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September 2002 News Items
AFSA
Opposes Move to Certify Residential Sprinkler Fitters
SEPT. 27, 2002—The American Fire
Sprinkler Association has notified the American Society
of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) that it will actively oppose
a proposed ASME effort to develop certification of residential
sprinkler fitters installing systems designed under NFPA
13D. According to Steve Muncy, AFSA President, the AFSA
Board strenuously objects to this proposed certification
based on the following concerns:
1. ASME is not qualified to develop certification in this
area since their primary focus is not fire protection. NFPA
considered the issue of residential fitter certification
when the United Association (the union) presented a proposal
to NFPA last year. NFPA declined to become involved.
2. AFSA has a long-standing opposition to fitter licensing
because it reduces the available workforce, increases costs
to the consumer, and does not provide guarantees of quality.
A fitter certification program approved by ASME could be
submitted to ANSI for national recognition, and eventually
used to promote fitter licensing on the state level.
3. Contractors are ultimately responsible for and held liable
for quality on the job. Contractor licensing based on competency
is far more reliable, does not restrict the workforce, and
is less costly than fitter licensing/certification.
4. The one and two family residential sprinkler market is
small but growing. Placing meaningless restrictions on the
workforce installing such systems will result in a stagnation
of the market and increased costs to consumers with no guarantee
of better quality.
AFSA will continue to monitor the ASME proposal and take
actions to oppose the development or implementation of certification
of residential sprinkler fitters.
NFPA
Announces its World Safety Conference & Exposition
SEPT. 25, 2002—The National Fire
Protection Association's (NFPA) World Safety Conference
& Exposition, an industry meeting for fire and life
safety professionals will be held May 18-22, 2003 in Dallas,
Texas. The conference offers exciting professional development
opportunities, education tracks that focus on timely issues,
and an exposition that features hundreds of key industry
suppliers." »
Visit the NFPA website for more information.
AFSA
2002 Convention & Exhibition "Together We Stand"
SEPT. 19, 2002—More than 1000 fire
protection professionals and guests gathered in San Diego,
Calif., for AFSA's 2002 Convention & Exhibition. The
event opened Sunday, September 8, with a General Session.
Among the presentations and awards at the General Session
were:
•Opening remarks by AFSA Chairman Bob Rees, Convention Committee
Chairman Manning Strickland and President Steve Muncy
•Introduction of AFSA Board of Directors and the 2002
Apprentice Competition finalists
•Presentation of AFSA's Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year
Award to Jim Ford of Scottsdale, Ariz.
•Presentation of AFSA's highest honor, the Henry S. Parmelee
Award to Frank Winiecki
•Keynote speech by Michael Janke.
Following the General Session, the group enjoyed a party
at San Diego's hottest new nightclub "On Broadway."
Seminars on technical and management issues were presented
throughout the Convention. The Exhibitor Appreciation Hour
preceded the Chairman's Reception in the Exhibit Hall on
Monday night, where manufacturers and suppliers displayed
the latest in fire sprinkler industry technology and products.
The National Apprentice Competition took place in the exhibit
hall Tuesday, September 10. Winners of the competition were:
1. Jeffrey Long
2. Edward Dunn
3. Chad Wilkins.
Tuesday evening offered a spectacular party at the Miramar
MCAS base made famous by the movie "Top Gun."
Here AFSA members and guests had the opportunity to tour
the powerful F-18 fighter jets and watch some of the fighters
as they took off for evening flights. Later, the group enjoyed
dinner and a band at the Miramar Officers Club, including
a special performance by our own Manning Strickland. The
evening ended with the announcement of the apprentice competition
winners.
Winners of the annual golf tournament, played at the fabulous
Steele Canyon Golf Club, were: First place - Steve Carbonier
and John finn; Second place - Marty Giles, Patty Giles,
Willie Templin, and Beverly Templin; and Third place - Grant
Dow, Scott Ehlert, Dan Green, and Alan Larson. The Longest
Drive awards went to (women's division) - Nancy Stoddard
and (men's division) - Willie Templin. The Closest to the
Pin awards went to (women's division) - Nancy Stoddard and
(men's division) - Steve Ward.
AFSA
to Seek Federal Legislation for Tax Incentives for Sprinkler
Installation
SEPT. 18, 2002—During the General
Session of the AFSA Convention in San Diego, AFSA President
Steve Muncy announced that the AFSA Board of Directors has
authorized funding to pursue federal legislation to provide
tax incentives for the installation of automatic sprinklers.
Muncy said, "We know that automatic fire sprinklers
save lives. In this time of increased concern for building
safety, we are convinced that automatic fire sprinklers
must be included as an essential safety feature in buildings."
AFSA has already retained counsel to assist in the preparation
and drafting of legislative language that will allow AFSA
to build a broad coalition to support the legislative effort.
Muncy noted that this will be an ambitious project requiring
a united industry effort. "We hope our friends in the
fire protection industry and the fire service will also
join with us in this effort," he said.
AFSA/NFPA
Cooperative Membership Program
SEPT. 16, 2002—AFSA members who become
new members of NFPA between September 7, 2002 through December
31, 2002 will receive a $40 discount that can be used on
any AFSA product or service. (NFPA membership dues are currently
$115 a year.) This program is open ONLY to AFSA members
who become new members of NFPA by completing a special application
and returning this application to AFSA. A complete description
of the program and a copy of the special NFPA membership
application can be downloaded below, or obtained be calling
the AFSA office (214-349-5965).
This cooperative program will end on December 31, 2002,
but AFSA will honor the $40 discount certificates for one
year from the date of issuance.
»Download
NFPA membership application (pdf file - hold down the alt
or control key while clicking.)
AFSA
Concludes Successful Convention in San Diego
SEPT. 13, 2002—On September 12th
AFSA concluded its 21st annual convention and exhibition
in San Diego, California. Almost 1050 people attended the
convention. Booth space was completely sold out with 132
booths representing 101 exhibitors. Despite a sluggish economy
and the remembrance of September 11th, enthusiasm was very
high. Mark you calendars NOW for the 2003 convention in
Boca Raton, Florida, September 10-14. You can still
contact exhibitors by attending AFSA's Virtual Tradeshow
which remains open until October 4, 2002.
AFSA
2002: Together We Stand!
SEPT. 7, 2002—AFSA's 21st Annual
Convention & Exhibition is in full swing at the Manchester
Grand Hyatt in San Diego, Calif. More than 700 attendees
pre-registered for the convention. The two-day exhibit sold
out 132 booths featuring 101 companies. North America's
largest fire sprinkler exhibition along with the Ninth Annual
National Apprentice Competition on Tuesday, September 10
will feature the top fitters in the country. Along with
a wide variety of seminars, attendees can indulge in several
exciting tours, a golf tournament and evening activities.
It promises to be an unforgettable event at AFSA 2002: Together
We Stand!
UL
Investigates Firematic Nickel-plated Sprinklers
SEPT. 6, 2002—NORTHBROOK, Ill., USA,
-- Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is asking building
owners and fire sprinkler contractors to submit samples
of Firematic model S & A 160ºF sprinklers for testing.
UL recently tested field samples taken from a single Connecticut
location, revealing that some of these sprinklers did not
operate as intended. UL is seeking additional samples from
throughout the country to determine if the problem is more
widespread.
State
of Massachusetts Releases Moratorium Notice
SEPT. 6, 2002—The Massachusetts State
Board of Building Regulations and Standards has issued a
Notice of Moratorium affecting fire sprinklers in elevators
effective May 14, 2002 to December 31,2002. Reasons for
the moratorium are the potential for inadvertent sprinkler
system water accumulation on traction/drum elevator braking
systems and/or on and in electric/electronic elevator controls
possibly rendering such brakes/controls unreliable and compromising
the life safety of the traveling public and/or fire fighting
forces, coupled with minimal historical evidence of machine
room/hoistway/pit fires. Visit www.state.ma.us/bbrs/Announcement%206-19-02.htm
for complete details.
Fire
at Fraternity House Extinguished by Sprinklers
SEPT. 4, 2002—Officers from the state
fire marshal's office are looking into the cause of an early
morning fire that occurred at The University of Maine's
Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on Tuesday. No one was injured
in the fire at the 98-year-old building, which is home to
20 UMaine students who will be displaced while water damage
is cleaned up. Fire and safety officers say that the building's
sprinkler system was very effective in containing and quickly
extinguishing the fire. (from the UMaine
website from Michael Sauda)
Fire
Sprinkler Inspection Training & Certification Program
Scheduled
SEPT. 4, 2002—Oklahoma State University
and AFSA will offer the Fire Sprinkler Inspection Training
& Certification Program November 7-9, 2002 at OSU. This
will be the first time the program has been offered in the
fall time slot, and this additional class is expected to
sell out quickly. The three-day program was developed with
survey input from the AFSA membership, OSU and the AFSA
Apprenticeship & Education Committee. It is based on
concentrated study of NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection,
Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems,
and entails 24 contact hours.
The sessions will run ten hours Thursday and Friday and
end at noon on Saturday. Base cost is $795 per person, which
includes shuttle transportation from the Oklahoma City Will
Rogers Airport to Stillwater, but does not include hotel
or airfare. Package cost, which includes the hotel, but
not airfare, is $1,100. If there are multiple students from
the same organization, a group discount will apply: base
cost is $755 per person; package price is $1,060. For more
information or to register, contact OSU Engineering Extension
at (405) 744-5714. Class size is limited, so early registration
is encouraged.
Update
on the 15-Year-old Scottsdale Sprinkler Ordinance
SEPT. 4, 2002—Information is now
available on the 15-Year Update of the Scottsdale Sprinkler
Ordinance. Jim Ford, assistant chief/fire marshal of the
Scottsdale Rural/Metro Fire Department has compiled the
information into multiple formats for dissemination. Some
highlights include:
Total Structural Fire Loss for 199 Incidents - $703,300
Average Loss Per Sprinkled Incident - $3,534
Average Loss Per Non-Sprinkled Structural Incident - $45,019
Fires Controlled With Two or Less Sprinklers - 92%
Total Lives Saved - 13
For more information on the update, contact Jim via email
at jim_ford@rmetro.com
Fire
Sprinkler System Planning School Sold Out
SEPT. 4, 2002—The October classes
for AFSA's Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School
are sold out. This successful school is being offered one
last time in 2002, December 2-13. Register early as this
class will sell out quickly, too! AFSA also offers an Intermediate
Design School. This class will be held September 23-27,
2002. There are still openings in this class. For more information,
contact Leslie
Joplin at (214) 349-5965, ext. 130.
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