Featured Articles

  • Why Some Contractors Grow

    Why Some Contractors Grow

    And Some Don’t Every fire protection contractor I talk to wants to grow. The ambition is never…

  • Making a Difference for Veterans

    Making a Difference for Veterans

    Chapter Members Answer the Call If you are reading this, chances are you have heard about some of th…

  • HFSC Celebrates Milestone

    HFSC Celebrates Milestone

    Three Decades of Home Sprinkler Education Thirty years ago, the American Fire Sprinkler Association …

  • Higher Standards

    Higher Standards

    AFSA staff represented the association and AFSA’s Technical Advisory Council (TAC) at the 2026 NFPA …

  • Building the Future on Purpose

    Building the Future on Purpose

    Why the NextGen Committee Exists The fire sprinkler industry sits at a quiet but consequential cross…

AFSA Names Outstanding Chapter of the Year

AFSA Names Outstanding Chapter of the Year

Carolinas Chapter Becomes First Award Recipient The Membership & Chapter Development Committee of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) recently selected its Carolinas Chapter as the first recipient of the Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award. The award was established to recognize excellence in chapter administration and programs. Selection criteria …

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AFSA Announces 2015-2016 Board of Directors

AFSA Announces 2015-2016 Board of Directors

The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has elected its 2015-2016 Board of Directors. Newly elected directors include Rod DiBona of Rapid Fire Protection in Rapid City, S.D. (Region 3) and Lyle Hall of Western Fire Protection in Poway, Calif. (At Large).  DiBona will take over the Region 3 director position …

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The Three Stages of a Customer

The Three Stages of a Customer

A Handy Tool to Identify Your Customer’s Financial Condition Over the years I have found customers fall into three specific stages while doing business on open credit with our clients. Learning how to identify these stages “arms” my clients so they know exactly what to do and when – and their …

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Employee or Independent Contractor?

Employee or Independent Contractor?

Costly Consequences for Worker Misclassification When business is growing and companies are adding workers, classifying employment status of each one can be tricky. Accidental misclassification of workers carries penalties and payment of back wages. Intentional misclassification of workers can carry criminal penalties and back wages. Since the Fair Labor Standards …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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