Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association

Why It Matters The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) was founded 40 years ago based predominately on the need for training merit shop fire sprinkler fitters. It was the rallying cry of common interest and a basic need for open shop sprinkler contractors across the USA, but that wasn’t the …

Representatives Work on Behalf of Associates The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council elected its 2021 officers in August 2020 and were proud to announce them during their annual meeting in September 2020, which was held via Zoom. Chris Stason of Victaulic Company in Temecula, California, will continue …

Recovery Shape Forms a “W” Associated Builders and Contractors’ Chief Economist Anirban Basu forecasts a recession threat for the construction sector next year, but has illuminated some potential economic bright spots, such as e-commerce and Class B office space, according to a 2021 economic outlook published in Construction Executive magazine. …

Register Now for Spring 2021 ITM Inspector Development Program The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (ITM) Inspector Development Program is preparing to kick off its Spring 2021 ITM class virtually on April 12, 2021.  AFSA is the first to offer an industry-wide ITM Inspector Development Program, …

Industry Members Share Predictions for the New Year The year 2020 was one of ups and downs: COVID-19 landed on U.S. soil, and a pending recession hovering was countered by stimulus packages and vaccines. With most businesses shutting down in the early stages of the pandemic, it was a welcome …

Ask the Accountant On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (“Act”), providing an additional $900 billion in COVID-19 relief to American businesses, nonprofits, and households. There are several provisions in the legislation, which take effect immediately, and will impact many of our clients. Below, we’re …

School Curriculum Updated to NFPA 13, 2019 Edition The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has set its 2021 dates for its popular Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School, with several schools coming to a city near you! AFSA’s team of technical experts will teach schools across the United States, including stops …

Sprinkler Challenge Webinar Series Debuts The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is excited to debut its new Sprinkler Challenge webinar series on the first Thursday of each month in 2021. This game-show formatted webinar series reviews the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and tests participants’ knowledge in a fun …

As we start the New Year, my thoughts turn to addressing one of our membership’s largest needs: representation on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) technical committees. Our average contractor member typically does not have the time or resources to participate in the NFPA process actively. I know this firsthand. Working …

By the time you read this, 2020 will be behind us, and 2021 hopefully will ring in a much more promising year. With the vaccine in the early stages of distribution, we should see a more positive attitude on all things 2021. I am sure that you, like I am, …