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 …

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 …

AFSA Trains From Beginner to Next Level Designers The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA)  has design on its mind and your designers in mind! The association offers two schools to train your layout technicians: Beginning for new designers and Intermediate for those ready to advance their skills to the next …

A Look Into the Industry’s Past and Future Attending AFSA43: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition in Denver, Colo., in the fall of 2024 as a NextGen Scholarship recipient was an experience that exceeded every expectation I had walking into the convention. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that …

Focusing on CTE and Workforce Development I’m excited to introduce myself as the new workforce development coordinator for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). I am stepping into this role with enthusiasm and a clear mission: to help build a strong, skilled pipeline of professionals for the fire sprinkler industry …

Recognizing the Top Students It’s time to celebrate the best of the best in fire sprinkler training! The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) started the National Apprentice Honor Roll in 2012 and has continued the annual tradition of spotlighting the top students. This roll showcases the brightest trainees who have …

I was recently asked if honesty is always the best policy. My initial reaction was to answer that it is always best to be honest. However, as I reflected on my response, I determined that it depends on the context of the situation and my reason for being honest. I …

I woke up this morning to see a story on my newsfeed about a paper shredding comping that caught on fire. I recalled retrofitting the fire pump in that building many years ago, and luckily, the post stated, “[The fire] was placed under control within 20 minutes. All facility employees …

On the news nearly every day, one can hear a report about a vehicle fire. These fires occur in residential garages, commercial garages, and open parking lots, among other places. Fires in automobiles are not new. However, the attention and severity of the fires have increased the attention these fires …

On behalf of the American Fire Sprinkler Association, I am honored to express pride in our partnership with Homes For Our Troops (HFOT). This remarkable organization demonstrates unwavering dedication to building and donating mortgage-free, specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post 9/11veterans to empower them to regain some …