Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association

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 …

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 …

The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) announced “Smoke alarms: make them work for you!™” as the official theme for Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW), October 6–12, 2024. This year’s focus on working smoke alarms comes in response to NFPA data, which shows that the majority of U.S. home fire deaths continue …

By Greg Shaughnessy, ASC Engineered Solutions This blog post contains sponsored content. Installing seismic bracing can be made easier by selecting products that are designed to install fast and with less effort. If you’ve been designing your seismic bracing systems with the products that have been in your drawing library …

Ferguson Fire & Fabrication is the Nation’s Largest, Most Trusted Independent Distributor of Fire Protection Supplies This blog post contains sponsored content Ferguson Fire & Fabrication is the leading independent distributor of fire protection material and the largest ISO certified fabrication provider in the country. Relationships are paramount to our …

In preparation for the 2024 NFPA Technical Meeting in Orlando, AFSA’s Technical Advisory Council has reviewed the posted Certified Amending Motions (CAM) for the relevant standards on the A2024 and F2023 revision cycles and is providing this voting guide to aid our members attending the Technical Meeting. NFPA 13, Standard …

ENSURING YOUR FIRE PUMP SYSTEM IS READY WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST Fire pumps are critical components of water-based fire protection systems; however, pumps can look like intimidating pieces of equipment to those who need to become more familiar with them. Fire pumps are installed in facilities where the available …

NAC’S PHASE I EXAM HELPS EVALUATE, PREPARE, AND SHOWCASE YOUR APPRENTICES AFSA’s Annual National Apprentice Competition (NAC) is in its third decade of showcasing sprinkler fitter apprentices. While earning a spot in the Top 7 is the ultimate goal for apprentices, there are benefits to simply entering and taking the …

CONVENTION, EXHIBITION, AND APPRENTICE COMPETITION TO BE HELD IN THE MILE-HIGH CITY Mark your calendars and pack your bags for Denver, Colo., from Sept. 18-21! The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is hosting its Annual Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition miles higher than ever before. Join AFSA at the Gaylord …

With the changes to automobile vehicles over the years and the method in the way parking garages are designed, the model building codes and the sprinkler installation standards have been modified for fire protection of these structures. However, these modifications have not fully addressed the issues. For years, if a …

Why are standards, not standard?  I mean the very word itself conjures up thoughts of other words, like normal, typical, common, habitual, or familiar. However, it seems obvious to those of us in the fire sprinkler world that standards, as in NFPA standards, are not applied, enforced, or accepted in …

February 2024 kicked off the new year with my first AFSA Board & Committee meetings as chair. The meetings were very productive and eventful; each committee set clear goals to better serve, you, our members. Convention Committee Chair, Don Kaufman, along with committee members and AFSA staff, are in full …