Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Welcome to summer! While families are planning trips, camps, and getaways, the construction world is planning data centers and energy generation facilities to support them. For some AFSA members, this is exciting news and an opportunity, while others are left wondering how to get involved in these projects.
The first step is to determine which types of water-based fire sprinkler systems will be required for these buildings and whether my company is equipped to handle this type of work. The short answer, in most cases, is likely to be pre-action systems, either single- or double-interlock designs, depending on the specifications. Data centers, for the most part, are facilities with stacks of self-contained cabinets filled with computers (aka servers), which generate a lot of heat, so they require extensive cooling systems and HVAC ducting. These HVAC systems use a lot of water, so you should expect communities where they are proposed to be built to raise concerns and for local people to protest their construction.
Pre-action sprinkler systems require electronic detection systems to activate solenoids, which trigger the valve(s) to open and admit water into the piping system. If your firm doesn’t have a low-voltage fire alarm division, you may need a partner to submit a complete bid for the work.
In addition to the technical aspects of these projects, many will have OCIP or CCIP insurance programs (owner or contractor-provided insurance policies). In these cases, you will be expected to reduce your bid by the amount of money you’d normally pay for your general liability insurance policy, already in place. Additionally, the project may require you to provide a payment or performance bond, which must be addressed with your insurance agent before submitting a bid.
About now, some of you might be wondering why I’d be writing this information when many of you already know these things. The short answer is that we get numerous calls asking what we know about data centers and how some of our members can get involved. The good news is that while this type of work has become pervasive and widely discussed, there are still plenty of great opportunities available in other sectors of the market, often with good margin potential and perhaps fewer chasers to compete with.
Regardless of the work you might be bidding on, I always encourage our members to remember you can’t spend the top line; only the retained earnings (profit). So, everything starts with a well-thought-out bid and proposal, and it always pays to be on time to maximize labor dollars and efficiency.
On a separate note, I want to give a big shout-out to Belinda Atuatasi, AFSA’s program manager for CTE school programs. In other words, her job is recruitment and lead development for bringing in the next generation of new hires to our industry. By introducing high school- and community college-aged students to people who most likely have never heard of the fire sprinkler industry and the awesome opportunities it offers, AFSA (national) hopes to bring more potential employees to our members. There is a bit of a catch to the success of this new program, and it’s you… the members. We need you to know what we’re doing and why we’re doing it, so when these young, interested people come knocking on your door, you’ll know we sent them your way, invite them in with open arms, and expect them to need training and grooming.
Remember the conversation about data centers a few paragraphs back? Well, I recently read that the electrical industry is looking to hire 50,000 new electricians to meet the need for workers to build them. We’re competing with them for talent, along with carpenters, HVAC workers, plumbers, and other blue-collar workers. How do we differentiate ourselves and share the message that our work is lifesaving, and it pays as well or better, sooner?
Belinda (at AFSA) needs your help with this program: let us know where opportunities are in your communities to share information about our industry and find volunteers within your companies to make presentations at your local schools. Belinda knows what to do; she just needs the help of every chapter and member to know where to support and do it. The more new blood we bring to the industry and to our members, the more qualified workers we train and deliver, the more work, and the more workers you will have in the future.
For the rest of Team AFSA, we’re busy preparing for our annual convention planned for September in San Antonio, Texas. If you were with us at the JW Marriott Hill Country a few short years ago, you know how much fun this year is going to be! Our opening party will be on the site lawn again, with a DJ, good food, and four cornhole courts. Get your teams together, and let’s see what our membership department comes up with for the winners’ prizes. As always, we have a great lineup of technical and business-related seminars for every interest, and you will not want to miss this year’s Awards Party at the famous Knibbe Ranch. Registration is now open on our website at firesprinkler.org/AFSA45, so come join us for the National Apprenticeship Competition, the training and education seminars, and a heck of a good time. Just remember, no suits or ties except for bolo ties. This is a jeans-and-boots event! See you in San Antonio!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bob Caputo, CFPS, is president of AFSA. He has been an important part of the fire sprinkler industry for over 41 years and is a long-time member of AFSA and promoter of merit shop contracting. He has chaired and served on many NFPA committees. Caputo has written and presented seminars throughout the world on fire protection and life-safety systems and is a regular speaker at AFSA and NFPA conventions. He has developed AFSA education and training materials and chaired two chapters of AFSA—Arizona and Southern California. Caputo is the recipient of numerous awards, including Fire Protection Contractor magazine’s “Industry Person of the Year,” San Diego County Fire Chiefs’ Association’s “Fire Prevention Officer of the Year,” and AFSA’s highest honor, the Henry S. Parmelee Award.