Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Introducing the Industry to the Next Generation
The construction industry is facing a silent crisis: a widening chasm of unoccupied, high-paying roles in specialized trades. Perhaps nowhere is this “labor drought” more critical than in fire sprinkler protection, the invisible backbone of public safety. However, a new powerhouse alliance is fighting back. Halo Fire Protection, the American Leadership Applied Technical (ALA), and the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) have joined forces to cultivate the next generation of life-saving professionals.
On May 8, the ALA Technology Campus in Mesa, Ariz., became the frontline for this transformation. The leadership and vision of Carla Way, CTO of ALA, have been critical in getting this program jump-started through this student event.
Debunking the Hollywood Myth
The event wasn’t just about brochures and speeches; it was about destroying misconceptions. We’ve all seen the movie scene: a hero pulls a fire alarm, and every sprinkler head in the building simultaneously drenches the room. Through live demonstrations, students learned that sprinkler heads are independent components. They don’t react to smoke; they react to heat, and only in the specific area where the fire is located.
The Hydrant Surge: More Than Just a Duck Race
The day kicked off with high-velocity physics. Each student was handed a rubber duck, but this wasn’t for a bathtub. By placing their “racers” in the path of a massive fire hydrant, students witnessed the raw power of underground water pressure.
As Halo Fire Protection activated the hydrant, the parking lot became a river. The demonstration provided a visceral understanding of the sheer volume of water required to protect a community. While the owners of the three furthest swimming ducks walked away with prizes, every student walked away with a new respect for the infrastructure beneath their feet.
The Shed Demo: Trial by Fire
The highlight of the afternoon took place inside a wooden shed—one built by the ALA students themselves. Halo Fire installed a professional fire riser and two independent sprinklers within the structure, connecting them directly to the pressurized hydrant.
Dan Farnsworth, owner of Halo Fire, and Bob Caputo, president of AFSA, talked about the history of sprinkler systems and how they operate. Daniel Weiss, a construction program instructor, volunteered to participate in the demonstration of the sprinkler system. There were two important features that he demonstrated.
- Precision Activation: Weiss held the flame to the first sprinkler; the crowd watched the glass bulb reach its critical temperature. Snap. The head broke, discharging a focused spray of water outside of the shed while the second head inside the shed remained perfectly dry and pressurized.
- The “Drench” Factor: Proving the independence of the system, Weiss then moved to the second interior head. When it finally broke, the resulting downpour provided the biggest laugh of the day as the teacher was thoroughly drenched, proving that technology is simple but very effective. Both heads were engaged and operating at the same time.
Building a Future, One Class at a Time
This event was the opening act for a much larger movement. The goal? To turn that afternoon’s excitement into a career path.
- Next Stop—Summer Camp: Interest is already surging for the Fire Protection Summer Camp launching this June, where students will get a deeper, hands-on look at the trade.
- The New Elective: Starting this fall, ALA will make history by offering the first fire protection elective class, a year-long program designed to give students a head start in a high-demand, high-wage industry. This class will be taught by professionals from Halo Fire Protection with support from AFSA.
In a world where qualified labor is hard to find, Halo Fire Protection is no longer waiting for the next generation of tradespeople to show up; they are building them from the ground up with ALA and AFSA.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Matthew Steere is the vice president of operations at Halo Fire. He has been involved in the construction industry for the past 25 years. Steere’s passion lies in helping solve the big problems while building up teams and individuals. This program is fulfilling both by providing the industry with more labor options, while building up the individual students through an organized curriculum and training. Visit halofireus.com.