Featured Articles

So, you think you know what your inspectors are doing…. Perhaps one of the most interesting and dynamic changes in our industry during my 48-year career has been the shift by many companies away from new construction toward recurring revenue streams through inspections and testing. While a lot of this …

Past Board Member Continues to Contribute to the Industry The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) North Carolina Fire Sprinkler Association’s  Summer Beach Bashes are a great example of industry professionals coming together for education, networking, and fun!  Attendees from across the region come together each May for seminars, a trade show, and …

Hiller Companies’ Apprentice Wins 32nd Annual National Apprentice Competition When Raul Larios first stepped onto a construction site, he had no idea he was about to discover a career that would change his life. Today, he stands as the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) 32nd National Apprentice Competition (NAC) winner. …

As Chair of AFSA, I am proud to reflect on the tremendous success of our recent national convention in Washington, D.C. It was a celebration of our industry. This event brought together passionate professionals from across the country, all dedicated to advancing fire protection and life safety. There were many …

As I grow older, I have been getting in the habit of looking around, asking the reasons why we do certain things, and why we struggle to see the importance of doing other things. Do we do things that we like to do and put off what we don’t like? …

The first stage in the standard development process for the 2028 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, is coming to a close with the correlating committee adjourning this week. So, what does a correlating committee do? Simply put, the correlating committee helps make sure NFPA …

Earlier this year, I read a Wall Street Journal  article titled “The Best Small-Business  Advice I Ever Got.”  It made me reflect on advice I have received over my lifetime—not just for business, but my life overall.  I have been blessed with a host of wonderful mentors and teachers. In …

Have you ever signed up for a gym membership—maybe even taken advantage of a free trial—only to cancel it a month later because you didn’t see the value? If so, you’re not alone. Many people walk away from memberships believing they “didn’t get anything out of it.” Association membership works …

Let me begin with a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who helped make AFSA44, our annual convention just a few short months ago, a monumental success. Once again, we enjoyed a record turnout of attendees and exhibitors, and we look forward to seeing everyone in San Antonio, Texas, for AFSA45. …

AFSA Celebrates Convention Exhibition and Apprentice Competition in Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., set the stage for AFSA44, the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) annual Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition, Oct. 15–18. Drawing over 1,500 fire sprinkler contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, architects, designers, facility managers, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), to the Gaylord …