Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
By Thomas C. Savage, Product Manager at ASC Engineered Solutions
This blog post contains sponsored content.
AFSA understands the importance of connections. Connections between teaching and learning new skills. Connections between manufacturers, contractors, building owners, NFPA, and approving agencies like FM Approvals and UL. And ultimately, connections between pieces of pipe that ultimately deliver life-saving and property-saving water when fire strikes.
Put simply, AFSA understands that our industry thrives on togetherness. ASC Engineered Solutions, with over 170 years of experience in fire protection, also understands that WE, as an industry, achieve more through connections.
As ASC, we have made it our mission to build connections that last. We understand that fire protection can at times be complicated and even confusing. Our goal is to simplify the product selection side of fire protection so the contractor can focus on applying products and innovations to serve a higher good. In that spirit, ASC has a simple One-Two-Three approach to fire protection.
ONE: With ASC ConnectED™ digital construction tools, we are the industry’s “one supplier, one digital destination, creating one happy you”. Through ASC’s ConnectED™ suite of web-based tools, services, and products, we have created one of the industry’s most advanced ecosystems of services to simplify a contractor’s construction lifecycle. Led by Amanda Comunale (Vice President Construction Technology & End User Engagement) and an experienced team of experts, ASC ConnectED™ tools provide the guidance and data to make it easy to work with a single, trusted supplier for every sprinkler project. ASC ConnectED™ suite of tools offers specification validation, BOM conversion, BIM and CAD design files, and Revit resources.
TWO: In early 2020, ASC took the next level through a commitment to deliver more than precision-engineered and category-leading products by leveraging technology, service, and support to help fire protection customers meet new construction challenges. A big part of making that commitment a reality includes bringing innovation and value to fire protection products. Scott Stewart (Director- Product Management) and his team of experienced industry professionals are dedicated to providing new innovations that bring fire protection forward all while delivering the training and support fire sprinkler contractors and building owners demand. Whether your project is in a seismic zone or you just need to hang miles of pipe, ASC’s Greg Shaughnessy and John Deutsch are known throughout the industry as the go-to resources for hanging and bracing. As an example, Greg and John recently introduced the AFCON® Figure AF727 “Bear Claw” universal structural attachment with swivel. This is the latest in a line of innovations, the Bear Claw product rigidly braces piping systems subjected to horizontal and vertical seismic loads. If you install fire sprinklers, then you likely have used flex drops and have heard of the FlexHead® brand of flexible drops. The FlexHead products are globally recognized by many as leading the industry to replace hard pipe arm-overs with flexible piping and brackets. That product leadership and innovation continues today with the recent introduction of the FlexHead FH-120 bracket. The FH-120 bracket has an innovative design where the bracket legs simply snap onto the t-grid. No screw needed. That’s real innovation delivered from one of the oldest flex drops manufacturers. While the bracket is an important part of a flex drop installation, the fire water flows through the flex hose that is connected to the bracket. And, ASC has an innovation there also. Our new FH-206S, is fully-welded construction combined with our Gruvlok 1” standard groove coupling. Compared to typical flex drops with union connections, the fully-welded hose has fewer potential leak paths and is much simpler and faster to install. And if you really are looking for speed on the job-site, ask us about our Pre-Installed Head (PIH) option for the FH206. With the FH206s-PIH, we leak test every pre-installed sprinkler at our factory so when it arrives on the jobsite, you can take it out of the box, tighten the coupling onto the piping system all in one smooth step. And unlike other 1” options that use patent-protected groove designs, ASC believes in freedom of choice. As such the FH206S uses the proven, industry standard groove design. The same groove your shop groovers and field groovers have included as standard when you buy them. If you have questions about FlexHead products, just call ASC’s own John Noel. John has decades of experience in fire protection, and he is a key member of our research & development efforts.
THREE: At ASC, while we believe in innovation and awesome technology, we also know that fire protection is also about personal relationships. It’s about more than installing sprinkler pipe, its about family and its about community. That’s why at ASC we believe our best product is our the sales team and our support teams. When a contractor has a question or needs some job- site support, our sales team is there 24/7. We know that time is money, and when support is needed, it is needed now, and it better be good. What drives our sales team, and what drives ASC, is to be the industry’s preferred partner.
SUMMARY: For ASC it is all about creating connections that matter. Connections that bring value and partnership. It’s why at this year’s AFSA 44 Seminar in Washington DC, we are honored to present a session on “The Last Six Feet”. Many contractors use that term to refer to the space between the branchine and the sprinkler. It is the maximum length a flex hose can be without needing extra support. To ASC and many contractor’s, the last six feet also represents the most critical part of the sprinkler system. It is the last bit of piping that makes the water deliver to exactly the point in the building where it is needed. In many ways, the last six feet represents what AFSA, ASC, and the fire sprinkler industry are all about: making connections. I have spent the last two decades bringing innovations and education to the fire protection industry. Starting in 2010, my efforts have been focused on flex drops, innovative storage sprinklers (think K-25), and Hybrid systems. I am looking forward to sharing my experience around the past, present, and future of piping related to the last six feet. And most importantly, continuing to build connections in our wonderful industry.
Tom Savage, ASC Engineered Solutions, Product Manager- Fire Protection
Tom Savage is currently the lead Product Manager for Fire Protection Products at ASC Engineered Solutions. With 15-plus years’ experience in fire protection, Tom has experience in manufacturing, distribution, contracting, sales. He currently holds 6 U.S. patents in fire protection technologies. Before joining ASC, Tom founded two companies, including a family-owned fire protection products distribution company. Tom has lectured on fire protection and industrial manufacturing globally.