC & IBC in Spring 2020. Will incl. 2016 NFPA 13, 13D, 13R, 14, & 20

Yes, ‘17 Spring 2020

Limited

IP

No

Limited

IP

No

All Encompassing

RCA

All Encompassing

Locally

RCA

Statewide

All Encompassing

High-rise Condo/apt

Office of State Fire Marshal Has Authority Over All Projects in State or Only Over State-Owned/ Financed Projects

In a Code Revision Cycle Now? Codes & Years Anticipating Adoption

MultiFamily

State Requires PE to do Sprinkler Design Concepts

Recognized Code Adoption (RCA) for Local Authorities or Individual Preference (IP)

SingleFamily

Local Jurisdiction With Signed Residential Ordinances copy of owner’s certificate as part of working submittal plan

Adopted NFPA 25

Scope of Enforcement is Limited or All Encompassing

enforcement authority

standing of their AHJ allowance.Abbreviations: BOCA/National-Building Official and Code Administrators International; IBC-International Building Code; IFC-International Fire Code; IFGC-International Fuel Gas Code; IMC-International Mechanical Code; IRC-International Residential Code; LSC-Life Safety Code; NBC-National Building Code of Canada; NEC-National Electric Code; NFPA 5000-Building Construction & Safety Code.

SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 33

CONCLUSION The AFSA staff has made every effort to provide the most accurate and current information. Because of the time lapse between gathering the information and publication of these charts, changes may have occurred. Also, code adoption cycles/ processes vary from state to state, but most statewide codes are updated once every three years. So states that are not listed as considering adoptions within the next year may, in fact, be initiating the process of reviewing all available codes.

Contact the respective AHJ for more detailed information for particular states. We thank the many individual state fire

34 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

State Licensing & Certification Requirements

NICET Level IV

NICET Level III

PE/Architect Seal

Fire Alarm Inspections

Inspections

Requires for Sprinkler Drawings:

Technicians

Fitters

Contractors

State

Inspectors

Requires Requires Certification Licensing Of: For:

Plan Reviewers

Connecticut* has requirements for elderly occupancies. Minnesota* retrofits hospitals.

Florida* has retrofit requirements for high-rises. Georgia*, Nevada, and New Jersey* have retrofit requirements for public assemblies (PAs). West Virginia* has retrofit requirements for institutions.

For hotels and apartments, Florida* and Nevada have retrofit requirements, and Connecticut* retrofits only hotels. New Jersey* retrofits institutional occupancies.

Illinois, New Jersey* and Wyoming* have requirements for college dorms.

Florida* also has requirements to retrofit dwelling and lodging housing. Iowa and North Dakota* retrofit per Chapter 11 of the International Fire Code (IFC), and South Carolina* per Section 1103.5 of the 2015 ICC. When asked about towns or cities having retrofit requirements in excess of state requirements (question 12a), several states indicated “yes;” however, most did not provide a list of cities, towns, and/or villages.

Florida* did provide a website for details: “visit myfloridacfo.com/division/SFM/BFP and scroll down to ‘Local Amendments.’”

Hawaii listed Honolulu and Maui counties, and New Mexico listed Las Cruces.

Question 16 asked if any jurisdictions were offering incentives or initiatives to encourage property owners to install residential and/or commercial fire sprinklers in their area. Most of this year’s respondents reported “no” or did not answer the question.

Massachusettes indicated it does allow some allowances or night clubs to retrofit.

Alabama* - - - - Y Y Y Y Y Alaska - - Y - - - - - - Arizona* Y Y Y Y Y - - Y - Arkansas N N Y Y Y Y Y - Y - California N N Y Y N N N Y N N Colorado Y Y Y Y - Y - - - Y Connecticut* Y Y Y Y Y - - - - Delaware N N Y N Y Y Y OTHER OTHER OTHER D.C.* - - Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Florida*+ Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y - -+ Georgia* N Y Y N Y Y Y N N Y Hawaii N N Y Y Y Y Y Y N N Idaho* N N Y Y N N N - - Y Illinois* N N Y N N N N - Y Indiana N N N N Y - - Y Y Y Iowa N N Y Y Y Y Y P.E. Y Y Kansas◊ Y Y Regis. req. for all - - - Y Kentucky* Y Y Y N Y - - Y Y Y Louisiana* N N Y Y N - - Y Y N Maine± Y Y Y Y Y Y - Y Y Y Maryland N N Y Y Y Y N N Y Y & NFPA Massachusetts N N Y Y N N N NO REQ NO REQ NO REQ Michigan* N Y Y N Y - - N N N Minnesota* N N Y Y N N N N N N Mississippi* N N Y N Y N N Y Y N Missouri N N N N N N N N N N Montana* Y Y Y Y Y Y Y - Y Nebraska* Y Y Y N N Y Y N Y Y Nevada Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y New Hampshire* N N N N Y Y Y Y - New Jersey* Y Y Y N N - - Only NICET II New Mexico Y Y Y Y Y - Y Y Y Y New York* N Y N N N N Y Y N N North Carolina* Y Y Y N Y Y N Y Y N North Dakota* N N N N N N N N N N Ohio* Y Y Y Y Y - - N N Y & cert des Oklahoma* N N Y Y Y - - - Y Oregon* N N N N N N N N N N Pennsylvania* Y Y N N N - - N N N Rhode Island* Y Y Y Y Y - - Y - South Carolina≠ Y Y Y N Y Y Y - - South Dakota* N N N N N N N N N Y Tennessee N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N Texas* Y Y Y N Y - - Y Y Utah Y N Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Vermont Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Virginia*‡ Y Y Y N N Y N - Y Washington* N N Y Cert Cert Cert lni.wa.gov Y Y Y West Virginia*° N N N - Y Y - Y - Wisconsin* Y Y Y Y Y - - or sp ctr N Wyoming* Y Y - - - - Y N Y Information not available for Canada. A “-” indicates no response was given. +In Florida, a contractor can seal when less than 49 sprinklers. ◊In Kansas, there is no state licensure. Registration is required for all types. ≠In South Carolina, certification per Title 6, Chapter 8 of SC Code of Laws. The SC-specific design and shop drawings requirements can be found in Title 40, Ch 10 of the SC Code of Laws. ‡Virginia will require inspectors to be licensed as of 7/1/21. °West Virginia requires certification of building code officials, inspectors, and plans reviewers.

cases, we have listed the telephone number for the state fire marshal’s office, with the

Numbers in ( ) are for retrofit questions. Phone numbers not available for Canada.

Seismic protection required on fire sprinkler systems:

Yes/No

Other (CSA, Local)

NICET Level I State

NICET Level III

Required for those who perform inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems:

Local Jurisdictions and Retrofit Information Alabama* 334-241-4166 Alaska 907-269-5491 Arizona* 602-364-1003 Arkansas 501-618-8601 (501-618-8601) California greg.anderson@fire.ca.gov Colorado 303-239-4100 Connecticut* 860-713-5750 Delaware 302-739-4394 D.C.* 202-442-4551 Florida* 850-413-3610 (850-413-3610) Georgia* 404-617-8515 (404-617-8515) Hawaii glum@honolulu.gov Idaho* 208-334-4370 Illinois* 217-558-0328 Indiana 317-232-1421 (317-233-1421) Iowa fminfo@dps.state.ia.us Kansas brian.love@ks.gov Kentucky* 502-573-0365 x201 Louisiana* 1-800-256-5452 (1-800-256-5452) Maine gerald.r.leachman@maine.gov Maryland 410-653-8980 Massachusetts 978-567-3372 (978-567-3372) Michigan* 517-241-9371 (517-241-9371) Minnesota* fire.code@state.mn.us Mississippi* 601-359-1061 Missouri 573-522-1624 Montana* 406-841-2053 Nebraska* 402-471-2027 Nevada sfm@dps.state.nv.us 775-684-7532 New Hampshire* (603-271-3294) New Jersey* 609-984-7609 (609-633-6741) New Mexico kylle.marshall@state.nm.us New York* 518-474-6746 North Carolina* 919-647-0011 North Dakota* 701-328-5550 Ohio* 614-728-5460 (614-728-5460) Oklahoma* 405-522-5006 Oregon* 503-934-8269 (503-934-8269) Pennsylvania* 717-346-2729 Rhode Island* 401-393-7717 South Carolina* 803-896-9800 South Dakota 605-773-3876 Tennessee 615-741-6246 Texas* 512-305-7909 Utah 801-256-2360 Vermont 802-885-8942 Virginia* 804-371-0220 Washington* 360-596-3913 West Virginia* 304-558-2191 Wisconsin* 608-266-0251 Wyoming 307-856-8214

hope that a state representative can direct contractors to the appropriate authority. n

U.S. Inspection, Testing & Maintenance and Seismic Protection Requirements

NICET Level II

marshals, deputy state fire marshals, deputy chiefs, fire protection engineers, code specialists, and others who participated in this year’s survey. Some respondents did not provide a specific telephone number for questions regarding jurisdiction over fire sprinkler plan review/inspections. In those

Alabama* - Y - - Alaska No Req No Req No Req No Req Y Arizona* - Y - - Y Arkansas - - Y - Y California N N N Y Y Colorado - - - Y• Yes, where req. by code Connecticut* - N N - N Delaware - Y - - N D.C.* - - - - Y Florida Y Y Y - N Georgia* N via waiver Y N N Hawaii Y Y Y Y N Idaho* - - - Y Y Illinois* - Y Y Y N Indiana - - - - Yes, DOL appr program Iowa Y Y Y - Y Kansas - Y No Req - Y Kentucky* - N N - Y Louisiana* - Y N - N Maine Y Y Y - N Maryland - Y - - N Massachusetts No Req No Req No Req No Req Per NFPA 13/IBC Michigan*+ - N N - Y Minnesota* No Req No Req No Req No Req N Mississippi* N N N N N Missouri N N No Req No Req N Montana* - - - No Req Y Nebraska* - - Y Y N Nevada N N N Y Y New Hampshire* N Per NFPA 1 & NFPA 101 Y New Jersey* - Y N - Yes, some New Mexico* N N No Req No Req N New York* No Req No Req No Req No Req Based on IBC req North Carolina* - - - - North Dakota* No Req No Req No Req No Req N Ohio* - N N Y, state cert Y Oklahoma* - Y - - N Oregon* No Req No Req No Req No Req Y Pennsylvania* - - - - Y Rhode Island* - N - - Y South Carolina*• - - - - Y South Dakota* No Req No Req No Req - N Tennessee N N N No Req Y Texas* - Y - - N Y, if req. by Bldg Code Utah Certified by Utah SFMO Hazard Class Vermont N N N N Y Virginia*# - Y - - By specification on job Washington* - Y - - Y West Virginia* - - Y - N Wisconsin* - State Registered Tester Y Wyoming - - Y - Y, in some areas A “-” indicates no response was given.

• In Colorado, NFPA and ICC certifications required. +In Michigan, in regulated facilities they have to be Act 144 Certified.

•In South Carolina, the adopted building code determines when seismic protection is required.

SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 35

FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNECTIONS ARE THERE REALLY THAT MANY REQUIREMENTS?

A

RICHARD B. ALPERT, P.E. | GHD fire department connection (FDC) is used to provide the means for the responding fire department to provide the primary or secondary water supply demand of the sprinkler and/or standpipe systems in a building.

Coordination between the designer and the local fire code official is critical in providing an operational, accessible, and visible FDC to the responding fire department apparatus. This article addresses the following questions concerning the design and installation requirements of these devices: • What are the applicable codes and standards?

• When is an FDC required?

• What is the purpose of an FDC? • How many and what type of inlets are required?

• Where is the FDC located, and who approves the final location of the FDC? • What are the access and signage requirements for the FDC?

WHAT ARE THE APPLICABLE CODES AND STANDARDS? The requirements for an FDC are contained within the adopted building code or fire code for that jurisdiction.

In most states and cities within the United States, the adopted building code is an edition of the International Building Code (IBC), and the adopted fire code will be an edition of the International Fire Code (IFC), both of which may be adopted in full or

36 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

adopted with modifications and then become the state or city building and fire codes. For example, in Virginia, the current referenced codes are the 2018 edition of the IBC and IFC, which Virginia amends into the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (VUSBC) and the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (VSFPC). All references within this article are to the 2018 editions of the IBC and IFC. It is important to understand that documents such as the IBC, IFC, and NFPA Standards are not in and of themselves legal statutes until codified by the appropriate legal authority.

Most installation requirements for building FDCs are contained in NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, as referenced by the IBC. Chapter 35 of the IBC contains the applicable version of standards referenced within the text of the IBC. In the 2018 IBC, the applicable versions of NFPA 13 and NFPA 14 are the 2016 editions. All further references to NFPA 13 and NFPA 14 in this article will be to the 2016 editions.

WHEN IS AN FDC REQUIRED? The requirement for an FDC is contained within Chapter 9, “Fire Protection Systems” of the IBC, specifically Section 903.3.7 of the IBC requires that FDCs for sprinkler systems be installed in accordance with Section 912. Section 905.2 also requires that FDCs for standpipe

Figure 1. FDC Storz connection for LDH. systems be installed in accordance with Section 912.

Section 912.1 of the IBC requires that the FDCs be installed in accordance with the NFPA standard applicable to the design. This incorporates the referenced editions NFPA 13 and NFPA 14 as mentioned above into the design requirements.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF AN FDC? The basic purpose of an FDC is to provide either the primary or secondary (supplemental) water supply to the building’s standpipe and/or sprinkler system.

The FDC provides either the primary or secondary water supply for standpipe systems depending on whether the system is automatic or manual. As stated in Section 3.3.3.1 of NFPA 14 for an automatic standpipe system, the FDC provides “A connection through which the fire department can pump the secondary water supply to an automatic standpipe system at the required system demand. Supplemental water can also be provided into the

sprinkler system or other system furnishing water for the fire extinguishment to supplement existing water supplies.” As stated for a manual standpipe system, the FDC is “A connection through which the fire department can pump the primary water supply to a manual standpipe system at the required system demand.”

For sprinkler systems, the FDC provides the supplemental water supply only. As stated in Section 3.8.1.4 of NFPA 13, the FDC is “A connection through which the fire department can pump supplemental water into the sprinkler system, standpipe, or other water-based fire protection system, furnishing water for fire extinguishment to supplement existing water supplies.”

HOW MANY AND WHAT TYPE OF INLETS ARE REQUIRED? The number of inlets required for the FDCs depends on if it is supplying a sprinkler, standpipe, or combination sprinkler/standpipe system.

For a sprinkler system, Section 6.7 of NFPA 13 contains the requirements for FDCs and states that an FDC shall consist of two 2½-in. inlets with National Hose (NH) internal threaded swivel fittings with 2.5-7.5 NH standard thread conforming to NFPA 1963, Standard for Fire Hose Connections, unless one of the following three exceptions applies: 1. A single inlet is permitted for connections that serve a sprinkler system riser that is 3 inches or less.

2. Where the responding fire department threads do not conform to NFPA 1963, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) is permitted to designate the connection to be used.

3. The use of threadless connections is required by the AHJ. This would typically apply in cases where the local fire department’s standard operating procedure is to connect to the FDC using large diameter hose (LDH) with “Storz” connections.

Due to the use of the large diameter hose, it is common that the connec-

tion is required by local regulations to be installed with a 30-degree elbow to aid the responding firefighters in connecting the hose to the inlet. This configuration is shown in Figure 1.

For a standpipe or combination sprinkler/standpipe system, Section 4.8 of NFPA 14 contains similar requirements for the FDC with the exception that a minimum of two 2½-in. inlets are required in all installations and more may be required based on the design flow of the system.

Section 7.12 of NFPA 14 contains the installation requirements for the FDC. The most misunderstood requirement during the system design and installation by both the designers and the local fire department is the requirement under section 7.12.3 that the FDC be sized based on the standpipe system demand and that one 2½-in. inlet be provided for every 250 gallons per minute of design flow as determined under Section 7.10, “Flow Rates.” Therefore, a standpipe system

with a design flow of 1,000 gpm is required to have an FDC with four 2½-in. inlets. The maximum number of inlets required would be five to accommodate the design flow rate of 1,250 gallons per minute, which is required under Section 7.10.1.1.5 for buildings that are not sprinklered throughout. Section 17.12.3.1 allows the use of a large diameter hose connection sized to accommodate the required design flow.

WHERE IS THE FDC LOCATED, AND WHO APPROVES THE FINAL LOCATION OF THE FDC? FDC placement requirements are found in Section 912.2 of the IBC and state that the FDC shall be located so the fire department apparatus and hose lines used to supply the FDC will not interfere with access to the building for other responding apparatus. The FDC is also required to be located on the street side of the building fully visible and recognizable from the street or nearest point of the fire department

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SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 37

Figure 2. Signage for FDC supplying an automatic sprinkler system.

vehicle access. For existing buildings where the FDC is not readily visible to approaching fire apparatus, it must be indicated by an approved sign mounted on the street front or side of the building. Buildings with a large footprint and high-rise buildings may be required by local ordinances to have a second FDC located remotely from the first one.

Under Section 912.2 of the IFC, the fire code official must approve the final location of the FDC. The fire code official is defined within the IFC as “The fire chief or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the code, or a duly authorized representative.”

The proposed location of the FDC, potential fire apparatus positioning, and hose lays should be reviewed with the fire code official as well as any local ordinances regarding maximum permitted distance from the FDC to the fire access road and/or fire hydrant prior to the submittal of design documents.

If the FDC was installed to supply a standpipe or combination standpipe/ sprinkler system, NFPA 14 Section 6.4.5.4 requires that the FDC be located no further than 100 feet from the nearest fire hydrant connected to an approved water supply. There is no equivalent requirement within NFPA 13.

WHAT ARE THE ACCESS AND SIGNAGE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FDC? Section 912.4 of the IBC requires that FDCs be immediately accessible

38 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

Figure 3. FDC serving automatic sprinklers in a portion of a building.

and that access always be maintained without obstruction from barriers or objects such as fences, walls, landscaping, or other immovable objects.

Barriers such as fences and walls are permitted, provided access gates are installed and provided with the required signage. Objects located adjacent to the FDC are required to provide a clear space of not less than 36 inches in width and depth and 78 inches in height around the FDC. This applies to the front and sides of a wall-mounted FDC and around the circumference of a freestanding FDC located in a yard.

Signage requirements are contained in Section 912.5 of the IBC and state that a metal sign with raised letters not less than 1 inch in size be mounted on the fire department connection. The raised letters are required so that any painting or fading of any colors on the sign do not affect its ability to be read.

The signage is dependent on the type of system or systems served. An FDC serving a sprinkler system is typically shown as “AUTO SPKR,” and a combination system is typically shown as “AUTO SPKR/STANDPIPE.” There is no requirement within the IBC or IFC on the required lettering, provided it is easily understood. Additional signage is required if the FDC serves a portion of a building, or multiple buildings, and local ordinances may require additional signage such as the minimum required pressure at the FDC inlets. Examples of required signage are as seen in Figures 2-4.

Figure 4. FDC serving a combination system with minimum pressure requirement.

CONCLUSION Although a small portion of a complete building sprinkler, standpipe, or combination system, the design and installation of the FDC is a vital element of the system as it may be the means for providing the primary water supply to the system. The system designer must work with local fire code officials to confirm the FDC is properly designed, installed, and displayed to provide the responding fire department with the access and information needed to ensure that the required system demand is being provided. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rick Alpert is a Senior Fire Protection Engineer with GHD, a global engineering consulting firm in its Richmond, Virginia, office. He has over 36 years of experience in the design, construction management, and commissioning of public, private, and commercial projects, including projects for high-rise residential and office buildings, sports arenas, historical and cultural buildings, and government facilities.

In addition to his engineering career, Alpert has been involved with the volunteer fire service for over 45 years and has served in many leadership positions within local fire departments including those of vice president and chief. He holds several national certifications including ICC Building Plans Reviewer and Pro Board Fire Officer II.

MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS BENEFITS: SAFETY PORTAL A 24/7 ONLINE RESOURCE FOR MEMBERS

A

s we finish out 2021, we’ve continued to see changing times, changing worksites, and changing health issues that are driving American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) members’ thoughts and concerns to protecting not only themselves but their employees. In order to better serve members and help provide resources to keep up with the changing times, AFSA offers a free online Safety Portal at afsasafetyportal.com as a member benefit.

This portal was developed in 2017 by the AFSA Safety & Insurance Committee in partnership with Breckenridge Insurance (formerly Blue River Underwriters), an AFSA-endorsed insurance partner. The Safety Portal is a customized safety portal built with the specific needs of fire sprinkler contractors in mind.

The site addresses current issues through Toolbox Talks and links like the live Twitter feeds via the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sites to keep members up-to-date with current rules, regulations, and best practices.

New to the portal? Members can access the portal by logging onto the registration page by visiting afsasafetyportal.com using their unique AFSA login name and password, then entering the information it asks for. This includes questions such as, “Are you an AFSA member?” and “What state are you located in?” Then, the page will open for your particular state.

Let’s take a quick tour through some of the most popular website offerings.

First, once logged in, look under the “News” section and click on the link called “Click Here” to view a short video

AFSA’s Safety Portal is built to meet the specific safety training needs of fire sprinkler contractors. on navigating the portal. This is offers a tutorial for navigating the website for new users. Next, look at the “Trending Topics.” Or, if you click on “Toolbox Talks,” it links to over 50 talks that relate to fire suppression contractors.

All in all, the portal is robust resource that provides over 1,000 references. It aims to address some of the key issues in construction safety today, such as electrical safety, ladder safety, loss control, personal protection, and vehicle safety. The portal combines a mix of print materials, digital offerings, links to live Twitter feeds, and visuals to ensure that there is something for everyone’s preferred learning style and office needs.

This member-only website proactively delivers the accident-prevention and safety-related information members need to educate their staff, help prevent claims, and create a safe work environment. In addition to expanding upon AFSA’s popular Toolbox Talks, a weekly safety series custom-tailored for the fire

sprinkler industry, the Safety Portal also provides a wealth of practical resources OSHA, the Department of Labor (DOL), the Center for Construction Research and Training, the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, the National Safety Council, and many others.

This safety portal was designed for the fire sprinkler industry and, more specifically, AFSA members. The Safety Portal is an excellent resource to search for specific types of installation involved at your job site and to show general contractors your proactive approach to safety.

This tool, afsasafetyportal.com, is for AFSA members, and, remember, it is offered to you at no cost—it is a part of your member benefits. Maximize your membership by taking advantage of all the free resources available online at afsasafetyportal.com! n

SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 39

MEET YOUR 2022 M/S COUNCIL MEMBERS REPRESENTATIVES WORK ON BEHALF OF ASSOCIATES

T

REBECCA HERRING | AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION he American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council elected its 2022 officers in August 2021 and was pleased to announce them during their annual meeting in September 2021, which was held at AFSA40: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in San Antonio, Texas. Derek Allen of Core & Main in Hayward, California, will serve as the Chair of the Council, and Bill Phair of Ferguson Fire & Fabrication in Passaic, New Jersey, will serve as vice chair.

Tim Freiner of Potter Electric Signal Company, St. Louis, Missouri, was re-elected to a three-year term, expiring in 2024.

Phil Schechinger of ASC Engineered Solutions in Exeter, New Hampshire, was newly elected to a three-year term expiring in 2024. Additionally, Lainey Liotta of Lubrizol in Cleveland, Ohio, was elected to a one-year term expiring in 2022.

Schechinger expresses his thanks for being elected and excitement to serve in his upcoming term, saying, “Thank you – I am very excited for the opportunity to serve on this Council. AFSA plays a vital role in the success of expanding the use of fire sprinkler systems, which, as we know, saves lives every day. The passion we all have for this association is evident with the M/S Council, and my hope is that I can continue to contribute to the ongoing work that is being done to expand the membership and participation of this group.”

Newly elected council member Lainey Liotta looks forward to serving on the Council and bringing a different perspective, saying, “It is truly an honor to have been elected to serve on AFSA’s Manufacturers & Suppliers Council, representing Lubrizol. As the only woman and ‘NextGen-er’ on the Council, I hope to offer a fresh perspective and bring forward innovative ideas that will further build upon the Council’s success in supporting training opportunities and promoting the fire sprinkler industry as a whole.”

In fact, all members are anticipating a year of making a great difference on the Council. With a new year comes new opportunities, and the Council couldn’t be more enthusiastic for what the upcoming year will bring for AFSA. The Council will work year-round to continue to facilitate training, leadership, and membership initiatives, goals, and objectives to make 2022 another year for the history books.

The Council, established in 1983, is a national council representing member companies that produce fire sprinkler system

40 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

components and supply materials and services to the industry. The M/S Council was created to represent the interests of all associate members that make and supply products in the industry and assist AFSA’s Board of Directors in meeting the goals of AFSA. Members of the 2021-2022 M/S Council include Mark Abernathy, Bull Moose Tube Company, Chesterfield, Missouri; Derek Allen, Core & Main, Hayward, California; Matt Baker, Spears Manufacturing, Sylmar, California; Ray Fremont, Jr., General Air Products, Inc., Exton, Pennsylvania; Tim Freiner, Potter Electric Signal Company, St. Louis, Missouri; Lainey Liotta, Lubrizol, Cleveland, Ohio; Jim McHugh, AGF Manufacturing Inc., Malvern, Pennsylvania; Michael Mottice, Johnson Controls, Hillard, Ohio; Darren Palmieri, Viking SupplyNet, Hastings, Michigan; Bill Phair, Ferguson Fire & Fabrication, Passaic, New Jersey; Phil Schechinger, ASC Engineered Solutions, Exeter, New Hampshire; Rex Schwendiman, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company, Dallas, Texas; Chris Stason, Victaulic Company, Temecula, California; and Ralph Watson, Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation, Standish, Michigan.

The M/S Council is comprised of both appointed and elected representatives. Each device manufacturing company that holds AFSA membership at level A-6 or above is allowed one seat, with the representative to be appointed by the individual company, and two appointed seats on the Council are reserved for distributor/fabricators in dues-paying categories A-9 or above with a national scope. There are seven elected representatives, and persons serving in these positions may represent any supplier or manufacturer company that includes, but is not limited to, suppliers, other manufacturers, or manufacturer’s representatives as long as the company is an AFSA member in good standing.

AFSA members are encouraged to contact Council representatives with questions or ideas. If you are interested in becoming more involved with AFSA, consider investing in the future of your industry.

Please also consider the time and financial commitment required to attend meetings and work on AFSA programs. The M/S Council will meet on these dates in 2022: January 25-27 in Dallas, Texas; April 24-26 in Scottsdale, Arizona; July 12-14 in Annapolis, Maryland; and October 14-19 in Las Vegas, Nevada at AFSA41. Members interested in serving on the Council should contact M/S Council staff liaison AFSA’s Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services John August Denhardt, P.E., FSFPE at jdenhardt@firesprinkler.org. n

A SECOND CHANCE TO LEARN ABOUT SPRINKLERS ONLINE CONTEST EDUCATES COLLEGE STUDENTS

T

he American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is pleased to announce the five college students nationwide who have won a second chance scholarship through the association’s online scholarship program, afsascholarship.org/secondchance. These national winners were randomly selected to receive a one-time $1,000 AFSA scholarship payable to their respective college, university, or trade school. This online scholarship contest awards five $1,000 prizes annually. The five national winners for 2020-2021 are: • Bridgette Ervin, Durham, North Carolina; • Jahmil Frederick, Snellville, Georgia; • Robert Klesch, Hadley, Massachusetts; • Elyse Silva, Los Alamitos, California; and • Loyda Vance, Green Valley, Arizona.

To be eligible, an applicant must be a current student enrolled at a college, university, or trade school. Applicants are required to read a passage about fire sprinklers—which describes their history, how they operate to save lives and property, and the types of careers that are available in the industry—and take an eight-question reading comprehension test. For each question answered correctly, the student receives one entry into a drawing for one of five $1,000 scholarships. A total of eight entries per applicant into the drawing are possible.

Since its creation in 1996, the AFSA Scholarship Contest has sought to promote the scholarship outside of the fire sprinkler industry in the hope of reaching students who may otherwise never have recognized the importance of automatic fire protection.

• Nathan Miller, Union Star, Missouri; • Ashlynn Oyemola, Haslet, Texas; • Victoria Piniella, White House Station, New Jersey; • Cale Rowley, Guthrie Center, Iowa; • Emma Shuffield, Austin, Arkansas; • Lauren Trull-Oxendine, Grand Prairie, Texas; and • Noah Weislo, Orchard Park, New York.

STUDENTS ENTER ONLINE The high school senior contest is currently open now until April 1, 2022. The second chance will open again from April through August 2022. AFSA scholarships are open to U.S. citizens or legal residents and are not based on financial need. For details or to apply, visit afsascholarship.org. n

SCHOLARSHIP FOR SENIORS AFSA also sponsors a scholarship contest for high school seniors. To enter, an applicant must be a current high school senior planning to attend an accredited U.S. college, university, or trade school in the coming fall. Students are required to complete the same online contest as the Second Chance entrants. For each question answered correctly, the student receives one entry into a drawing for one of 10 $2,000 scholarships. A total of eight entries per applicant into the drawing are possible. The ten national winners randomly chosen for 2020-2021 were: • Joana Carreras, Maywood, Illinois; • Landon Ellington, Weatherford, Texas; • Josh Lawless, Chesterton, Indiana; SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 41

ITM OF STANDPIPE SYSTEMS CLARIFYING MANUAL STANDPIPES AND ITM REQUIREMENTS JOSH MCDONALD, MSET, CFPS | AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION

A

water supply, hose line, and nozzle are a firefighter’s best friend and lifeline in a fire event. The hose and nozzle are used for suppression activities to protect life and property and act as a line of defense with unpredictable fire behavior and the constantly changing environment in an emergency scenario. The water supply, piping, appurtenances, and hose connection must also be intact as designed to ensure the engineered system can support the firefighters with fire control, suppression, and extinguishment throughout the entirety of the operation.

It is essential to understand the design of manual standpipes and requirements to ensure the systems are being inspected, tested, and maintained appropriately. Manual standpipe systems are commonly misunderstood and, in turn, not tested properly.

NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 2019 edition defines the following: 3.3.20.5 Manual Wet Standpipe System. A standpipe system containing water at all times that relies exclusively on the fire department connection to supply the system demand.

3.3.20.4 Manual Dry Standpipe System. A standpipe system with no permanently attached water supply that relies exclusively on the fire department connection to supply the system demand.

3.3.4.1.2 Fire Department Connection for Manual Standpipe Systems. A connection through which the fire department can pump the primary water supply to a manual standpipe system at the required system demand The purpose of a manual standpipe is for the fire service personnel to supply the pressure and flow required for the standpipe demand with a pumper truck, unlike an automatic standpipe. The automatic standpipe provides the standpipe demand without an additional supply provided by the fire service.

Many standpipe systems installed in low- and mid-rise buildings (anything less than 75 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access) are manual wet standpipes, which means that the water supply to the standpipe is small diameter piping leading to the standpipe to provide water pressure as supervision. The water supply piping leading to a combined

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standpipe sprinkler system is sized to supply the sprinkler demand and not the standpipe demand. The piping is sized to ensure 250 gpm at 100 psi at the most hydraulically remote hose connection from the fire department connection (FDC).

The total flow will vary based on the specific fire department pump apparatus, standard operating procedures, and scenario.

The intent is to provide water for the sprinkler system design and provide supervisory pressure to the standpipe until the fire department connects to the FDC for manual standpipes to provide the flow and pressure standpipe for fire fighting activities. Automatic standpipes are typically only installed in high-rise buildings.

Parking garages less than or equal to 150 ft above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access are also permitted to be provided with manual standpipes. Wet manual standpipes are allowed when the garage is not in an area subject to freezing; dry manual standpipes must be installed if freezing can occur. The dry manual standpipe is not filled with water and may or may not be supervised with air pressure.

The manual standpipes’ inspection, testing, and maintenance must be conducted with the design in mind. Many mistakes are made when the design is not considered. NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, 2020 edition does not require manual standpipe systems flow tests because it is not intended on the domestic water supply to provide the pressure and flow demand of the standpipe system. The intent of the standard is to not require the owner to provide a flow test by hiring a contractor with a fire engine or utilize the local fire department resources for a flow test of all manual standpipes in a jurisdiction. Using an apparatus other than the local fire department may not accurately represent what the jurisdiction will be provided as the primary water supply, significantly as apparatus is upgraded over time. Due to the many variables, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can even waive a flow test on acceptance.

However, a pressure test is required to ensure the system’s integrity. The requirements for standpipe and hose system ITM can be found in Chapter 6 of NFPA 25. NFPA 25 states: 6.3.2.1 Hydrostatic tests of not less than 200 psi (13.8 bar) pressure for 2 hours, or at 50 psi (3.4 bar) in excess of the maximum pressure, where maximum pressure is in excess of 150

psi (10.3 bar), shall be conducted every 5 years on manual standpipe systems and semiautomatic dry standpipe systems, including piping in the fire department connection.

6.3.2.1.1 Manual wet standpipes that are part of a combined sprinkler/standpipe system shall not be required to be tested in accordance with 6.3.2.1.

6.3.2.2 The hydrostatic test pressure shall be measured at the low elevation point of the individual system or zone being tested.

6.3.2.2.1 The inside standpipe piping shall show no leakage.

The purpose of this test is to ensure that the pipe network is intact. This test allows the ITM personnel to be confident that there is a reasonable degree of protection that the system should maintain pressure provided by the fire department in a fire scenario. A manual wet combined sprinkler/standpipe system is not hydrostatically tested because it is constantly supervised with pressure. A failed test could also result in many issues for the building owner, damaging property and impairing the sprinkler system.

The hose connections, piping, and hydraulic information signs are subject to an annual or visual inspection.

Control valves, gauges, check valves, FDCs, hose valves, pressure-regulating devices, and supervisory devices are subject to ITM in accordance with Chapter 13 of NFPA 25 as they are common components that are typically found on most water-based fire protection systems. It is vital to understand these systems when performing ITM to be confident that life and property can be saved when a firefighter is risking their life and trusting the system will work when connecting to a standpipe hose connection in a dynamic emergency. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joshua McDonald, MSET, CFPS, is a technical programs specialist for AFSA, where he is responsible for developing, updating, and delivering technical content. He has experience in all areas of training for fire protection industry professionals, including web-based and hands-on learning. McDonald received his Bachelor of Science degree in fire protection and safety engineering technology and Master of Science degree in Fire Safety and Explosion Protection from Oklahoma State University. He is a member of NFPA and SFPE.

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NEW TRAINING OPTIONS TO MEET EDUCATION NEEDS ITM, HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS, ASSE 15010, AND NICET CERTIFICATION PREP

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REBECCA HERRING | AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION

he American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is constantly seeking to expand its training offerings to better meet the needs of its members. With that in mind, AFSA is proud to announce four new training offerings taking place through the end of 2021 and into 2022.

3-DAY ITM AND HYDRAULIC CALCULATIONS COURSES AFSA is excited to announce the addition of two new in-person, three-day training courses. The new courses being offered are an NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, Hands-On ITM 3-Day Training and a 3-Day Sprinkler Hydraulics Calculations Class. Both of these courses will offer unique opportunities to learn about their subject matter directly from experts in the industry with hands-on application opportunities. Additionally, both courses are approved for contractor credit by the Florida Fire Safety Board.

NFPA 25 Hands-On ITM 3-Day Training – The class will help to navigate and understand the responsibilities of the inspector based on NFPA 25. The hands-on lab time will allow attendees to understand the components of the system, utilize the proper methods to conduct ITM activities, and visualize the sequence of operations. This training will help the ITM personnel become more comfortable with responsibilities, communicate the importance of ITM to customers, and give them the ability to ask questions and walk through the systems without the added field stressors.

The class will provide a three-day hands-on review of the inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) requirements for sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, fire pumps, and common components for water-based fire protection systems through classroom-based review and hands-on demonstrations and practice.

Specific hands-on tests will vary and may include main drain test; valve status test; dry system trip test; preaction/deluge trip test; resetting dry and preaction/deluge valves; weekly, monthly, and annual fire pump tests; and air supplies (air compressors and nitrogen generators).

Class content is subject to change based on specific needs and equipment availability. This class is ideally suited for students who have at least one year of ITM experience, equivalent to NICET Level I, and an understanding of water-based system components and other basic concepts. However, inspection trainees can also

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benefit from this course. The intended audience includes ITM technicians, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), facility management, building engineers, insurance representatives, etc.

The NFPA 25 Hands-On ITM 3-Day course will be offered December 1-3, 2021, in Davie, Florida, and registration is now open. For more information and to register for this course, visit www.firesprinkler.org/3day.

3-Day Sprinkler Hydraulics Calculations Class – This course will offer a deep dive into the calculations needed for sprinklers, standpipes, and underground systems. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the types of pressure, pressure loss, and outputs to better understand hydraulic calculations and hydraulic sheets produced by their design software. This understanding will help participants to become more efficient, minimize and identify mistakes, and review others’ hydraulic calculations.

At the conclusion of this class, the attendee will be able to understand and apply the principles of hydraulics, including the different types of pressure, calculating changes in pressure (elevation and friction loss), and node analysis. The student will also be able to apply factors for equivalent length adjustments based on pipe type, size, and system arrangement.

Using the principles of hydraulics, the students will be able to select a remote area, perform hand calculations for tree systems, and identify and understand the different sections of the detailed hydraulic worksheet and where to place the appropriate system information. This module will provide a thorough understanding of the processes behind the various hydraulic calculation applications used in the industry. Examples of hydraulic calculations for sprinkler systems will be provided with a hands-on approach. This class is offered as a workshop where students will receive classroom instruction, work through examples, and validate the work through hydraulic calculation software.

Class content is subject to change based on specific needs and equipment availability. This class is ideally suited for students preparing for the hydraulics portion of the NICET Level III exam for Water-Based Systems Layout. Look for the 3-Day Hydraulic Calculations training coming again in 2022 and an Advanced Hydraulic Class covering standpipes and fire pumps currently in development with anticipated availability later in 2022. For more details, visit www.firesprinkler.org/3day.

ASSE 15010 CERTIFICATION Inspecting, testing, and maintaining (ITM) fire protection systems is meaningful work that comes with great responsibility.

ASSE developed its 15010 course to certify individuals for inspection and testing aspects of NFPA 25. This program or a similar program like National Institute for Certified Engineering Technicians (NICET) ITM certification may be a requirement for a contractor to perform ITM services by some local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs). Check your local and state requirements for specifics related to your services.

AFSA is an ASSE-approved provider of the 15010 certification course. This new AFSA course includes: • Forty of the 80 required training hours to be eligible for ASSE 15010 certification; • Delivery by ASSE-approved instructors, as required for certification; • Practical (hands-on) certification examination to include performing a full-flow trip test of a dry pipe system, trip test of a preaction system main drain test full flow test, on a diesel or electric-driven fire pump; • Written certification examination; • Approved proctors for both exams, as required by ASSE for certification; • Exam fees required for ASSE certification; • Instruction delivered at an ASSE-approved lab, as required for certification; • Evaluation and verification of certification prerequisites, as required

by ASSE; and • Verification of work experience and prior training.

Contractors in the Philadelphia area have until March 10, 2022, to submit their certification; otherwise, they cannot perform inspections in the City of Philadelphia.

Join AFSA January 17-21, 2022, in Exton, Pennsylvania, at General Air Products for this training. Registration is $1,000 for members and $1,800 for non-members. Learn more and register at www.firesprinkler.org/15010.

simulate the time allotted and information that may be present on the NICET II test.

To attend this class, per NICET, attendees must have two years’ relevant work experience in the inspection and periodic testing of water-based fire protection systems as defined by NICET to obtain Level II. Additionally, attendees will need to bring their own copy of NFPA 25, 2017 edition. This course will be offered in-person in Dallas December 6-7, 2021.

Students are encouraged to pre-schedule the NICET II exam for a date shortly after completing this course. (NICET exam is purchased separately; it is not included with this course.) Use your NICET login credentials to book your exam appointment in advance at: https:// home.pearsonvue.com/nicet. A Pearson Vue test center is conveniently located across the street from the AFSA Training Center.

To learn more and register, visit www.firesprinkler.org/nicetprep.

AFSA makes no implied or expressed warranty that studying these materials or passing this course will ensure passage of the related NICET test exams or certification by NICET.

INVEST IN YOUR WORKFORCE As business in the fire sprinkler industry continues to pick up, more contractor companies are finding themselves with a wealth of projects to tackle. But these projects require a fully trained team. An investment in your workforce is an investment in your business. Not an AFSA member and want to take advantage of the free and discounted training offered? Learn more about AFSA’s trial memberships for contractors and municipal AHJs at www.firesprinkler.org/join. n

IN-PERSON NICET II INSPECTION & TESTING PREP COURSE This two-day, in-person course will serve as a refresher for those preparing to take NICET’s Level II exam on Inspection & Testing of Water-Based Systems. AFSA’s NICET II Inspection & Testing Prep Course is intended to prepare ITM technicians, having at least two years of relevant work experience, for the NICET Level II exam for Inspection & Testing of Water-Based Systems. The course includes content relevant to NICET Level II which primarily concentrates on NFPA 25, 2017 edition, ITM requirements of wet systems, dry systems, water tanks, fire pumps, standpipes, and private fire service mains. In-class review of the identification and classification of ITM deficiencies and impairments, obstruction investigations, and assessments of internal piping conditions will be included along with an overview of required safety and communication elements. Participants will have an opportunity to apply test-taking and time-management strategies during timed in-class assessments in preparation for the NICET exam. The practice problems and assessments will SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 45

GROWING MEMBERSHIP AFSA USHERS IN ADDITIONAL DUES CATEGORIES

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BOB CAPUTO, CFPS | AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION

n 2020 the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Board of Directors voted to increase the membership dues structure for only the second time in the past 20 years. That action was needed to keep pace with the rising cost of doing business, and the creation of in-demand programs for our members.

Unlike some trade associations, AFSA has limited sources of income, including membership dues, proceeds from our annual convention, and our training programs. We are unique in that all members and associates pay dues based upon self-reported income levels or company size.

Many companies join at an original tier level, but as they grow, don’t revisit the dues structure year over year, which we know from conversations with members is very innocent and unintentional. It is an easy thing to forget about, especially since we don’t audit anyone to determine if members should be moved to another level.

BE PREPARED FOR YOUR EXAM

NICET II Inspection & Testing Prep Course Prepares ITM technicians for the NICET Level II Inspection and Testing of WaterBased Systems test.

• Review NICET certification requirements • Test-taking strategies and preparation • Review of reference materials

www.firesprinkler.org/NICETprep 46 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

That said, we are asking all members to review the new dues structure being implemented in January 2022 and let us know which category best represents your gross fire sprinkler sales.

Please note there is no change in dues for those members in the first eight categories. We have added one category (highlighted in yellow below) to fill a gap in the original dues structure.

The newly added categories will have an impact on members and associates doing more than $50 million in volume. The additional categories were created to address the revenue losses experienced through the mergers and acquisitions our industry has been experiencing. For example, when a top-tier company buys another company, the net result for AFSA is a loss of the dues revenue from in the acquired company. Over the past several years, mergers and acquisitions have resulted in a significant reduction in dues revenue, and it became clear that AFSA was long overdue for an overhaul of a dues structure created decades ago.

Like many of our members, the association was financially impacted by COVID-19, with some members not renewing due to hardship, and having to cancel our convention in 2020. The new categories are designed to get us back on track in the fairest way possible and to keep pace with evolving business structures.

We believe membership in AFSA is a great investment at every level. Our technical services department has had multiple cases where a member saved three times the cost of their membership with a single technical question code review.

Some members may not know that when your company is a member, your employees are members too. They have access to numerous beneficial services they may not know are available, including: • AFSA’s Safety Portal provides a long list of toolbox talks, providing a great resource for safety managers, superintendents and foremen. These can also provide ideas and content for your company’s safety handbook.

• Training with in-person, webinars, and on-demand (new programs coming in 2022 as enumerated in this issue’s President’s Report).

• Networking – connecting with other fire sprinkler contractors in one of our 31 local chapters.

• AFSA’s Sprinkler Forum, where peers can help with suggestions and solutions to unique situations or everyday challenges.

• Business Solutions – save money on office supplies, insurance programs, and more planned to include vehicle buying, vehicle maintenance, and fuel programs for members.

Current Dues Structure

New Categories

Less than $ 500,000.............................$1,200.00/yr $500,000 – $ 999,999.........................$1,584.00/yr $1,000,000 – $ 2,999,999...................$2,376.00/yr $3,000,000 – $ 4,999,999...................$3,168.00/yr $5,000,000 – $ 9,999,999............;......$4,620.00/yr $10,000,000 – $14,999,999 ...............$6,600.00/yr $15,000,000 – $19,999,999...............$9,900.00/yr $20,000,000 – $24,999,999...............$13,200.00/yr $25,000,0000 – $29,999,999.............$19,800.00/yr* $30,000,000 – $49,999,99.................$26,400.00/yr $400,000,000 or more.........................$50,000.00/yr

$50,000,000 – $74,999,999 ..............................$30,000.00/yr $75,000,000 – $99,999,999...............................$32,000.00/yr $100,000,000 – $124,999,999...........................$34,000.00/yr $125,000,000 – $149,999,999...........................$36,000.00/yr $150,000,000 – $174,999,999...........................$38,000.00/yr $175,000,000 – $199,999,999...........................$40,000.00/yr $200,000,000 – $249,999,999...........................$42,000.00/yr $250,000,000 – $299,999,999...........................$44,000.00/yr $300,000,000 – $349,999,999...........................$46,000.00/yr $350,000,000 – $399,999,999...........................$48,000.00/yr

*Added Tier Level

As you review the new dues structure (above) and reconsider the tier level your company fits for 2022, I hope you will join me and your Board of Directors in the knowledge that we’re all in this together and that together, our industry is stronger. Being the primary resource for your employees’ training and continued education continues to pay back dividends in both time and money. We hope you will agree that your dues are a benefit, not a cost, when you look at our services objectively.

Your membership team of Bruce Lecair, Meda Merritt, and Dominick Kasmauskas are always available to assist you and your team. Please feel free to reach out to me via email,

bcaputo@firesprinkler.org, or call my cell phone, (760) 908-7753, if I can answer any questions related this issue, or hear any feedback you’d like to offer. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bob Caputo, CET, CFPS, is president of AFSA. He currently serves as chair of NFPA 24/291 Private Water Supply Piping Systems committee and as an alternate member of NFPA 13 Sprinkler System Installation Criteria committee. Caputo has written and presented seminars throughout the world on fire protection and life-safety systems and has developed AFSA and NFPA education and training materials.

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SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 47

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT MEMBERS CELEBRATE MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES

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he American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is recognizing members who are celebrating milestone membership anniversaries. The member companies featured here have belonged to AFSA for 15 or more years of continuous membership.

“AFSA has the tightest, closest-knit family of any association I’ve been privy to, whether as an employee or as a member,” comments Regional Director of Membership & Chapter Support Dominick Kasmauskas, CFPS. “It’s a true family affair and one that will benefit you and your company. We thank our members for their continued support!”

Several members are celebrating milestone anniversaries. Rudd Fire Protection in Tyler, Texas, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with AFSA, and Dave Jones Fire Protection in Madison, Wisconsin, is celebrating 15 years of AFSA membership. David Rudd, SET, president of Rudd Fire Protection and Kevin Klug, fire protection manager at Dave Jones Fire Protection, shared some of their favorite AFSA memories and things they’ve learned.

Happy Anniversary to AFSA Milestone Members!

November–December 2021 40-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Crawford Sprinkler Co. of S.C., Inc., Lugoff, SC 35-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Bear Industries, Inc., Newark, DE Diamond Automatic Sprinklers, Inc., Mt. Holly Springs, PA 25-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Rudd Fire Protection, Inc., Tyler, TX William McDonough Plumbing, Inc., Sarasota, FL Designer Members Adams Fire Protection, Tucson, AZ 20-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Extinguish FIre Corporation, Fredericksburg, VA J.G. Tate Fire Protection Systems, Poway, CA Mountain Valley Sprinkler Systems, Williston, VT 15-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Dave Jones Fire Protection, Madison, WI Designer Members Engineered FIre Protection, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA

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HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THE FIRE SPRINKLER INDUSTRY? Rudd: “I had been trained in drafting in high school. My father was an architect so I grew up around plans, site surveys, construction, and running topographic surveys with him. My uncle owned the family plumbing business, Rudd Plumbing which was a DBA of Rudd Contracting Co., Inc. He had purchased a local fire sprinkler company in 1983. He hired me in 1984 to ‘learn’ the business so that someone in the family would know how to do it. The rest is history.”

Klug: “I worked at the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in college and remember being involved with the burn victims that came to the hospital. It’s devastating what a fire can do. Fast forward a few years and I was in the plumbing industry for a company that did both plumbing and fire protection. After becoming a part owner, I had an opportunity to get into fire protection. Two companies and 20 years later, I’m still in the business.”

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN AFSA? Rudd: “I left Rudd in 1986 (after my uncle decided to get out of the sprinkler business) to continue my career in fire sprinkler design. I went to work for Northwest Fire Protection, Inc. (NWFP) in Fort Smith, Arkansas. NWFP was a member of AFSA and that is how I became acquainted with the association. I was asked to return to Rudd in 1995 to reopen Rudd Fire Protection. I had already seen the benefits of AFSA, so we joined and have been members ever since.”

Klug: “Being involved in a merit shop, it was easy. It’s where the curriculum comes from and the resources are endless.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OR MOST USED AFSA BENEFIT? Rudd: “It is the training programs hands down. I completed the Applied Sprinkler Technologies Series in 2005. I have encouraged our employees to partake of the design schools, apprenticeship courses, and the foremanship course. We all use the AFSA webinars to gain our NICET Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points. I want all of our certified staff to maintain their certifications and AFSA provides the tools to do that.”

Klug: “AFSA’s Engineering & Technical Services team. I have been blessed with having great people around me, but there

always seems to be a question that comes up and we need an opinion. Many thanks to AFSA for getting an answer.”

IF I WEREN’T WORKING IN FIRE PROTECTION, I WOULD BE… (FILL IN THE BLANK).

WHAT IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE YOU’VE SEEN IN THE INDUSTRY?

Rudd: “That is a really good question. I guess I would still be in retail. That is what I was doing before I was called into this trade.”

Klug: “I would be a golf pro. I can’t imagine any better life.”

Rudd: “Technology. When I started in the mid-1980s, we had four basic types of sprinklers and the basic valves and components. Now we have what seems like hundreds of choices of sprinklers, a myriad of valves and gadgets. Design software has advanced as well. I started out on the board drafting systems. We had a computer dedicated only for hydraulic calculations and everyone shared it. I still remember the day my boss came into my office and assigned me the task of getting everyone a desktop computer and printer. Later, we started trying out a new design product called computer-aided design (CAD) and now the board is a relic of the past. (I will admit, there is a board in my office and it still gets used for estimates).”

Klug: “I can’t even begin to mention all the changes. This industry is always evolving. Recently, it’s been great to get involved in the webinars.”

WHAT’S THE KEY INGREDIENT TO YOUR SUCCESS? Rudd: “God and hard work. I would not be where I am today without God’s divine help and many mentors to help along the way. The fire sprinkler industry is an ever-evolving trade. It takes years to learn and, honestly, you never really feel like you have mastered it. I enjoy it. This is an occupation that you can feel good about, especially when the system works and a life or a building is saved.”

Klug: “People! People who work for me and who I work with and work for. I have an amazing group of people who I have had the pleasure to work with. There are several who have worked with me for 20 years.”

CELEBRATING AFSA MEMBERS AFSA looks forward to celebrating with more members and is excited to continue offering a trial membership program for contractors and AHJs. For details, visit www.firesprinkler.org/join.

“The first-six-months-free trial for new contractors is still available. Be a member, get a member is still in operation. I urge AFSA members to use their abilities and talents to reach out to their peers, their competitors, and grow this association by 10 percent in all states. Let them know which AFSA benefits you enjoy!” states Kasmauskas. “Bruce, Meda, and I are here to assist at any time, and I’d personally be glad to meet with a potential member with your guidance any time.”

He continues: “Regarding your ‘competition,’ I recently discussed this in a presentation and wanted to remind people that educated competition is better than ignorant competition. When a bad contractor does bad fire sprinkler work and someone gets hurt, the industry suffers. We all suffer, not just the bad actors.

So, again, I encourage you all to be lively, active members of the AFSA Membership Department and help us reach out to potential new Contractor, Associate, Designer, and AHJ members and bring them into the family affair. Stay safe out there!”

Recognition for milestone membership anniversaries in Sprinkler Age will be done in five-year anniversary increments and is available to all membership types. Congratulations to these members! n

The Dave Jones Fire Protection team is celebrating its 15th anniversary with AFSA. SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 49

AFSA NEWS MCDONALD PASSES HIS NICET LEVEL III ITM TESTING

Joshua McDonald, MSET, CFPS, technical programs specialist for AFSA, has passed his NICET Level III ITM Testing. NICET’s ITM certification program is for engineering technicians engaged in the inspection and testing of existing water-based fire protection systems, including identifying and addressing emergency and pre-planned impairments. Level III is for technicians who can work independently to perform complete system inspection and testing jobs and who may supervise the work of other testing and inspection (TI) technicians.

McDonald has experience in all areas of training for fire protection industry professionals, including web-based and hands-on learning. As a manufacturer, McDonald has been involved in the research and development of new fire protection products and has experience with risk engineering applying to the installation of fire protection systems. He

CALENDAR DECEMBER 2021 1-3

• NFPA 25 Hands-On ITM 3-Day Training Davie, FL firesprinkler.org/3day

6-7

• NICET II Inspection & Testing Prep Course Dallas, TX firesprinkler.org/nicetprep

2

11

• Sprinkler Challenge Webinar: NFPA 14, 2019 Edition firesprinkler.org/webinars • Fitter Zone Webinar: Firestopping firesprinkler.org/webinars

JANUARY 2022 17-21

• AFSA Training Course for ASSE 15010 Certification Exton, PA firesprinkler.org/15010

APRIL 2022 11

• AFSA ITM Inspector Development Program Cycle 13 Kick-Off firesprinkler.org/itm

Seminars subject to change. Call (214) 349-5965 to confirm locations and times.

For more events and details, visit firesprinkler.org and click on “Events” and “Events List.”

50 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

received his Bachelor of Science degree in fire protection and safety engineering technology and Master of Science degree in Fire Safety and Explosion Protection from Oklahoma State University. McDonald is a member of NFPA and SFPE.

AFSA ON-DEMAND WEBINARS

AFSA’s new online learning platform offers 24/7 access to CEUs and/ or CPDs from its educational events, including live webinars. AFSA OnDemand offers fire sprinkler contractors and other professionals access to the best in specialty education anytime. These courses are presented by experts in the fire protection industry and are carefully developed to offer convenience and flexibility. Visit firesprinkler.org/ondemand for details.

STAY IN THE KNOW WITH SPRINKLER AGE

Sign up to receive your own free copy of Sprinkler Age magazine— printed, digital, or both! Qualified industry professionals can sign up for a subscription online at firesprinkler.org/sprinklerage/subscribe. For more information or to view the digital edition, visit sprinklerage.com.

BUILDING VALUE THROUGH SAFETY

Have you visited afsasafetyportal.com yet? It’s AFSA’s member-only safety resource! This virtual library delivers the accident-prevention and safety-related information you need to educate your staff, help prevent claims, and create a safe work environment. Developed by the AFSA Insurance & Safety Committee in partnership with Blue River Underwriters, an AFSA-endorsed insurance partner, AFSA’s online Safety Portal is a customized safety website built with the specific needs of fire sprinkler contractors in mind. With over 1,000 resources and references, AFSA’s Safety Portal aims to address some of the key issues in fire sprinkler construction safety today, such as electrical safety, ladder safety, loss control, personal protection, and vehicle safety. Whether members are in need of OSHA regulations, workplace safety posters, or even loss statistics to better prepare their staff, AFSA’s Safety Portal helps to make your place of business and job-sites safe and compliant. To learn more, visit afsasafetyportal.com.

AFSA HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST OPEN

From now until April 1, 2022, eligible high school seniors can visit afsascholarship.org to apply for one of AFSA’s high school scholarships. Open to 2021-2022 high school seniors who want to pursue a college degree or trade school education; the scholarship offers the chance to win one of 10 scholarships. The best part? The AFSA scholarship contest has no essay-writing required. Instead, applicants simply visit the website, read a short passage on fire protection and fire sprinklers, and answer questions about the reading. Each correct answer offers one entry into the scholarship contest, with a total of eight entries possible per applicant!

Winners are randomly selected to receive a one-time $2,000 AFSA scholarship payable to their respective college, university, or trade school.

To learn more and apply for the scholarship, visit afsascholarship.org before April 1, 2022. n

CHAPTER NEWS GREATER BAY AREA

On September 30, the Greater Bay Area Chapter held its Oktoberfest Apprentice Competition and Manufacturer’s Presentation with ABC NorCal and CAFSA in Livermore, California. The event was free to all attendees, exhibitors, and students. It boasted 20 vendors and had a great turnout with about 130 attendees. The event also had a written knowledge test for students, as well as a hands-on groove depth competition. Awards and raffles were given out and a free meal was provided! Thank you to all who attended and made the event a success. Keep up-to-date with the chapter by visiting AFSA-GBA.org.

SCHUYLKILL

On October 27, the AFSA Schuylkill Chapter met for a chapter interest and information meeting in King of Prussia. AFSA President Bob Caputo spoke to the chapter about the benefits of joining a local chapter and what AFSA is accomplishing at the national level! Additionally, a new board was elected for the chapter including Chairman Christopher Campion, Vice Chairman Dan Sinkler, Treasurer Jay Stout, Secretary Dan DeDominic, and Executive Director Carley English. Thank you to all who attended and made the meeting a success! Keep up-todate with the chapter by visiting afsasc.org.

SOUTH CAROLINA

The South Carolina Fire Sprinkler Association held a three-day training that provided attendees with seven different seminars as well as opportunities for networking, a chapter meeting, and more in-between. Thank you to all who attended this event! Keep up-to-date with the chapter by visiting scfiresprinklerassociation.com. n

ASSOCIATION NEWS FSCATX

On October 18, FSCATx held its 32nd Annual Golf Tournament benefitting the Scottish Rite Children’s hospital. With about 150 attendees this year, the event was a huge success! Thank you to all who attended and supported this great cause. Keep up-to-date with the chapter by visiting fscatx.org. n

NEED MEMBERSHIP OR CHAPTER ASSISTANCE?

AFSA members or those interested in membership, finding a local chapter, or becoming involved in AFSA national can contact AFSA’s Membership Department for assistance: • Bruce Lecair, director of membership and chapter support (Western U.S.), blecair@firesprinkler.org; • Dominick Kasmauskas, regional director of membership and chapter support (Eastern U.S.), dgkasmauskas@firesprinkler.org; and • Meda Merritt, manager of membership and chapter relations, mmerritt@firesprinkler.org. n

Photos (from top to bottom): 1. The Greater Bay Chapter ‘s Oktoberfest Apprentice Competition and Manufacturer’s Presentation was a great success. 2. The Oktoberfest featured 20 vendors. 3. AFSA President Bob Caputo attended the Schuykill Chapter meeting. 4. The South Carolina Fire Sprinkler Association held a three-day training for members.

SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 51

AFSA CHAPTERS ALABAMA

alfiresprinkler.org Hunter Brendle – Pres.

334-270-8571 Greg Willis – Exec. Dir. 334-567-4257

ARIZONA

Jason Williams – Chair.

480-421-8411 Makenna Leathers – Exec Dir. 804-222-1381

ARKANSAS

David Nabors– Chair.

501-225-4910 Coleman Farrar – Exec. Dir. 479-461-3863

CAROLINAS

afsacarolinaschapter.com Carl Jackson – Chair.

910-443-0626 John Turnage – Exec. Dir. 919-624-3456

CHESAPEAKE BAY

afsachesapeakechapter.org Jason Martin – Chair.

410-286-3314 Danielle Fowler – Exec. Dir. 410-972-1122

COLORADO

GREATER BAY AREA

afsacoloradochapter.org Roger Wallace – Chair.

719-337-6550 Kim Cook – Exec. Dir. 704-213-4368

afsa-gba.org Dave Karrick – Chair.

925-417-5550 Alicia Karrick - Exec. Dir. 510-398-9185

CONNECTICUT

afsadfwchapter.org CJ Bonczyk – Chair.

817-529-1693

ILLINOIS-INDIANA

Sklyer Bilbo – Chair 217-342-2242 Mitch Bortner – Vice Chair 206-348-0078

FLORIDA

afsafl.org Suzanne Saults – Chair.

727-556-2790 Jessica Cox – Exec. Dir. 813-784-3624

LOUISIANA

lafiresprinkler.org Randy Laguna – Chair 504-464-6236 ext 224 Ellen Ballard – Exec. Dir. 318-688-8800

GEORGIA

georgiafiresprinkler.org Allen Cagle – Chair.

770-554-5285 Bonnie Pinson – Exec. Dir. 770-310-2754

MICHIGAN

afsamichiganchapter.org Doug Irvine, Jr. – Chair.

616-784-1644

AFSA AFFILIATE MEMBERS

OKLAHOMA AFFILIATE

ofsa.info Tim Hollon – Pres.

918-851-2416

afsapatriot.org Chad Dubuc – Chair.

508-431-9938

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

socalafsa.com Jeff Bridges – Chair.

941-413-0526

SACRAMENTO VALLEY

TENNESSEE

Thomas Bowlby, Jr. – Chair.

908-226-5313 Victor Lugo – Exec. Dir. 201-635-0400

sacvalleyafsa.org Jordan Hopkins – Chair.

916-672-8415 Paulene Norwood – Exec. Dir. 916-296-0635

NEW MEXICO

SAN DIEGO

UPSTATE NEW YORK

NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND

SCHUYLKILL

UTAH ROCKY MOUNTAIN

NEW JERSEY

Mark McKenzie – Chair.

913-432-6688 Brett Heinrich – Exec. Dir. 785-825-7710

DALLASFORT WORTH

PATRIOT

Marc Huag – Chair.

701-232-7008 Tina Hoff - Exec. Dir. 701-799-1899

GREATER KANSAS CITY

afsact.org Rick Russo, Jr. – Chair.

203-877-7983

MINNESOTADAKOTAS

Paul Chavez – Chair.

505-898-9197 Jeriod Towery – Vice Chair 505-410-4007

Scott Uren – Chair.

858-722-1470 Rhonda Gudger – Exec. Dir. 951-326-4600 afsamac.org Christopher M. Campion, Jr. – Chair.

732-798-0911 Carly English – Exec. Dir.

Ryan Gadhue – Chair.

802-865-3600

OHIO

afsaoh.org Bill Hausmann – Chair 937-859-6198 Scott Huber – Exec. Dir. 513-942-1500

SOUTH CAROLINA

scfsa.org Nikki Ray – Chair.

864-207-8545 Ashley McAdams – Exec. Dir. 864-561-4088

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

afsatennesseechapter.org Casey Milhorn – Chair.

615-349-5278 David Pulliam– Exec. Dir. 901-484-0605

afsaupstatenychapter.org Justin Petcosky – Chair 607-296-7969

afsautahchapter.org Mark Winder, Jr. – Chair.

385-630-8064 Brent Heiner – Exec. Dir. 801-544-0363

VIRGINIA

virginiaafsa .com Bob Beckwith – Chair.

540-659-4675 Steve McGee – Exec. Dir. 757-544-0520

afsanw.org Josh Massingale – Chair.

360-794-8621 Ron Greenman – Exec. Dir. 253-576-9700

TEXAS AFFILIATE

fscatx.org David Stone – Pres.

713-466-9898 Sarah Kiefer – Exec. Dir. 512-844-6632

Pacific

Northw

est

Sacramento Valley Greater Bay

Michigan

Utah

Southern California

San Diego

d n er lan rth ng Upstate No w E e New York N Patriot Connecticut New Jersey Schuylkill

Minnesota-Dakotas

Arizona

Colorado

New Mexico

Indiana-Illinois

Greater Kansas City Oklahoma (Affiliate)

Arkansas

Dallas Fort Worth

Alabama Louisiana

Chesapeake Bay Virginia Carolinas

South Carolina Georgia gia

a

id

or

Fl

Texas (Affiliate)

Tennessee

Ohio

52 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

U.S. CONSTRUCTION REPORTS TOTAL CONSTRUCTION STARTS MOVE LOWER IN JULY

Total construction starts fell 3 percent in July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $854.8 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. There were few bright spots during the month, with all three sectors (residential, nonresidential building and nonbuildings) moving lower in July.

For the 12 months ending July 2021, total nonbuilding starts were 2 percent lower than the 12 months ending July 2020. Environmental public works starts were 32 percent higher, while utility and gas plant starts were down 18 percent. Highway and bridge starts were up 1 percent and miscellaneous nonbuilding starts were 25 percent lower through the first seven months.

TOTAL CONSTRUCTION STARTS DECLINE IN AUGUST

Total construction starts fell 9 percent in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $782.8 billion. All three sectors lost ground during the month: nonbuilding starts were down 2 percent, residential starts were 9 percent lower, and nonresidential building starts fell 13 percent.

For the 12 months ending in August 2021, total nonbuilding starts were 2 percent lower than the 12 months ending in August 2020. Environmental public works starts were 22 percent higher and highway and bridge starts were up 3 percent, while utility and gas plant starts were down 17 percent and miscellaneous nonbuilding starts were 22 percent lower on a 12-month rolling basis.

MONTHLY SUMMARY OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE

MONTHLY SUMMARY OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, In Millions

July 2021 Jun 2021 Nonresidential Building $283,799 $285,605 Residential Building $399,984 $424,144 Nonbuilding Construction $171,024 $172,593 Total Construction $854,807 $882,342

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, In Millions

Aug 2021 July 2021 Nonresidential Building $244,890 $380,688 Residential Building $370,199 $406,296 Nonbuilding Construction $167,751 $170,904 Total Construction $782,840 $857,888

% Change -13 -9 -2 -9

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

8 Mos. 2021 8 Mos. 2020 Nonresidential Building $180,934 $176,067 Residential Building $281,888 $226,659 Nonbuilding Construction $127,145 $126,443 Total Construction $589,967 $529,169

% Change 3 24 1 11

Prepared by Dodge Data & Analytics

% Change -1 -6 -1 -3

THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000=100, Seasonally Adjusted) July 2021... ..............181 June 2021... ............187 YEAR-TO-DATE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Unadjusted Totals, In Millions

7 Mos. 2021 7 Mos. 2020 Nonresidential Building $158,698 $152,012 Residential Building $248,178 $191,338 Nonbuilding Construction $112,103 $109,397 Total Construction $518,979 $452,747

% Change 4 30 2 15

Prepared by Dodge Data & Analytics

INDUSTRY LEADING TR AINING FIRE SPRINKLER FITTER APPRENTICE TRAINING Levels I-IV Recognized curriculum in all 50 states Customizable to fit your company’s needs Nearly 600 training hours Streamlined online testing with 24/7 access Online access to student history and grades

AFSA members save over 30% per course

www.firesprinkler.org/fittertraining SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 53

#MEMBERSMATTER!

H

appy Holidays and welcome to #Membersmatter!

Meda, Dominick, and I hope that you are all enjoying this special season safe and warm with those who you love. It is a very special time of the year, and as I reflect on this past year, I cannot help but feel grateful for the opportunity to serve AFSA and for the accomplishments of 2021.

We thank all our members who have renewed their membership throughout the year. It has been great talking to so many of you and hearing about your membership and how you use your membership benefits. Through the middle of October, the Membership team was pleased to welcome 107 new members to AFSA. We also reinstated 49 previous members! The new Contractor and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) trial membership programs brought AFSA 108 trial contractor members and 191 trial AHJ members.

This is important not just in terms of numbers, but in that each member of our association represents a member who is also an advocate for strengthening the fire sprinkler industry.

Your membership gives us another voice, increases our revenue for improving our education and training programs, and benefits AFSA in terms of outreach for legislation and other important causes.

This past year, the Membership team had the privilege of assisting chapters across the nation and helping our members reorganize the New Mexico, Connecticut, and Schuylkill chapters. We are excited to see the New Year come with new board members and their new energy as they lead their chapters. The Membership team also assisted members with the creation of the new Illinois-Indiana Chapter. We are always grateful for our 31 chapters and for our executive directors and chapter leaders who make things happen. Thank you for all you do and for your dedication and leadership.

Among the many meetings we attended in person and online, we were extremely happy with our first Chapter Leadership Conference as a new team this past spring. While we were still meeting using Zoom, we were able to convene the two-day conference with interactive topics benefiting our chapter leaders across the nation. We discussed “Tips and Tricks for Leading and Managing Chapters,” “The Ins and Outs for Managing Chapters Utilizing Social Media,” “Being a Successful Leader,” “AFSA Case Studies,” “How to Navigate Management of AFSA Chapters.” The information that was shared together and in breakout rooms benefitted our chapters and our chapter leaders with new information and the exchange of ideas!

At the end of June, we held a one-day online meeting with our chapter leaders across the nation to discuss and solicit input for addressing concerns related to the Chapter Grant program.

The previous grant program was no longer beneficial to all and did not adequately fund the needs of the 31 chapters. The information provided by chapter leaders was used to develop a

54 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

AFSA’s Senior Director of Membership & Chapter Support Bruce Lecair (center) with AFSA Virgnia Chapter NextGen members Josh Shapiro (left) and Katie Meehan (right). recommendation for the new Chapter Development Fund program, which was approved by the AFSA Board of Directors at AFSA40 in San Antonio. This new program will provide funds to all chapters that meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the AFSA Chapter Agreement. The Chapter Development Fund eliminates the difficulties and time constraints of the past grant process, allows the chapters to receive funding for uses that benefit their needs, and assists AFSA with providing guidance and managing our chapters. We are extremely grateful for all who contributed and to our Board for their direction.

Legislation and the monitoring of new bills and regulations across the nation are important toward protecting the industry and promoting regulations that promote the use of fire sprinklers that protect us all from the effects of fire in our homes, businesses, and communities. To monitor legislation, the membership team is now utilizing Fiscal Note as its primary tool for daily updates and communication of changes in legislation throughout the nation. This new platform also provides the ability to initiate legislative campaigns more efficiently with an increased amount of information on bills nationally and statewide. The team is also holding monthly legislative touch-base meetings with AFSA’s dedicated Legislative Committee members to receive updates and to discuss legislation in regions throughout the nation.

As you have read, 2021 was a busy year with new direction and many changes. We thank all of you for your support and encouragement during our first year as a new team. We wish you all a great holiday and a very happy and healthy New Year. See you in 2022! n

BRUCE LECAIR AFSA SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP & CHAPTER SUPPORT

AFSA NEW MEMBERS CONTRACTORS

DESIGNERS

AHJS

Andrew Barr McKinney, TX

Efren Abrego San Diego, CA

Big Adventure Inc. Temecula, CA

Act Now Fire Oakland, CA

Bill Greene Davis, CA

Mikele T. Waldron Hatfield, PA

Cache Valley Fire Protection North Logan, UT

GHD Inc. Baltimore, MD

Brad Dornbos Wyoming, MI

Robert Berry, Jr. Wilkesboro, NC

DMG Fire Protection Ontario, CA

Integral Group Nort Vancouver, BC

Brian Turner Tampa, FL

Russell Bunger Frisco, TX

Fierce Fire Protection Services, LLC Wasilla, AK

JCH Phoenix, AZ

Cori Schultz Yuma, AZ

Phil Valdez Colorado Springs, CO

Fire Protection Sales Cleburne, TX

JSD Management Dover, DE

Darin Golden Chula Vista, CA

Rebecca Geimer Tamarac, FL

Griffin Fire & Pipe Cincinnati, OH

Poole Fire Protection Olathe, KS

Eric Lind Maple Grove, MN

Robert Hutton Knoxville, TN

Hartman Fire Protection, Inc. Dallas, TX

RSS Design Spotsylvania, VA

Heather Roth Rochester, NY

Ronald Reed Hobart, IN

JP Fire Sprinkler Co. North Weymouth, MA

Hunter Ward Marietta, SC

Shawn Lofton Mountain Home, AR

Mid-Coast Fire Protection Atascadero, CA

Jason Wilson Los Angeles, CA

Steven Tilley Weymouth, MA

Mustang Fire Systems Fort Worth, TX

John Schurtz Fairfield, OH

Tsabikos Papadimitris Ellicott City, MD

Ohio Valley Integration Services Sidney, OH

Kenneth Helms Enid, OK

Wayne Spiering Maple Grove, MN

Peak Fire Protection Scituate, MA

Kevin Simonds Rancho Cucamonga, CA

William Jones Yuma, AZ

RAEL Automatic Sprinkler Supply New Hyde Park, NY

Kim Dorsey Charlotte, NC

Regional Systems Nash, TX

Kristopher Wright Chesterfield, VA

Schmidt Security Mansfield, OH

Lena Sousou Fremont, CA

Shipp’s Fire Equipment S/S, Inc. Concord, NC

Maria G. Iniguez San Diego, CA

SprinkPro Fire Protection Round Rock, TX

Marie Sheila Doblas Tamarac, FL

Superior Automatic Sprinkler Corp.

Bel Air, MD

Matthew Keck Savanna River Site, SC

Total Fire Protection Vista, CA

Michael Bauer Goodlettsville, TN

AP Plumbing & Fire, Inc. Woodland, CA

1 Trinity Fire Protection Florence, AZ

Mike Bisagno Boise, ID Daniel A. Kaiser St. Paul, MN

SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 55

TECHNICAL CHALLENGES CAN YOU MEET THE CHALLENGE?

Each issue, AFSA’s Engineering & Technical Services Department presents technical challenges. Besides testing yourself and your coworkers, these exercises are excellent preparation for professional certification tests and also may count as continuing education hours. Check with your certification organization.

To participate, carefully read through and work the problems.

Then submit your answers on the appropriate website by December 15, 2021: • firesprinkler.org/ahjchallenge • firesprinkler.org/designerchallenge • firesprinkler.org/fitterchallenge • firesprinkler.org/itmchallenge

AHJ CHALLENGE

The following questions are based on NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 2019 edition.

1. Hose connections shall have external threads, for the valve size specified, in accordance with NFPA standard?

A. NFPA 14 B. NFPA 750 C. NFPA 101 D. NFPA 1963 2. In an 80-story building, what types of Class I standpipes are permitted? Select all that apply.

A. Automatic wet B. Manual dry C. Semiautomatic wet D. Semiautomatic dry 3. When installing a hose valve inside of a hose cabinet what is the minimum required clearance between the hose connections and any part of the cabinet?

A. 6 inches B. 8 inches C. 4 inches D. 2 inches 4. What is the maximum pressure at any point on a standpoint system where hose valves are present?

A. 200 psi B. 300 psi C. 400 psi D. 500 psi

DESIGNER CHALLENGE

The following questions are based on NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 2019 edition.

56 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

1. In a building with a perimeter exceeding 900 ft, how many fire department connections (FDCs) must be provided for each standpipe system zone?

A. None B. One C. Two D. Three 2. Which of the following characteristics would define a structure as a high-rise building?

A. Building height exceeds 75 ft from lowest level of fire department access B. Building height exceeds the pumping capabilities of the fire department C. Building height exceeds 60 ft from lowest level of fire department access D. Floor of an occupiable story exceeds 75 ft from lowest level of fire department access 3. When calculating the friction loss through a Class I hose valve in a dry standpipe, what primary value for equivalent length is required to be used in the hydraulic calculations?

A. 20 ft B. 22.1 ft C. 31 ft D. Based on manufacturer’s published data 4. Which of the following devices is pilot operated and reduces the static and residual (flowing) pressure?

A. Pressure-Control Valve B. Pressure-Regulating Device C. Pressure-Reducing Valve D. Pressure-Restricting Device

FITTER CHALLENGE

The following questions are based on NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, 2019 edition.

1. True or False: A Class II system provides 11/2-in. hose stations to supply water for use primarily by trained personnel or by the fire department during initial response.

2. True or False: Horizontal pipe for dry standpipe pipe systems in refrigerated areas shall be pitched to drain at least 1/4 in. per 10 ft.

3. True or False: The T-wrench for an approved roadway box shall be located within the riser or pump room closes to the roadway box.

4. True or False: Premixed antifreeze is permitted to be used to protect the standpipe system from freezing.

ITM CHALLENGE

The following questions are based on NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, 2020 edition.

1. What is the minimum test interval for listed corrosion resistant sprinklers installed in a corrosive environment?

A. 3 years B. 5 years C. 10 years D. 15 years 2. Which system type is involved in the majority of obstructed sprinkler fire losses?

A. Wet pipe B. Dry pipe C. Water mist D. Foam water 3. During an inspection, you discover concealed sprinkler coverplates caulked to ceiling, how would you classify your finding in your inspection report?

A. Non-critical deficiency B. Critical deficiency C. Impairment D. Classification of this finding is not addressed in NFPA 25

4. During a test of a diesel-driven fire pump, you discover the pump does not reach its rated speed within 20 seconds. How would you classify your finding in your inspection report?

A. Non-critical deficiency B. Critical deficiency C. Impairment D. Classification of this finding is not addressed in NFPA 25

ENTER TODAY!

Don’t forget: to participate in these challenges, work through the problems, then submit your answers online on the appropriate website

by December 15, 2021: • firesprinkler.org/ahjchallenge • firesprinkler.org/designerchallenge • firesprinkler.org/fitterchallenge • firesprinkler.org/itmchallenge Answers for each challenge will be posted on SprinklerAge.com after the deadline. One winner will be pulled at random from those who answer correctly to receive some industry swag! Test your knowledge and that of your co-workers today! n

AFSA Training Course for

ASSE 15010 Certification January 17-21, 2022

Course Includes: Practical (hands-on) certification examination including performing: - Full-flow trip test of a dry pipe system - Trip test of a preaction system - Main drain test - Full-flow test on a diesel or electric-driven fire pump Course Registration Ends December 31, 2021

EFFECTIVE MARCH 15, 2022 In the City of Philadelphia, all Specialty Fire Suppression Workers must show proof of successful completion of ASSE 15010 Water-Based Fire Protection Certification to apply for their Fire Suppression Systems Workers License.

For Class Requirements Visit www.firesprinkler.org/15010 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 57

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS IN MEMORIAM: RAY FREMONT, SR.

AFSA staff and members were saddened to learn that Raymond Michael Fremont, Sr., 66, passed away in his home in Media, Pennsylvania, on October 24, 2021, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

After graduating high school, Fremont began working with his father in the fire protection industry, making equipment out of the garage of their house. Along with his father and brothers, he built General Air Products, a manufacturing business that would eventually do work across the globe and employ over 75 people. As president and CEO of General Air, he served on numerous boards such as the Inter-

national Fire Sprinkler Association and the National Fire Sprinkler Association.

Fremont leaves behind his beloved wife of 44 years Eileen (Wiess), five children—Raymond Jr., Scott (Kimberly), Margaret, Alexander (Amanda), and David (Kara) — as well as 11 grandchildren: Justin, Jacob, Dean, Charlotte, Robert, Maxwell, Ryan, Alexander Jr., Jane, Whitney, and Ruth. He especially enjoyed doting on his daughter and daughters-in-law, and was a proud and loving uncle to 13 nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Fremont’s memory can be made to Common Voices, PO Box 162, Pleasant View, TN 37146. (https://fireadvocates.networkforgood.com/ projects/125513-main-giving-page) or Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School, 403 N. Lansdowne Ave, Drexel Hill, PA 19026 (www.bonnerprendie.com).

GENERAL AIR PRODUCTS HIRES NEW REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

General Air Products announces the recent hiring of Jeff Hill to the position of regional sales manager – West. As part of the General Air sales team, Hill will work with distributors and contractors in the Western region of the United States to provide training and support for General Air’s full line of dry pipe sprinkler system filling solutions. Additionally, Jeff will work to develop new business relationships within the fire protection industry. Hill brings with him 32 years of experience, in the fire sprinkler industry including equipment, fabrication and supply sales Visit generalairproducts.com. n

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation

58 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

Fire Sprinkler Monitoring

New Name, Proven Design Safe Signal is proud to provide electro-mechanical monitoring devices for fire sprinkler systems. This is a new name for a product with over 40 years of success. Our proven designs have produced millions of installations in buildings around the world. Safe Signal will be your new partner for high quality, dependable sprinkler devices.

Our mission is to protect everyone, everywhere. We are committed to providing dependable devices that are ready to serve when needed. We want to bring the industry an essential product that maintains the highest levels of life safety through exceptional quality, while providing our customers value through great service and technical support.

See the Safe Signal Difference at:

www.SafeSignalSprinkler.com

PRODUCT NEWS

ARMSTRONG ANNOUNCES NEW FEATURES FOR PUMP MANAGER SOLUTION

Armstrong Fluid Technology has announced new features for calculating and tracking energy-savings that are now available with its Pump Manager asset management solution.

• The new “Base Case KW” feature now allows users to determine the cumulative energy savings of a Design Envelope pump since it was commissioned.

• The Utility Rate feature allows users to enter local utility rates for accurate calculations of the financial savings.

• The Local Currency feature now supports the presentation of operating savings in the preferred local currency.

• The use of CO2 index values supports the calculation of carbon emission reductions based on State or National figures for C02 index.

Visit armstrongfluidtechnology.com.

JOHNSON CONTROLS RELEASES NEW TYCO® RAPID INSTALL SPRINKLERS

Johnson Controls is releasing two new Tyco early-suppression, fast-response (ESFR) Rapid Install Sprinklers (RIS) for protection of warehouse and storage facilities. The Model ESFR22 and Model ESFR-25 pendent sprinklers, and their accompanying custom welded outlet fitting, simplify installation for fire protection contractors by featuring pre-installed rubber gaskets and a thread connection that can be installed by hand with no need for tools, tape or sealant.

The ESFR-22 RIS (22.4 K-factor) and ESFR-25 RIS (25.2 K-factor) both provide warehouse design flexibility by eliminating the use of in-rack sprinklers when protecting high-piled storage.

The ESFR-22 RIS and ESFR-25 RIS are cULus List-

60 SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021

ed and FM Approved for specific applications with a maximum storage height of 43 ft (13,1 m) and a maximum ceiling height of 48 ft (14,6 m) without the requirement for in-rack sprinklers.

Both sprinklers permit the use of a maximum deflector-to-ceiling distance of 18 in. (460 mm), compared to 14 in.

(356 mm) distance for ESFR sprinklers with K-factors of 14.0 and 16.8.

Tyco ESFR Rapid Install Sprinklers are ideal for ceiling-only sprinkler protection of warehouses and storage facilities containing cartoned and unexpanded plastics, exposed and expanded plastics (in accordance with NFPA 13 and FM Global standards), and some storage arrangements of rubber tires, roll paper, flammable liquids, aerosols, and automotive components. Visit tycofpp.com.

RIDGID® INTRODUCES FIRST IN-LINE STANDARD PRESS TOOL

RIDGID®, part of Emerson’s professional tools portfolio, is introducing the RP 351, its first in-line standard press tool. The new offering, engineered from the ground up to deliver reliability and efficiency, operates with an advanced brushless motor requiring no scheduled maintenance.

The RP 351 with SlimGrip™ handle for enhanced balance and control weighs only about eight pounds with battery. It joins the recently introduced RIDGID RP 350 Press Tool, a drill grip standard press tool introduced last year to help professionals get more done on every job with less fatigue and no timeouts. Together, the advanced, long-running press tools are built for the most demanding situations and give professionals maximum standard press tool versatility on the job site. Both tools are ideal for making connections on carbon steel, copper, PEX and stainless-steel pipe on residential, commercial and industrial jobs.

The RP 350 and RP 351 feature an advanced brushless motor, known for maximizing tool longevity, efficiency and durability.

Their 360-degree swivel is an industry-first and comes paired with brightest-in-class LED lights to let users not only access tight spaces, but see them more clearly in low and no-light applications. And no scheduled maintenance means less downtime.

Both tools are also compatible with the full line of RIDGID standard series jaws and rings, including: ½ – 4-in. ProPress® for copper and stainless steel, ½ – 2-in. PureFlow® for PEX, and ½ – 2-in. MegaPress®for carbon steel. They also offer maximum versatility, pairing with the RIDGID Press Booster for 2½-in., 3-in., and 4-in. carbon steel, StrutSlayr™ Strut Shear Head and the Press Snap™ Soil Pipe Cutter. Each tool’s 18V battery platform includes chargers for onthe-go battery charging including a 12V car charger cord that is compatible with vehicles; the unit also pairs with the RIDGID Link app to track tool usage, service needs, battery life and last known location. Visit RIGID.com.

UL WARNS OF COUNTERFEIT MARK ON FIRE SPRINKLER

The following is a notification from UL that the fire sprinkler identified bears a counterfeit UL Certification Mark for the United States and Canada. The fire sprinkler has not been evaluated by UL to the appropriate standards for safety and it is unknown if it complies with any safety requirements. Name of Product: NX005, Manufacturer: KARTAR, Remedy: UL recommends that these products be removed from service and be replaced with UL Certified Fire Sprinklers. Identification on the Products: The products are marked with a counterfeit UL Certification Mark and “KARTAR” on the wrench boss. The following is marked on the deflector: NX005, 68 C, and 155 F. n

INDUSTRY NEWS NEFPSI WINS ABC AWARD

AFSA Contractor Member North East Fire Protection Systems, Inc. (NEFPSI), Ballston, New York, recently won the award for Best Historical Installation Under $500K for the fire sprinkler system at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, New York. The award was given by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Empire State Chapter at its 50th Anniversary Celebration on September 30, 2021, at The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York.

HFSC AWARDED FEMA GRANT FOR NEXT-GENERATION VIRTUAL REALITY HOME FIRE EDUCATION

The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) has been awarded a Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With it, HFSC will pioneer and evaluate use of its innovative virtual reality (VR) home fire sprinkler educational technology, funded by a seed grant from property insurer State Farm.

The NEFPSI team celebrated winning the award for Best Historial Installation Under $500K for their project at Universal Preservation Hall.

In the coming year, HFSC will build on the production of its state-of-the-art, 360-degree, 3D and 2D virtual education tools. This next-generation home fire safety education will be introduced to the fire service with best-practices training through various state coalitions. It will also be rolled out nationally with a consumer digital awareness campaign.

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LET US GIVE YOU A HAND WITH BUSINESS DEDUCTIONS

The resources include the VR video shot in an actual house fire without and with fire sprinkler activation. The technology will be adapted in 2D video for on-demand use via the Internet.

The 360-degree, 3D format will be created in a guided, immersible education version.

This portable side-by-side will allow a viewer wearing a headset to experience the fire as if they were inside the burning house. Guided by the fire

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AFSA member dues are deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense.

To qualify for 2021, join or renew by DECEMBER 31 @ firesprinkler.org/join JOIN or RENEW AND GET AN IMMEDIATE TAX REDUCTION. SPRINKLER AGE | NOV/DEC 2021 61

INDUSTRY NEWS CONT. service educator, viewers will see it from any angle, hear the fire crackle, see flashover, and watch the flames and smoke spread. Their experience will be dramatically contrasted with the fire sprinkler activation and its control of the fire.

For 25 years, HFSC has been working with the fire service to mitigate home fire loss. HFSC’s free resources help fire departments improve and increase their local home fire sprinkler education and advocacy. Live flashover and fire sprinkler side-by-side events have been

a successful centerpiece of this collaboration, presenting realistic home fire and sprinkler scenarios to the public to reinforce the speed of fire and the importance of having fire sprinklers, smoke alarms and escape planning.

The technology can be shared through social media, used remotely and via distance learning, as well as presented in person. Easy to access Internet versions of the VR video will increase and improve consumer and homebuyer education. Visit homefiresprinkler.org,

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IFSA OPENS THE FY2022-2023 GRANT APPLICATION CYCLE

The International Fire Suppression Alliance, Ltd. (IFSA) announces that grant applications are now being accepted for organizations seeking funding in IFSA’s Fiscal Year 2022-2023.

The application process is open to any fire safety related group, association, or agency outside of North America seeking to promote, expand, and improve the use of automatic water-based fire suppression systems as a means of reducing fire related losses. Applications and instructions can be found on the IFSA website, www. firesprinkler.global/grants. Applications for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 funding cycle are due December 1, 2021. n

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DRY SPRINKLER COMPRESSOR RISER & TANK MOUNT

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