Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association

Engagement. Relationships that result in actions taken to enhance membership value. That mantra has become a core statement repeated frequently at the AFSA office recently. Whether servicing a member inquiry, informal interpretation, educational need, or any of the valuable benefits offered by the association, member engagement “touch points” are a …

We have come a long way from our humble origins 35 years ago to this vibrant city of Nashville in 2016. Vibrant is a good word to describe our convention and our association. By all measures this convention is a record breaker. The number of registrants, exhibitors and rooms booked …

State Fire Council Fights the BIA to Protect its Residents Since the mid ‘70s, fire sprinklers have been required in large capacity public and commercial occupancies by national building codes. Retroactive compliance to new codes requiring sprinklers is not normally applied, unless a state or local regulation was enacted or an incentive is provided. The MGM Grand and Las …

Safety Advocates Help Defeat Bill with Weakened Home Sprinkler Requirements According to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Fire Sprinkler Initiative (FSI), a legislative bill that riled fire sprinkler advocates for its ability to eliminate a crucial piece of life safety for Maryland residents has been defeated. Pre-filed in 2015 and sponsored by Maryland Delegate Christopher Adams, the …

In The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, there is a line that reads, “Water, water everywhere, and all the boards did shrink; water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” If we were to write an epic poem about fighting fires in high-rise buildings, we might change the rhyme to read, “Water, water somewhere, and we need …

Member Recognized for Technical Committee Service The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) congratulates AFSA member Jim Fantauzzi, North East Fire Protection Systems, Inc., Ballston, New York, on his 25 years’ service on NFPA technical committees. Fantauzzi has served as AFSA’s representative on NFPA 25 Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. According to NFPA, …

Assisting Firefighters from Construction Through Demolition Firefighters who respond to an emergency at a building with sprinkler and standpipe systems can perform their life-saving work (figure 1) with much greater efficiency if their first-responder needs have been considered by the building’s designers and code officials. OSHA’s manual, “Fire Service Features …

The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) was created with training and education as the cornerstone of its foundation. This is evident in its development of its fire sprinkler apprentice correspondence courses to meet education goals and the establishment of the Technical Advisory Council (TAC) to provide technical services to members. Established in May 1985, the TAC allowed AFSA to address …

Residential Ordinance Celebrates 30 Years NFPA has produced a new video underscoring the benefits of a home fire sprinkler ordinance in Scottsdale, Arizona, that went into effect 30 years ago. To date, fire sprinklers protect more than half of the town’s homes. In this video, Jim Ford, fire marshal with the Scottsdale …

Free Resources Available to Fire Service The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) awarded the Maryland State Firemen’s Association with the 2016 Bringing Safety Home Award, presented at the Fire Sprinkler Coalition Chair Summit and HFSC May Board Meeting at NFPA Headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts. …