Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
FIRE SPRINKLER FITTER TAKES FIRST PLACE AT AFSA’S 30TH ANNUAL NATIONAL APPRENTICE COMPETITION
The 30th Annual National Apprentice Competition (NAC) at the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s AFSA42: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in Orlando, Fla., Sept. 6-9, 2023, showcased top apprentice talent in the fire sprinkler industry. Spectators gathered in the middle of the sold-out exhibit hall to observe as the apprentices constructed and pressure-tested a mini fire sprinkler system. Daniel Coticchio, Piper Fire Protection A Fortis Brand, Clearwater, Fla., won first place at this year’s competition and a cash prize of $5,000.
“Daniel is the first member of our Piper/Fortis family to win a gold medal in both ABC and AFSA’s national apprenticeship competitions,” comments AFSA At-Large Director Chris Johnson, president/co-founder of Piper/Fortis. “We love to celebrate along with our team as we honestly do think of our teammates as our extended family.”
THE ROAD TO ORLANDO
Coticchio entered the fire sprinkler industry when friends who worked at Piper Fire Protection told him there was a job opening. “I decided to give it a shot, and it has worked well for me. I love to work with my hands and create something. It also brings me joy. I help prevent fires and save lives.”
Using AFSA and its local ABC chapter apprentice training materials, Piper/Fortis has supported its apprentices with education and training. “Piper/Fortis has created an environment that honors the tradition of apprenticeship and how integral these programs are to turning out some of the best fitters in our industry,” notes Johnson.
Early last year, Coticchio decided to enter the ABC National Craft Championships. At the time, he was in his fourth year as a fire sprinkler apprentice. “Piper/Fortis always talked about the competitions throughout our training,” remembers Coticchio. “I appreciate a challenge, so the ABC competition was right up my alley, and I knew it would be worth the experience. I had an idea I would be a finalist, but I competed with many skilled apprentices, so nothing was for sure.”
Coticchio walked away with the highest honor of the competition—a gold medal. “It was exciting to hear my name called,” he recounts.
Coticchio says he appreciates the AFSA and ABC competitions because they give apprentices a chance to challenge themselves and showcase their accumulated skills. “When it came time to apply for the AFSA competition, I decided to enter that one, too.”
Coticchio reviewed all his study material, had the experience from competing at ABC, practiced on a mock set-up at Piper/Fortis, and decided he was ready to compete.
NAC CELEBRATES 30 YEARS
AFSA’s NAC celebrated 30 years in 2023—three decades of showcasing apprentices. The competition is divided into two phases. Phase 1 consists of a 100-question multiple-choice exam provided by AFSA. The test is proctored online, making it accessible to contestants in all 50 states. The top seven scoring apprentices in the Phase 1 exam received expense-paid trips to compete in Phase 2 of the national competition, held during AFSA42.
In Phase 2, participants took another, more thorough written examination and installed a steel and CPVC sprinkler system with pendent and sidewall heads. The systems were pressure-
tested, and participants were graded on accuracy, craftsmanship, and safety. The installation portion was held in the middle of the exhibit hall on the convention’s final day.
“I felt good after the written exam,” remembers Coticchio. “I was a little nervous, but you kind of get over that.” He adds, “I think the written test was more nerve-wracking than the build.”
During the installation portion of the competition, Coticchio remained focused on the task at hand and worked to block out the other competitors and the hustle and bustle of the exhibit hall.
“I felt pretty good about the installation,” says Coticchio. “I finished on time, and my pressure test was good, but I didn’t know if I’d done enough to win.”
A LASTING LEGACY
The National Apprentice Competition was started in 1994 by the late Robert L. (Bob) McCullough, then chair of AFSA’s Apprenticeship & Education Committee and president of Allsouth Sprinkler Company. The company continues to sponsor the competition and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a $10,000 donation to the 2023 competition.
The competition was created to promote apprentice training and recognize the apprentices actively enrolled in the AFSA apprenticeship program. It continues to bring fire sprinkler apprentices from AFSA local chapters and member training programs from all corners of the United States together in the association’s foremost showcase of excellence in training among future industry leaders.
In 1994, the first-ever NAC occurred at AFSA’s 13th Annual Convention and Exhibition in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “Originally, AFSA was developed for apprenticeship training. It is the backbone of the association. This competition will focus the spotlight where it should be—back onto our highly rated training programs,” stated McCullough to Sprinkler Age in September of that year. “I believe the contractors who watch will take back the message to their company that training is vital to our industry. More than at any other time in our history, we need properly trained workers.”
AWARD-WINNING PARTY
The evening of the competition, AFSA’s “Magic and Illusions” Awards Party took place in the Floridian Ballroom at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. The event featured a lavish buffet, acrobats, stilt walkers, an illusionist, a magician, and a DJ, but the highlight of the evening was the announcement of apprentice competition winners.
“I’m always nervous,” says Coticchio, “but once they said second place, I kind of knew.”
Coticchio said he felt a sense of accomplishment and relief after hearing his name called the first-place winner, “It felt good to win. Piper/Fortis is enthusiastic about giving us opportunities and supporting our learning. I felt proud to represent them.”
He continues, “All the competitors were outstanding. I think everyone who competed did a great job. It was fun getting to know them.”
When asked what he’s been doing since the competition, Coticchio said he’s graduated from the apprentice training program and is working on projects. “I will continue to work hard, help my co-workers, and encourage our apprentices to enter this competition.”
Mike Curinga, project manager at Piper/Fortis, is Coticchio’s supervisor and was his instructor for two years. “I’ve been an instructor for five years and try to promote the competition to all our guys. Dan jumped in and was eager to compete. He’s a good team member and a hard worker who gives 100 percent.”
Now that Coticchio has graduated from the apprentice program, Curinga notes that he helps train other apprentices. “Everyone works as a team, and Dan is a great team member.”
Curinga admits he was nervous when watching the competition but noticed Coticchio was calm. When Coticchio was announced as the winner, he also admitted to celebrating. “I was out there screaming and hollering, ‘Get it, Dan!’ It was just great to see him win.”
For the remaining finalists, Andrew Lynch, Johnson Controls, Colorado Springs, Colo., won second place and a $3,000 cash prize. Brain Otto, Aegis Fire Systems, A Pye Barker Company, Pleasanton, California, took home third place along with a cash prize of $2,000. Honorable mentions and $1,000 cash prizes were awarded to Samuel Callison, Titan Fire Protection Inc., Vista, California; Matthew Comp, Diamond Automatic Sprinklers, Inc., Mt. Holly Springs, Pennsylvania; Timothy Farley, Allied Fire Protection, Fargo, North Dakota; Armonie Jones, Aqueduct Fire Protection Systems, Williamstown, New Jersey. All competition winners also received a commemorative award and tools.
In addition to the cash prizes and an expense-paid trip to Orlando to compete at AFSA42, each of the national finalists received a commemorative plaque, tools, and a complimentary convention registration for their employer to attend the convention.
THANK YOU!
Tools, materials and support for this year’s competition were provided by 360 Fire Protection; AFSA Florida Chapter; Acom Fire Solutions; Allied Fire Protection; Allsouth Sprinkler Company; Alwest Fire Protection; American Fire Systems, Inc.; ARGCO; Atlantic Constructors, Inc.; Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co.; BlazeMaster Fire Protection Systems (Lubrizol); Brecco Distribution Corporation; Brendle Sprinkler Co., LLC; Carolina Fire Protection, Inc.; Coastal Fire Design, LLC: Core & Main Fire Protection; Diamond Automatic Sprinklers, Inc.; ETNA Supply; Ferguson Fire & Fabrication; Fire Tech Productions; Fire Tech Services, Inc.; Fire Tech Systems, Inc.; Fortis Fire & Safety; Foothill Fire Protection, Inc.; Foster Engineering & Consulting; Hampshire Fire Protection Co.; Impact Fire Services; Merit Sprinkler Co., Inc.; Milwaukee Valve Co., Inc.; Pace Machinery Group; Professional Fire Systems, Inc.; Pye Barker Fire & Safety; Quick Response Fire Protection; Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co.; Ridge Tool Co. (Emerson); RIGID; S & L Fire Protection; SJR Fire, LLC; Security Fire Sprinkler (J-Berd Mech); Sentry Fire Protection Co.; Shore Point Fire Protection; Titan Fire Protection; VSC Fire & Security; Victaulic; Viking Group, Inc.; Viper Tradeshow Services; Umpire Technologies Group, Inc.; Trio Fire Systems; and Western Fire Protection, Inc.
GOT WHAT IT TAKES?
Enrolling in AFSA’s apprentice training program offers excellent education and a fulfilling career and is the gateway to competing in the NAC. Entry forms for this year’s event at AFSA43: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Denver, September 18-21, will be available soon. For more details, visit AFSA’s Apprentice Competition page.
