The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has elected its 2015-2016 Board of Directors. Newly elected directors include Rod DiBona of Rapid Fire Protection in Rapid City, S.D. (Region 3) and Lyle Hall of Western Fire Protection in Poway, Calif. (At Large). DiBona will take over the Region 3 director position …
Read More »
The Impact of Group A Plastics One of the most critical variables necessary to define the right design basis for the protection of storage is the commodity classification. In evaluating an individual pallet load, Class III and IV commodities have pretty much always been allowed to have some Group A …
Read More »
Lessons Learned with Full-Scale Fire Tests on Mattresses There were many quips I heard my parents rattle off in response to the trouble I got myself into, but one of them recently came back to haunt me. And, now having kids of my own, I find myself saying it as …
Read More »
A Blast From the Past The recent loss of life fire at the Gabriel House Assisted Living facility in Fall River, Mass., has been attributed to the presence of recalled sprinklers installed in that facility. The Massachusetts State Fire Marshal has described this as a ticking time bomb, following an …
Read More »
DeLorie Elected Chair of the Board The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) held its 2025-2026 officer elections during the October 2025 Board meeting. Paul DeLorie, Hampshire Fire Protection Co., Londonderry, N.H., was elected Chair of the Board. Jay Strickland, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, Forestville, Md., was elected First Vice Chair; …
Read More »
Kaempfer Elected Chair, English Vice Chair The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is pleased to announce the results of the 2026 Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council election. After votes were cast and tallied, Andy L. Kaempfer, Safe Signal, will serve as chair, and Dave English, General Air Products, will serve as vice …
Read More »
The gears of the standard development process have been churning the last two months and elevating requirements in several standards of interest to the fire sprinkler industry. In October, the technical committee for NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, had their first draft meeting …
Read More »
One of my favorite books about leadership is celebrating 20 years since its publication. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, which was authored by Doris Goodwin. Ms. Goodwin has written a number of biographies and won a Pulitzer Prize in 1995 for her book No Ordinary Time, …
Read More »
NAC Finalists Take Center Stage at AFSA44 Seven of the nation’s top apprentices will compete in the 32nd National Apprentice Competition (NAC) during AFSA44: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition, Oct. 15-18 in Washington, D.C. These finalists will put their skills to the test with a written and hands-on competition vying …
Read More »
We’re sharing this announcement from NFPA regarding their unprecedented public awareness campaign to protect privately developed safety standards that keep communities safe. Congress is in summer recess, and when they return, NFPA wants them to see growing momentum behind the Pro Codes Act, bipartisan legislation that reinforces copyright protection when standards are incorporated by …
Read More »
In today’s competitive business environment, success in the fire sprinkler industry isn’t just about the projects you complete or the products you provide—it’s also about the relationships you cultivate. Networking has always been a vital part of professional growth, but within the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), networking takes on …
Read More »
“Charge Into Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)—the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ for more than 100 years—has announced “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, 2025. This year’s focus on lithium-ion …
Read More »
31st Annual Burn Survivors Foundation Golf Tournament Raises Thousands for Its Charities Under clear skies and with plenty of competitive spirit, the Virginia Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) hosted its Annual Burn Survivors Golf Tournament on Oct. 9, 2024. Once again, this annual event was held at …
Read More »
Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association