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 …

AFSA AND HOMES FOR OUR TROOPS SAFEGUARD HOMES  Army CPL Paul Hedge recently received the keys to his specially adapted custom home in Tuftonboro, N.H., providing him with independence, safety, and stability after service. An essential life-saving component of his home is a residential fire sprinkler system, made possible through …

Whoever said that “you can’t have it all” was spot on when it comes to evaluating purchases. A rule exists that never changes—quality, cost, and speed—you can only pick two. The customer cannot have all three. This rule applies to all areas of my life. As a consumer, I usually …

At the beginning of my career as a fire protection contractor, I became an estimator/project manager. I had a company crash course in the fabrication shop, field, and engineering department. As a project manager, I attended job-site meetings so the foreman and his helper could keep piping. I had to …

As most of our members know, the stated mission of AFSA is “to be the voice of the merit shop fire sprinkler contractor. We educate and train the industry while promoting fire protection systems to save lives and property.” This mission statement is a living, breathing mantra that reminds us …

The NFPA standards development process is often discussed in terms of public inputs, public comments, committee statements, certified amending motions, and votes at the NFPA Technical Meeting. Those steps are important, but the real impact of the process is seen later, when the language developed through that process is applied …

Lou Holtz passed away on March 4 of this year. He was 89 years old. He was a longtime college football coach who led Notre Dame University to a perfect 12-0 record and the national championship in 1988. He is the only coach to take six different programs to bowl …

What’s in a name? “That which we call a rose/By any other name would smell as sweet.” Okay, so I’m not writing about Shakespeare; however, I am writing about a recurring challenge we encounter at AFSA; AFSA profiles! Whether you are an AFSA member or not, anyone can create and …

The debate over horsepower ratings on fire pumps has been heavily debated the last three revision cycles in NFPA 20, and this Technical Review that we received from a member is the exact reason why a hard limit needs to be set on these fire pumps. As noted in the …

Boots, Business, and Breakthroughs! Get out your Western wear and join the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) for connections, collaboration, and a little Texas flair at AFSA45: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition. The best in the sprinkler industry will convene in the Lone Star State September 27-30, 2026, at the …

Get Ready for the 33rd Annual NAC Empower your apprentices and celebrate your dedication to training by encouraging your apprentices to enter AFSA’s 33rd Annual National Apprentice Competition (NAC)! This competition showcases apprentices’ skills and will be the highlight of AFSA45: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition, to be held September …