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Optimism Continues for a Third Year As the sprinkler industry heads into 2025, expectations appear to be positive. Dodge Construction and FMI Corp. both predict another year of growth in construction starts and construction put-in-place. Members of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) also report feeling optimistic. Read member reports …

As I review my first four years as the American President… that is to say, the president of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (thank God for us all)—I want to start my first column of 2025 by saying that I have heard the message clearly from several members: you’d rather …

A new year always brings excitement for new opportunities and setting our goals for the year ahead. 2025 has already brought in a new, business-friendly president. The opportunity for my daughter, Nikki, and I to be in Washington for the inauguration was an exciting time for us. The city was …

Some time ago, I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman who has been a member of our association since its inception. He is a past Chair of our Board of Directors, and still a very active fire sprinkler contractor. Like many of the calls I receive from our members, …

Directors Added to Better Represent Growing Membership The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) held its 2024-2025 officer elections during the September 2024 Board meeting. Linda M. Biernacki, Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, La., was re-elected as Chair of the Board. Paul DeLorie, Hampshire Fire Protection Co., Londonderry, N.H., was re-elected …

Summit Sprinkler Technician Takes First Place at AFSA’S 31st Annual National Apprentice Competition The 31st Annual National Apprentice Competition (NAC) was held at AFSA43: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in Denver, Colo., Sept. 18-21, 2024. The event showcased top apprentice talent in the fire sprinkler industry. Attendees surrounded the scene …

AFSA43: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition Draws Record Attendance in Denver This year, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) was thrilled to welcome attendees to AFSA43: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition in Denver, Colo., September 18-21. Nearly 1,500 fire sprinkler contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, architects, designers, facility managers, Authorities Having Jurisdiction …

Representatives Work on Behalf of Associates The votes are in and tallied for the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) 2025 Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council. The results: Phil Schechinger, Viking Group, Inc., will continue to serve as chair of the council and Andy L. Kaempfer, Safe Signal, will serve as vice chair.  …

Virtual Instruction Program Serves Apprentices, Contractors Has your team participated in the Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) yet? This program has completed two years of related technical instruction for apprentices and is about to kick off its third year with Level 3 coming aboard! There are currently over 100 students in …

Online Contests Educate Students  The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is pleased to announce the five college students nationwide who have won a scholarship through the association’s online scholarship program, www.afsascholarship.org/secondchance/. These national winners were randomly selected from over 25,000 students who entered to receive a one-time $1,000 AFSA scholarship …