Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association

Informal Interpretations Offer Assistance on Standpipes The informal interpretations featured here address standpipes. AFSA’s informal interpretations are provided to AFSA members by Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services Roland Huggins, P.E. and Manager of Fire Protection Engineering Tom Wellen, P.E. These opinions are provided for the benefit of the requesting party, and are provided with the understanding that AFSA …

AFSA Representative Dedicates Time, Expertise on Technical Committee The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) serves its members in numerous ways: through training, education, technical representation, and social networking among others. A major workhorse for AFSA is serving on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) committees to impact the standards-making process. NFPA technical committees keep codes and standards up to date. Numerous AFSA …

Residential Fire Sprinklers Remain for Now The International Code Council (ICC) has posted the results of online voting on Proposal RB129-16, which sought to repeal the International Residential Code’s (IRC) requirement for all new homes to be equipped with fire sprinklers. The IRC committee disapproved this proposal, and now, the online vote challenging that decision has failed by a …

Education + Entertainment = Fun! Nashville, Tennessee has plenty to offer attendees at the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) 35th Annual Convention & Exhibition, September 14-17, 2016. From managerial and technical seminars to exciting social events, you will find exactly what and who you need! When you’re ready to take a break and relax, AFSA is there to provide …

Next Gen Chair, Contractor Shines on National Stage It’s safe to say that Meaghen Wills has fire sprinkler contracting in her blood. The third-generation contractor has literally grown up surrounded by the fire protection industry and is now making her own distinct mark on the industry she loves. The petite …

Although the requirements for standpipe systems are contained in the adopted building code and the installation requirements are contained within the referenced edition of NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, there is often disagreement between the responsible design professional, the fire protection contractor, and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) on the proper design and installation of …

Retired Fire Marshal Dedicated to Saving Lives After spending over 40 years in fire protection and life safety, retired Virginia Fire Marshal Ed Altizer can safely say that he has shaped the course of Virginia’s fire safety landscape. From his beginnings as a field engineer to his two decades as state fire marshal, there …

The State of the Standard NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems, has been radically revised since I first came onto the committee in the second half of the 2000 cycle. The 1996 edition contained less than one page of definitions, did not make specific provisions for high-rise buildings, and referred …

I write this message on the Fourth of July weekend and contemplate leadership. When our association was founded in 1981 we did so as a group of open shop contractors whose business needs and demands were not being addressed. Our founders felt compelled to figure out a way to give open shop …

Despite widely varying projections for growth of the economy and the dramatic ups and downs in the stock market, 2015 became the year we could say “we’re back” from the Great Recession. We are seeing much greater optimism among contractors and suppliers. AFSA’s year-end numbers for 2015 confirm that the trend starting in 2013 has …