Featured Articles

  • LARIOS TAKES FIRST PLACE AT AFSA44 IN DC

    LARIOS TAKES FIRST PLACE AT AFSA44 IN DC

    Hiller Companies’ Apprentice Wins 32nd Annual National Apprentice Competition When Raul Larios first…

  • Chair’s Message

    Chair’s Message

    As Chair of AFSA, I am proud to reflect on the tremendous success of our recent national convention …

  • Flashpoint

    Flashpoint

    As I grow older, I have been getting in the habit of looking around, asking the reasons why we do ce…

  • WEBINARS OFFER TRAINING, CEU 

    WEBINARS OFFER TRAINING, CEU 

    Keep Up-To-Date With AFSA’s Subject Matter Experts Webinars offer education from the comfort of your…

  • HIGHER STANDARDS

    HIGHER STANDARDS

    The first stage in the standard development process for the 2028 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for th…

Convention Exhibit Hall Sell Out!

Convention Exhibit Hall Sell Out!

Packed Exhibition Complements Seminars, Social Events The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) 2015 convention, AFSA in Phoenix: Rising to Excellence, provides numerous ways to grow your business: 55 hours of educational seminars, many networking opportunities, and a sold-out exhibit hall. Offering the latest products and services available to the fire …

Read More »

Ten Strategic Questions for the Next Generation

Ten Strategic Questions for the Next Generation

Reaching a Consensus on Strategic Direction Among the many issues that confront family businesses in times of generational transition, strategic direction can be crucial. The strategy that has provided direction for the business during the incumbent generation’s watch may be faltering or tired or largely completed. Strategic modifications, reinvigoration or …

Read More »

Classifying Mixed Commodities

Classifying Mixed Commodities

The Impact of Group A Plastics One of the most critical variables necessary to define the right design basis for the protection of storage is the commodity classification. In evaluating an individual pallet load, Class III and IV commodities have pretty much always been allowed to have some Group A …

Read More »

Bretey Captures Craft Championship

Bretey Captures Craft Championship

AFSA Members Sweep ABC Contest A field of 187 craft trainees competed for top honors in 15 contests representing 12 crafts during the 2015 Associated Builders & Contractors’ (ABC) National Craft Championships (NCC). The event took place during the association’s Workforce Development Conference, March 3-6, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Competitors …

Read More »

Got Obstructions?

Got Obstructions?

How to Get Them Before They Get You! I had a great dream the other night. We had just completed a flawless installation. We had coordinated every detail with the design team up front. The MEP foremen had worked with us every step of the way. The architectural and structural …

Read More »

Obstruction Rules for CMSA Sprinklers

Obstruction Rules for CMSA Sprinklers

Some Parts are Missing The 2010 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, introduced a new definition “Control Mode Specific Application (CMSA) Sprinklers.” This was a composite of the earlier definitions that included Large Drop Sprinklers, Special Sprinklers, and Specific Application Control Mode Sprinklers. The Section …

Read More »