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 Members Donate, Install Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Systems The Fire Museum of Maryland in Lutherville is one of the largest fire museums showcasing the history of firefighting in America. It grew from the Heaver family’s private collection of more than 40 years. Previously unprotected, this important and comprehensive museum …

Someone once told me that you know you are getting old when you start receiving praise and awards for things you like to do. Retirement is right around the corner, they explained. Well, I am not ready to retire, and I still love what I do, so God willing, you …

I suspect almost everyone in the fire protection community has heard that Matt Klaus has joined Team AFSA as our executive vice president and chief operating officer. Matt joins us after 15 years with NFPA, and most recently, NFPA Global. Like most, I regard Matt as an industry icon, with …

I believe AFSA is the GOLD standard for training and educating the industry while promoting fire protection systems that save lives and property. This core mission brings our association the best of the best talent to our staff. Our newest superstar to join our team is Matt Klaus, as executive …

A Season of Learning With Design in Mind Summer school will be in session for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) and its Beginning and Intermediate Design Schools. New for the summer of 2025 is the inclusion of AFSA’s new training lab, aka the “playground,” as an integral part of …

Enter the 32nd Annual National Apprentice Competition AFSA’s 32nd Annual National Apprentice Competition (NAC) opens soon! Celebrating apprentice training for over three decades, the competition will showcase apprentices’ skills during AFSA44: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition October 15-18 in Washington, D.C. Competition Details Each year, the competition, created in 1994 …

Workshops Offer In-Depth Training  The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) offers two workshops on understanding and applying the principles of sprinkler hydraulic calculations and node analysis. These classes provide in-depth education and hands-on exercises to ensure designers return to the workplace with the knowledge and skills they need to design …

Blended Learning Provides More Favorable Benefits Than Merely On-The-Job Training Benjamin Franklin was a very accomplished individual known for his numerous contributions to society. Some of those contributions are directly linked to the fire protection industry, including the formation of the first volunteer fire company in the United States, the …

Sprinkler Lab 360° Online Tour Now Available The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) state-of-the-art training facility, or “playground,” provides a unique hands-on experience needed for today’s fire sprinkler workforce to succeed. Today’s learners need communication to be tactile as well as visual and auditory, and that’s what we deliver to …

In every profession, there are experts and organizations dedicated to supporting individuals in their field. When you’re in legal trouble, you turn to a lawyer. If you’re sick, a doctor provides the necessary care. But who do you contact when you’re a trade professional in need of training, technical advice, …