Mar/Apr 2018 Sprinkler Age

ENGINEERING PROGRAM 34 FOR FEMALE STUDENTS

MAR / APR 2017

SPRINKLER AGE

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SprinklerAge

Vol 36 / 02 March/April 2017

Features 10 | ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions

The Existing Criteria is Likely Too Conservative

16 | The Cycle of Research and Development

Getting Products to Market

20 | AFSA + Vegas: A Winning Combination!

Convention & Exhibition Offers Seminars, Vendors, and Fun!

22 | A Woman’s Perspective

Industry Professionals Share Their Experiences

26 | Here’s Your Sign

Part 2: NFPA 13D, 13R, 14 and 20 Requirements

28 | Honoring Industry Veterans, Supporting Students

Donations Fund the Future of the Fire Sprinkler Industry

30 | Rising Stars in the Sprinkler Industry

Up-and-Coming Leaders Spill Their Secrets to Success

34 | Encouraging Women to Enter STEM Fields

ON THE COVER This fall, AFSA is a sure bet in Las Vegas! Join us September 24-27 for AFSA36: Annual Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Details can be found on page 20 of this issue. Inset photo credit: Tyco Fire Protection Products.

Tyco Sponsors Program for High School Students

36 | Flexible Technology Applications for Dry Sprinklers

Eliminate Freeze-Ups and Inefficiencies

38 | The Greatest AFSA-Endorsed Insurance Plan

Fully Protect Your Financial Interests

40 | Engaging the Young Professional

Spotlighting the NextGen Initiative

42 | Chapters in Communities: Making a Difference

Virginia Chapter Hosts Longest-Running Charity Golf Tournament

46 | AFSA Honors Academic Excellence

2016 Honor Society for Sprinkler Fitter Graduates Announced

48 | Thank You for Your Support!

Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries

50 | ¿Quieres ser un Instalador de Rociadores?

AFSA Promotes Diversity in its Education Programs

52 | Mentoring Women in the Construction Industry

6

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

8

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

54 AHJ PERSPECTIVE 56 AFSA NEWS 56 CALENDAR 57 CHAPTER NEWS 57 AFFILIATE NEWS 58 NEW MEMBERS 59 U.S. CONSTRUCTION 60 PRODUCT NEWS 61 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS 62 INDUSTRY NEWS 62

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

NAWIC President-Elect Shares Vision

SPRINKLER AGE, (ISSN 0896-2685) is published bimonthly for $33.95 per year by the American Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc., 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350, Dallas, Texas 75251. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, Texas and additional mailing offices.

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Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 5

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE EDITORIAL: 214 349 5965

BY MICHAEL F. MEEHAN AFSA Chairman of the Board

FRANK MORTL III, CAE, Publisher D’ARCY G. MONTALVO, Editor, ext. 115 dmontalvo@firesprinkler.org NICOLE DUVALL, Director of Communications, ext. 126; nduvall@firesprinkler.org ADVERTISING: 214 349 5965

CHARLOTTE JOHNSON, Communications Coordinator, ext. 134; cjohnson@firesprinkler.org CIRCULATION : 214 349 5965

One of the more important functions of your association is to monitor and provide input to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has voting seats that represent contractors on all the major standards: NFPA 13, 13R, 14, 20, 25 and 409 just to name a few. Our technical engineering team headed up by AFSA Senior Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services Roland Huggins, P.E. is the point man for this effort. We fill this need between our AFSA technical staff and our large and experienced network of contractors from across the country.

Watching and being a part of the standard-writing process is a fascinating glimpse of democracy, technical skills, manufacturing innovations, and insurance and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) needs and wants. All facets of our industry are represented.

The proposals the committees receive run the gamut of minor to major. The intent of the submitter is sometimes obvious and sometimes more obscure, but for the most part the intent is to improve the standards by tweaking the documents that hopefully clear up issues real or perceived. Sometimes new technology or new information comes along that changes the way we look at fire protection and forces us to adopt new language. The advent of nitrogen inerting is a good example, and the codes are acknowledging this influential trend. Sometimes proposals come along that are well intentioned but are often impractical to implement or hugely expensive to the end user.

A good example of this is full forward full backflow testing that has been a requirement now for the past two cycles. The practical implication of forward flowing backflows at system demand flow requirements is challenging to say the least (some real-world scenarios include tight constraints on backflow locations, discharging large flows in our dense downtown cities, temperature issues, hose locations issues, water conservation issues, etc.). If done properly, this requirement is very expensive when compared to our previous testing protocols. Often times the implications of these changes are not felt (or even known) by the fire protection community until many years after their acceptance as many states and localities are very slow to adopt the newest standard.

CHARLOTTE JOHNSON, Communications Coordinator, ext. 134; cjohnson@firesprinkler.org AFSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MICHAEL F. MEEHAN, CHAIRMAN 757-213-3660 WAYNE WEISZ, FIRST VICE CHAIRMAN 209-334-9119 THEODORE C. WILLS, JR., SECOND VICE CHAIRMAN 610-754-7836 LINDA M. BIERNACKI, SECRETARY 318-841-0330 JACK A. MEDOVICH, TREASURER 410-787-0639 JOSEPH A. HEINRICH, IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN 785-825-7710 DONALD G. ALBARES, 504-837-0572 DWIGHT BATEMAN, 713-910-3242 PAUL DELORIE, 603-432-8221 ROD DIBONA, 605-348-2342 LYLE HALL, 858-513-4949 R. DONALD KAUFMAN, 505-884-2447 JEFF PHIFER, 803-438-2994 AFSA MANAGEMENT: 214 349 5965

FRANK MORTL III, CAE, President ROLAND J. HUGGINS, PE, Senior Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services, ext. 121 MARLENE M. GARRETT, CMP, Vice President of Meetings & Operations, ext. 118 BRADLEY ELLIOTT, Director of Member Services, ext. 135 MARILYN ELLIS, Director of Administrative Services, ext. 112 NICOLE DUVALL, Director of Communications, ext. 126

The present NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, cycle under review is for the future 2018 edition and provides another example of a well-intentioned proposal that has significant cost and liability implications. The intent of the proposal is to have NFPA 13 institute a safety factor on water supply curves, which would in effect make NFPA reduce available water supplies by 10 percent. On the surface to some factions this may sound like a grand idea. In practicality, it would lead to significantly increased costs to owners via increased sizes in backflow preventers and pipes sizes. Pumps would be required in many cases, with all the added electrical and maintenance demands.

On top of the cost implications, another strong argument against the proposal can be made that for years numerous safety factors have already been baked into the standards via remote areas water flow design densities, response times and head spacing characteristics. There are potential liability scenarios that can come into play. This is a slippery slope for the document, contractors and owners. Water supplies are provided by others; we design to them, we have no control over them, and we have no liability for them.

Consequently, AFSA speaks against this proposal.

LESLIE CLOUNTS, Director of Education Services, ext. 130

As in any deliberative and democratic process there are things we don’t like. But rest assured, your association is vigilant in monitoring the standards process and doing what it can to keep the standards smart, fair, and balanced. n

ABOUT AFSA MEMBERSHIP AFSA annual membership dues are a sliding scale for Contractors and Associates and a flat fee for Authorities Having Jurisdiction. (Members receive a free subscription to Sprinkler Age.) Write or call AFSA for membership information. See AFSA’s website at firesprinkler.org.

6 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

ROGER GRAGG, Director of Marketing & Information Technology, ext. 116 Sprinkler Age is devoted to the professional development of the Fire Sprinkler Industry. Deadline is 1st of the month preceding publication.

Published by American Fire Sprinkler Association, 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350, Dallas, Texas 75251.

Call (214) 349-5965, FAX (214) 343-8898, or email sprinklerage@firesprinkler.org for information.

Copyright © American Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc. All rights reserved. PRINTED IN USA. Unless expressly stated otherwise, all editorial and advertising material published is the opinion of the respective authors and/ or companies involved and should not be construed as official action by or approved by Publisher or the Association.

Sprinkler Age is a membership benefit, provided free of charge to AFSA members. For information on non-member and/or foreign subscription rates, call (214) 349-5965.

Š2016 Atkore International, Inc. All rights reserved.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

BY FRANK MORTL III, CAE AFSA President

Services. Providing or supplying activities utilized by members or the public as a process of supportive assistance. The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) offers many helpful services to contractor members, manufacturers and suppliers, as well as the general public. One AFSA service in particular, that directly impacts all members and elements of society, is managed by three gentlemen within our Technical Services Department who each bring a unique, heavily experienced, and highly talented component to what is now the preeminent collection of professional staff focusing on engineering and standards within the entire fire sprinkler industry.

Led by AFSA’s Senior Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services Roland Huggins, P.E., AFSA’s Technical Services Department brings well over 100 years of combined experience to industry issues ranging from contracting, enforcement, consulting and user application. Roland has been on the AFSA staff since 1996 and is considered among the most respected voices on the NFPA Standards Council. Additionally, he has and continues to serve on many NFPA technical committees including NFPA 13 Technical Correlating Committee; NFPA 13 Discharge Criteria; NFPA 5000 Building Code Correlating Committee; and NFPA 101 Technical Committee on Industrial, Storage, and Miscellaneous Occupancies. Having a trusted AFSA voice provide substantial influence to industry committees that are critical to the every day job conditions of contractors is a responsibility Roland does not take lightly.

Roland oversees all aspects of AFSA’s technical resources including informal interpretations, NFPA standards related to fire sprinklers, recall information, our Reference Guide to Automatic Sprinklers, and the ever-popular SprinklerForum email chat list. In total, Roland’s team serves on 17 NFPA technical committees which is augmented by an additional 31 AFSA-member representatives, allowing for 27 NFPA technical committees to receive AFSA’s authority regarding the intent of crucial installation standards that drive our industry.

Tom Wellen, P.E., has been AFSA’s manager of fire protection engineering since 2006 and is our lead expert pertaining to either written or verbal informal interpretations. Drawing on resources from the vast AFSA library, NFPA standards, building codes, as well as dependable volunteer contractor members willing to lend their skilled perspective to an issue, Tom Wellen efficiently provides “informal interps” on any subject related to automatic fire sprinklers at no cost to members. This is a complimentary member service available as often as members require these services, in whatever format is most effective for the given situation.

8 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

In addition to informal interpretations, Tom Wellen also plays a major role for AFSA on NFPA technical committees, writes useful articles for our digital and print platforms, performs fire modeling, and teaches AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School. If you’re fortunate, you will have an opportunity to witness an in-person seminar or online webinar delivered by our manager of fire protection engineering. Tom Wellen has generated quite a following over the years and has become “must-see” viewing at numerous AFSA chapter events as well as during his multiple AFSA convention presentations.

The newest member of AFSA’s Technical Services Department joined our team in 2016, bringing a wealth of real-world contracting experience to the fold in the role of technical programs specialist. Tom Noble, E.T., has gotten off to a tremendous start within the AFSA family particularly as the primary instructor for our ever-popular Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School, aka Beginning Design Course. By presenting a comprehensive, practical approach to preparing fire sprinkler system drawings, students learn by actually planning and drawing sprinkler systems while studying and applying NFPA 13 (2016 edition). The school sold out all seven classes in 2016 and in response to popular demand, AFSA has increased the class size this year from 15 to 18, while continuing to offer seven classes. Good thing Tom Noble has a tenacious desire to deliver exceptional services or we would run the risk of burning the poor guy out within his first year on staff!

Tom Noble is already adept at answering member questions regarding apprentice books, managing AFSA’s renowned National Apprentice Competition, drafting technical articles, providing support for informal interpretations, serving on NFPA technical committees, and developing our Sprinkler Reference Guide. It greatly impressed me last year when during his final interview, Tom Noble repeatedly mentioned the term “service” as a primary goal for his professional future. For anyone who’s had the pleasure of interacting with Tom Noble, you quickly realize he totally fits within the exceptional culture of service providers pervasive among the entire AFSA staff.

AFSA leadership is extremely proud of the unrivaled professional excellence that the staff of our Technical Services Department brings to members. At this point in our 36-year history, the American Fire Sprinkler Association has earned the privilege of being internationally known and almost universally recognized as the preeminent resource on technical issues for the fire sprinkler industry. Our mission was founded on service, and we encourage all industry personnel to reach out to AFSA when seeking the highest quality of technical services. n

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ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions The Existing Criteria is Likely Too Conservative SCOTT FUTRELL, P.E., F.S.F.P.E, C.F.P.S., S.E.T., C.F.E.I. | Futrell Fire Consult & Design, Inc.

In a continuing and extensive effort to develop reliable and effective tools and guidelines for the unique installation of early suppression fast response (ESFR) sprinklers relative to obstructions, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) through its Research Foundation has completed three phases of the project entitled “ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions.” The contractor for this project has been proficiently led by Garner A. Palenske P.E., and William N. Fletcher, P.E. of Jensen Hughes.

This effort is to better define for the end users the guidelines or parameters necessary to minimize obstructions to the effective use of ESFR sprinklers for storage protection. In other words, the intention is to refine the current guidelines, published in standards, with well-developed, quantifiable criteria.

Eight full-scale and 40 actual delivered density (ADD) tests have been completed in the three phases that wrapped up in December of 2016, utilizing K-17 ESFR sprinklers. K-17 ESFR sprinklers were chosen over K-14 ESFRs when the 2013 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems, removed protection criteria for the K-14s under specific circumstances. The tests were all of Group A, cartoned, unexpanded plastics, stored 30-ft high, in double-row racks under a 40-ft-high ceiling at Underwriters Laboratories, with 4-ft aisles, sprinkler spacing of 10 ft by 10 ft, and sprinklers operating at 52 psi.

For reference, one of the test arrangements is shown in Figure 1. This figure indicates the bar joist sizes utilized in the testing as well as one example of the offsets and locations of the sprinklers relative to the joists and the joist members from Phase 1 of the project. (See Figure 1.)

Actual delivered density (ADD) testing of the configurations above provided the following results: “… 22, 30, or 36-inch deep trusses located directly under the sprinkler would be challenging with discharge pressures of 50 or

Sidebar by Roland Huggins, P.E., AFSA Senior Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services As we all know, obstructions are the source of immense pain during the design and installation of an ESFR system. The research discussed in this article shows that the current NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, criteria is likely too conservative. The findings on obstructions close to the sprinkler will be addressed by the NFPA 13 technical committee on Sprinkler Systems Installation Criteria at the second draft meeting this June for the 2019 edition. Larger obstructions are also being studied but the research has not progressed far enough to impact the 2019 edition. Watch for an upcoming article on this portion of the research. n

10 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Figures 1A-C. ADD Obstruction Assembly for Bar Joist 1 Figure 1. Bar Joist Configuration.

Depths of 22, 30, and 36 inches and a Horizontal Offset of 3 inches

75 psi. The 22-inch deep truss offset 3 inches would be challenging for a sprinkler with discharge pressures of 50 and 75 psi. A 30-inch deep joist offset 3 inches would not be challenging for a sprinkler with a discharge pressure of 75 psi. Lastly, a 36-inch deep joist offset 3 inches would not be challenging for a sprinkler with either discharge pressure. In general, the deeper the joist depth, the less the effect on the ADD, since the bottom chord of the joist was farther away from the sprinkler…” 2

Obstructions and ESFR Sprinklers – Phase 1 Literature Review and Test Plan Quincy, MA

October 28, 2014 Aon FPE No.: 1814017-000 Page 6

Bridging members were added to the testing with both full-scale and ADD tests performed. Figure 2 shows the basic configuration of the bar joists and the bridging members. (See Figure 2 on page 12.)

The Phase 2 testing produced results that narrowed the parameters of acceptable locations for obstructions relative to the K-17 ESFR and water distribution. It also indicated clearly that a K-17 ESFR sprinkler located directly above a bridging member of 11/2-in. by 11/2-in. with a vertical separation of 6 in. produced unacceptable results. (See Figure 3 for the test

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Figure 3. Full-Scale Test 5 Arrangement Phase 2.4

Figure 2. Bridging Configuration.3

configuration.) During this test the first sprinkler operated at one minute and one second (1:01) with two more sprinklers operating at 2:42 and 3:03, respectively. Twenty additional sprinklers operated between 3:33 and 6:42. (See Figure 3.)

Phase 3 ADD tests were performed on round and flat obstructions that were from 3 to 12 in. in width to compare those ADD results to the ADD results from an unobstructed sprinkler. From the Executive Summary: “This analysis showed that for obstructions located directly below the sprinkler, the ADD increases as the vertical distance between the sprinkler and the obstruction increases. For obstructions horizontally offset from the sprinkler, the inverse is true; the ADD decreases as the vertical distance between the sprinkler and the obstruction increases.”5 To designers and installers, this means that a 3-in. wide obstruction located directly below, vertically 8 ft 16-in., from a K-17 ESFR sprinkler, “…is a significant obstruction”6 to the spray pattern and sprinkler discharge. The 6-in. wide obstruction located directly below, vertically 8 ft 30 in., from a K-17 ESFR sprinkler, “…is a significant obstruction.”7 Note that when distances are referenced as below the sprinkler it is from the deflector of the sprinkler to the top of the obstruction. Figure 4 below is for reference only, because it shows the test setup but with the 12-in. wide flat obstruction offset, not directly below the sprinkler. (See Figure 4.)

Issued: July 29, 2016

Nominal 14 in. ceiling to deflector distance

14 in.

12 inch obstruction positioned 16 and 20 inches below sprinkler deflector.

Obstruction offset 6 inches from centerline of the sprinkler to tip of obstruction

20 in.

4 in.

Figure 4.Figure 12-in.

Detail. Test 10 and 11 Arrangement – Elevation View From East 8 Obstruction 12 inch Flat Obstruction; 12 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 11 of 23

Several of the full-scale tests, combined with ADD results, ended up yielding results that show at least two things. One, there are many variables that make placement of sprinklers, fire location, sprinkler design (K-factor), type, and location of obstruction all factors in determining success or failure; and two, the full-scale testing completed is on the verge of determining realistic parameters that significantly improve the current guidelines.

Two of the three full-scale tests completed in Phase 3 were with a 6-in. obstruction in one test and a 12-in. obstruction in the other test. The obstruction was located 20 in. below the sprinkler deflector in both of these tests. The 6-in. wide obstruction allowed one sprinkler activating to successfully suppress the fire. The 12-in. wide obstruction required 10 sprinklers activating to suppress the fire. Figure 5 is the test arrangement that opened 10 sprinklers during the full-scale testing. (See Figure 5 on page 14.)

An excerpt is provided below from the current design guidelines of NFPA 13, 2016 edition, which states in part: “8.12.5.3.2 Bottom Chords of Bar Joists or Open Trusses. ESFR sprinklers shall be positioned a minimum of 1 ft. (300 mm) horizontally from the nearest edge to any bottom chord of a bar joist or open truss.

“8.12.5.2* Isolated Obstructions Below Elevation of Sprinklers.

Sprinklers shall be arranged with respect to obstructions in accordance with one of the following: “(4) Additional sprinklers shall not be required where the obstruction is 2 in. (50 mm) or less in width and is located a minimum of 2 ft. (600 mm) below the elevation of the sprinkler deflector or is positioned a minimum of 1 ft. (300 mm) horizontally from the sprinkler.

“8.12.5.3.1 General Continuous Obstructions. Sprinklers shall be arranged with respect to obstructions in accordance with one of the following: “(2) Additional sprinklers shall not be required where the obstruction is 2 in. (50 mm) or less in width and is located a minimum of 2 ft. (600 mm) below the elevation of the sprinkler deflector or is positioned a minimum of 1 ft.

(300 mm) horizontally from the sprinkler. “(3) Additional sprinklers shall not be required where the

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Nominal 4 ft. long, 2 by 2 inch steel angle, centered above ignition

Nominal 14 in. ceiling to deflector distance 10 ft. (typical)

12 inch wide structural C shape for flat obstruction, Positioned 6 inches horizontal offset from primary sprinkler, 44 ft. long – 20 inches below deflector 22 ft. 6 in.

40 ft. ceiling height

6 in.

4 ft.

4 ft.

Figure 19 Elevation View of Main Test Array from the East - Test 2 Figure 5. Test 2 Arrangement.

obstruction is 1 ft. (300 mm) or less in width and located a minimum of 1 ft. (300 mm) horizontally from the sprinkler.”

Summarizing the current rules above, the lower chord of the bar of 50in. from the centerline of the joist must be located at least2412 sprinkler, and obstructions up to two in. in width must be located at least 24 in. below the deflector. The testing in this

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project has better defined those parameters with results that will be included in future editions of NFPA 13.

Combining results of Phases 2 and 3 of the project, it has been concluded that: • A 1.5-in. by 1.5-in. obstruction located 12 in. directly below a K-17 ESFR sprinkler does not adversely affect the water distribution.

• A K-17 ESFR sprinkler offset horizontally 6-in. from bar joists that are 26 to 36-in. deep with a 1.5-in. x 1.5-in. bridging member 12 in. directly below the sprinkler “will not significantly decrease the performance of the ESFR sprinkler.”8 • A 6-in. wide flat obstruction located 6-in. offset horizontally and 20-in. below the sprinkler produced “acceptable results.”9 These projects, and their results, are defining the obstruction parameters and providing invaluable data that can and will be used in the future to understand obstructions and their effect on the performance of ESFR sprinklers. The Research Foundation is optimistic that additional testing can be funded that will provide more information on the twelve inch wide obstructions, data for smaller vertical clearances, and predictability of sprinkler skipping. n REFERENCES: 1. Palenske and Fletcher. “Obstructions and ESFR Sprinklers – Phase 1”Fire Protection Research Foundation Report, October 2014, Figure 1A-C, page 6.

2. Palenske and Fletcher. “Obstructions and ESFR Sprinklers – Phase 1” Fire Protection Research Foundation Report, October 2014, page 5.

3. Palenske and Fletcher. “Obstructions and ESFR Sprinklers – Phase 2” Fire Protection Research Foundation Report, September 2015, Figure 7, page 13.

4. Palenske and Fletcher. “Obstructions and ESFR Sprinklers – Phase 2” Fire Protection Research Foundation Report, September 2015, Figure 32, page 40.

5. National Fire Protection Association, Research Foundation, ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions – Phase 3, Executive Summary, December 22, 2016, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MD. 6. National Fire Protection Association, Research Foundation, Obstru tions and ESFR Sprinklers – Final Report, December 2016, 1, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MD, page 5.

7. Ibid.

8. National Fire Protection Association, Research Foundation, ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions – Phase 3, Executive Summary, December 22, 2016, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MD. Page 27.

9. National Fire Protection Association, Research Foundation, ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions – Phase 3, Executive Summary, December 22, 2016, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MD. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Scott A. Futrell, P.E., F.S.F.P.E., C.F.P.S., S.E.T., C.F.E.I., is a fire protection consultant with Futrell Fire Consult & Design, Inc., in Osseo, Minnesota and has over 40 years’ experience designing, specifying, and investigating fire protection systems. He is a Fellow in the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and serves on the technical panel providing input to the Fire Protection Research Foundation on this project. Futrell can be reached by email at scottf@ffcdi.com or visit ffcdi.com.

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The Cycle of Research and Development Getting Products to Market JAMES GOLINVEAUX | Viking Group

Research and development (R&D) in the fire sprinkler world is a fascinating, frustrating, regulated, fun, rewarding, and slow process. In the fire sprinkler industry we often confuse R&D with good, old-fashioned product engineering.

I have had the pleasure to be involved with the R&D process for the past 26 years in this amazing industry. Over the years, I have noticed a pattern to some of the best “idea-to-product” developments and will try to simplify my observations with one qualification; this is my opinion and many will have different opinions. First, before we discuss the cycle, there are a couple of rules for successful R&D. First Rule: If you read it in a book, it’s most likely history – move on. I spent the first 10 years of my career memorizing and teaching NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. I spent the next 25 years challenging what I had read, learning that my design and installation bible was just the current standard based on the existing tools and limited research budgets, which resulted in many assumptions. You may not have wanted to challenge me in my earlier years on the accuracy of NFPA 13. I would have defended it to no end, since I was taught that the information came from the high mountain (delivered by Chet Schirmer and Rolf Jensen – both of whom were friends and mentors of mine). I am still a huge advocate of the NFPA standards, especially since most pertinent standards contain the “new technology” language: “NFPA 13 2016 Edition 1.5 Equivalency. Nothing in this standard is intended to prevent the use of systems, methods, or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety over those prescribed by this standard.

“1.5.1 Technical documentation shall be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to demonstrate equivalency.”

Second Rule: Better fire protection does not sell itself; economical alternatives do. Okay, take a deep breath and when you are done being mad about this comment and begin listing the five new things you consider better fire protection (because I know you will), stop and think of why those technologies were developed. Every one of them will 16 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

start with the cycle of “problem.” For example, everybody’s dislike of in-rack sprinklers led to the development of early suppression fast response (ESFR) for rack storage. We are taught that the fancy acronym ES “early suppression” denotes something very special. Ask any insurance carrier if they would rather wait for the fire to reach the ceiling or have an in-rack sprinkler extinguish the fire at the 10-ft level of rack storage. What is better fire protection? In-rack sprinklers, so what’s the problem? Nobody likes to have in-racks, so ESFRs solve a problem. They eliminate the in-rack sprinklers, but do not necessarily provide better fire protection.

There are more rules, but most who know me hear these stories in my favorite R&D think tank, otherwise known as “The Bar.” Let’s move on to the cycle: The Cycle = Problem > Need > Research > Negotiation > Solution/Testing > IP > Standards > Move the Market Problem – There are many of them out there, and the skill of listening is the fastest way to identify problems that present opportunity. An example would be attic sprinklers. The problem was identified by BF Goodrich, now Lubrizol, while attempting to expand the use of CPVC in attic areas. Many attempts were made at using standard spray sprinklers in combustible sloped ceiling construction to protect not only the attic area during a fire, but also cool the piping to prevent rupture. Standard spray sprinklers continued to fail at both criteria. This was confusing since the standards were written to say that these sprinklers would control such a fire. They identified the problem and the remaining steps of developing were as outlined in this cycle.

Need – Is there a need to solve the problem? This is a critical decision point since little to no money has changed hands yet.

One of my best arguments for “need” is challenging the team to respond to the following question: “If someone else solves the problem, what would we do?” This is a business decision and gives the green light to move forward. For Combustible Concealed Sprinklers (COIN®) the need was the expanded use of CPVC in interstitial spaces, without having to transition to steel when sprinklers were required in the area. The lower the installed cost, the more attractive sprinklers remained as a tool for the multi-family housing people. This is a need. Some innovations fall well short of market acceptance,

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such as the “Limited Water Supply Sprinkler” initiative that skipped solving the real needs and failed on market acceptance, since the market saw no need for it.

Research – At this point, a clear understanding of the remaining cycle steps is necessary. Sprinkler research is still much of a black art. There are claims of abilities to model sprinkler performance and the programs are much better today than even five years ago. As long as we are still in a deteriorating water supply environment, spray patterns, droplet size, pre-wetting and air movement all change during a fire event, making it difficult to model. So for now, good, old-fashioned testing is still necessary on most developments. For many reasons – longer than this article can cover – the generally accepted performance of a new technology has to exceed the level of performance of the prescribed standards and must protect the intended application. This can be difficult and frustrating when some of the prescribed standards are lacking complete protection and you learn that they were grandfathered into the application because there was nothing else available at the time, or it was the best they could do. Today you have to solve the complete application. We learned this the hard way with the development of extended coverage ordinary hazard (ECOH) sprinklers. We learned that we had to maintain fire control when storage was piled to 18-in. clearance below the sprinkler. We tested standard spray sprinklers and they failed miserably. I thought failing miserably was the minimum standard! No – we had to demonstrate fire control since new technologies do not get grandfathered.

There may be 100 ways to solve the problem, but only one or two that will be accepted by the market. Find people with your passion and argue early.

Negotiation – Always know and communicate your definition of success for a program before you demonstrate it. It is easier to complete a goal with data than to let the data provide the result. This takes plenty of negotiation within the team and outside agencies to stay focused on the goal.

However, learn to be flexible if necessary or accept failure early. It builds character.

Solution/Testing – Validation and test data is simply required.

Most testing agencies will test what you want, they will provide you with data, and they will provide you with a bill for that data – but there is no guarantee of an Approval or Listing if the data doesn’t support the application. The data you gather may also be peer reviewed if you submit for standardization of your technology. I have witnessed many frustrated entrepreneurs whose data was rejected for standardization. It is not the laboratory’s job to know what data is required; it is the entrepreneur’s job to know the goal (the entire cycle).

Intellectual Property – What can I say here? It’s a business. Not for the average inventor, but a necessary step. I was once told – “Anybody can get a patent, only a few can defend it.” Just because you have a patent, doesn’t stop someone else from making it. You have to defend your patent in court to actually 18 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

enforce it. It’s expensive and time consuming, but necessary if you’re investing millions of dollars and don’t want people following you for just thousands. Some believe being second is always cheaper and there is always room for improvement – they just will not be known as innovators.

Standards – True “outside-the-box” research normally requires some modification to the standards. Although many standards allow new technologies and alternative methods, many people like to see the technology referenced in the body of the standard. The time to identify the standard’s strategy is back on the “need” step; the remaining steps after that should support a clean standards revision process. Also respect the standards revision cycle – if your data misses a cycle, you may have to wait three more years for the next one, and then possibly six more years before the building and fire code adoption for that particular edition of the standard.

Move the Market – The hardest step, and one of the most frustrating, is to wait for the market to accept your product. If you know our market, you understand the lead time from product awareness to bid, contract, design, build, and install.

This process can take another year off your life. The best way to move a market is through education, teaching the benefits, and being active in the process of this industry. A great idea/ product usually takes five years for market acceptance. That doesn’t mean that nobody uses it in the interim; innovative customers pay attention to those who do (or better yet, have a drink with them) and as a result lead in their field.

Conclusion Thank you for spending your time reading this. I hope it’s helped you gain a better understanding of the R&D process in our fire sprinkler world. Great companies are investing millions of dollars to continue our industry’s growth here and around the world. Lastly, remember rule #1 – if you are reading this, it’s history and we’ve moved on to the next thing. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: James E. Golinveaux is a former senior fellow of water suppression products for Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products. With 34 years of experience in the fire protection industry including both contracting and manufacturing, Golinveaux is currently the president/CEO of Viking Group, Inc. He currently holds 12 U.S. patent families in automatic sprinkler technologies. He is a past member or the Board of Trustees for the Fire Protection Research Foundation, as well as multiple other boards and councils including AFSA, Factory Mutual Advisory, International Fire Sprinkler Association, NFSA, and the Fire Sprinkler Association of Brazil. Golinveaux is also a subject matter expert for past two editions of the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook and the NFPA 13 Handbook on Storage and Residential Sprinklers. In addition to serving on multiple NFPA technical committees, he is a current member of the NFPA Standards Council.

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17-52797

AFSA + Vegas: A Winning Combination!

Convention & Exhibition Offers Seminars, Vendors, and Fun! This is one sure bet – the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is celebrating in Vegas this year! AFSA’s 36th Annual Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition will be held September 24-27, 2017. Join fellow industry peers for AFSA+Vegas: A Winning Combination, headquartered at the famed Bellagio Las Vegas, for technical and managerial seminars offering CEU/CPD credits, social events including a Frank Sinatra-style evening of songs, an exciting apprentice competition, and a packed exhibit hall!

Value in Vegas This year’s convention offers three days packed with education, training, and networking. AFSA will offer another record-breaking number of seminar hours led by industry experts, and the AFSA exhibition is a proven opportunity for people to connect with great prospects as well as grow and cultivate their existing networks. The unopposed exhibit hours allow attendees and exhibitors to visit without interruption, and the second day of exhibits also features the finals of AFSA’s 24th National Apprentice Competition. Other

2017 Convention Schedule At-A-Glance Sunday, 9/24/17

11:00am – 5:00pm

Registration Open

Monday, 9/25/17

7:00am – 5:00pm

Registration Open

7:00am – 8:30am

Networking Breakfast

8:00am – 5:00pm

Seminars

11:30am – 1:00pm

Networking Lunch

5:30pm – 6:30pm

NextGen Initiative Reception (By Invitation Only)

7:00am – 6:00pm

Registration Open

7:00am – 8:30am

Networking Breakfast

8:00am – 2:30pm

Seminars

11:30am – 1:00pm

Networking Lunch

3:00pm – 4:30pm

General Session

4:30pm – 5:30pm

Exhibitor Appreciation Event

5:30pm – 8:30pm

Chairman’s Reception

6:00am – 3:30pm

Registration Open

7:00am – 8:30am

Networking Breakfast

8:00am – 12:00pm

Seminars

11:30am – 1:00pm

Networking Lunch

11:30am – 3:30pm

Apprenticeship Competition

12:30pm – 3:30pm

Exhibits Open

7:00pm – 10:00pm

Awards Party

Tuesday, 9/26/17

Wednesday, 9/27/17

20 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

highlights include the evening parties and social events, as well as a chance to relax with friends during the networking meals – three breakfasts and three lunches – hosted for attendees who are fully registered in AFSA’s room block at the Bellagio Las Vegas.

The final night Awards Party will be a step back in time with the Rat Pack, featuring music by Frank Sinatra; Dean Martin; Sammy Davis, Jr.; and Marilyn Monroe. The era of their greatest tabloid fame coincided with the “Mad Men” ‘50s into the ‘60s when, in retrospect, things seemed simpler and a particular kind of jet-set culture was captured in their antics.

Tours include a Black Canyon river float to see Hoover Dam and swim in the cool clear water of the Colorado River; clay shooting at unique stations in a rolling desert terrain; and a construction playground with huge Caterpillar bulldozers and excavators. Three days of themed cooking competitions will also be offered in the Bellagio’s state-ofthe-art Tuscany kitchen.

NextGen Events Looking to join or involve your under-40 employees in the industry’s most forward-looking young professionals’ group? AFSA’s NextGeneration Initiative (NGI) will host a “NextGen Day” Monday, September 25 during the convention. The line-up includes a half-day workshop “Leading Across the Generations” presented by Tru Pettigrew, one of the nation’s leading experts on Millennials who has been featured in several publications including the New York Times, USA Today, and Fortune. An invitation-only NGI reception will also be held that evening. To become involved in NGI and participate in the related events at convention, visit AFSA’s website at firesprinkler.org/NextGen. Convention Headquarter Hotel Take one step onto the fountain-fronted property at Bellagio Las Vegas, and you will instantly find yourself transported to an elegant European resort, replete with lavish rooms, award-winning restaurants and a luxurious spa, all the while surrounded by works from the world’s most renowned artists. From the natural light bathing the lobby through glass ceilings to the fresh flowers and trees of the Bellagio Conservatory and Gardens, whose displays change five time a year, everything about Bellagio tells you that you’re not in Las Vegas anymore.

Don’t miss out on this sure bet! The Bellagio Las Vegas will host AFSA for this year’s convention, AFSA+Vegas: A Winning Combination, September 24-27.

Dining devotees will not only be pleased with Bellagio’s first-rate dining options – they will be absolutely dazzled. Just as exclusive as the eateries is Bellagio’s shopping at Via Bellagio. Plus, nightlife is a notch above the rest with elevated service and unique surroundings at The Bank and Hyde Bellagio, an indoor/outdoor venue that overlooks the Fountains of Bellagio. Discover for yourself the rare experience Bellagio has to offer, and find your own extraordinary piece of Europe in the center of the Las Vegas Strip.

With an “all access” convention registration, attendees receive one breakfast voucher and one lunch voucher up to three nights for each night you have a reservation at Bellagio Las Vegas – a perfect time to enjoy a full meal while you network with contractors from across the country. In addition, the entire AFSA room block is located in Bellagio Las Vegas just steps away from all meeting spaces.

The AFSA group rate for the Bellagio Las Vegas is $249 per night plus tax for a deluxe city view and $279 per night plus tax for a deluxe fountain view (limited availability). Reservations may be made by calling (888) 987-6667. Group rates are available for stays September 22-28, 2017, but reservations must be made by August 25, 2017, to assure AFSA convention rates. After August 25, 2017, room rates are based on availability. Be sure to ask booking agent to confirm your reservation includes both the resort fee and the complimentary internet.

Hotel Reservation Alert! AFSA has been made aware of third-party vendors soliciting AFSA exhibitors and attendees posing as our housing vendor. These companies mislead you to think they are working on our behalf. Companies that use this tactic include Exhibitor Hotel Reservation Services (EHR),

Global Housing, and National Travel Associates. They are not endorsed by or affiliated with AFSA or its show and entering into financial agreements with such companies can have costly consequences such as no hotel reservations and no free networking meals nor complimentary internet access. To receive full AFSA hotel benefits, you must book directly with the hotel by phone or using the link found on AFSA’s convention website (firesprinkler.org/convention).

Get the Latest News Be the first to hear the latest from AFSA, including news, deals, discounts and offerings, with periodic updates from AFSA staff. Get real-time updates of the association’s official happenings sent to your desktop or wireless device by subscribing to, or “following,” AFSA’s Twitter. AFSA has set up targeted feeds, so members can get only the information they want. Choose from Twitter feeds about the following topics and use our official hashtag #AFSA36: • General AFSA News – Twitter.com/AFSA • Convention News – Twitter.com/AFSAConvention • Exhibition News – Twitter.com/AFSAExhibition Bookmark the convention website at firesprinkler.org/convention as online registration will open soon. Mark your calendars and place your bets for a guaranteed return on your investment with AFSA’s convention! n EDITOR’S NOTE: More details on AFSA’s 36th Annual Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Cometition will be forthcoming at firesprinkler.org/ convention and brochures will be arriving soon in your mailbox!

Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 21

A Woman’s Perspective Industry Professionals Share Their Experience D’ARCY MONTALVO | American Fire Sprinkler Association

While the number of women in the construction industry has grown over the last decade, they still total only 9.35 percent of the total workforce.

The latest data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2015 reports that Total Workers in Construction numbered 9,935,000, with men holding 9,006,000 of those positions and women just 929,000.

As more women enter the construction and fire protection industry fields, they become role models for the women who will consider and enter this rewarding field. Sprinkler Age interviewed several women in various segments of the industry and asked their perspective.

A View From the Contractor’s Side Tracy Hadwin is safety and training director at Fire Tech Systems, Inc. in Shreveport, Louisiana. She is responsible for jobsite safety inspections, working with general contractors to resolve safety issues, holding monthly safety meetings and all in-house safety training. She is also the instructor for the Louisiana-approved fire sprinkler apprentice program.

Hadwin got involved in the industry through her spouse. “My husband has worked for Fire Tech Systems since 1991.

The company was looking to hire a new inspector, so I inquired about the job.

Linda [Biernacki] was willing to give me a chance and I went to work inspecting fire extinguishers while working on my NICET certification.”

Biernacki is a trailblazer, role model and mentor for women in the fire sprinkler industry. She is founder and president of Fire Tech Systems, Inc., and has served on the AFSA Board of Directors since 2007. She is currently president of the Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Association, a member of Women in Construction, and is certified by the Women’s Business 22 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Council Gulf Coast. She has over 26 years of experience in all phases of business and is always eager to share her knowledge with others.

“I am very proud of Tracy and all her accomplishments she has achieved in our industry,” says Biernacki. “She is a tremendous asset to our organization and she excels at all the projects I pass her way. As a woman in a non-traditional field she has stayed true to who she is and earned respect from many of the safety managers we work with. She is the safety director for our local AGC Chapter and she routinely gets calls from general contractors for advice. She is a rising star with a positive attitude and always willing to conquer another challenge.”

Hadwin has discovered both pros and cons to being a woman in this industry.

“Pros – I can say I am one of few women working as safety director for a construction company and Level II NICET Certified for Inspections of Sprinkler Systems.

“Cons – I’m not always taken seriously.

Most people assume that I sit behind a desk and do clerical work. The fact is, I’m on job sites quite often. When a safety issue comes up and I have to address a general contractor, he sometimes likes to challenge my knowledge of safety. I don’t think the men would do this if I were not female.”

Hadwin is a member of AFSA, NFPA, and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). She’s currently serving as regional safety chairperson for NAWIC and safety chairperson for the Associated General Contractor’s (AGC) Shreveport Chapter.

“When I look back at what I have accomplished over the last nine years, it

Hadwin

Nahrup

really makes me proud,” Hadwin says.

“I went from a job I was unhappy with, to inspecting fire sprinkler systems, then to a management position where the safety of our employees is my biggest responsibility.”

What’s the key ingredient to Hadwin’s success? “This is an easy one! I’m the type of person who never backs down from a challenge, and Linda realized this right away. She loves to give me new challenges and I can honestly say I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you don’t challenge yourself you will never know what you can accomplish.”

“There are so many opportunities for women in our industry if they are willing to put the time and effort into learning the trade,” Hadwin comments. “It doesn’t matter where they start out if they are interested in other areas, learn about that position, and ask for a chance to prove they can do it.”

Alyson Nahrup is the accounting controller for the installation side of ABCO Fire Protection, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio and is part of the leadership team for the Cincinnati branch. Her father, past AFSA Board Member Don Eckert, started Eckert Fire Protection back in 1982 when Nahrup was just two years old. In 2006 Nahrup decided to join the team. In 2010 she started her own fire protection company Anox Fire Protection Services as a compliment to Eckert Fire Protection, which added new disciplines and services to serve customers. The next

year, Nahrup became a certified Woman Business Enterprise (WBE), a rigorous and intense process.

“As time went on, my dad was nearing retirement and we started partnering with a company based out of Cleveland called ABCO Fire Protection. The partnership was going extremely well and we both decided to sell our companies to ABCO in January 2014,” Nahrup recalls. “My father is now happily retired, although he just started the Ohio Valley Chapter of AFSA in his spare time and currently serves as its executive director!

“Before I came into the fire protection industry I was a junior high math/science teacher. I was predominately teaching with women, so for me to step into the fire protection industry surrounded by men was quite a change,” Nahrup says.

“One of the cons I have discovered being a woman in the industry is that it may take longer to gain the respect of others, especially those who have experience.

“However, if you stay persistent in wanting to learn and constantly take every opportunity to educate yourself, you will find yourself experiencing the pros of being a woman in the industry.

Men and other women will begin to have respect for you based on the drive you have to learn the business.”

Nahrup is involved in the newly created AFSA Ohio Chapter. She is also a part of a Woman’s Leadership Council through ABCO Fire Protection, and participates in several charity events that ABCO sponsors.

What’s the key ingredient to Nahrup’s success? “Adaptability, always [being] open to learning, and doing what I say I am going to do.”

In addition to that, Nahrup offers her take on becoming involved in the industry: “Take every chance and opportunity to learn, whether it’s taking a new class, watching a demonstration, and/or spending a day in the field.”

Meaghen Wills is sales and project management with Anchor Fire Protection, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania. She

received her Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the University of Hartford and is a graduate of AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School.

Wills has grown up in the fire sprinkler industry, as her father Ted Wills, Jr., second vice chairman of the AFSA Board and at-large director, started Anchor Fire Protection. “My grandfather started as a mechanical contractor/plumber and it grew into a fire protection company with my dad’s assistance in the ‘70s,” Wills explains. “I had no idea what I was getting into, but it has been extremely rewarding to work alongside my family and the AFP family. Knowing that everything that we do has an impact on everyday lives is gratifying and it’s what keeps me going on the stressful days.”

Wills tries not to look at her typical day as a “male versus female” situation. “I look at everyone as a peer and everyone has strengths and weaknesses,” she comments. “Finding a way to work with different personalities should be the focus. If you treat everyone equally it’s easy to weed out the people who you don’t click with or don’t respect you and move forward without them.”

Wills serves as chair of AFSA’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter and chair of the NextGen Initiative. She is a member of AFSA’s Public Education & Awareness, Apprenticeship & Education, and Convention committees; and sits on the National Apprentice Competition subcommittee.

Wills is also a member of American Society of Certified Engineering Technicians (ASCET).

In 2016, Wills was named AFSA’s first-ever Young Professional of the Year.

This inaugural award is one of AFSA’s annual highest honors and highlights the efforts of a young and talented fire protection professional, who is under 40 and demonstrates exemplary technical, professional and inclusive leadership skills not only in their own businesses, but also at a national level. AFSA’s Next Generation Initiative, whose focus is to involve the younger professionals in the association and the fire protection industry, created the award. Through her involve-

ment with AFSA, Wills helped establish this group and has led the charge to grow its numbers. She says the NextGen Initiative and Wills receiving this award are her proudest accomplishments.

“Every year I’m still amazed at how many people are participating in the NextGen Initiative and how much it’s grown since its inception a few years ago,” Wills comments. “It went from Joe Heinrich and I having a vision to help the younger people in our industry to being an important asset to our organization in only two years.

“All of the hard work behind it from AFSA staff, the Board of Directors, and the national work group is now paying off and I was honored and humbled that AFSA and my NGI peers recognized that hard work with presenting me the award in Nashville. I hope this can pave the way for my generation, the generation behind me, and for women to have something to works towards.”

What’s the key ingredient to Wills’ success? Persistence. “People in the construction industry can be finicky. One day they like you and the next day they don’t, but it’s not personal. It’s business.

So keep pushing forward and let the negativity drive you to be a better person and to work harder to accomplish your goals,” Wills recommends.

What advice would Wills give to women interested in joining this field? “Be confident, be educated, and don’t let anyone influence you in a negative way.

The men in this industry have a lot of respect for women who can stand their ground and know their stuff.

“With more women entering into the industry in various areas, it’s important that we continue to put our best foot forward in everything that we do to change the mindset of the current generation,” Wills says. “This is no longer just a man’s industry! And don’t be afraid to hear the word ‘no.’ Ask questions – ask Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 23

whether it has been my bosses, other people more senior in the organization, or my peers and people on my team.

Learning from them has been a tremendous opportunity.”

Agrawal

Fowler

for help, change orders, work, a raise... the worst thing anyone is going to tell you is ‘no!’”

Associate Members’ Thoughts Rekha Agrawal earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering and a Ph.D. in statistics. She is vice president and general manager, Fire Suppression Products, a $1.2 billion-dollar business within Johnson Controls (JCI).

“I joined Tyco (now JCI) about 13 years ago, and have worked in a variety of roles within the company,” Agrawal states. “I really started in the industry about six years ago when I ran a region for SimplexGrinnell, a sister company. I became part of the products group (Tyco Fire Protection Products) two years ago.”

Agrawal is an active member of the industry. She is an NFPA member and participated in the “Women in Engineering” panel at the NFPA 2016 Conference & Expo. She is also a member of the Tyco Women’s Growth Network (WGN), which champions the value, growth and advancement of women with 28 chapters and 1,527 members.

“Clearly being a woman in the industry puts you in the minority,” says Agrawal, “but I don’t necessarily see that as a bad thing. For JCI, I see our focus on diversity as a competitive advantage in this industry, in that hopefully we can reach a broader talent pool and provide a compelling vision for why people should choose us when considering a career.”

Agrawal is honored to be serving JCI in her current position. “It’s a huge responsibility to our 3,200 employees across 60 countries, and I am energized every day by the people on our team and their passion for this industry, she says. “I have been extremely fortunate to have been around great leaders my whole career, 24 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Agrawal offers this advice to other women: “Be confident, and be vocal.

There are a huge number of opportunities in our industry – don’t feel you have to sit on the sidelines before you engage and help us to capitalize on them.”

Danielle Fowler is regional sales manager for Potter Roemer Fire Pro. Her responsibilities include sales in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Northern Louisiana and Texas. She has worked for over 32 years in the fire protection industry, spending over 30 years with a manufacturer’s representative and the last year-and-a-half working directly for Potter Roemer Fire Pro. Fowler also serves as the executive director for AFSA’s Chesapeake Bay Chapter, and is an active member of the Capital Region Fire Sprinkler Association and the Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas.

“I’m proud to say that I have sold the same product for over 32 years,” Fowler says.

“Customer service and the relationships I’ve built have been the key to my success.”

“Women stand out because there are not many in the industry, so educate yourself, know your products, and be your own advocate,” recommends Fowler. “It’s good to stand out, so never let being a woman hold you back. There are some very successful woman in this industry and I’d love to see even more!”

Fowler is very encouraging for women wanting to enter the fire protection field: “Go for it! Make a statement.

Surround yourself with knowledgeable peers. Get involved in the associations, make friends not just customers, and remember the fire protection family is exactly that – family!”

Madison Parsons is a sales representative for Globe Fire Sprinkler and covers North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington D.C. She graduated from

East Carolina University in 2016 with a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing, but has a history with the fire sprinkler industry.

“My father [Bernie Parsons, Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc., Concord, North Carolina] has been in the fire sprinkler industry my whole life,” she says, “so I like to say growing up I knew more about fire sprinklers than your average eight-year-old.”

“After graduating college, during my job search I turned to the fire sprinkler industry for a possible career,” Parsons remembers. “When researching industries, this industry presented itself with a lot of opportunities, along with potential in growth. I am very thankful to have accepted a job with such a great company, Globe Fire Sprinkler.”

Parsons notes that coming into this industry, she was warned by many people that the fire sprinkler industry was a “man’s world.”

“That was a challenge I was ready to accept,” she says. “Going into this, I knew that would be something I would have to overcome. There have been plenty of times I have been the only woman in an association meeting with 30-plus men.

But with that being said, I do not feel that being a woman has inhibited me.

When starting anything new, there are going to be challenges, without getting gender involved.”

Parsons notes that she is proud to be in the position she is today. “When I look around at these association meetings, I am one of the only females in the room, and one of, if not the youngest person in the room. It provides me with motivation and challenges on a daily basis to continue to push through the misconceptions of my gender and generation – the ‘Millennials.’

Many women have come before me in this industry and paved the way to make gender not as big of an issue. Now, you see more and more women getting involved, which is awesome.”

One of the ways Parsons is making a difference is through her involvement with local AFSA chapters and the

ions. I have met some wonderful people during my career,” she continues. “The fire protection industry is filled with passionate individuals focused on saving lives.”

Parsons

Rehker

NextGen Initiative, which is focused on professionals aged 40 and under in the industry and the impact they can have.

“Putting gender aside, this industry as a whole is a challenge,” Parsons advises.

“From learning all the components to knowing the codes and standards, there is a lot to learn in this industry. I would not discourage anyone from joining an industry just because it is outside of someone’s comfort zone.”

Amanda Rehker is market segment manager for BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems in Cleveland, Ohio. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in business management and marketing from Case Western Reserve University.

“My first job out of college was working as an intern for a local Harley-Davidson dealership. I worked my way up to marketing manager and when I sought out growth opportunities, I found Lubrizol,” comments Rehker.

In her job as market segment manager, Rehker represents the BlazeMaster brand and is responsible for all marketing activities and customer relationships in North America.

“Lubrizol is a well-known and respected corporation in Cleveland. I saw a marketing role open up at Lubrizol representing the BlazeMaster brand and thought it sounded like an exciting industry and opportunity,” recalls Rehker.

While she’s noticed that women are few and far between in the fire sprinkler industry, Rehker notes that she doesn’t see this as a negative thing.

“I see this is more as an opportunity to bring a different perspective,” she says. “I have come to notice that the industry is very welcoming to new ideas and opin-

Rehker is involved in AFSA’s NextGen Initiative and is excited about involving the younger generation and women in the fire protection industry. She has advice for both sectors: “Never be afraid to share your opinions and ideas – most are receptive and welcome the new perspective. Be excited about what you do; find something to be passionate about and hang on!”

An Industry Veteran’s Perspective Carol McCain, vice president and general manager at Urban Fire Protection, Houston, Texas, and executive director of the Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas (FSCATX) has been in the industry since 1978, a time when there weren’t many, if any, women around.

“I had no clue what an elbow or a tee was when I started; I was very lucky that I had a knowledgeable estimator who mentored me,” McCain reminisces. “And I remember that women were so rare on job sites back then.”

McCain spent four years working in the North before she moved down to Texas, where she also earned a mechanical degree and her NICET Level III. “I had to earn that,” she remembers. “My first job interview I was asked about it because a state law had just passed requiring each contracting office to have a NICET Level III on staff. I’m proud to say that I burned the midnight oil and learned, and earned the 34th license. For a long while I was the only woman with that accomplishment in the state.”

McCain eventually came to join Urban Fire Protection and now serves as vice president and general manager for the Houston office. She has also been an active member of the industry, serving on the Construction Industry Council for Houston and holding a variety of offices for the Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas (FSCATX) since 1983. She has been executive director of the association for many years now.

Though McCain is still going (parttime) strong at 75, she does look forward to retirement. “I’m trying to bring the younger generation and McCain newer people into FSCATX,” she comments. The association honored her last year with its inaugural “Champion of the Fire Sprinkler Industry” award.

“I don’t understand why there aren’t more women in this industry,” McCain comments. “It’s a great job for a woman.

We [FSCATX] participate in the Construction Industry Foundation’s Career Day in Dallas and I always tell high school girls who come through that it’s a great industry. You can work in the field, as a designer, in management – this is probably the only industry I can think of that’s so open to women coming into it, but few do. You can make good money and I’ve never been without a job.”

Some notes of advice from McCain?

“You’d better have a good sense of humor!

Also, don’t be afraid to start at the bottom and find yourself a mentor or someone willing to help you get through the rough spots. Take every opportunity that presents itself and keep learning; I still learn stuff every day!

“As a woman in a male-dominated industry, you have to work harder and be smarter. You have to know how to get along with men and work in that atmosphere. You have to learn how to present yourself so that the men respect you,” she advises.

Conclusion There is no doubt that more women are entering the construction and fire protection industries. These women and others are leaders in their fields, and with their mentorship, many other women will come to know the benefits and value of working in such a rewarding career. As McCain says: “I’m just glad I’m still here and the fact that I like what I’m doing. Every day is different; I think that fire protection gives you a lot of opportunities.” n Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 25

HERE’S YOUR SIGN PART 2: NFPA 13D, 13R, 14 AND 20 REQUIREMENTS JOHN DENHARDT, P.E. | Strickland Fire Protection, Inc.

In Part 1 of this article, I discussed the many signs that are required

by NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. I tried to provide some of the reasons and history behind those requirements. In this follow-up article, I will extend the discussion to NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes; NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Low-Rise Residential Occupancies; NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems; and NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection. All references to these documents are to the 2016 editions unless stated otherwise.

NFPA 13D The NFPA 13D standard only has one requirement for a sign and that is for “Multipurpose Piping System.” Before we discuss the requirement for the sign, we need to ensure we fully understand what is a Multipurpose Piping system. The NFPA 13D definition is: “A piping system intended to serve both domestic needs in excess of a single fixture and fire protection needs from one common piping system throughout the dwelling unit(s).” This is not the typical independent sprinkler system most sprinkler contractors are installing. This is a combined domestic water/ sprinkler system for the dwelling unit(s). In accordance with Section 6.3.4, when a Multipurpose piping system is installed, a warning sign with minimum 1/4-in. letters is required to be affixed to the main shutoff valve and state the following: “WARNING: The water system for this home supplies fire sprinklers that require certain flows and pressures to fight a fire. Devices that restrict the flow or decrease the pressure or automatically shut off the water to the fire sprinkler system, such as water softeners, filtration systems, and automatic shutoff valves, shall not be added to this system without a review of the fire sprinkler system by a fire protection specialist. Do not remove this sign.” The intent of this sign is to warn the unknowing homeowner or residential contractor about 26 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

the need to consider the sprinkler system before adding any device to the combined water system.

NFPA 13R Section 5.2.14.4.1 requires all control, drain, and test connections be provided with permanently marked weatherproof metal or rigid plastic identification signs. The identification signs need to be secured with corrosion-resistant wire or chain. The control valve signs need to identify the portion of the building served. Systems that have more than one control valve that must be closed to work on a system or space are required to have a sign referring to the existence and location of the other valves. This requirement is like the NFPA 13 requirement. There is annex language that explains the intent of the requirement for the sign to identify the portion of the building served; “…is to provide assistance in determining the area of a building served by a particular control valve.” There is a warning in the annex about systems with more than one control valve; “Care should be taken to ensure that all water supplies are isolated before work begins. Work on systems by shutting one valve and not knowing about another valve can result in unexpected water damage.”

Section 6.11.3 has a requirement for signage for the fire department connections. Each fire department connection to sprinkler systems needs to be designated by a sign having raised or engraved letters at least 1-in. in height on a plate or fitting reading the type of systems served. The reason behind this sign should be obvious but its importance should not be overlooked.

While not necessarily classified as a sign, Section 11.1.7 requires a list of the sprinklers installed in the property to be posted in the spare sprinkler cabinet. This requirement is like the NFPA 13 requirement. The list needs to include the following information; the Sprinkler Identification Number (SIN) or the manufacturer,

model, orifice, deflector type, thermal sensitivity, and pressure rating, general description, quantity of each type to be contained in the cabinet, and issue or revision date of the list.

NFPA 14 Section 4.10 requires that all signs required by NFPA 14 be permanently marked and be constructed of weather-resistant metal or rigid plastic materials.

Section 6.3.8 has numerous requirements for signs. It requires that all main and sectional system control valves, including water supply control valves be equipped with a sign indicating the portion of the system that is controlled by the valve. In addition, all control, drain, and test connection valves be provided with signs indicating their purpose. Where sprinkler system piping supplied by a combined system is supplied by more than one standpipe (“loop” or “dual feed” design), a sign needs to be located at each dual or multiple feed connection to the combination system standpipe to indicate that to isolate the sprinkler system served by the control valve, an additional control valve or valves at other standpipes must be shut off. The sign must also identify the location of the additional control valves. Where a main or sectional system control valve is in a closed room or concealed space, the location of the valve needs to be indicated by a sign in an approved location on the outside of the door or near the opening to the concealed space. Where hose connections are not located in exit stairways, signs must be provided in accordance with NFPA 170, Standard for Fire Safety and Emergency Symbols, to identify the location of the hose connection in an approved manner. Valve cabinets, where provided, need to be marked to indicate the contents. Lettering is to be red with a white background and be 21/2 in. in height. Annex section 6.3.8.5 suggested that it might be necessary to mount hose connections signs parallel, perpendicular, or at an angle to the plane of the mounting surface on which the sign is located. The point is that the sign must be readable in an emergency by responding personnel.

Section 6.4.5 has a requirement for signage for the fire department connections. Each fire department connection needs to be designated by a sign with letters at least 1 in. in height that reads “STANDPIPE.” For manual systems, the sign also needs to indicate that the system is manual and that it is either wet or dry. If automatic sprinklers are also supplied by the fire department connection, the sign or combination of signs must indicate both designated services (e.g., “STANDPIPE AND AUTOSPKR” or “AUTOSPKR AND STANDPIPE”). A sign also is need to indicate the pressure required at the inlets to deliver the standpipe system demand. Where a fire department connection services multiple buildings, structures, or locations, a sign must be provided indicating the buildings, structures, or locations served.

Section 6.6 requires all required signs must be secured to a device or the building wall with corrosion-resistant chains or fasteners.

Where a fire pump is provided, Section 6.7 requires a sign at the pump indicating the minimum pressure and flow required at the pump discharge flange to meet the system demand.

Section 6.8 requires a Hydraulic Design Information Sign. The installing contractor needs to provide a sign identifying the basis of

the system design. The sign is to be located at the water supply control valve for automatic or semiautomatic standpipe systems and at an approved location for manual systems. The sign needs to indicate the location of the two hydraulically most remote hose connections, the design flow rate for the connections, the design residual inlet and outlet pressures for the connections, the design static pressure, the design system demand (i.e., flow and residual pressure) at the system control valve or at the pump discharge flange where a pump is installed, and at each fire department connection.

Section 11.9 requires at system acceptance, the installation of signs required by this standard be verified.

NFPA 20 Section 10.1.2.5.2 has a requirement for electrical fire pumps systems when multiple pumps serve different areas or portions of the facility, an appropriate sign must be conspicuously attached to each controller indicating the area, zone, or portion of the system served by that pump or pump controller.

Section 11.2.4 requires a method so diesel fuel tanks are not overfilled. One method that is allowed is installation of a permanent sign at the fill point with the tank calibration chart and instructions about the filling procedure, which includes having the person performing the fill operation determine how full the tank is prior to filling and calculate the quantity of fuel (in gallons or liters) that it will take to get the tank to 90 percent of the tank’s capacity. Where climatic conditions are such that the sign could be obscured by ice or snow, weathered beyond readability, or otherwise rendered unreadable, the procedures and chart can be in an office window, lock box, or other location accessible to the person performing the filling of the tank. Section 12.1.3.3.2 has the same requirement as Section 10.1.2.5.2 except this requirement applies to a diesel fire pump system.

Bottom Line In summary, the installation of signs is often ignored or thought of as not important. However, the requirements and need for signs is clear. Failure to provide the required signage could put the installing contractor in a liable situation. Additionally, NFPA 25 requires that many of the required signs be checked during the required inspections and if missing, they need to be replaced. No matter what type of system you are installing, make sure you follow all the requirements for proper signage. Remember – “Here’s your sign!” n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John Denhardt, P.E., is quality control manager for Strickland Fire Protection, Forrestville, Maryland. He has a bachelor of science degree in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland, holds NICET Level III certificates in automatic sprinkler system layout and inspection & testing of water–based system layout, and is a registered P.E. in numerous states. He is a member of the NFPA 13 Sprinkler Discharge Committee, AFSA, NFPA, and is an SFPE fellow.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Part 1 of this article appeared in the January/February 2017 issue of Sprinkler Age. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The article and its content is not a Formal Interpretation issued pursuant to NFPA Regulations. Any opinion expressed is the personal opinion of the author and presenter and does not necessarily represent the official position of the NFPA and its Technical Committee.

Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 27

Honoring Industry Veterans, Supporting Students Donations Fund the Future of the Fire Sprinkler Industry The Center for Life Safety Education (CLSE), an educational affiliate of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), is proud to sponsor two scholarship programs: the Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship and the Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship. These programs honor dedicated industry veterans who made a difference in the fire sprinkler industry by offering scholarships named in their honor to students studying for a fire protection engineering career.

“The Center for Life Safety Education was thrilled to support deserving students with the DeCamara and Waller Scholarships in 2016,” says AFSA/CLSE President Frank Mortl III, CAE. “Recognizing the vital importance of offering scholarship programs aimed to enhance the fire and life safety industry, CLSE continues its delivery of valuable resources that provide exciting incentives to further educational abilities in an extremely rewarding field of study.”

Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship – University of Maryland (UMD) Established by the AFSA Board of Directors in 1984, the DeCamara Scholarship program benefits

outstanding juniors and seniors majoring in the Fire Protection Engineering curriculum at the University of Maryland in College Park, DeCamara’s alma mater. The program presents two scholarships each year.

AFSA honors DeCamara for his commitment to the fire sprinkler industry and the association. As president of DeCamara Fire Protection Products (DFPP), he became involved during AFSA’s early years. In 1983 he chaired the Budget & Finance Committee and co-chaired the then newly formed Manufacturers & Suppliers (M/S) Council. Later that year, DeCamara passed away of a heart attack, leaving behind his wife Terry and their five children. Terry is still involved with the scholarship committee today, evaluating applicants and presenting scholarship awards.

Selena Chin is the 2016 first-place winner, receiving a $4,000 scholarship. She is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and the Society of Women Engineers. She studied abroad at the Danish Technical University in Denmark and interned two summers at Northrop Grumman in its

2016 Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship Fund Contributors The Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship fund is supported by voluntary donations from corporate and individual members of the fire protection industry and their friends and associates. AFSA and CLSE thank the individuals and companies listed below for their contributions to the 2016 scholarship, as well as the donors who chose to remain anonymous.

ACT Pipe and Supply, Inc., Houston, TX Advanced Fire Protection, Inc., Woodinville, WA Advanced Fire Protection, Inc., Travelers Rest, SD Aegis Fire Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, CA Aegis Technologies, Inc., Wayne, PA Alwest Fire Protection, Roseville, CA American Automatic Sprinkler, Fort Worth, TX Anchor Fire Protection, Perkiomenville, PA Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co., Inc., Salina, KS Carolina Fire Control, Inc., Concord, NC Carolina Fire Protection, Inc., Dunn, NC Central Carolina Sprinkler Co., Lincolnton, NC Control Fire Protection Inc., Bakersfield, CA Crawford Sprinkler Company of SC, Inc., Lugoff, SC Crawford Sprinkler Company, Hickory, NC Croker Fire End & Croker Corp, Elmsford, NY Extinguish Fire Corporation, Fredericksburg, VA Fire & Life Safety America, Hanover, MD Fire & Safety Systems Co., Ocean, NJ Fire Protection Products, Inc., Carlsbad, CA 28 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Fire Tech Systems Inc., Shrevport, LA Gagnon Engineering, Woodbine, MD General Air Products, Inc., Exton, PA Hampshire Fire Protection, Westfield, MA Hampshire Fire Protection, Londonderry, NH Hub City Sprinklers, Hagerstown, MD Jimco Fire Protection, Inc., Augres, MI Leonhardt Pipe & Supply, Huntersville, NC Noble Company, Spring Lake, MI Pryor Automatic Fire Sprinkler, Great Bend, KS Rapid Fire Protection, Rapid City, SD Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co, Liberty, SC Southeast Fire Protection, LP, Houston, TX Strickland Fire Protection, Inc., College Park, MD Sunland Fire Protection, Inc., Jamestown, NC Sunland Fire Protection, Inc., High Point, NC Viking Group Inc., Hastings, MI VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Ashland, VA VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA Western Fire Protection, Poway, CA

Chin

Doermann

Held

Environmental Health, Safety and Fire Protection sector. Chin became interested in engineering in high school and chose the fire protection field once she visited the University of Maryland and the department’s informational table at Maryland Day. Second-place winner Jessica Doermann feels “lucky” to have found the fire protection engineering department. Doermann is an active member of SFPE, Alpha Omega Epsilon engineering sorority, A. James Clark School of Engineering ambassadors, and the College Park, Maryland Volunteer Fire Department.

Serving as a volunteer EMT/firefighter at the fire department has allowed Doermann to learn about the “other side” of fire protection. In addition, she states that being an ambassador has helped her share her passion for fire protection with prospective students, “encouraging them to become the next generation of fire protection innovators and life savers.”

Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship – Oklahoma State University (OSU) The AFSA Board of Directors voted to fund a second scholarship in 2005 after industry leader Thomas S. Waller passed away. Waller devoted more than 40 years to the fire protection industry. He served as chairman of the board of Viking Fire Protection of the Southeast in High Point, North Carolina, and also gave much of his time to AFSA. He helped form the AFSA Carolinas Chapter and served on the board of directors of the North and South Carolina state chapters. He also served on the AFSA Board of Directors from 1985-1995 and as national chairman of the Board from 1989-1991. Waller believed in the value of education and was determined in his efforts to provide educational opportunities for young people, both in and outside of the industry. The Waller scholarship is presented to juniors or seniors enrolled in the Fire Protection & Safety Technology program in the College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

Gregory Held, a junior majoring in Fire Protection & Safety Technology at Oklahoma State University (OSU), has received the $4,000 2016 Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship. Held has worked full-time in the fire protection field, and even attended AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School in 2013. He is eager to earn his degree, and obtain a job with the U.S. National Park Service so he can “help to protect our national treasures.”

Invest in the Future Your donations help students attain their educational goals and professional dreams while positively impacting the fire protection industry. Supporting either the DeCamara Scholarship Fund, Waller Scholarship Fund or both is greatly appreciated by the winners, their families, and the

DeCamara and Waller families. Remember, as CLSE is a 501(c) (3) educational affiliate of AFSA, all contributions made to these scholarship funds are tax deductible. To make a one-time donation or become a regular donor, visit CLSE online at clse. org and click on “Scholarships” or mail a check to DeCamara Scholarship OR Waller Scholarship, c/o CLSE, 12750 Merit Dr., Ste. 350, Dallas, Texas 75251. For more information or to apply, visit clse.org/scholarships.htm. n

2016 Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship Contributors The DeCamara Scholarship fund is supported by voluntary donations from corporate and individual members of the fire protection industry and their friends and associates. AFSA and CLSE thank the individuals and companies listed below for their contributions to the 2016 scholarship, as well as the donors who chose to remain anonymous.

ACT Pipe and Supply, Inc., Houston, TX Advanced Fire Protection, Inc., Woodinville, WA Advanced Fire Protection, Inc., Travelers Rest, SD Aegis Fire Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, CA Aegis Technologies, Inc., Wayne, PA Anchor Fire Protection, Perkiomenville, PA Carolina Fire Protection, Inc., Dunn, NC Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc., Lodi, CA Central Carolina Sprinkler Co., Lincolnton, NC Control Fire Protection Inc., Bakersfield, CA Crawford Sprinkler Co. of SC, Inc., Lugoff, SC Crawford Sprinkler Company, Hickory, NC Croker Fire End & Croker Corp., Elmsford, NY Andrew & Allison DeCamara, Sherman Oaks, CA Terese DeCamara, Dresher, PA Extinguish Fire Corporation, Fredericksburg, VA Fire & Life Safety America, Hanover, MD Fire & Safety Systems Co., Ocean, NJ Fire Protection Products, Inc., Carlsbad, CA Fire Solutiona, Inc., Ashland, VA Fire Tech Systems Inc., Shrevport, LA Gagnon Engineering, Woodbine, MD General Air Products, Inc., Exton, PA Hampshire Fire Protection, Westfield, MA Hampshire Fire Protection, Londonderry, NH Jimco Fire Protection, Inc., Augres, MI Leonhardt Pipe & Supply, Huntersville, NC Nancy & Joe Magllio, West Hartford, CT Noble Company, Spring Lake, MI Rapid Fire Protection, Rapid City, SD Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Liberty, SC Southeast Fire Protection, LP, Houston, TX Strickland Fire Protection Inc., College Park, MD Sunland Fire Protection, Inc., High Point, NC United Sprinkler Co., Inc., Fredericksburg, VA Viking Group Inc., Hastings, MI VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Ashland, VA VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA Western Fire Protection, Poway, CA Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 29

Rising Stars in the Sprinkler Industry Up-and-Coming Leaders Spill Their Secrets to Success In the fire sprinkler industry, the experience and wisdom gained from years of service is highly respected. At the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), we regularly look to our Board of Directors, and to our founding members and lifetime members, for their vast knowledge and guidance.

However, we also love to encourage the work of the next generation, as is evidenced by the creation of the NextGen Initiative, a group that is working to inspire new members of our industry to get involved in leadership roles and go further than they could ever imagine. There are a few individuals who have proven themselves to be on a path to continued success in their fields, and they were kind enough to speak to us about their careers.

Tiffany Moore is director of operations at Moore Fire Protection in Issaquah, Washington. She is the vice chair of the AFSA Pacific Northwest Chapter, vice chair of the NextGen Initiative, and she is a member of the Public Education & Awareness (PE&A) committee, the Apprenticeship & Education committee, and the Membership committee. Moore is also a member of the steering committee for the Washington Fire Sprinkler Coalition.

Q: How did you get your start in the industry?

A: After getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2007, I struggled for years to make ends meet, especially due to the mass of student loans I had acquired. In 2012 I asked for help from my father, who offered me an entry-level position in his fire sprinkler company, Moore Fire Protection. The rest is history!

30 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Q: What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

A: I would have to say there are three.

First, I’ve aided in quintupling our revenue at Moore Fire Protection over the course of five years by integrating new technology and streamlining our processes. Second, I’m proud to be a part of the work our NextGen Initiative group has accomplished, such as spreading the word about our industry to over 4,500 students at the SkillsUSA event in 2016. And third, I helped pull together and design the “Best Practices Guide to Residential Fire Sprinklers” for the Washington Fire Sprinkler Coalition, with the intent of uniting Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), sprinkler contractors and builders together in the fight for statewide sprinkler adoption.

Q: Who are your industry role models?

A: Peg Paul with the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition is one of my role models, as is Meaghen Wills of Anchor Fire Protection, chair of the NextGen Initiative. And of course my dad, Tracy Moore, president of Moore Fire Protection.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?

A: This one’s tough. I love to let life grow around me organically and grab the opportunities as they come. However, if I must choose now, I would say I most likely see myself running my father’s company and illustrating a children’s book about fire sprinklers!

Q: Are you planning to attend AFSA’s convention and exhibition in Las Vegas this year?

Moore

Weisz

A: Absolutely, it has become the highlight of my year!

Tory Weisz, son of Board of Directors First Vice Chairman Wayne Weisz, is a salesman at Response Fire Supply in Santa Ana, California.

Q: How did you get your start in the industry?

A: I’m part of the third generation in my family to be in the fire sprinkler industry. My grandfather was in the industry and introduced the trade to my father and uncle, both of whom have been in the industry for over 35 years. My brother and cousins are in the industry as well. My whole family is on the contracting side, but I had the opportunity to get into the supply side, which interested me. I like to think I was born into the industry.

Q: Before I had a career in fire protection, I… A: I worked in the film industry for the last nine years and enjoyed my time while it lasted. I was able to travel and meet a lot of very nice people. About three years ago, I decided to go back and finish school. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing. That was very important to me.

Q: What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

A: I would have to say that in the short time I’ve been in the industry, my proudest accomplishment has been being a part of helping Response Fire Supply double in size within 15 months of being hired.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?

A: In the next five years I see myself managing one of our locations. In the next 10 years I hope to have helped expand Response Fire Supply into multiple states while holding an ownership in the company.

Q: Who are your industry role models?

A: I would have to say my biggest role model in this industry is my father, Wayne Weisz. He showed me that if you work hard enough, anything is possible.

Q: What advice would you give someone just starting out in the industry?

A: I would say to be patient, in this industry nothing comes to you overnight.

A: I enjoy the relationships, both professional and personal, that we’re able to develop with our clients. I’ve forged friendships that will last forever, all thanks to this industry.

Q: Who are your industry role models?

A: Randy Lane of Globe Fire Sprinkler Company, because he sets a great example for professionals in this industry with his work-hard, play-hard philosophy. He’s extremely easy to connect with and he has the ability to build rapport with just about anyone he meets. I view Randy as a role model because in him I see a natural leader who has courage, passion, and vision.

That’s how I strive to one day be viewed by my peers and colleagues.

Meaghan Wills of Anchor Fire Protection is another role model of mine.

Meaghan has a fire and a glow that you can’t find easily in most industries. I’m proud to be in the same industry as someone like Meaghan because she challenges boundaries and she gets things done. She’s turning heads in an industry where young professionals

Leonhardt

Buckley

sometimes struggle to get their chance to shine. I hope she continues to set an example for young professionals in AFSA for many more years!

Mindy McCullough Buckley is the office manager at Allsouth Sprinkler Company in Buford, Georgia. Although new to the industry herself, fire protection is in her blood.

Q: How did you get your start in the industry?

A: My grandfather, Robert “Bob” McCullough started Allsouth Sprinkler and my father, John McCullough, is the current owner. I have been working at Allsouth since 2006. I was in college and

Joshua Leonhardt is the executive vice president of Leonhardt Pipe & Supply, which has locations in Huntersville, North Carolina, Blackstock, South Carolina and Suwanee, Georgia.

Q: Tell us about your industry involvement.

A: I have 14 years in the industry. I’m active in the Georgia Fire Sprinkler Association and the Carolinas Chapter, and a member of the AFSA NextGen Initiative and the Public Education & Awareness committee (PE&A).

Q: How did you get your start in the industry?

A: My father David Leonhardt and his late brother Doug Leonhardt started Douglas Leonhardt & Associates in the early 1980s.

Our family has been active in this industry ever since, and I helped my father start our current company in 2004.

Q: What is your favorite thing about working in this industry?

Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 31

decided that I would rather work with and for our family than anywhere else.

Q: What is your favorite thing about working in this industry?

A: Besides knowing that I am helping our family business to flourish in the third generation, I like knowing that we are helping to protect people’s lives in tragic situations.

Q: Who are your industry role models?

available. I had a family member in the business. We have a small business serving the Kansas and western Missouri regions.

Q: What is your favorite thing about working in this industry?

A: Knowing just how much we can make a difference. When fire sprinkler systems are done properly, they are effective at providing a high level of life safety and property preservation.

A: My father and my grandfather are my biggest role models. My grandfather was a pioneer in the industry and built Allsouth from the ground up. I idolize his dedication to the industry and honor the footsteps he left. My father is inspirational because he stepped up when my grandfather passed away and really expanded our business. He has been putting his heart and soul into Allsouth since he was in high school and has really done a great job.

Q: Who are your industry role models?

Q: What advice would you give someone just starting out in the industry?

A: Get involved. Continue learning.

Go to AFSA’s online Education Center at firesprinkler.org and find something that fits your interests, career goals, or something that will make you better at what you are doing right now. Ask your employer if they have any suggestions on what you can do to advance yourself, but be proactive.

A: Work your way through each department of a company. Really learn how and why things are done, and most importantly, educate yourself as much as possible.

Brett Heinrich is vice president, project manager, and estimator at Bamford Fire Sprinkler Company, Inc. in Salina, Kansas. He is the executive director of the Greater Kansas City Automatic Sprinkler Contractors Association, and he serves on several committees and subcommittees for AFSA, including the Apprenticeship and Education Committee (A&E) and the Contractors Support and Advisory Committee. He is the son of AFSA’s Immediate Past Chairman Joe Heinrich.

A: My role models in this industry are my parents, Joe and Kathy Heinrich. I do not need to look any further than them for a great example for any aspect of life. Thanks for always leading by example!

Q: What advice would you give someone just starting out in the industry?

Q: Are you planning to attend AFSA’s convention and exhibition in Las Vegas this year?

Q: How did you get your start in the industry?

A: I will be attending, there will undoubtedly be a great lineup of seminars and other events. I wouldn’t want to miss any of the vendors who will be present displaying the latest in new products and answering questions. Not to mention I let Vegas borrow some of my money during the last convention there, and I’d like to have it back!

A: You always hear that a person stumbles into the sprinkler business one of two ways. A person either has a family member in the business, or they find it by taking the first job they find

Ray Fremont, Jr. is the national sales and marketing manager for General Air Products Inc. in Exton, Pennsylvania.

He is a very active member of the AFSA Mid-Atlantic Chapter, as well as

32 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Heinrich

Fremont

a member of the AFSA M/S Council, PE&A Committee and the NextGen Initiative.

Q: How did you get your start in the industry?

A: General Air Products is my family’s business. My great-grandfather started the company in 1936 – I am part of the third generation of Fremonts working here. I started in the shop when I was a kid, and after graduating from Temple University in 2000 I began in sales and marketing for the company.

Q: What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

A: My biggest professional accomplishment has been increasing my role in the ongoing growth of our company over the last several years. It is amazing to watch our manufacturing plants increase in square footage, see our employee roster grow and diversify, and know I played a role in that.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?

A: If the opportunity to be at the helm of General Air Products presents itself in the future it would be the realization of a long-time goal for me.

However, furthering the success and relationships that I have developed in this industry is what I work at on a regular basis and there is no limit to where that can lead.

Q: What is your favorite thing about working in this industry?

A: The people. In my role, I get to meet people from all walks of life all over the country. People in this industry want to do good work, they are straightforward

about what they want and need, they value people who value them, and they know how to have a good time!

Q: Who are your industry role models?

A: I am fortunate that I get to spend a lot of time with men and women who run companies in the sprinkler industry, large, medium and small. Presidents and CEOs who started out on the bottom rung of the ladder and worked hard to get where they are today - they are my role models and there are a lot of them involved with AFSA. I want to know every lesson they learned.

Q: What advice would you give someone just starting out in the industry?

A: Get involved outside of your job description. Learn from the people who have been doing it for a long time.

When you eventually try to do it better than them, don’t fear the failure – progress is inevitable.

Fred Durso, Jr. is the communications manager for the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Sprinkler Initiative.

Q: Tell us about your industry involvement.

A: In my role at NFPA, I handle all communications for our Fire Sprinkler Initiative, an advocacy campaign aimed at increasing the use of fire sprinklers in all new homes via the passage of sprinkler requirements. We empower the fire service, sprinkler industry, and other safety advocates to champion for legislation or code requirements for sprinklers in new homes, since home is where the majority of fire deaths happen (an astounding 2,500 U.S. deaths each year, on average). Our website, FireSprinklerInitiative.org, offers research and resources to help you perfect your pitch for this technology. I assist advocates nationwide with effectively communicating sprinklers to their town’s decision makers.

Q: How did you get your start in the industry?

A: I had started at NFPA as its staff writer before eagerly taking on my current role a few years ago. I quickly learned that promoting home fire Durso, Jr. sprinklers has to be a collaborative effort. AFSA has been one of NFPA’s key partners over the years, and I’ve been honored to work closely with its staff to help promote such an important cause.

Q: What is your favorite thing about working in this industry?

A: The lives saved by such a simple technology. In my spare time, I volunteer as a Disaster Action Team member for my local Red Cross chapter. The majority of “disasters” I’m called to are home fires. One in particular hit me hard. I arrived at the scene post-fire, and the fire chief told me “we found a body.”

It was of 22-year-old Binland Lee, who was just weeks away from graduating from Boston University. I didn’t know her, but she was the first—and only— fire death I had encountered while volunteering. I have yet to shake the memory of that day, nor do I want to, since it constantly reminds me that home fire sprinklers have the power to stop these tragedies. Anytime I give a presentation on this technology, I do it in honor of Binland.

Q: What advice would you give someone just starting out in the industry?

A: One of my favorite quotes sums up my advice: “Nothing is as important as passion. No matter what you want to do with your life, be passionate.”

With passionate rising stars like these in our industry, progress for everyone is indeed inevitable. Sprinkler Age would like to thank all of the young professionals who took the time to answer our questions, and for anyone reading who is thinking about building a career in an aspect of fire protection, know that you are in excellent company. n

Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 33

Encouraging Women to Enter STEM Fields Tyco Sponsors Program for High School Students D’ARCY MONTALVO | American Fire Sprinkler Association

AFSA Associate Member Tyco Fire Protection Products believes in supporting diversity and generating awareness about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers to young women. With its Women in Technology (WIT) program, it hopes to fulfill these students’ passion and potential. Established in 2002 at its Westminster, Massachusetts facility, WIT is a collaborative program that combines academic course work with practical hands-on knowledge to prepare young women for careers in the field of engineering, technology and business. The goal of the WIT program is to inspire, educate and encourage young women to break through barriers and advance opportunities in STEM and the arts. The program expanded in 2014 to include its Cranston, Rhode Island location.

Melissa Loureiro, manager of physics and modeling, started the program in Cranston with the help of the rest of the program managers and is the program lead. “As I started with Tyco three years ago, I wanted to find a way to connect back to the local community while improving the balance of female to male engineers within the engineering field. We tailored the WIT program to work for us. The program was started to support a goal of diversity within our own workforce and to make young women aware of the opportunities that exist within the STEM fields.”

“This year we have five high schools participating and 16 girls working on projects at the research and development (R&D) facility,” she comments. “We supply real projects and tools, and the girls figure out how to accomplish the tasks. Tyco engineers and technicians volunteer to be mentors and walk the girls through the problem-solving process.”

In addition to learning practical engineering skills, the students also practice presentation skills, interviewing, and resumé building.

At the end of the program year, students present the results of their projects and the lessons they’ve learned to an audience of local community leaders, college and high school administrators, Tyco employees and mentors, teachers and facilitators, as well as family and friends. All participants receive a certificate of achievement and some are selected to receive a scholarship to help with college education expenses.

Year-end evaluations show that the girls enjoy the program and their experience. “At the end of the year, we always survey the girls about what they liked best,” says Gina Munson, engineering project coordinator, who is one of the program managers. “The #1 answer is ‘Learning to solder!’”

The program continues to grow, each year attracting more high schools and more students. “Last year I was challenged by our chief technology officer to grow this initiative to the rest of the Tyco Fire Protection Products engineering offices,” remembers Loureiro.

“The program is now running at four additional sites: Marinette, Wisconsin; Cork, Ireland; Brossard, Canada; and Sundbury, England. All programs are running strong and we are working on bringing this program throughout the rest of Johnson Controls International [JCI] eventually. We want to build a community of future leaders who move women in technology forward.” n

34 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

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Flexible Technology Applications for Dry Sprinklers Eliminate Freeze-Ups and Inefficiencies THOMAS C. SAVAGE | Victaulic

Flexible technology was recently introduced into the dry sprinkler market, bringing with it a simpler and safer solution for eliminating system freeze-ups and installation and maintenance inefficiencies. By infusing flexible technology into the VicFlex™ Dry Sprinkler Style VS1, Victaulic gave owners, architects, engineers and contractors a revolutionary solution for dry sprinkler systems.

Overcome the Cold Historically, traditional dry sprinklers have posed a challenge for fire protection professionals, including the high frequency of freeze-ups. Since traditional dry sprinklers are rigid and typically installed in a horizontal or vertical orientation, these design barriers often resulted in wet piping being run in exterior building walls. This caused the water in these pipes to freeze during winter months. When freezing occurs, the result is impaired sprinkler systems.

To eliminate such concerns, builders, designers and architects had no choice but to use soffits to ensure that sprinkler piping would remain in a heated space. Creating these soffits has unfortunately become a necessary burden, not only because they are unsightly, but also because they drastically limit the design process for architects looking to create minimalist spaces. Soffits also require added labor and material expenses each time they need to be constructed or repaired, causing further inconvenience and racking up unnecessary costs.

Another solution to reduce the impact of freezing conditions on 36 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Figure 1. Flexible dry sprinklers allow installers to keep water farther from freezing conditions within the wall, minimizing the risk of frozen and burst pipes and increasing safety, reliability and performance.

traditional sprinkler systems is to use dry sprinkler piping with dry sprinklers. While eliminating the waterfilled piping, dry sprinkler systems have their own unique installation challenges. During installation, these systems require numerous trips to the jobsite for measurement, design and installation coordination between different trades. These added steps often result in redesign. Inherent installation difficulties, such as complex measurements and insulation requirements, can lead to delays and additional expenses – all of which will result in negative effects on a project’s budget and timeline.

Flexible technology can solve all of these issues. With the ability to bend flexible dry sprinklers, installers are now able to keep water farther from freezing conditions within the wall.

This minimizes or eliminates the risk of frozen and burst pipes. The

resulting sprinkler systems are less likely to be compromised by cold weather, increasing sprinkler system safety, reliability and performance.

Flexible Technology Can Eliminate Inefficiencies The three convenient lengths and the 2-in. bend radius create a high-performance, installation-friendly sprinkler for systems that blends with surroundings, providing additional flexibility during the design stage.

The flexible dry sprinkler has a branch line swivel nut that allows for an easy connection to the branch line. The one-piece brackets have no loose parts, which further simplifies the installation process. Compared to the nine steps needed to install traditional dry sprinklers, the new installation process includes only three steps: ordering the sprinklers, installing the sprinklers and testing the system.

that the wet pipe moved back into the conditioned space recognizing the increased safety factor of using flexible dry sprinklers.

When asked to describe the flexible dry sprinklers, Satterfield simply replied, “No more freeze-ups.”

Figure 2. By infusing flexible technology into the VicFlex™ Dry Sprinkler Style VS1, Victaulic gave owners, architects, engineers and contractors a revolutionary solution for dry sprinkler systems.

Flexible technology is changing the way the industry thinks about sprinkler systems. Infusing flexible technology in the VS1 sprinkler provides owners, contractors, architects, engineers and designers the ability to deliver in unique spaces without compromising the quality of

their craft with unsightly, constraining soffits. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Thomas C. Savage is global product manager for fire suppression systems for Victaulic. He leads a global team developing and commercializing new technologies for flexible fittings, sprinklers and special hazards. Over the past 25 years, Savage has served in various research and development, sales and marketing roles at companies such as W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Flexible Technology in Action Veteran sprinkler contractor David Satterfield of VSC Fire and Security and Raleigh Assistant Fire Marshall Steve Berry opted for flexible dry sprinklers to protect a new multifamily residential building in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“There’s nothing better than having everything already on your truck,” says Satterfield. “Standard products like the Style VS1 for a job are ideal.”

When choosing a dry sprinkler solution for the balcony application, several requirements were considered including NFPA 13 requirements for exposed sprinkler length, aesthetics of eliminating soffits, and reducing trips to the job site. Taking these design and installation challenges into mind it was easy for them to see the benefits of installing flexible dry sprinklers.

Satterfield and Berry were present for the install, along with representatives from Victaulic, and all were impressed with the installation speed and versatility of the flexible dry sprinkler. To conceal the sprinkler heads from sight on the balconies and eliminate the need for soffits, the flexible dry sprinklers were installed in a pendent orientation. The team was most impressed with the distance

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Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 37

The Greatest AFSA-Endorsed Insurance Plan Fully Protect Your Financial Interests DON BECKER | AFSA Life Member

Today within the fire sprinkler industry, each sprinkler contractor owner looks to fully protect his or her financial interests both during and after completion of any contractual work performed. The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) program provided through Robert Leonhart and Blue River Underwriters has been and is still the most credentialed and qualified plan within the industry.

By the utilization of all National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and contractual experience, the sprinkler contractor, if accepted after passing all pre-applications required, becomes a part of this AFSA program for full protection. The judicial and claims adjusting environment changes constantly and AFSA’s program makes any required adjustments for protection.

A major issue today is what I call CSR (common sense resolvement), which is for the advantage of both the insurance interest and the insured ultimately. As background information: When a sprinkler contractor receives from the property owner’s interests a claim against the sprinkler Contractor, three (3) conditions prevail as follows: 1. The sprinkler contractor is not negligent in any manner.

2. The sprinkler contractor is only a minor contributor to same.

3. The sprinkler contractor is totally negligent.

In determining same, the AFSA-endorsed program provides both codified 38 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

and contractual experience and paths to determine one of the three above.

1. Contractually, all contracts and associated documents are reviewed for paths of consideration.

2. Codification, all claims are reviewed relative to all NFPA applications.

This is where a path of resolve begins.

Within the claims handling process, which includes both contractual and codification: 1. There may be an outright denial of any contractual and/or codifications negligence.

2. There may be what is considered a minor “contributory” input of negligence.

3. There may be acknowledgment of the total negligence cited.

In any case, the insured’s interests will be totally pursued in a professional manner. This is where possible CSR may pursue. If the insurance company utilizes CSR in some cases, at renewal time these amounts are not included in the loss ratio of that sprinkler contractor. This is important to understand.

Ok, what is an example of CSR? If you as a sprinkler contractor are not negligent in any manner, the insurance company may negotiate a reasonable contribution to a financial settlement rather than spend monstrous legal fees in attempting to just maintain a “no negligent” resolve for the insured.

In short, why not settle for $8,000 rather than pay $20,000 plus more for legal fees to just prove a point? In most

cases, the property owner’s interests are just trying to see how much we’re willing to pay just to walk away. That is common sense resolvement (CSR).

This, in total, contributes to the financial strength of the insurance company while not penalizing the insured regarding their loss ratio at renewal time. Robert Leonhart and Blue River Underwriters have created a coverage services support team, which includes state-of-the-art loss control services, professional claims handling service, and state-of-the-industry back room claims review by NFPA experts to support your needs. Have your local independent agent contact our program leader, Robert Leonhart, at rleonhart@blueriverview.com or direct at 469-320-4030 for information about our program. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Don Becker, former AFSA Chairman of the Board, was president and founder of Midland Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, prior to its acquisition by Grinnell in 1999. He also served as AFSA Region III Director for many years.

Becker is certified as a NICET Level IV Senior Engineering Technician. He is a member of the NFPA 13 Correlating Committee on Automatic Sprinkler Systems. This is the committee that oversees all the individual NFPA 13 technical committees.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As an AFSA-endorsed business solution, information on Blue River Underwriters can also be found on AFSA’s website at firesprinkler.org under “Member Center” and then “Business Solutions.”

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Engaging the Young Professional Spotlighting the NextGen Initiative NICOLE DUVALL | American Fire Sprinkler Association

Now in only its third year, the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s NextGen Initiative (NGI) is forging ahead with a membership of diverse professional and personal backgrounds looking to grow their professional network and their career. NGI provides high-quality networking events to career-minded individuals aged 40 and under in the fire sprinkler industry.

One of the fastest growing young professionals groups in the industry, NGI was formed in 2014 by an unstoppable trio – then Chairman of the Board Joe Heinrich, Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co., Inc., Salina, Kansas; Meaghen Wills, Anchor Fire Protection, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania; and the late Allison Rees,

NGI Members Chair Meaghen Wills, Anchor Fire Protection, Perkiomenville, PA Vice Chair Tiffany Moore, Moore Fire Protection, Issaquah, WA Todd Bresnahan, Reliable Automatic, Elmsford, NY Chris Cranfill, Sunland Fire Protection, High Point, NC Lisa Dumas, Fire Tech Systems Shreveport, LA Ray Fredmont, Jr., General Air Products, Exton, PA Josh Fitzgerald, Clarion Fire, Needham, MA Luke Gaeta, Rapid Fire Protection, Rapid City, SD Whitney Garner, Ameripipe, Little Rock, AR Conor Kauffman, Kauffman Fire Protection, Houston, TX Josh Leonhardt, Leonhardt Pipe & Supply, Huntersville, NC Amanda Rehker, Lubrizol, Brecksville, OH Donovan Van Twuyver, Meridian Fire Protection, Inc, Edmonton, AB Canada Karl Wiegand, P.E., Globe Fire Sprinkler Corp., Standish, MI 40 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Sunland Fire Protection, Inc., Jamestown, North Carolina. At AFSA’s January 2014 quarterly committee and Board meeting, Heinrich had a realization that AFSA’s leadership needed to begin to look toward the next generation, so reached out to Rees and Wills to help him organize the effort.

would help in any manner to make sure it was successful.”

As one of the youngest faces around the committee table, Wills knew firsthand what needed to be done.

Over the next year, she worked with staff to assemble an all-star team of up-and-comers. In its second year, the group, chaired by Wills, worked to establish its goals and objectives. Now in its third year, the Initiative has 15 national work group members and is looking toward the future.

Slowly, NGI is gaining traction at the chapter level, building excitement and engaging a new group of members in a way the association never has before.

NGI Vice Chair Tiffany Moore, Moore Fire Protection of Issaquah, Washington, says, “I would never have even been involved in our local chapter if it wasn’t for the NGI, and I would say the same goes for many of our members. I know I for one, along with my other NextGen, have brought a fresh new perspective, energy and excitement to the group. To us, this is our opportunity to start making a difference in the career path we’ve chosen to commit to and that makes us all eager to jump in and get our hands dirty!”

Wills said, “My hopes for the future of NGI are that we eliminate the stigma that my generation and the generations before us continue to manifest about the younger generations. That allows us to think more openly about the changes we need to make as business owners and as leaders within our companies to continue to grow and be successful in the future.”

Six of the 14 members are new to the national work group for 2017, and they represent every aspect of the industry from contracting, sales and design to engineering and manufacturing.

One of those new faces is Chris Cranfill of Sunland Fire Protection. He says, “My reason for getting involved is simple, Allison Rees and I had many conversations about getting young people involved at Sunland. Those conversations also involved Allison’s ideas of getting the effort started on a national level to make our industry better. […] When we lost Allison, I made a commitment that whenever the NGI got its footing, I

Looking Ahead AFSA’s NGI has two main goals: to empower and expand at the local AFSA chapter level, and to recruit the next generation into the industry.

One of the group’s goals is to have a NGI representative at each and every one of AFSA’s 28 local chapters and affiliates.

Cranfill says, “Everyone in our industry has looked in the mirror over the past five to 10 years and hopefully realized that as a whole our industry doesn’t have a lot of young people. I think everyone has the desire for their companies to grow and they are starting to think about who is going to do this job or that job in the future. […] We have to find ways to excite people, motivate people already in the industry, and find the talent that takes our industry to new heights. We could all sit around and just come to work every day and do what we have in front of us, but why not spend time with others that have the same passion and try and make us better?”

LFSA NGI Co-Chairs Lisa Dumas and Whitney Garner (right), hosted a booth at a technical school career fair and informed students about the fire protection industry.

Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Association (LFSA) NGI Co-Chairs Lisa Dumas, Fire-Tech Systems in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Whitney Garner, Ameripipe in Mabelvale, Arkansas, shared their enthusiasm for their industry at a career fair at Baton Rouge technical school, exposing over 900 youth to the opportunities afforded to them in fire protection. Dumas commented, “It went great! We talked to many high school students about the sprinkler industry and the scholarship opportunities.”

As they look to the future of their industry, the NGI volunteers have had many thoughtful discussions on the ways they can help fill the void. NGI representatives have manned booths at career fairs, and volunteers are currently working on updating some industry recruitment materials.

“As a legacy [in this industry], I’m committed to always give my time and my talent to help progress our mission as sprinkler men and women and to honor what our families have built,” says Joshua Leonhardt of Leonhardt Pipe & Supply, Inc. in Huntersville, North Carolina, who is a member of national NGI work group.

“There will always be a shortage of young talented workers in our industry, unless we do something now! I think the NextGen-

eration Initiative can help fix that problem. I think the NGI can help improve the technical and communication skills of the younger worker workforce that we have now. The opportunities that the NGI can contribute to our cause are limitless.

That’s why I’m getting involved!”

Looking to join the industry’s most forward-looking young professionals? NGI will host a “NextGen Day” Monday, September 25 during AFSA’s convention at Bellagio Las Vegas, featuring a half-day workshop “Leading Across the Generations” presented by Tru Pettigrew. Pettigrew is one of the nation’s leading experts on Millennials and has been featured in several publications including the New York Times, USA Today, and Fortune. Bring your rising stars; you won’t want to miss this!

Educate your mind. Sharpen your skills.

Strengthen your connections. AFSA’s NGI is an excellent catalyst for development, but ultimately, it’s up to you – our members – to make it happen! If you are age 40 and under and looking help build the future of the industry, get involved.

For more details about NGI or about how you can become involved, contact us or visit firesprinkler.org/NextGen. n

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Chapters in Communities: Making a Difference Virginia Chapter Hosts Longest-Running Charity Golf Tournament GEORGE WAGNER | AFSA Virginia Chapter

The AFSA Virginia Chapter held its 23rd Burn Survivors Golf Tournament on Wednesday October 5, 2016 at the Royal New Kent/Brickshire golf courses in New Kent County, Virginia, just outside of Richmond, Virginia. We had an overcast and cool but otherwise beautiful fall day! This event was well attended with 196 paid golfers and 40 volunteers.

The Virginia Chapter is proud to announce that it donated $80,000 in total to its two charities: the Central Virginia Burn Camp for children was given $40,000 and the Old Dominion Firefighters Burn Foundation was given $40,000. The total donated by the Virginia Chapter over the 23 years for these two charities is a grand total of $812,400.

“I thoroughly enjoyed playing in the Virginia Chapter’s golf tournament,” comments AFSA President Frank Mortl III, CAE. “It’s impressive that members have worked so hard to host this tournament for nearly 25 years, while raising nearly one million dollars for its charities. First-class experience made even more memorable by the outstanding people charged with facilitating this tremendous event.”

The AFSA Virginia Chapter established the “Giles Cup” award for the grand-prize winner in 2015. This Cup was established to honor past AFSA Chairman of the Board and Virginia Chapter Chairman Marty Giles for all of his great work and support for the Virginia Chapter golf tournament from its inception. The chapter will keep the master “Giles Cup” and will put a name plaque on it each year with the

grand-prize winners. In addition, the grand-prize winners will receive a smaller copy of this “Cup” for each player on the team.

Tournament Winners The 2016 grand-prize winning team (best overall score) and “Giles Cup” recipients were the FLSA team of Andrew Medovich, Jack Medovich, Frank Mortl III, and Allan Strange. Second Place overall winners were the FirePro team – Kenny Dunn, Kevin Jones, Darrell Broughton and Pat Schultz.

In the Fire Flight, first place went to: Royal New Kent course – Fire, X team of Wayne Pugh, Tom Woody, Ricky Silva and Mike Thompson. Brickshire course first-place winners were the Globe Donated team (firefighters) of Chris Pruden, Donnie Hall, Dereck Webb and Danny Maleski.

In the Sprinkler Flight, Royal New Kent course first place went to the Eagle Fire team of Joe Cole, Tiffany Clarke, John DePew and Robert Wrenn. For the Brickshire course, first place was awarded to the Clark Nexsen team of Kevin Kimmel, Chad Poultney, Ron Lauster and Bill Drum.

In the Saves Lives Flight, Royal New Kent course first place went to Atlantic Constructors’ team of Dan Schultheis, Jack Morris, Shawn Fellin and Tom White. On the Brickshire course, the first place winners were United Sprinkler’s team of Bob Beckwith, George Self, Rick Henderson and Dan Siemion.

Virginia Chapter members were proud to donate $40,000 each to the Old Dominion Firefighters Burn Foundation and the Central Virginia Burn Camp.

42 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Finally, the Good Sport award (last place overall) went to the Globe Fire team of Dan DeDominic, Ralph Watson, Chris Bohon and Madison Parsons. Individual winners recognized during the tournament were Closest to the Line: Royal New Kent – Matthew Tedeschi, FLSA, and Brickshire – Marty Klues; Closest to the Pin: Royal New Kent – Matthew Tedeschi, FLSA, and Brickshire – Horace Welsh, Wagner Consulting Service Team 1.

“The Virginia AFSA Chapter does an excellent job promoting our industry and life safety,” comments Don Gore, Ferguson Fire & Fabrication general manager, who played in the tournament. “The annual Burn Survivors Golf Tournament shows AFSA-Virginia’s continued commitment to burn victims and their families. Ferguson Fire & Fabrication is proud to support such an important cause. It’s been an honor to be a major event sponsor over the years, and to see two deserving charities benefit from the money raised.”

Stellar Sponsors Thanks to our generous sponsors, we had some great major prizes. Winners were Steve McGee, VSC – 65-in. Samsung TV; Mike DeCecco, General Air – smoker; Kenny Dunn, FirePro – Sound Bar System; Joe Cole, Eagle Fire – iPad; Bill Meadow, Kannapolis Sprinkler – Bose Sound system; and Rick Henederson, United Sprinkler and Anthony McDaniel, Atlantic Constructors – “Fire Thieves” book. In addition to these major prizes, 110 individual gift prizes were given to golfers, drawn from the list of all players. Each golfer also received a nice golf shirt and goody bag.

The chapter also sponsored a raffle and some wonderful prizes were won. Cari Simmons, Atlantic Constructors, won the $750 50/50 raffle and graciously donated her winnings back to the tournament. Mike Meehan, VSC, won two tickets with pit passes to the Richmond International Raceway NASCAR race in the spring of 2017. Don Gore, Ferguson Fire; Ross Mitchel, Ferguson Fire; and Hooper Loscomb, Eagle Fire; won three separate four-round certificates for golf on the Royal New Kent/Brickshire courses. Cari Simmons, Atlantic Constructors, also won a certificate for a two rounds of golf at Keswick Hall.

This tournament could not have been successful without all of our primary sponsors. Our Diamond sponsor ($15,000) was Ferguson Fire. The Platinum sponsors ($5,000) were Eagle Fire, Fire & Life Safety America, FirePro, HD Supply, Hajoca, Globe Fire Sprinkler, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler, VSC Fire & Security, Viking Supply, and George Wagner. Gold sponsors ($2,500) were Atlantic Constructors, the Central Virginia Burn Camp, Colonial Ford Truck Sales, Lubrizol, Molnlycke, Old Dominion Fire Fighters Burn Foundation, Potter Electric Signal, System Sensor, Tyco, United Healthcare, and Victaulic.

Major sponsors ($500) were AFSA National; Durrette Crump; eTec Fire; Extinguish Fire (total $1,500 sponsorship); Fire Protection Products, Inc.; Fire Tech Services (total $1,00 sponsorship); Flexhead; General Air Products; Hydro Tec; Lexacom; Magic City Sprinkler; Mid-Atlantic Capital Management; Performance Fire; Sunland Fire; Tands; and Verizon Wireless. Hole sponsors ($175) were AGF Manufacturing;

The 2016 grand-prize winning team (best overall score) and “Giles Cup” recipients were the FLSA team of Andrew Medovich, Allan Strange, Jack Medovich, and Frank Mortl III.

Ameripipe; Assured Partners (T. B. & R.); Chesterfield Pro Firefighters; Clark Nexsen; Colonial Heights Firefighters; Crater Regional TRT; eTec Fire; Fire Solutions; Foley Company; Henrico Firefighters; JG Innovations; Leonhardt Pipe & Supply; Merrill Lynch – Joe Torrice; Prince George Local 4994; Potter Roemer; Richmond Firefighters; Shafer, Troxell, Howe; SPP Pumps; and Tornatech.

The chapter also wants to thank O’Toole’s Restaurant & Pub for donating lunch for all golfers and volunteers and for providing a great dinner. We want to thank both Colonial Ford Truck Sales and Haley GMC for the Holein-One sponsorship.

We are grateful for the 2016 Golf Chairman’s Committee, who worked the full year on planning this tournament. The committee members are Committee Chairman Jack Medovich, FLSA; Tiffany Clarke, Eagle Fire; Lanny Gault; Harry Hoffon, Eagle Fire; Bill Jones, FirePro; Hooper Loscomb, Eagle Fire; Jerry Pruden, Old Dominion Firefighters Burn Foundation; Scott Williams, VSC Fire & Security; and Chapter Executive Director George Wagner.

Burn Survivors Foundation Chapter members are pleased to announce that we have set up a Virginia non-profit corporation. We have received a 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS and named this corporation The Burn Survivors Foundation. To see the activities of the Foundation or make a donation, please visit burnsurvivorsfoundation.org. A GoFundMe account for donations has also been set up and can be accessed on this website.

The foundation decided to separately raise money for an endowment fund to support the two charities well into the future. This will be an ongoing challenge until the goal is met.

A challenge was issued to all chapter members to fund this endowment. We are pleased to report that a total of $20,570 was raised, which will be invested with the Richmond Community Foundation and the Charlottesville Community Foundation. Thank you to the donors of this endowment: Harry Hoffon, $5,000; Mike Meehan, $5,000; George Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 43

many more each and every year that come through for our tremendous charities.

“It is an honor to work with this great group of individuals and to see what can be accomplished when people come together and work hard for a great cause!!!

“Not to look past our 2017 tournament, but in 2018 we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of this tremendous event.

We are already working and planning for a very special event that day to celebrate one of the founders of this tournament, Marty Giles. If you’ve helped in the past… THANK YOU!! If you haven’t, please look for information coming soon in Sprinkler Age or visit our websites at afsavirginia.com or burnsurvivorsfoundation.org.” Medovich says.

AFSA Chairman of the Board Mike Meehan (far right) enjoyed a day of golf with teammates (from left to right) Steve McGee, William Walker and Howard Clay.

Wagner, $5,000; Jack Medovich, $1,000; Ron Wilhelm, $2,000; Carolina Fire Protection, $500; Kaufman Fire, $500; Randy Vass, $300; Western Fire, $150; Wayne Harris, $200; Craig Smith, $150; Riley Fire, $250; Bob Bitzer, $20; Horace Welch, $20; John Witney, $20; Dennis Krohn, $20; Gary Singleton, $20; Anne Mitchum, $10; Allen Ferguson, $150; Scott Ferguson, $50; Tom Field, $10; and FPC magazine, $50.

“The AFSA/Burn Survivors Foundation Annual Golf Tournament has been a success for many, many years,” comments Jack Medovich, chairman, Burn Survivors Foundation. “This is due to the efforts of many people as well as the generosity of

Save the Date! I have been involved in this event from day one and am honored and proud of our accomplishments to support two very worthy charities for the last 23 years. The AFSA Virginia Chapter members and friends give us tremendous support for this event and we would not be successful without them. The AFSA Virginia Chapter would like to invite everyone to participate in the 2017 AFSA Burn Survivors golf tournament on Wednesday, October 4, 2017. Please put this on your calendar now to save the date! n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: George Wagner is executive director of the AFSA Virginia Chapter. For more information on the chapter, contact Wagner via email at gwagner@argusfirecontrol.com.

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AFSA Honors Academic Excellence 2016 Honor Society for Sprinkler Fitter Graduates Announced The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Fire Sprinkler Fitter National Honor Society was first established in 2012 to recognize those trainees, along with their sponsoring employers, who have completed all four levels of the AFSA Correspondence Course for Fire Sprinkler Fitters with a cumulative grade point average of 95 percent or above. Inductees into the 2016 class of AFSA’s Fire Sprinkler Fitter National Honor Society represent approximately the top 10 percent of the 140 four-level graduates for the year.

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Leslie Clounts, AFSA director of education, notes: “It’s a real privilege to recognize these outstanding contractors who have clearly devoted much thought, energy, and time into making AFSA’s sprinkler fitter curriculum work for their training programs. The result of their proficient efforts not only keeps their businesses productive, but may mold potential future leaders in our industry.”

The following companies are the proud employers of inductees into the 2016 Fire Sprinkler Fitter National Honor Society: • Aero Automatic Sprinkler, Phoenix, Arizona (two inductees) • Carter’s Fire Sprinkler, Lebanon, Oregon • Colby Fire Protection, Rochdale, Massachusetts • Dynamic Fire Protection, Inc. Berlin, Massachusetts • Eagle Sprinkler Company, Whitinsville, Massachusetts • Innovative Services, Inc., Tolland, Connecticut • Lynco Fire Protection, Burlington, Massacusetts • Midwestern Mechanical, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

• Simplex Grinnell, Helena, Montana • SimplexGrinnell, Lexena, Kansas • New Mexico Chapter/Standard Auto Fire Enterprise (SAFE), Albuquerque, New Mexico • Superior Fire Protection, Jackson, Tennessee • Western Automatic Sprinkler, Salt Lake City, Utah (two inductees)

Recognition plaques for the individual students are provided to the sponsoring employer, so that the contractor company can present the plaque to the fire sprinkler fitter graduate at an appropriate time and location. AFSA is also pleased to honor those contractors who participate in this training curriculum and encourage their fitter trainees to study and do well on their tests by recognizing their company in Sprinkler Age. Build Enthusiasm Through Competition Entries are already coming in as excitement grows for AFSA’s National Apprentice Competition, celebrating its 24th year at the 2017 convention and exhibition, September 24-27 at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Many contractor employers of fire sprinkler fitter trainees who competed in the annual event state that it builds enthusiasm and encourages trainees to study the AFSA Fire Sprinkler Fitter Training Series more carefully and improve their performance. Look for details and entry materials for the 2017 National Apprentice Competition online at firesprinkler.org/convention/ apprentice-competition. n

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Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries As the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) celebrates its 36th anniversary, we recognize those members who are also celebrating milestone membership anniversaries. These member companies have belonged to AFSA for 15 or more years of continuous membership.

“Congratulations to our members celebrating anniversaries in March and April of this year,” comments AFSA Director of Member Services Bradley Elliott. “We greatly appreciate our members and their commitment to AFSA. Without them, we couldn’t provide services and products that better the fire sprinkler industry and keep this association great.”

Several members are celebrating milestone anniversaries in March and April 2017, including Associate Member AFCON, South El Monte, California and Designer Member Gagnon Engineering, Woodbine, Maryland. Sprinkler Age asked these members to walk down memory lane and share what they’ve learned over the years.

As a 30-year member, AFCON CEO Kraig Kirschner spoke about his experiences and the people who’ve made a difference in the industry and AFSA.

How did you get involved in the fire sprinkler industry? As a third-generation fire sprinkler contractor who was active in the industry for 30 years and as a secondgeneration manufacturer, I grew up around both fire sprinkler contracting and manufacturing of sprinkler heads.

Kirschner

How did you get involved with AFSA? Thankfully, Past AFSA Director of Member Services Lloyd Ivy demanded my participation.

What is your favorite or most used AFSA benefit?

Participating in the AFSA committee process, which facilitates networking, dialogue, knowledge and friendship.

Please share your favorite AFSA memory. Camaraderie with and respect for dedicated professionals who commit and sacrifice for the betterment of AFSA membership. Some names of note, a list which is always incomplete: “The Originals” – Bob McCullough, Tom Waller, Lowell Gillett, Willie Templin, Jack Viola, Marty Giles and Manning Strickland. “In the Trenches” – Don Kaufman, George Wagner and Buck Buchanan. “Of Recent Note”– Mike Meehan, Lyle Hall and Rod DiBona. “Great Staff” – everyone at AFSA. And your favorite part of convention? Technical presentations and contractor interaction.

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What is the most significant change you’ve seen at AFSA? Significant membership growth evidenced by increasing attendance at the annual convention. AFSA’s trade show booth growth is also significant. These, among others, relay enhanced credibility and prestige of this organization.

What’s the key ingredient to your success? My AFCON family, determination and faith.

Celebrating a silver anniversary with the association, Gagnon Engineering Owner Robert Gagnon, P.E., F.S.F.P.E., S.E.T., also shared how he came to join the industry and how he benefits from being an AFSA member.

How did you get involved in the industry and AFSA? I received my bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and hired an employment agent who put me through many tests. I was given a stack of offers from employers that matched my interests and abilities and Automatic Sprinkler Corporation (ASCOA) stood out.

It had the right mix of office and field work, design and field supervision, conceptualization and viewing the finished product, and calculation. I needed to be involved with something that made

the world a better place. This profession was perfect, and was the best business decision I ever made. I often say, “Don’t follow the money; follow your interests and the money will follow you.” ASCOA paid for my bachelor of science and master of science degrees in fire protection engineering and was my first client when I founded Gagnon Engineering. I also Gagnon joined AFSA early in my career. I knew that it was important to be an active part of my profession.

What is your favorite or most used AFSA benefit? I take the webinars when I need continuing education units (CEUs) to renew my P.E. license and two NICET Level IV certifications. I love to network with fellow professionals.

What have you found to be the key to your success?

My mentors. My mentor at Western Maryland College was (and still is) Dr. James Lightner. I had many mentors and colleagues with ASCOA, including Ezio Angellini. My mentor at the University of Maryland Department of Fire Protection Engineering was the legendary Dr. John L. Bryan among many others, including Dr. James A. Milke. I am truly blessed. I followed my interests and was mentored by the best.

If I weren’t working in this industry, I would be… I cannot imagine not doing what I do. My work was a daily delight, and the choice I made 47 years ago as a 21-year-old kid out of college was a wise one.

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30-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Certified Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Decatur, AL Inland Fire Protection, Yakima, WA Mid South Fire Solutions, LLC, Shreveport, LA Rustin Fire Protection, Norton, MA Associate Members AFCON, South El Monte, CA

25-Year Anniversary Designer Members Gagnon Engineering, Woodbine, MD

15-Year Anniversary Associate Members ITW Buildex, Glendale Heights, IL

AFSA congratulates the members celebrating these anniversary milestones and looks forward to celebrating with more members in the future. Recognition in Sprinkler Age will be done in five-year anniversary increments and is available to all membership types. Happy Anniversary! n

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¿Quieres ser un Instalador de Rociadores?

AFSA Promotes Diversity in its Education Programs CHARLOTTE JOHNSON | American Fire Sprinkler Association

One of the things that the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is proudest to offer members is its extensive number of training opportunities. If you are interested in inspection, testing and maintenance, AFSA has a course for that!

If you want to be a fire sprinkler designer, take part in AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School, and in two weeks you will be ready for the job.

And if you currently employ an apprentice who is training to be a fire sprinkler fitter, AFSA’s apprentice program is unbeatable.

While AFSA is indeed very proud of the training programs it offers, it is equally proud to be making strides in its diversity and inclusion efforts. Many members may not be aware of this, but some of AFSA’s training is available in Spanish! That’s right, if you have an apprentice whose first language is Spanish, AFSA has a resource available called the Spanish Language Trainee Guide, encompassing Level I of AFSA’s Apprenticeship Training Program. It is based on the 2007 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. Because it is based on a prior version of the AFSA training series, its contents do not match the English-Language Level I version nor does it include testing, but it is useful as a reference to assist Spanish-speaking students.

AFSA also welcomes Spanish-speaking students in its other courses. Many students that have attended its Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School have been from countries all around the world.

While AFSA does not offer this course in languages other than English, many international students have been warmly welcomed and have found the class to be extremely useful. Industrias Especializadas Oliva (IESO) is a contractor member of 50 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

AFSA in Mexico that has sent several students to the school. Andrea Oliva is an employee of IESO and one of the students who attended the school in 2015.

Despite the fact that English is Oliva’s second language, she had a great experience.

“As a Spanish-speaking student I found the AFSA classes easy to understand,” she says.

“They guide you smoothly and take their time to make sure everyone understands regardless of your language barrier.”

Melvin Inzunza, another employee of IESO and a 2015 graduate of the school, said that while there may have been a few options for fire protection courses in Mexico, he chose to come to Dallas for training because he knew he would be learning from true experts. “Before I took the course, I had a lot of questions,” says Inzunza. “After I took the course, I had so much knowledge.”

Both students did admit that it would be helpful to have the teachers speak a little Spanish, and to have more publicity, training dates, class flyers and social media posts in Spanish, which AFSA will look into going forward as it further develops its diversity plan.

In the past three years, AFSA has also welcomed class attendees from the Netherlands, Bahamas, South Korea, and Brazil.

It has been an honor to host such a diverse classroom, and AFSA looks forward to continuing to make its materials and classes available to anyone interested in learning about fire protection, from any part of the world. For more information on AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School, visit firesprinkler. org/education-center/schools. n

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Mentoring Women in the Construction Industry NAWIC President-Elect Shares Vision D’ARCY MONTALVO | American Fire Sprinkler Association

Catherine Schoenenberger, president of Stay Safe Traffic Products Inc., Westford, Massachusetts, and national presidentelect of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) grew up in a construction family.

“My parents had a commercial landscaping business and Dad sold heavy equipment,” she recalls. “However, the girls in my family were never encouraged to get on the machines. It was always the boys.”

Schoenenberger found herself in the public works industry when she answered a blind ad for a general

manager for a traffic signs company back in 1996. “I had a degree in political science but I attended the school of hard-knocks when it came to running a business. I knew I could run a company and so I did,” she says. “I quote Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In a lot,” she says. “She said don’t think of your career as a ladder you’re climbing [as a woman], but instead look at it as a jungle gym. I like that visual!”

In 2002, Schoenenberger started her own company and also serves as a Work Zone Safety and Flagger trainer for several organizations.

“As far as I know, I’m one of only six certified flagger trainers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the only female,” she Schoenenberger comments.

“That’s helped grow my business to a degree, because people may not always remember a name, but they do remember it was a woman.”

In 2008, Schoenenberger joined NAWIC and currently serves on the board of directors and is its national presidentelect, 2016-2017. “One of the best experiences is when I sit in room with a bunch of NAWIC women. The power in the room is just incredible. Single mothers who are now senior engineers on some of the largest construction projects in the country, or the young project manager who is coming to grips with the realities of being the only woman on a site…all offer their own perspective and all have the ‘Can Do It’ attitude.

“As part of NAWIC’s long-term strategic plan, one of our tasks is to conduct nationwide roundtables of leaders in the construction industry. They are predominately males, of course, and so it’s important to find out from them, as employers and as men, their take on the pluses and minuses on having women on the job site and in management,” she says. “NAWIC builds leaders in the construction industry and it’s in that value-point, that our leadership training and skills acquired by our members are transferable to what they do in their jobs every day, otherwise there is no per-

52 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Young women enjoy a hands-on experience at the New Hampshire Construction Career (NHCC) Days.

Schoenenberger’s NHCC Days has educated over 6,500 New Hampshire high school students about the construction industry.

ceived value to the employer, or to our member, for that matter.”

half-day event. Since then, NHCC Days has allowed for well over 6,500 NH high school students to experience construction in a very hands-on way.”

Schoenenberger also serves on the advisory board for a local technical high school and notes that attitudes are changing towards career technical education (CTE).

“It’s more acceptable now to go to a tech school. Mentoring, no matter what industry you’re in, is important. Our young women need to see other women, role models, out in front of them. They need to see themselves in your shoes/ steel-toed boots, and you can’t be all talk,” she says, “You have to walk your talk, because no one can tell someone else what to do. Show them and explain and let them get involved – empower them and open them up to the possibilities. If we can set examples along the way and open up opportunities to let them experience firsthand, they’ll be interested and they’ll stay interested.”

Schoenenberger is so committed to mentoring that she established the New Hampshire Construction Career (NHCC) Days. “We modeled it after a national program, designed for both male and female high school students.

In 2009 New Hampshire became the 38th state to adopt the structure of it.

The first year we had 35 exhibitors, about 20 pieces of live equipment, and 345 kids come through that single

Schoenenberger has also brought awareness to women at the forefront of public works, and currently she cochairs the Diversity Committee for the New England Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

what we are and do. You might be modeling for someone and not even realize it.” n EDITOR’S NOTE: Catherine Schoenenberger lives in Westford, Massachusetts with her husband of 30 years, Keith Schoenenberger, a Mastercraftsman/Cabinetmaker.

“We’ve learned in our research that your public works and first responders should be a reflection of the community you serve. Having women out on a crew – whether engineering a site, maintaining the function of a transfer station or plowing snow - would only be a plus and perhaps a better reflection?” she notes.

Schoenenberger knows that hard work, determination, and a healthy perspective are all keys to success. “Get out of your own way! I stay ‘real’ about my business and keep the lines of communication open. I don’t get hung up on the minutia,” she says. “I am my mother’s daughter first. She provided a solid foundation of great ethics, character and sense of humor. She was my greatest mentor, my greatest influence.”

“You never know when you’ll have that moment to affect people,” she comments. “I guess that’s why we should always be authentic in who and Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 53

AHJ PERSPECTIVE

BY RONNY J. COLEMAN

Truth Management “Truth or Consequences” was originally a television show in the early 1950s. On that show, contestants received roughly two seconds to answer a trivia question correctly. The way the show went, if the contestant could not complete the “truth” portion, there would be a “consequence.” They were usually required to perform some kind of dumb stunt. In almost all cases the consequences were supposed to be humorous.

The show is no longer on television but there are many situations in our life for which there are truths or consequences.

From the perspective of this column, there are truth and consequences of putting residential sprinklers into play in communities. For example, those

communities that have embraced residential sprinklers have a positive tool in reducing loss of life in our communities. Those communities that have prohibited the use of residential sprinklers are doomed to continue the track record of the past. The truth is residential sprinklers work. The consequences are if you do not use them, lives will continue to be lost.

Perhaps we need to put the truth and consequence test to those who continually misrepresent the truth about residential sprinklers. For over 40 years now, we have been contending with the myths of sprinklers with no consequence for those who misrepresent the truth. In

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a previous column, I alluded to the need to stop talking about the myths and start talking about the truths. Let’s re-examine this phenomenon. In a recent NFPA Journal, author Stephanie Schorow published an article entitled “The Front Line.” In this same issue, there was a column on “Debunking the 10 Myths.”

The article identified 10 myths. They are as follows: 1. Every time I burn the bacon, I’ll set off a sprinkler.

2. I have smoke alarms so I don’t need sprinklers.

3. Smoke alarms will give my family time to safely exit if there is a fire.

4. When a fire occurs, every sprinkler will activate and everything in the house will be ruined by water damage.

5. The fire department will be able to put out the fire and save my things.

6. Newer homes are safer homes.

7. Home fire sprinklers leak or activate accidentally.

8. Sprinklers are unattractive and will ruin the aesthetics of my home.

9. Sprinklers are not practical in colder climates, since the pipes will freeze and cause water damage.

10. The water damage caused by sprinklers will be more extensive than the fire damage.

You probably have an answer for every one of those myths already committed to memory because you face them in public hearings or in interacting with elected officials. The problem with this list of 10 items is that they are not myths, they are outright lies. Perhaps it’s time to adopt a different philosophy.

Reggie Edwards, deputy fire marshal of Nampa, Idaho, is an individual who has seen the wisdom of this way. Edwards states, “We teach them the facts, then they can make informed decisions.”

What are some of the basic truths that we need to inform the public about?

1. The average amount of fire loss in a home with sprinklers is $2,166. The average amount of fire loss in a home without sprinklers is $45,019.

2. Ninety percent of fires in sprinklered properties are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler.

3. An average amount of water discharged by sprinklers per fire is 341 gallons. The average amount of water discharged by firefighter hoses is 2,935 gallons.

4. The amount of property damage attributed to fire in 2015 is $7 billion.

5. The number of civilians who have died in home fires in the U.S. in 2015 is 2,560.

6. The percentage of respondents in sprinklered homes who said home fire sprinklers lowered the cost of home owner’s insurance was 68 percent.

7. Eighty percent of civilian fire fatalities occur in home fires.

8. Seventy-five percent of civilian fire injuries occur in home fires.

9. A home fire occurs every 86 seconds.

10. The number of civilians who died per 1,000 home fires in 2013 was 7.5.

Summary Myths are like fairytales.

They are often repeated and seldom questioned. But, the decision to put sprinklers into homes is not a fairytale.

It is a matter of public policy. In the old TV show “Truth or Consequences,” the consequences are always a zany or embarrassing stunt. In the world of fire protection, the consequences of the items previously mentioned are accumulative and have an impact upon our society.

Today one might say that myth and consequence are more dangerous than truth and consequence. Setting the record straight on what is true about sprinklers has a favorable consequence on the community, whereas the elimination of sprinklers has a negative consequence in the community. The more we talk about the truth, the less room there is for mythology. The less room there is for mythology, the more likely we will see a positive outcome. If you go to the U.S. Census Bureau and look at the population changes that are

reflected and the current census reports, it is clear that the population is going to increase. Some of those communities will be using sprinklers and that’s the truth. Some of those communities will not be using sprinklers and that’s the consequence. Actions that are taken today will definitely have consequences as these populations become real. n

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ronny J. Coleman is currently the president of Fireforceone.

He is a past president of the IAFC and CFAI. Over his lifetime, he has received numerous awards including the AFSA’s 1989 Henry S. Parmelee Award, the 2011 Mason Lankford Award from the Congressional Fire Services Institute, and the Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award from Fire Engineering in 2014. He continues as a contributor to the fire service in many ways.

REFERENCES: 1. NFPA Journal, High Hopes, Special Issue, October 2016 2. NFPA Journal, October 2016

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Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 55

AFSA NEWS

Calendar May 1-3 OSU Fire Sprinkler Inspection Training Certificate Program Stillwater, OK okstate.edu Garrett

Gragg

Huggins

Sweeney

Promotions at AFSA National At the start of 2017, several members of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) received significant promotions. Roland Huggins, P.E. has been promoted to senior vice president, engineering & technical services. As part of the executive team he provides guidance on external operations regarding technical elements within the industry. His primary roles include defining technical positions for AFSA, directing the effort to improve the NFPA standards that drive the installation and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems covering 28 NFPA standards and 38 representatives, as well as oversight on all technical services in support of AFSA members.

Marlene Garrett, CMP has been promoted to vice president, meetings & operations. In her new role, she is responsible for providing leadership and direction for each department head in pursuit of various projects and goals within the AFSA organization. She has oversight of all AFSA meetings and events, including the annual AFSA convention and exhibition, the industry’s largest fire sprinkler show. In addition, she organizes quarterly board meetings and oversees live and virtual training events for the association. She heads the meetings and events department and is involved in the strategic development and implementation of programs related to training events.

Roger Gragg has been promoted to director, marketing & information technology.

Gragg has been with AFSA since 1988, making him AFSA’s longest-tenured employee, and has held several significant positions with the association. Most recently, he was manager of information technology & marketing, where he helped to grow the association’s online presence and to launch its technological infrastructure, including its first website. In his new position, he will be responsible for marketing and branding the association’s vast offerings of products and services, as well as helping to propel the association’s growth.

Gragg graduated from Texas Tech University

have included the recruitment and retention of members, processing applications, recording and reconciling payments, maintaining AFSA’s database, as well as being the primary point of contact for most membershiprelated phone calls and emails. “Amy Sweeney has been with AFSA for nearly 10 years and has handled the administrative functions of the membership department extremely well,” says Bradley Elliott, director of member services. “However, we felt it was time to further utilize her knowledge and skills to strengthen the benefits and services we deliver our members. Amy will play a crucial role going forward as we work to further enhance and personalize the member experience.”

in Lubbock with a Bachelors of Arts degree.

Amy Sweeney has been promoted to member relations specialist. Amy’s duties

contractor members until six weeks prior to each school. Enroll now for April and July classes at firesprinkler.org/school. n

56 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

ITM Spring Cycle Sells Out – Enroll Now for Fall The Spring 2017 Cycle for AFSA’s Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (ITM) Inspector Development program, the first of its kind in the industry, has offically sold out! The program prepares a “green” inspector trainee for NICET’s Level II Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems in about a year and a half.

Students grow in a blended-learning environment, including: on-demand online coursework; live, interactive web instruction; live inclass lecture; and hands-on field testing and inspections. The small class size (maximum 20 per session) allows for personalized instruction.

Register now for the Fall 2017 cycle, beginning October 16, at firesprinkler.org/itm.

Design School Opportunities AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning Schools teach the essential fundamentals of system layout in accordance with the 2016 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

These schools are designed for those with no experience or those who need assistance with design. The students learn by actually planning and drawing sprinkler systems while studying and applying NFPA 13. Classes are held at the AFSA headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Classes are kept small and enrollment is open exclusively to AFSA

June 10 Phase I AFSA National Apprentice Competition Nationwide firesprinkler.org/convention/ apprentice-competition

July 10-21 AFSA Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School Dallas, TX firesprinkler.org

26-28 OSU Fire Sprinkler Inspection Training Certificate Program Stillwater, OK okstate.edu

August 14-25 AFSA Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School Dallas, TX firesprinkler.org

September 24-27 AFSA 36th Annual Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada firesprinkler.org/convention

October 16 ITM Inspector Development Program Live Webinar Kick-Off firesprinkler.org/itm Seminars subject to change. Call (214) 349-5965 to confirm locations and times. For information on Chubb and/or OSU programs, visit firesprinkler.org and click on “Training Calendar.”

CHAPTER NEWS Carolinas The Carolinas Chapter of AFSA held its first NextGen event, for members of the fire sprinkler industry who are 40 and under, on February 16. There were an impressive 23plus attendees at the event, which was a social mixer at the Dave & Buster’s in Concord, North Carolina. Keep up with the NextGen Initiative by following the hashtag #AFSANextGen. Visit firesprinkler.org/NextGen. Connecticut The Connecticut Chapter recently elected its 2017 Board of Directors, they are as follows: Chairperson Rick Russo, Connecticut Fire Protection; Secretary Rich Lepore, Northern Windustrial; Treasurer Brad Viola, Fire Services Group; and Membership Jeff Harlow, Victaulic Company of America.

At its February 16, 2017 meeting, Connecticut DCP Commissioner Jonathan Harris spoke about the latest revisions to DCP licensing and enforcement procedures. The chapter’s recent philanthropic work includes donations to the Connecticut Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, Toys for Tots, the Phoenix Society Burn Center and local food banks. It also awarded two $1,000 college scholarships to winners of the chapter’s state essay contest.

The chapter will once again participate in the Construction Pro Rodeo, run by the ABC Connecticut Chapter, May 3- 4. Chapter members will share information about careers in the fire sprinkler industry as well as sponsor a burn trailer demonstration.

The chapter will host its First Annual Charity Golf Tournament on September 12, 2017 at the Hawks Landing Country Club in Southington.

Registration and sponsorship materials will be sent to members in the spring. Visit afsact.org.

Mid-Atlantic The Mid-Atlantic Chapter held its first meeting of 2017 on January 18 at the Iron Hill Brewery in Wilmington, Delaware. Dave Davis from Davis, Bucco, & Ardizzi discussed the significant changes coming to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware mechanics lien laws. Visit afsamac.org. n

AFSA’s Carolinas Chapter had an great turnout for its first NextGen event.

Connecticut Chapter members learned about licensing and enforcement information at its February meeting.

Mid-Atlantic Chapter members met in January to hear about changes coming to lien laws.

AFFILIATE NEWS GFSA The Georgia Fire Sprinkler Association held a meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at SPP Pumps. The Vendor Spotlight for January was Richard Hanson with Georgia Water Tanks. Hanson’s presentation was followed by an informative insurance presentation by Kyle Kirkman of Granite Risk Advisors. The meeting took place over a catered lunch. Meetings occur

monthly, for more information please0 visit georgiafiresprinkler.org.

FSCATX It is with deep regret that FSCATX reports that Tim Walsh with AFPG, Inc., Dallas, passed away February 20 losing his fight with cancer. He began his career in the fire protection industry in 1973, transitioning roles of leadership through the years. As he neared retire-

ment age, he shifted to sales, a role well suited for his natural ability to establish and sustain caring and enduring relationships with others.

Walsh is survived by his wife: Donna; son Todd and wife Wendy; daughter Tonya and husband Corey; and five grandchildren: Ryne, Gracie, Bella, CeCe and Faith. A memorial service was held February 24. An online tribute wall can be signed at resthavenfuneral.com. n Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 57

AFSA MEMBERSHIP New Members The following is a list of new members that have joined as of February 15, 2017.

Region 1 AHJ City of San Mateo Fire Department Christina daSilva Foster City, CA Office State Health Planning Quang Nguyen Los Angeles, CA Associate Cla-Val Company David Alexander Costa Mesa, CA Clean Earth Restorations Heidi Bell El Cajon, CA Contractor Centennial Fire Ernesto Marron Santa Rosa, CA Hue & Cry, Inc. Patrick Culmer Anderson, CA Designer LP Engineers Sharon Alves Clovis, CA

Region 2

Region 4

Region 6

Region 7

Contractor Altitude Fire Protection Tony Wilkes Windsor, CO

AHJ University of Texas at Austin Tammy Swaton Austin, TX

Associate Harrington, Inc. Paul Carpenter Erie, PA

Contractor Marino Mechanical James Marino Branford, CT

First Fire Protection Robert Fowers Ogden, UT

Contractor DFS Fire Systems Kimberly Davis Richardson, TX

Inspect Point Jennifer Harris Troy, NY

International

Legacy Fire Protection Services, LLC Stephen Aikey Anchorage, AK Tribal Fire Systems, LLC Jessica Maxwell Boise, ID

Region 3

RAMS Fernando Perez Glenn Heights, TX

Contractor Campbell Fire Protection Joseph Duffy Suffer, NY

Designer Foor Design Shawn Foor Tulsa, OK

General Mechanical and Plumbing Luis Bello Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Contractor Protecno Fire Jose Cueto Monterrey Nuevo León, Mexico

Master Fire Systems, Inc. Peter Martinez Bronx, NY

Associate Independence Tube, a Nucor Company Brad Glover Chicago, IL

Susquehanna Automatic Sprinklers, Inc. Buzz Shepp York, PA

Contractor 1 Fire Protection Joel Pederson Fargo, ND

Designer Huling Design Wallace J. Huling, Jr. Abingdon, MD

Fire Suppression Services, LLC Jason Ganter Princeton, MN Designer Leo A. Daly Melisa Rodriguez Minneapolis, MN BC Engineers, Inc. Erik Knudsen Shawnee, KS

AFSA Chapter Contacts Arkansas Coleman Farrar – Chair 479-986-909 Wallace Reed – Vice Chair 501-945-2900 Carolinas afsacarolinas.com George Bush – Chair 704-732-3343 John Turnage – Exec. Dir. 919-624-3456

Florida afsafl.org Chris Johnson – Chair 800-327-7604 Carolyn Mohr – Exec. Dir. 239-771-3907

New Jersey Thomas Bowlby, Jr. – Chair 908-226-5313 Robert K. Melofchik – Exec. Dir. 201-741-0056

Pacific Northwest afsanw.org Tracy Moore – Chair 425-271-5598 Ron Greenman – Exec. Dir. 253-576-9700

South Carolina scfsa.org Jason Strickland – Chair 843-664-0077 Jule Buffington – Exec. Dir. 803-951-2800

Greater Bay Area Cory Riley – Chair 510-490-7873 Lorelei Upshaw – Exec. Dir. 925-954-5031

New Mexico Pete Newstead – Chair 505-884-2447 Dave Wilson – Exec. Dir. 505-573-6712

Chesapeake Bay Jay Zollars – Chair 410-286-3314 Danielle Fowler – Exec. Dir. 410-960-3450

Greater Kansas City Mark McKenzie – Chair 913-432-6688 Brett Heinrich – Exec. Dir. 785-825-7710

Southern California Jeff Bridges – Co-Chair 714-285-0200 Terry Housholder – Co-Chair 714-632-8646 Amber Barrios – Exec. Dir. 562-833-9492

Connecticut afsact.org Rick Russo – Chair 203-877-7983 Wendy Callahan – Exec. Dir. 978-855-6495

Louisiana Linda Biernacki – Chair 318-688-8800 Mark Taylor – Vice Chair 504-837-0572

North Central As called by Chair Michael Winiecki – Chair 651-484-5903 Michelle Loren - Exec. Dir. 320-676-3771

Rocky Mountain Brent Heiner – Chair 801-544-0363 Adam Millward – Exec. Dir. 801-216-4545

Mid-Atlantic afsamac.org Meaghen Wills – Chair 610-754-7836 Michael Leister– Exec. Dir. 215-362-0700

Northern New England Ryan Gadhue – Chair 802-865-3600 Tim Stone – Exec. Dir. 802-434-2968 Ohio Bill Haussmann – Chair 937-859-6198 Don Eckert – Exec. Dir. 513-310-9660

Sacramento Valley sacvalleyafsa.org Bill Gray – Chair 916-663-3582 Paulene Norwood – Exec. Dir. 916-296-0635 San Diego As called by Chair Ron Aday – Chair 858-513-4949 Rhonda Hill – Exec. Dir. 858-513-4949

Virginia afsavirginia.com Jack Medovich – Chair 804-222-1381 George Wagner – Exec. Dir. 757-486-3103 Yankee Roger Piacentini – Chair 631-689-6869 Joshua Fitzgerald – Exec. Dir. 617-903-3191

AFSA Affiliate Contacts Alabama Affiliate alfiresprinkler.org Charles Bielair – Pres.

334-270-8571 Greg Willis – Exec. Dir. 334-567-4257

58 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Georgia Affiliate georgiafiresprinkler.org Ray Vance – Chair 404-226-8304 Billy Wood – Exec. Dir. 404-226-8304

Oklahoma Affiliate ofsa.info Gary Field – Chair 918-266-2416

Texas Affiliate fscatx.org David Stone – Pres.

713-466-9898 Carol McCain – Exec. Dir. 281-361-8069

CONSTRUCTION REPORTS U.S. Construction...

New Construction Starts in December Slide 5 Percent New

construction starts in December slipped 5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $613.0 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The latest month’s decline for total construction was due to sharply reduced activity for the nonbuilding construction sector, reflecting further erosion by public works as well as a steep plunge by the electric utility/gas plant category. At the same time, nonresidential building in December held steady with its November pace, and residential building was able to register moderate growth. For all of 2016, total construction starts advanced 1 percent to $676.5 billion, a considerably smaller gain than the 11 percent increase reported for 2015. If the volatile manufacturing plant and electric utility/gas plant categories are excluded, total construction starts in 2016 would be up 4 percent, depicting a more gradual deceleration relative to the corresponding 9 percent increase in 2015.

Monthly Summary of Construction Contract Value Prepared by Dodge Data & Analytics

U.S. Construction...

January Construction Starts Jump 12 Percent The value of new construction starts in January climbed 12 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $690.2 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. After losing momentum during last year’s fourth quarter, nonresidential building strengthened in January. Nonbuilding construction bounced back from a subdued December. Meanwhile, residential building edged upward in January as the result of a slight gain for single-family housing. On an unadjusted basis, total construction starts in January were reported at $48.5 billion, down 3 percent from the same month a year ago which included especially strong amounts for the often volatile manufacturing plant and electric utility/gas plant categories. If manufacturing plants and electric utilities/gas plants are excluded, total construction starts in January would be up 10 percent from last year’s corresponding volume.

Monthly Summary of Construction Contract Value Prepared by Dodge Data & Analytics

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, In Millions December 2016 November 2016 % Change Nonresidential Building $224,040 $224,577 -0Residential Building $306,905 $280,625 +9 Nonbuilding Construction $82,047 $137,992 -41 Total Construction $612,992 $643,194 -5

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, In Millions January 2017 December 2016 % Change Nonresidential Building $261,465 $225,933 +16 Residential Building $307,619 $304,757 +1 Nonbuilding Construction $121,112 $84,215 +44 Total Construction $690,196 $614,905 +12

THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000=100, Seasonally Adjusted) December 2016...............130 November 2016.....................136

THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000=100, Seasonally Adjusted) January 2017...............146 December 2016.....................130

YEAR-TO-DATE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Unadjusted Totals, In Millions

12 Mo. 2016 12 Mo. 2015 % Change Nonresidential Building $227,675 $219,658 +4 Residential Building $287,019 $270,646 +6 Nonbuilding Construction $161,803 $181,930 -11 Total Construction $676,497 $672,234 +1

YEAR-TO-DATE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Unadjusted Totals, In Millions

1 Mo. 2017 1 Mo. 2016 % Change Nonresidential Building $18,927 $14,891 +27 Residential Building $20,235 $20,043 +1 Nonbuilding Construction $9,299 $14,838 -37 Total Construction $48,461 $49,772 -3

IN

JO !

W

NO

THE FIRE SPRINKLER CONTRACTING WORLD CAN BE A TOUGH CLIMB

firesprinkler.org/join

LET US HELP YOU CONQUER THAT MOUNTAIN. Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 59

PRODUCT NEWS

Reliable Introduces New Attic Sprinklers The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc. is proud to announce attic sprinkler protection with industry-leading coverage areas. Reliable Attic Sprinklers are cULus Listed specific application sprinklers, which are available for the protection of combustible and non-combustible light hazard concealed spaces with roof/ceiling slopes of 4:12 to 8:12. Reliable attic sprinklers are upright sprinklers listed for use on wet-pipe or dry-pipe sprinkler systems. These sprinklers use a 212°F (100°C) temperature rated fusiblelink operating element. There are six attic sprinkler models. Visit reliablesprinkler.com.

Viking Releases New COIN® Specific Application Sprinkler The Viking Corporation has introduced a new quick response specific ap-

plication upright sprinkler for combustible interstitial (concealed) spaces, such as those found between floors and for lowpitch attics with roof pitches up to and including 2/12.

With a coverage area up to 16 ft x 16 ft, and a maximum height of 60 in., the new 5.6K COIN® (COmbustible INterstitial) Model VK950 features a glass bulb operating element and special deflector that delivers the operation speed and broad distribution pattern required in shallow combustible concealed spaces. COIN® sprinklers are designed to protect areas constructed of wood truss, non-combustible bar joists, solid wood joists, or composite wood joists. Visit vikingcorp.com.

One is the first in the industry designed for onehanded use, for easy and accurate press connections anywhere on the job. At five pounds, the PEX-One allows contractors to easily get rid of their manual press tools and is 30 percent lighter than other battery-powered tools that can make press connections on PEX. The pressing tool is purpose-built to press three sizes and features a compact design that frees up space in the tool belt and tool box. Ideal for overhead connections and accessing tight spaces, the PEX-One provides full power through 150-plus presses per charge with a five-second crimp cycle. The tool can press multiple size fittings up to one inch, and has interchangeable dies with a quick change system. It is compatible with ASTM F1807 copper crimp ring fittings and in the near future Viega PureFlow® fittings. Visit RIDGID.com.

New from RIDGID®: Industry’s First OneHanded, Battery Operated PEX Tool RIDGID® is changing the way contractors install PEX with the new PEX-One™ 12V battery PEX tool. The PEX-

AFSA Employment Opportunity Manager of ITM Technical Training

The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is looking for an individual to join our Engineering & Technical Services Department and support our members around the globe. We are seeking candidates with extensive training experience who hold a current NICET Level II certification in Inspection and Water-Based Systems or Level III in WaterBased System Layout. If you have 10-plus years of sprinkler-related experience and good communication skills, you may qualify to join us.

The successful candidate will have a detailed understanding of the primary NFPA standards, with practical experience in the application of these standards, and the ability to develop and present programs on these criteria. For more details on this exciting opportunity, visit firesprinkler.org/afsa/careers.

AFSA supports and influences the sprinkler industry by working on NFPA technical committees, teaching and training to broad audiences, and providing informal interpretations on critical issues. If you would like to join a professional staff that has helped shape the industry for 35 years, email your resume to: resume@firesprinkler.org with the subject line “Technical Services.”

NOTICE: AFSA does not run employment ads in Sprinkler Age regarding general employment opportunities for other associations, member and non-member companies, etc.

60 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation Introduces Model RCW Water Control Valve Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation recently announced the introduction of the Model RCW water control valve for use in dry, deluge and preaction systems. The Globe Model RCW valve is a hydraulically operated, external resetting, differential-latching style valve used to control dry, deluge, and preaction fire suppression systems. The Model RCW is the industry’s lightest and most compact combination dry/deluge/preaction valve. The Globe model RCW is Underwriters Laboratory (cULus) Listed and Factory Mutual (FM) Approved in 4 in. and 6 in. sizes. For details, visit globesprinkler.com.

Lubrizol and FinOlex Industries to Process FlowGuard® Branded CPVC Pipes and Fittings in India The Lubrizol Corporation and FinOlex Industries Limited, India’s largest PVC pipes and fittings manufacturer, announce the signing of a FlowGuard® Processor agreement for the manufacturing and sale of FinOlex FlowGuard® Plus CPVC pipes and fittings in India. The product will be launched in the market by FinOlex Industries in April 2017 and will cater to housing and real estate segments. Visit Lubrizol.com. n

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Golinveaux Named President, CEO of The Viking Group The Viking Group is pleased to announce that James Golinveaux has joined the company as its new president and CEO. He succeeds Kevin Ortyl, who served as Viking Group’s CEO for the last ten years, and chairman since 2014. Golinveaux comes to Viking with nearly 35 years of fire protection industry experience including both contracting and manufacturing. Golinveaux holds over 50 U.S. and foreign patents and is

NICET IV certified in automatic sprinklers. He has been a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and was a member of the NFPA 13 Technical Committee for over 22 years. Golinveaux served on the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Technical Advisory Council and Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council. In recognition of his work toward the advancement of the fire sprinkler industry, Golinveaux was presented with the AFSA’s highest honor, the Henry S. Parmelee Award, in 2014. Visit vikingcorp.com.

Schnur Succeeds Hambrick as Lubrizol Chairman and CEO The Lubrizol Corpora-

tion has announced that Eric R. Schnur has assumed the chairman, president and chief executive officer roles effective January 2, 2017. Schnur succeeds James L. Hambrick, previously chairman and chief executive officer, who completes a career spanning more than 38 years at Lubrizol.

This planned management transition was announced in mid-2016. For more details, visit Lubrizol.com. n

Linda Biernacki Receives 2016 Business Leader of the Year The Greater Shreveport (Louisiana) Chamber of Commerce has recognized American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Board Member Linda M. Biernacki, founder and president of Fire Tech Systems Inc., as its 2016 Business Leader of the Year.

“In addition to serving on the Executive Committee as secretary for the Board of Directors of AFSA, Linda’s accomplishment displays tremendous range for other professionals in the fire protection industry to follow,” says AFSA President Frank Mortl III, CAE. “AFSA leadership is extremely proud to call Linda a colleague and friend, a special individual able to balance a successful contracting business along with civic leadership and a solid family dynamic – a true role model for everyone associated within the AFSA family.”

Biernacki has served on the AFSA Board since 2007. In addition to serving on several AFSA committees, she served as chairperson of the 2016 Convention Committee. With over 26 years of experience in all phases of business, she is certified by the Women’s Business Council Gulf Coast. She holds NICET Level IV, Senior Fire Protection Engineering Technology Water-Based Systems Layout and represents AFSA on the NFPA 232 Committee for Protection of Records. The Louisiana state fire marshal appointed Biernacki to the state’s Residential Task Force, and the mayor of Shreveport appointed her to the city’s Architectural and Engineering Selection Committee. Biernacki also currently serves as president of the Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Association.

“I see myself as a positive person who shows up every day and gives 100 percent to take care of business. Not just professionally, but in all aspects. Without family, community and faith you cannot be successful. Being recognized for what I and my Fire Tech family have accomplished is humbling and solidifies the decisions I have made along the way,” states Biernacki.

Biernacki’s company Fire Tech Systems, Inc. is celebrating 27 years in business. It has grown to 88 employees, opened an office in Monroe, Louisiana, and has expanded the Shreveport, Louisiana corporate office three times. The company has earned AFSA’s Quality Contractor designation, is one of the first to attain Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) Residential Fire Sprinkler Contractor Accreditation, and is licensed in six states: Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama.

In addition to her industry involvement, Biernacki is a civic and community leader.

The governor of Louisiana appointed her to the Small Business Entrepreneurship Commission, and she was appointed by Lt. General Frank Klotz, AFGSC Commander to serve as a charter member of the Air Force Global Strike Command Civic Leader Program and continues her service under FourStar General Robin Rand. Biernacki serves as a community partner in several projects including the Cyber Innovation Center and Sheriff’s Town. In 2010, she served as the first woman president of the Committee of One Hundred, a nonpolitical, nonprofit membership group organized as an educational, civic and charitable organization whose members are the highest-ranking local executives of businesses and professional enterprises in Northwest Louisiana. In 2013, Biernacki was appointed by the secretary of Economic Development to the Ambassador program.

Biernacki has received numerous leadership awards from her community, including being named the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year in 2015, 2014 and 2004. She also received the Better Business Bureau Torch Award, and Women in Construction Region 5 Crystal Vision Award. In 2013, she was inducted into the Junior Achievement of N. LA’s Business Hall of Fame, which celebrates exceptional business leaders who have demonstrated a lifetime of achievement and investment in our community.

Biernacki has established the Fire Tech Systems Scholarship program for aspiring young women whose studies involve the construction industry. She also partners with the National Association of Women in Construction to offer a scholarship through the Caddo Career & Technology Center.“As a female in the construction industry, I would like to see more women at the helm and/or actively involved within our industry. Women bring a different perspective and are a vital part to the future of our industry and its workforce. The scholarship program is one of the ways to show what their hard work can accomplish,” she says.

A video produced by the chamber showcasing Biernacki and her achievements can be viewed at shreveportchamber.org. n

Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017 61

INDUSTRY NEWS FPPI Acquired by Smith-Cooper International Smith-Cooper International has aquired Fire Protection Products, Inc. (FPPI). By integrating FPPI into its line of business, Smith-Cooper International is strengthening its position, product offering and reputation within the fire protection industry. FPPI’s business will continue as a standalone business, under the direction of Founder and President Randy Greenslate. Founded in 1989, FPPI is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and operates a second distribution center in Charlotte, North Carolina. FPPI products are available exclusively through a network of local distribution partners, and will continue to operate on this policy. Visit fppi.com.

Winsupply Opens Southern California Location Winsupply Inc. has opened a Winsupply fire and fabrication location in Lake Elsinore, California, serving fire sprinkler system contractors throughout Southern California. The manager of the local Winsupply company, Bryan Greer, and his team bring more than 100 combined years of experience supplying and fabricating fire sprinkler equipment and systems.

Greer has led a company, served as vice president of sales, and was an estimator for more than 20 years in the fire sprinkler industry.

His team of 13 includes experts in fire sprinkler sales, fabrication, welding, estimating and warehousing. Visit winsupplyinc.com.

You don’t have to be a genius.

NFHC Names Benjamin Franklin Fire Writers Award Winners The National Fire Heritage Center (NFHC) has announced the winners of the Benjamin Franklin Fire Writers Awards for 2016.

This award program was created in recognition of Benjamin Franklin’s unique combination of being a writer and publisher and also an advocate for fire protection. Credited with the creation of one of the first fire companies in 1736 in Philadelphia, Franklin went on to become one of our nation’s treasures as a thinker, writer and publisher of international repute. First place was awarded to authors Robert Cole, PhD; Robert Crandall; Carolyn Kourofsky; Daryl Sharp, PhD; Susan Blaakman, MS; and Elizabeth Cole, BS for their handbook Juvenile Fire Setting, a Community Guide to Prevention and Intervention, published by Fire Proof Children. Second place was awarded to the “Play Safe! Be Safe!” program, a multi-faceted, multimedia fire safety education program published by the BIC Corporation. According to Ron Coleman, president of NFHC, “These written materials provide clear evidence that writers, journalists, publishers and printers who have made significant contribution to the sharing of knowledge about society’s fire problem are helping to solve America’s fire problem.” Visit nfhc.org. n

ADVERTISERS

The solution is obvious. Firesprinkler.org is where the Fire Sprinkler industry goes online. You will find the solutions to your education and training needs, technical support and industry news and updates. Membership in the American Fire Sprinkler Association gives you full access to real benefits and services that will fit perfectly in your business plan and increase your productivity and profitability.

Be a Member

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62 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2017

Apply online at firesprinkler.org or call 214-349-5965.

AGF Manufacturing, Inc. 15 Argco 31, 52 BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems 19 Building Reports 3 Bull Moose Industries 17 CST Storage 49 Center for Life Safety Education 44 Easyflex IBC Engineered Corrosion Solutions 13 Ferguson Fire & Fabrication, Inc. 35 Fire Protection Products, Inc. 9 Fire Sprinkler eCampus 47 FlexHead Industries, Inc. 4 GECCO, Inc. 33 Harrington, Inc. 50 Hydro Flow Products, Inc. 41 Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants 48 Metraflex 55 Potter Electric Signal Co. 37 Raimondo Consultants, Inc. 53 Reed Manufacturing Company 54 Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. IFC South-Tek Systems 46 SprinkFlex, LLC 7 Tyco BC U.S. Tool 14 Valmont Tubing 11 Viega/Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. 45 Viking Group 39

Narrower Aisles.

More Commodities.

One Solution.

Maximize product per square foot by going higher and narrower.

Tyco is leading the way with the highest ceiling-only protection (48 feet) for the narrowest aisles (5 feet) and the greatest flexibility of commodities and packaging. Tyco solutions include the highest ceiling-only protection with ESFR sprinklers, low install cost with EC sprinklers, and industry leading valves, all with pure performance.

To find out how we can help future-proof your storage protection, contact your Tyco representative or visit www.tyco-fire.com/Storage

Copyright Š 2016 Tyco Fire Products LP. All rights reserved