Sprinkler Age Nov/Dec 2019

10 AFSA38 IN SAN DIEGO

NOV / DEC 2019

SPRINKLER AGE

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION

VOL 38/06

TED WILLS 2019-2020 AFSA BOARD CHAIR

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SprinklerAge

Vol 38 / 06

November/December 2019

Features 10 | The West Coast Welcomes AFSA38

San Diego Hosts America’s Largest Fire Sprinkler Event

16 | Flammable and Combustible Liquids

What Do We Look For?

18 | Aegis Fire Achieves Quality Contractor Status

AFSA Program Recognizes Excellence and Responsibility

20 | Members Elect 2019-2020 Board of Directors

Ted Wills Elected Chair of the Board

24 | Learning About Sprinklers Through Scholarships

High School and College Students Benefit From Online Contests

25 | Legislative Review 2019

Codes, Standards and Regulations in the U.S. and Canada

34 | Aircraft Hangar Protection Selection

The Effect on Water Supplies

38 | Douse Flammable Liquid Issues

Informal Interpretations Assist Members

42 | Move Over Millennials

Generation Z Comes to the Workplace

44 | Council Elects 2020 Officers

AFSA Manufacturer/Supplier Members Have a Voice

48 | Want to Learn Sprinkler System Layout?

Dates Set for 2020 AFSA Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning Schools

ON THE COVER Ted Wills, Anchor Fire Protection, Inc., Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, has been elected Chair of AFSA’s Board of Directors. Also in this issue: flammable liquids.

6

CHAIR’S MESSAGE

8

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

52 AFSA CHAPTERS 53 NEW MEMBERS 53 U.S. CONSTRUCTION 54 AFSA NEWS 54 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 56 CHAPTER NEWS 58 PRODUCT NEWS 60 PEOPLE IN THE NEWS 61 INDUSTRY NEWS 62

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

50 | Thank You for Your Support!

Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries

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 | November/December 2019 5

CHAIR’S MESSAGE EDITORIAL: 214-349-5965

BY TED WILLS AFSA Chair of the Board

NICOLE DUVALL, Publisher Director of Communications & Social Media, ext. 126; nduvall@firesprinkler.org D’ARCY G. MONTALVO, Editor, ext. 115 dmontalvo@firesprinkler.org ADVERTISING: 214-349-5965 REBECCA HERRING, Communications Coordinator, ext. 134; rherring@firesprinkler.org CIRCULATION : 214-349-5965

As your incoming chair, I look forward to what we can accomplish over the next year. The success of each of our members is of utmost importance to me. When I look at our goals for this upcoming year, they all originate from the assumption that we must always act in the best interest of our members. But before I get into my goals for the year, I want to tell you a little bit about myself and my background.

Like many of you, I started out in fire protection by going into the family business. My father had a mechanical contracting company with a new fire protection division. He put me into that division while I was in high school working in the field with some old school fitters. I quickly learned the value of hard work; in those days, we did not have scissors lifts or schedule 10 pipe. But at the end of the day, even for a young man, there was a sense of accomplishment. I was hooked and never looked back.

REBECCA HERRING, Communications Coordinator, ext. 134; rherring@firesprinkler.org AFSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS TED WILLS, CHAIR 610-754-7836 JACK A. MEDOVICH, FIRST VICE CHAIR 410-787-0639 LINDA M. BIERNACKI, SECOND VICE CHAIR 318-841-0330 PAUL DELORIE, TREASURER 603-432-8221 JEFF PHIFER, SECRETARY 803-438-2994 WAYNE WEISZ, IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR 209-334-9119 DWIGHT BATEMAN, 713-910-3242

I tell that story for a few reasons. First, many of you are in the same place. It’s up to you to carry on your family’s legacy or that of the boss you’re working for who may soon retire. We all understand that the most important thing for the continued success of a company is its employees. When a company has a stable of well-trained and hard-working employees, it can go the distance. It’s why we as an Association focus on enhancing our training and education programs so that each of you can create the best employees possible.

ROD DIBONA, 605-348-2342

Second, learning the business by doing it firsthand was the best education I ever received.

Where else can you learn a trade, customer service, accounting, delivering a quality product, and the ethic of hard work, all at once? It’s why we ought to be advocating even more for the importance of trades in our country and the success our high school graduates can achieve by going into them.

EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS

As for goals for this year: First, the training of our members comes first. I wish we had the robust training programs around when I first began in the sprinkler trade. It would’ve saved a lot of early headaches. But I’m proud when I see the hard work that our trainers and members put into the programs and the great results they get out of them. This means a safer product, better-trained employees, and an overall improved reputation for our association and industry.

Second, recruitment of outside companies and new members. We are only as strong as our members. There are companies out there that don’t participate in AFSA or the training that we offer. It’s our goal to change that so that we may invite them in and provide the excellent support and training that we’re known for.

Third, sound fiscal discipline. Your membership dues are the lifeblood of our organization.

It is my goal that your Board of Directors will make decisions that benefit all members with your dues.

I cannot achieve any of these goals without help from each of you. I want to hear your ideas and suggestions, please email me (twills@anchorfireprotection.com) or find me at our next meeting or convention. This organization is for you, and I am here to serve as your chair. I look forward to what we can achieve this year and beyond together. n 6 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

LYLE HALL, 858-513-4949 R. DONALD (DON) KAUFMAN, 505-884-2447 CHRIS JOHNSON, 727-581-9339 MICHAEL F. (MIKE) MEEHAN, 757-213-3660 JAY STRICKLAND, 301-474-1136

DEBRA N. McGUIRE, MBA, IOM, CAE AFSA President & CEO DONALD D. (DON) BECKER JOSEPH A. (JOE) HEINRICH ROBERT W. (BOB) REES MANNING J. STRICKLAND, SR. WILLIE R. TEMPLIN LAWRENCE J. (LARRY) THIBODEAU JOHN F. (JACK) VIOLA 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.

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.

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

BY DEBRA N. MCGUIRE, MBA, IOM, CAE AFSA President & CEO

Continuing Our Journey As the late David Bowie’s “Changes” lyrics reverberated throughout the ballroom as I entered the stage where our General Session was taking place on October 3 at AFSA38 in San Diego, it was almost ethereal that one word could possibly encapsulate all that our Association has experienced since 2018. However, it most certainly did!

In remarks made to more than 550 members who were in attendance that afternoon, I had the privilege of sharing our story, referencing many of the changes that our Association has tackled since the beginning of the year while thanking those most responsible for doing the groundwork necessary for change to be able to occur. Our goal is to respect tradition, build on our foundation, and create our future.

AFSA endeavors to maintain relevance in an evolving world to achieve its organizational mission; however, change must happen.

During the past year, several transformations occurred—and are continuing to develop—thereby setting the stage for the next part of our exciting journey in 2020.

2018-2019 Achievements Provide Springboard for 2020 Acknowledging some of the key changes, challenges, and accomplishments that have occurred during the past year provides a springboard from which AFSA can launch into the New Year: • Finances. As reflected in our year-end financial statements filed in 2019 for Fiscal Year 2018, AFSA improved and strengthened its bottom line, ending the year in a favorable position. This work continues into 2020 through an intentional effort to optimize the use of funds, while being more transparent to our members and other stakeholders.

• Operations. Your Association took an introspective look at the way things were being run and examined how things could operate differently to achieve desired outcomes as AFSA approaches its 40th year. This has resulted in some restructuring of the organization, including a few changes in personnel and our daily operations, with a greater emphasis on teamwork, accountability and efficiency. A special shout out to Marlene Garrett, CMP, our VP of Program Operations & Educational Services, and LaVerne Davis, MSA, our VP of Finance & Administration, who both played key support roles during this transitional stage as the Board oversaw changes in leadership.

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• Governance. To ensure that “form follows function” and that your elected leaders have the tools and support needed to listen to our membership, embrace the principles of the merit shop fire sprinkler industry, and make informed decisions that will propel our Association forward in the years ahead, the Board began the process of reviewing AFSA’s governance structure. Beginning in 2020, AFSA’s newly elected Chair Ted Wills is realigning committees and task forces to more specifically address the Association’s needs while reducing duplication and making better use of volunteers’ time.

• Membership. Greater opportunities for involvement and networking have occurred through AFSA’s 31 chapters and two state-affiliated organizations, as well as our highly ranked training and educational programs. Continuing to grow membership and enhance the membership experience in 2020 are key charges for our Membership, Grants, & Chapter Development Committees and AFSA’s experienced Membership, Communications and Marketing staff, being led by our new VP of Membership & Communications Elizabeth Messner, CAE, IOM [see related article on page 54].

(Continued on page 62)

Celebrating Our Accomplishments For 38 years, AFSA’s members, elected leaders, volunteers, staff, and other stakeholders have come together in support of our Association’s principles and mission. This past year is no exception, as AFSA applauds their many contributions, including: • Being at the table with legislators and other governmental entities to share merit shop fire sprinkler contractors’ views and suggestions relative to licensing issues.

• Continuing to be the leader in North America in fire sprinkler fitter training with 35,000-plus courses sold since 1981.

• Training an additional 114 students through AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School just since last October.

• Enhancing our industry’s first ITM Inspector Development Program by supplementing training provided by many of AFSA’s Associates while managing growing demand. In its fourth year, our students are averaging 89 percent first-time pass rates on the five NICET Inspection & Testing exams for Levels I and II. • Educating more than 3,000 employees of member companies on a wide range of topics offered through AFSA webinars over the past 12 months.

• Funding $25,000 worth of scholarships to students through AFSA’s scholarship programs, plus $5,000 to two college students majoring in fire protection engineering at the University of Maryland and Oklahoma State University, offered through scholarships funded via AFSA’s Center for Life Safety Education. Your generous donations are also funding an endowment of $50,000 at the University of Maryland for fire protection engineers.

• Gaining greater recognition on the national front by having AFSAmember representation on 24 committees addressing standards and codes at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), helping draft and review questions for the Society of Fire Protection Engineers’ exam, and NFPA’s Certified Water-Based Systems Professional Certification program.

• As a founding member of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, AFSA retains a seat on the Board to educate and advocate for residential fire sprinklers as well as provide input on the planning and execution of activities for Home Fire Sprinkler Week in May.

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The West Coast Welcomes AFSA38 San Diego Hosts America’s Largest Fire Sprinkler Event REBECCA HERRING | American Fire Sprinkler Association

The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) 38th annual AFSA38: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition was held October 1-4 in San Diego, California. The beautiful weather and relaxed atmosphere of the Golden State offered the perfect backdrop for the annual “education vacation.” Nearly 1,500 fire sprinkler professionals and officials gathered at the Manchester Grand Hyatt for unrivaled educational seminars, stellar networking opportunities, and exciting social events!

AFSA convention attendees packed in for an exciting general session. At the session AFSA Immediate Past Chair Wayne Weisz, Cen-Cal Systems, Inc., Lodi, California, presented this year’s Henry S. Parmelee Award to Manning Strickland, Sr., Strickland Fire Protection, Inc., Forestville, Maryland. (See related article in September/October 2019 issue of Sprinkler Age). Legislative Committee Chair and incoming Chair of the Board Ted Wills, Anchor Fire Protection, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, presented the 2019 Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year Award to Amy Acton, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, Grand Rapids, Michigan. While Acton could not be in attendance due to a conflict with the Phoenix Society’s annual World Burn Congress in Anaheim, California, she sent in a heartfelt thank you that was viewed at the general session. Finally, NextGen Initiative Chair Meaghan Wills also of Anchor Fire Protection presented the fourth annual Young Professional of the Year award to Stuart Weeks, American Fire Protection Inc.,

AFSA Chair of the Board Wayne Weisz (right) presented the 2019 Henry S. Parmelee Award to Manning Strickland.

10 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

Greenville, South Carolina. (See related articles in the July/ August 2019 issue of Sprinkler Age). Additionally, AFSA was proud to donate $5,000 to two worthy charities, Homes For Our Troops and Warrior Foundation Freedom Station, on behalf of AFSA38 attendees. Representatives from these organizations came to thank AFSA members for their support as well as explain more about the important work they are doing.

Learn and Earn AFSA38 featured 39 seminars offering a total of 71 CEU credits offering subjects on five tracks including install/design, ITM, business management, supervisory training, and next generation. These seminars covered topics from field and supervisory training to updates to the technical codes and standards, and even strategies for growing your business.

In addition to these seminars AFSA was proud to offer NextGen Day on Wednesday, October 3. A day packed full of seminars geared toward the under-40 members of the fire sprinkler industry, NextGen Day provided seminars and a panel to answer many questions under 40s find themselves facing in the workplace. The day of NextGen programming was capped off by a mentor mixer. The mixer, which was open to all AFSA38 attendees who RSVP’d for the event, provided an opportunity to learn more about the newly launched AFSA Mentor Program while networking with fellow attendees and signing up to join the program all while enjoying stunning views of the bay.

AFSA NextGen Chair Meaghen Wills presented Stewart Weeks the 2019 Young Professional of the Year Award.

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This page clockwise from top left: The National Apprentice Competition (NAC) winners celebrate at SeaWorld. Keith Kanie, Birdy Hall, and Lyle Hall enjoy the festivities at SeaWorld San Diego. Industry professionals aged 40 and under visited at the NextGen Mentor Mixer. Electric Eel roller coaster was a highlight of the Awards Party! Joe Headrick celebrates his NAC win with the Rapid Fire Protection family. Dwight and Leah Bateman enjoyed their evening at SeaWorld. Carla and Greg Dittenber celebrated at the Awards Party. AFSA38 attendees wrapped up an exciting week at SeaWorld San Diego.

12 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

Top photo: Apprenticeship & Education Committee Co-Chair Rod DiBona introduced the seven finalists for the NAC. Middle photos: One hundred and nine companies participated in the 2019 exhibition. Bottom photo: AFSA’s NextGen Initiative (NGI) workgroup enjoyed a half day of seminars and a Mentor Mixer in the evening.

Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 13

Exhibit Hall Excitement With 109 exhibiting companies, AFSA38’s exhibition hall was bustling on Thursday evening during its Grand Opening Reception. After the annual exhibitor appreciation hour, AFSA’s exhibitors networked with contractors as they began to explore the 2019 AFSA exhibit hall. Spirits were high as guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres while networking and enjoying displays of the newest industry products and services.

On Friday, contractors, guests, and invited Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) explored the exhibit hall once more while also viewing the live National Apprentice Competition. Spectators looked on while AFSA’s top seven fire sprinkler apprentices vied for the title of champion during the installation portion of the competition featured in the exhibit hall.

For the 26th year in a row, AFSA also offered on Friday to local AHJs a free plan review seminar as well as an opportunity to enjoy the industry’s largest exhibition. Nearly 40 AHJs attended AFSA’s annual “AHJ Day” to learn and network with industry professionals. The AHJ-only seminars proved once again to be an invaluable experience for the AHJs in attendance.

National Apprentice Competition On the second day of exhibits onlookers packed into the exhibit hall to watch as AFSA’s seven top apprentices competed for the title of number one fire sprinkler fitter in the Nation during AFSA’s 26th Annual National Apprentice Competition. The competition not only provides a chance for the apprentices to show their skills live, but for them to promote apprentice training and receive as apprentices who are actively participating in the AFSA Apprenticeship program.

SeaWorld Soiree AFSA38 ended with the annual Awards Party at SeaWorld San Diego. AFSA guests had exclusive access to the Wild Arctic Exhibit featuring belugas, sea lions, walruses, and penguins, as well as the Electric Eel, a multi-launch coaster with high energy twists and electifying loops. But the most anticipated feature of the party was the announcement of the 36th annual National Apprentice Competition champion. Joe Headrick of Rapid Fire Protection, Inc., in Bismarck, North Dakota won first place as well as a cash prize of $5,000. Ricky Sutter of JPI Development Group, Inc., Murrieta, California, won second place and a $3,000 cash prize, while Federico Martinez, Jr. with

Photos,top left and down: Amy Acton, AFSA’s Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year was unable to attend AFSA38 but sent a video acceptance speech. Manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors networked and viewed the latest products and services during AFSA38. The exhibit hall was open Thursday evening for the Chairman’s Grand Opening Reception and then Friday afternoon for exhibit viewing and the installation portion of the National Apprentice Competition. AFSA’s NextGen Initiative presented a panel discussion on “Solving the Skilled Labor Problem.”

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Western Fire Protection, Inc., Poway, California, took home third place along with a cash prize of $2,000. (Look for an in-depth feature on our 2019 National Apprentice Competition champion in the January/February 2020 issue of Sprinkler Age).

See You in Orlando Don’t miss the action! Mark your calendars for AFSA39: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition September 13-16, 2020 at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. For more information on this or next year’s conventions, visit firesprinkler.org/AFSA39. To view additional photos of the action, visit AFSA’s Flickr photo page at flickr.com/afsa. n

Photos, from top right and clockwise: Marine Corporal Jon Schumacher representing Homes for our Troops, AFSA Member Relations Specialist Amy Sweeney, and AFSA Sacramento Valley Chapter Executive Director Paulene Norwood visit at the AFSA booth in the exhibit hall. AFSA’s M/S Council sponsored Payne Mason Cigars for Friday’s exhibit hall attendees. AFSA President & CEO Debra McGuire and AFSA Board Member and Membership & Chapter Development Committee Chair Linda Biernacki spoke at the Chapter Leadership Conference. The exhibit hall displayed the latest products and services for the fire sprinkler industry.

Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 15

Flammable and Combustible Liquids What Do We Look For? JACK VIOLA, P.E. | JFV Engineering, LLC

As a fire sprinkler contractor, one of the most challenging aspects of protecting any property is when flammable and/or combustible liquids are proposed to be used, stored, or handled within a facility.

Flammable and combustible liquids are defined and categorized based on their flash points. NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, defines flash point as: “The minimum temperature of a liquid at which sufficient vapor is given off to form an ignitable mixture with the air, near the surface of the liquid or within the vessel used…” Examples of flash points for certain liquids that are recognizable to us include: • Gasoline -45°F • Diesel #2 126°F • Jet Fuel 100°F • Kerosene 100-162° F Flammable liquids are defined in NFPA 30 as, “Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point below 100 degrees F…” Combustible liquids are defined as, “Any liquid that has a closed-cup flash point be at or above 100 degrees F…” From the example list above, Gasoline is clearly a flammable liquid and Diesel Fuel #2 is a combustible liquid.

Lower flash points result in more volatility and stricter fire protection requirements. It is important to note that flash points for various liquids can vary somewhat from one source to another, but generally only within a few degrees of each other. As fire sprinkler contractors, how do we go about designing a fire protection sprinkler system that will provide a reasonable and appropriate protection for this hazard?

Sometimes the fire sprinkler design is given to us by an engineer, other times we need to search for the answer based on information we obtain from various sources. However, in my experience, the most reliable information comes from the end user. The end user is going to know more about the proposed facility than anyone else.

When determining the sprinkler design, it is helpful and generally in the best interest of the sprinkler contractor to seek out those who will be intricately involved in the final operation. To that end, in order to ensure the proper protection of a facility it is extremely helpful to call for a meeting of all the stakeholders involved in the project including the owner’s representatives, architects, engineers of record, installers, Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and insurance carriers. A meeting held prior to the design of the sprinkler system will get everyone on the same page and allow for 16 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

valuable input from each of the stakeholders who have a vested interest in a positive outcome.

In general, there are several steps that you need to take in order to obtain the information in order to make an educated and informed decision as to what type of fire protection is needed: • Speak to the operations manager or owner of the facility to get a complete inventory list of all the chemicals along with the respective SDS (Safety Data Sheets) aka MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets). This list and the Safety Data Sheets contain valuable information as it relates to the occupational safety and health for the use of these products. SDS sheets contain sixteen (16) sections that explain and identify the product with respect to its chemical composition and its resultant effect on the environment, the people, and use of the product. Of importance to the sprinkler contractor: Section 5 – Fire Fighting Measures, Section 9 – Physical and Chemical Properties, and Section 16 – NFPA Hazard Ratings and HMIS Hazard Ratings (Hazard Materials Identification System).

• Section 5 lists suitable and unsuitable extinguishing media: For instance, Section 5 may indicate the use of dry chemical, foam, CO2, or water spray. This section helps to determination the type of fire protection system that will be needed to provide a reasonable degree of protection for life and property from fire.

• Section 9 lists the physical and chemical properties of the product. Within this section, you will almost always find flash point, water solubility, specific gravity, and ignition temperature.

• Section 16 lists the flammability of the product based on a rating system as mentioned above. Ratings are listed from 0 – 4 going from minimal hazard to severe hazard.

• Classify and categorize the chemicals in accordance with NFPA 30. For example, Flammable liquids are categorized into sub-classifications such as for Flammable Liquids Class IA, IB, and IC; and for Combustible Liquids Class II, IIIA or IIIB. All these classifications are based on the flash points of the liquids found in Section 9 of the SDS information.

• Identify the type, size, and material composition of vessels and/ or containers, height of storage, and storage configuration.

These are critical factors in the design and installation of the fire protection system.

• Identify and understand the process or facility operational plan to determine the potential effects of heat, pressure, and handling of the chemicals involved.

It is important to note that amounts of flammable and combustible liquids are allowed in certain buildings that are kept under a specified quantity in accordance with sections of NFPA 30 and the International Building Code (IBC). These occupancies include: Assembly; Ambulatory; Business; Day Care; Detention and Correctional; Educational; Health Care; and Residential. Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ) is defined as, “ ... the quantity of flammable and combustible liquid permitted in a control area.”

These maximum quantities are allowed so that occupancies with lesser amounts can be built and operated based on the predominant occupancy classification of the building. Generally, in these types of occupancies containing MAQ’s depending on the category of a liquid, an NFPA 13 system may be deemed as reasonable and adequate if the building is protected throughout.

Extra Hazard Groups 1 and 2 systems as defined in NFPA 13 allow for amounts of flammable and combustible liquids: • Extra Hazard (Group 1) occupancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions of other occupancies where the quantity and combustibility of contents are very high and dust, lint, or other materials are present, introducing the probability of rapidly developing fires with high rates of heat release but with little or no combustible or flammable liquids.

• Extra Hazard (Group 2) occupancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions of other occupancies with moderate to substantial amounts of flammable or combustible liquids or occupancies where shielding or combustibles is extensive.

16.4.1 (a), 16.4.1 (b), and 16.4.1 (c). These figures direct the user to various tables that depict the requirements for liquid storage under various storage configurations.

In conclusion, this article touches upon some of the aspects leading up to determining fundamental safeguards for the storage, handling, and use of flammable and combustible liquids. The more the designer understands the end user’s operation, the better the chances of choosing the right system for the job. Getting involved in a project in the early stages is vital to your success. Getting to meet with the stakeholders who have a vested interest in getting it right is equally important to achieving a final positive result. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jack Viola, FPE, is president of JFV Engineering, LLC in South Hadley, Massachusetts. He was instrumental in the formation of AFSA, was on its initial Board of Directors, and has served as Chairman of AFSA’s Board of Directors and on numerous AFSA committees. Viola has experience in all phases of the sprinkler business, starting as an apprentice, then moving on to project manager, sales manager, and designer with a NICET Level IV Certification. He was owner and president of HFP Fire Sprinkler Corporation of Westfield, Massachusetts, until its sale in 2008. He currently is an NFPA representative on the NFPA 13D, 13R and 15 committees, and is a member of the Massachusetts Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians, and Sprinkler Fitters. Viola is currently a Massachusetts registered Fire Protection Engineer.

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 present the official position of the NFPA and its Technical Committee.

It is apparent the NFPA committees intended to allow some subjectivity when determining what is deemed to be “little or no” relating to Extra Hazard Group 1 and “moderate to substantial” amounts of flammable or combustible liquids relating to Extra Hazard Group 2. The fact remains that certain amounts of flammable and combustible liquids may be protected by NFPA 13 sprinkler systems under certain conditions.

So now that we have some of the basics explained, where do we go from here when the quantities exceed the maximum allowable quantities or fall outside the parameters of NFPA 13?

The standard that provides guidance when storing, using, or handling flammable and combustible liquids is NFPA 30. There are many chapters dealing with the many facets of protecting these liquids. Much of the standard explains what is needed to manage the fire prevention effort and fire risk control. Eliminating ignition hazards, providing adequate security, and managing emergency planning and training are just a few examples of the many sections that provide an all—encompassing approach to the overall protection scenario. Most of these, however, are usually outside the scope of the sprinkler contractor but should not be ignored.

Chapter 16 of the current edition of NFPA 30, 2018 provides the type of guidance that sprinkler contractors would need to review when determining the appropriate automatic fire protection for inside liquid storage areas. The chapter contains explicit criteria for designing the system to protect the occupancy. To this end, there are three very helpful fire protection decision trees illustrated in figures Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 17

Aegis Fire Achieves Quality Contractor Status AFSA Program Recognizes Excellence and Responsibility The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has awarded Quality Contractor recognition to Aegis Fire Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, California. The Quality Contractor (QC) program was launched to publicly recognize and honor fire sprinkler contracting firms that have documented their commitment in four key areas of corporate responsibility: safety, training, quality of life (employee benefits), and industry and community relations. A company that meets the criteria set forth in the program is formally designated a “Quality Contractor” by AFSA. “I congratulate Aegis Fire on achieving the designation of Quality Contractor comments AFSA Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Communications Liz Messner, CAE, IOM. “They join other companies who are also committed to safety and training for employees to achieve excellence in their workplace and in the industry.”

All eligible members are invited to apply for the Quality Contractor recognition. It is for AFSA Contractor members to be recognized for their effort in growing companies that produce quality work by providing a work environment that promotes excellence and responsibility in all its AFSA Quality Contractors (as of 11/1/2019)

Aegis Fire Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, CA Aero Automatic Sprinkler, Phoenix, AZ Anchor Fire Protection Co., Perkiomenville, PA Carolina Fire Protection, Inc., Dunn, NC Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc., Lodi, CA Commonwealth Fire Protection, Leola, PA Crawford Sprinkler Co. of SC, Inc., Lugoff, SC Diamond Automatic Sprinklers, Inc., Mt. Holly Springs, PA Eagle Fire, Inc., Richmond, VA Fire Engineering Co., Inc., Salt Lake City, UT Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, LA Inland Fire Protection, Inc., Yakima, WA Kaufman Fire Protection, Albuquerque, NM Mr. Sprinkler Fire Protection, Roseville, CA Performance Fire Protection, LLC, Mooresville, NC S & S Sprinkler Co., LLC, Mobile, AL Sentry Fire Protection Co., Inc., Asheboro, NC Southeast Fire Protection, LP, Houston, TX Strickland Fire Protection, Inc., Forestville, MD Sunland Fire Protection, Inc., High Point, NC VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Ashland, VA Western Fire Protection, Inc, Poway, CA Western Fire Protection, Inc., Yuma, AZ 18 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

employees. Benefits of becoming a Quality Contractor include: improved company morale and productivity, proof of having met the highest industry standards, high impact marketing tool to general contractors and building owners, authorizations to use QC recognition in bid documents, and can use Quality Contractor recognition and logo on company letterhead.

“Aegis Fire recognizes the enormous benefit and competitive advantage that AFSA programs and services provide to us and the fire sprinkler industry at large,” comments Aegis President Tom McKinnon. “Having quality AFSA products and services in our ‘toolbox’ has greatly enhanced our ability to train, mentor, and grow remarkably competent individuals such as Aegis’ COO Dave Karrick.”

McKinnon continues: “I owe a great deal of gratitude to all of the AFSA contractors, associates, vendors (both past and present), and staff for coming together, creating, and maintaining such an amazing organization.”

In addition to national and local recognition and promotion, contractors that receive this designation are allowed to use the QC recognition logo in bid documents, letterhead, business cards, brochures, and jobsite signs. Quality Contractor members may also use the program as a human resources tool by featuring the designation in job advertisements, including it as part of the employee handbook, and using it to develop benchmarks in quality, safety, education, employee benefits, industry image, and community activities. AFSA’s QC recognition program is similar to programs developed by other industry trade groups that reward their members who pursue a higher level of professionalism and is not an accreditation or certification program. The Quality Contractor Recognition Award remains in effect for three years from the date the recognition is awarded. To learn more and to download the QC application, visit https://www.firesprinkler. org/quality. n

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The members of the 2019-2020 Executive Committee are (l to r): Chair Ted Wills; First Vice Chair Jack Medovich, P.E.; Second Vice Chair Linda Biernacki; Secretary Jeff Phifer; Treasurer Paul DeLorie; and Immediate Past Chair Wayne Weisz.

Members Elect 2019-2020 Board of Directors Ted Wills Elected Chair of the Board D’ARCY MONTALVO | American Fire Sprinkler Association

The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) held its 2019-2020 officer elections during the October 2019 Board meeting at AFSA38: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in San Diego, California. Ted Wills, president of Anchor Fire Protection Company, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, was elected as Chair of the Board. Other officers elected were: At-Large Director and First Vice Chair Jack Medovich, P.E., senior vice president, Fire & Life Safety America, Hanover, Maryland; At-Large Director and Second Vice Chair Linda M. Biernacki, president, Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, Louisiana; Region 5 Director and Secretary Jeff Phifer, president and CEO of Crawford Sprinkler Co. of South Carolina; and Region 7 Director and Treasurer Paul DeLorie, senior vice president of Hampshire Fire Protection Company, Londonderry, New Hampshire. In addition, Chris Johnson, president and CEO Piper Fire Protection, Inc., Sarasota, Florida, was elected to the Board as an At-Large Director.

A New Decade, A New Chair Newly elected Chair of the Board for 2020, Wills was an active member of 20 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

AFSA in its early years, serving on the AFSA Board of Directors from 1987-1993. He began his fire sprinkler industry career in 1972 in the sprinkler division of his father’s mechanical company. Upon graduation from Waynesburg College in Pennsylvania, he and his father started Anchor Fire Protection as a separate company.

“The success of each of our members is of utmost importance to me,” comments Wills. “Training, recruitment, and sound fiscal discipline are some of my goals as Chair of the AFSA Board. I look forward to what we can achieve this year and beyond.”

Wills has several areas of interest during his tenure as AFSA Chair of the Board. “Training is our foundation and of utmost importance for our members, and AFSA offers the best programs in the industry. Second, we need to focus on continually growing our membership as we are only as strong as our numbers. Finally, AFSA needs to continue as a financially sound association and be financially responsible with our members’ dues,” Wills notes. “I am proud to serve as your Chairman, and look forward to a

productive year ahead. I welcome any and all of our members to reach out to me or any member of our Board with questions and comments.”

New At-Large Director AFSA members have elected Chris Johnson, president and CEO of Piper Fire Protection, Inc. located in Clearwater, FloriChris Johnson da, as a new At-Large Director for the association. He is a NICETcertified fire protection engineer, holding a Level III certification in fire sprinkler design.

Johnson became president and CEO in 2002. During that time, Piper Fire has grown to employ over 220 team members and expanding its services throughout Florida’s West Coast.

Piper Fire was a member of AFSA when Johnson started with his father’s company, and he became active in the local AFSA Florida Chapter in 2011. He has been chapter chair for the past three years.

Lyle Hall

Don Kaufman

Rod DiBona

Dwight Bateman

Mike Meehan

“I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to give back to this industry that has supported my family for generations,” Johnson says. “My passions and interests in our industry are workforce development and legislative issues.”

trades, specifically AFSA’s apprenticeship and training opportunities.

AFSA is the national leader in merit-shop training and apprenticeship. I am just honored to serve in any way our leadership needs to further our mission.”

Johnson chairs the Florida Chapter’s Legislative Committee and also serves as vice chair of ABC’s Florida Gulfcoast Chapter and is a member of its Apprenticeship Committee. Johnson also represents the fire sprinkler industry on the Florida Construction Workforce Consortium which is a taskforce established to help promote the construction trades as a viable career for all Florida residents from school aged to adult.

Directors for 2019-2020 The AFSA Board of Directors is comprised of seven Regional Directors (one for each of the seven membership regions), At-Large Directors, and the Immediate Past Chair. The Board has a wide array of expertise, experience, and education that provides strong support to both the Chair and the association as a whole.

In addition to serving on AFSA’s Public Education & Awareness and Membership & Chapter Development committees, Johnson will also co-chair the Convention Committee with Don Kaufman as planning begins for AFSA39 in Orlando, Florida.

“I am super excited to work with Don and our AFSA team to put together an amazing event for next year,” comments Johnson. “I love attending our annual convention, exhibition, and apprentice competition and I hope all of our Florida contractors will come out to join us!”

Johnson continues: “I love this industry and I hope to be able to continue promoting it through my role as a Director on the AFSA National Board. I hope to be able to impact the national conversation with regards to workforce development and promotion of the construction

Jay Strickland

Regional Directors Region 1 Director Lyle Hall, president and co-owner of Western Fire Protection in Poway, California, has been in the fire sprinkler industry for 40 years, with the last 24 years at Western Fire.

Hall started in the fire sprinkler industry as an apprentice pipe fitter and worked his way into design, project management, sales and eventually management.

“The industry as a whole has experienced solid growth over the last few years,” comments Hall. “In response to that, the AFSA has really ‘stepped up its game.’ We have added staff in response to this growth and to better

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serve our contractors’ needs. The Apprenticeship & Education committee has taken on new and exciting projects and is updating existing programs. The future looks very bright for our association and I can’t wait to get started in 2020!”

Region 2 Director is Don Kaufman, president of Kaufman Fire Protection, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

With over 42 years in the sprinkler business, Kaufman was instrumental in starting AFSA’s New Mexico Chapter and is a past president of the chapter.

Region 3 Director Rod DiBona is the executive vice president and a partner of Rapid Fire Protection, with offices throughout the western United States and headquarters in Rapid City, South Dakota. DiBona entered the fire protection industry in 1990 as a shop employee of Prairie Fire Protection. He then entered the AFSA apprenticeship program in 1991 and

started working in the field. In October of 1993 he was asked by Marty Hammon to join him, his son, and son-in-law to create Rapid Fire Protection.

“I am excited about the future of AFSA and the future of our industry,” states DiBona. “As a group of contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers we have come a long way. We must remain humble and nimble to capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead of us and I am confident that this group will do exactly that.”

Region 4 Director Dwight E. Bateman is founder and president of Southeast Fire Protection, Inc. in Houston, and is a past Chair of the Board. Beginning his career as vice president of Semico International, Inc., a fire sprinkler contractor, Bateman has 42-plus years of experience in the industry. He opened Southeast Fire Protection in 1986 and joined AFSA in 1989.

Region 5 Director and Secretary of the Board Jeff Phifer is president and CEO of Crawford Sprinkler Company of South Carolina, based in Lugoff, South Carolina, one of the oldest family-owned and continuously operated fire sprinkler contractors in the nation. Phifer has been working at Crawford for 42 years, working as a fitter, service technician, and in administration. In 1999, he became the third generation to be president and chairman of the board at Crawford Sprinkler Company.

Region 6 Director Michael (Mike) F. Meehan is president and a co-owner of VSC Fire & Security, Virginia Beach, Virginia. A 1981 graduate from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, Meehan began his fire sprinkler career working summers as a pipe fitter apprentice. He is a NICET Level IV Certified Engineering Technician in Water-Based (formerly Automatic Sprinkler) Systems Layout and has more than 37 years’ experience in sprinkler design engineering, estimating, project management, and senior management.

22 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

From l to r: At AFSA38, Immediate Past Chair of the Board Wayne Weisz was recognized for his service to AFSA and then passed the torch to 2019-2020 Chair of the Board Ted Wills.

Region 7 Director and Treasurer of the Board Paul DeLorie is senior vice president of Hampshire Fire Protection Co., based in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Hampshire Fire Protection is one of the largest merit shop fire sprinkler companies in New England. DeLorie is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire. He has over 35 years’ experience in sprinkler design, estimating, sales, project management, and senior management.

At-Large Directors At-Large Director and Second Vice Chair of the Board Linda M. Biernacki is founder and president of Fire Tech Systems, Inc. in Shreveport, Louisiana. With over 29 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 WaterBased Systems Layout.

At-Large Director and First Vice Chair Jack A. Medovich, P.E., is senior vice president and founding partner of Fire & Life Safety America, formerly known as East Coast Fire Protection Inc., in Hanover, Maryland. A 1983 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Fire Protection Engineering, Medovich served three years

as fire marshal of Fairfax County, Virginia, before joining the fire sprinkler industry 32 years ago.

“As the economy continues to remain strong, our continued focus at AFSA in 2020 will be to train members in an attempt to offset the labor shortage we continue to face as an industry,” states Medovich. “Our Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance (ITM) curriculum is second to none and creates a NICET Level II certified inspector in just 20 months, while our apprenticeship program continues to be our bread and butter!”

Jay Strickland is entering his second year as At-Large Director. He is president of Strickland Fire Protection and co-owner with his two sons, Josh and Micah Strickland. Strickland Fire Protection is located in Forrestville, Maryland, and was established in 1983. Strickland has been involved in the fire protection industry since 1983. He is a past chair of the AFSA

Chesapeake Bay Chapter and serves on the Advisory Board for BB&T of Prince Georges County, Maryland. He is NICET Level II, Fire Protection, Water-Based System Layout.

Immediate Past Chair of the Board Wayne Weisz, president of Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc., Lodi, California, started his career as an apprentice in 1979 and worked his way up through the ranks to foreman and later general superintendent at American Fire Systems in Lodi, California. In 1986, Weisz and his brother Byron founded Cen-Cal Fire Systems. Weisz has been on the AFSA national Board since 2005.

Ex-Officio (non-voting) members of the Board are Don Becker, AFSA Life Member, Dallas Center, Iowa; Joe Heinrich; Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co., Inc., Salina, Kansas; Bob Rees, API, High Point, North Carolina; Manning Strickland, Strickland Fire Protection, Inc., Forrestville, Maryland; Willie Templin, American Automatic Sprin-

kler, Fort Worth, Texas; Larry Thibodeau, Hampshire Fire Protection Co., LLC, Londonderry, New Hampshire; Jack Viola, JFV Engineering, LLC, South Hadley, Massachusetts; and AFSA President & CEO Debra M. McGuire, MBA, IOM, CAE. Here to Serve You AFSA’s Board of Directors is strongly committed to the continuance of the merit shop philosophy, the promotion of property and life safety through the use of automatic fire protection, and the continued development of training for fire sprinkler fitters, layout technicians, inspectors, and management. AFSA members are encouraged to voice any questions, concerns or suggestions with any member of the Board or staff. If you have a question or comment, please select the member you wish to contact from the list located in the front of every issue of Sprinkler Age or on the AFSA website at firesprinkler.org/board. n

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Learning About Sprinklers Through Scholarships High School and College Students Benefit From Online Contests Since its creation in 1996, the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Scholarship Contest has sought to promote the scholarship outside of the fire sprinkler industry in the hope of reaching students who may otherwise never have recognized the importance of automatic fire protection. Now entering its 24th year, the AFSA only scholarship program continues to grow, attracting over 226,000 unique visitors to its website AFSAscholarship.org thus far in 2019. Each year, a total of $25,000 is awarded through this public awareness campaign to 10 lucky graduating high school seniors and five college/trade school students as they pursue their higher education goals.

Scholarships for Seniors For the high school senior contest, applicants must be a current high school senior planning to attend an accredited U.S. college, university or trade school in the coming Fall. Applicants are required to read a passage about fire sprinklers— which describes their history, how they operate to save lives and property, and the types of careers that are available in the industry—and take an eight-question reading comprehension test. For each question answered correctly, the student receives one entry into a drawing for one of 10 $2,000 scholarships. A total of eight entries per applicant into the drawing are possible.

The winners were randomly selected from 70,387 students who entered to receive a one-time $2,000 AFSA scholarship payable to their respective college, university or trade school. The 10 national winners for 2019 are: Julia Ahern, San Diego, California; Rose Cross, Hoagland, Indiana; Alexandra Dagdag, Middle River, Maryland; Anna Evans, Denver, Colorado; Abigail 24 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

Hershman, LeClaire, Iowa; Elor Mayan, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Travis McGregor, Kensington, Maryland; Zuri Reaves-Thomas, Snellville, Georgia; Morgan Roegner, Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and Taryn Thompson-Garner, Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Winner Rose Cross admits she didn’t know much about fire sprinklers except that “they were important to have in public buildings.” After entering AFSA’s contest, she says, “I think that fire sprinklers should be required for every building, whether the building is open to the public or not. If one can’t afford a fire sprinkler system, it should be provided by the government.” Cross is attending Purdue University and studying political science.

Travis McGregor knew “almost nothing” about fire sprinklers before entering the contest. And now? “I think that the technology behind them is incredible, and allows for incredibly localized fire prevention to prevent fires from spreading.” McGregor is attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute majoring in aerospace engineering and minoring in astrophysics.

After reading the information provided within the contest’s “test,” Morgan Roegner notes that, “Now that I have researched [sprinklers], I know how they work as well as how they help to stop fires from spreading. I believe that fire sprinklers are very important to keeping everyone safe in both residential and commercial buildings. This scholarship will allow me to pay for my education and go on to medical school to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.”

Second Chance Scholarships Applicants for the second chance contest

must reside in the United States, hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, and be enrolled at or accepted to a college/university or certified trade school. The winners of this scholarship were randomly selected from 27,503 who entered to receive a one-time AFSA scholarship payable to their respective college, university or trade school.

Second chance students follow the same rules and procedures as the high school senior students for entering. For each question answered correctly, the student receives one entry into a drawing for one of the scholarships. A total of eight entries per applicant into the drawing are possible.

The five second chance winners for the 2019 contest are: Trinity Casillas, San Antonio, Texas; Josh Jinning, Tucson, Arizona; Nathan Rubingh, Lansing, Michigan; Ivy Wang, Marlboro, New Jersey; and Zamir Waheed, Plano, Texas.

Winner Josh Jinning learned that, “Fire sprinklers are a very helpful tool that have been overlooked and misunderstood.” He is attending the University of Arizona and studying astronomy.

Zamir Waheed is studying mechanical engineering at the University of Oklahoma and says fire sprinklers are “brilliantly designed and very useful and can save lives if used.”

Students Enter Online Both contests are being offered in 2019-2020.

The high school senior contest is currently open now until April 1, 2020.

The second chance contest will open on April 1, 2020. AFSA scholarships are open to U.S. citizens or legal residents and are not based on financial need. For details or to apply for either scholarship, visit afsascholarship.org. n

Legislative Review 2019 Codes, Standards and Regulations in the U.S. and Canada This issue of Sprinkler Age features our 32nd annual legislative review. This summary of legislation and codes offers a quick overview of regulations affecting the fire sprinkler industry in individual states and Canadian provinces. The information in these charts was gathered from a survey sent to the fire marshals of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the provinces of Canada in September 2019. If a response was not received, information that appeared in the 2018 Legislative Review (November/ December 2018 Sprinkler Age) has been reprinted, and the fact that the information is a repeat is denoted by an asterisk (*) after the state or province name in the left column of the chart.

other requirements (i.e., public assembly over 100, business over 50 ft, etc.) or is it all encompassing?

13. Does your state require a P.E. to do sprinkler design concepts (i.e., identify occupancies and water supply)?

6. If buildings are not included in the state jurisdiction, is there a recognized code adoption recommended for local authorities or is it on individual preference?

14. Does the Office of the State Fire Marshal have authority over all projects in the state or only over state-owned or state-financed projects?

7. Are you in a code revision/adoption cycle now? If yes, what codes and years do you anticipate adopting?

15. Are there any local jurisdictions that you know of in your state that have residential ordinances for the following occupancies? Single-family, multi-family, high-rise condo/apartment? Please list.

Survey Questions and Responses The 2019 AFSA Legislative Survey asked the following questions:

9. Does your state have any pending legislation regarding fire sprinklers, more restrictive or less restrictive, for: Hotels & Apartments, Dwellings & Lodging Housing, Health Care, High-Rise, Nursing Homes, Education, Public Assembly, Business Occupancies, Mercantile, Institutional, Other.

1. What, if any, national codes have been adopted by your state?

2a. In adopting the national codes, were any amendments or modifications made to the code or referenced standard (i.e., NFPA 13, 101, etc. or state supplemental rules) that affect fire sprinklers?

2b. If yes, what were the significant modifications (or provide a Web address to reference)?

3a. Which edition of NFPA 13 have you adopted, either directly or indirectly by code reference?

3b. If you haven’t adopted the latest edition of NFPA 13, do you allow local jurisdictions to use the latest edition?

4. Do the codes adopted by your state have a minimum base or a minimum/ maximum for enforcement purposes?

5. Is the scope of state code enforcement limited to the type of occupancy and/or

8. Has your state adopted NFPA 25: Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems?

10. Are you adopting the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC)? If yes, will it be adopted with the residential sprinkler requirement intact or modified/ removed? If modified, please specify modifications.

11. Does your state have fire sprinkler retrofitting requirements for the following occupancies? Hotels & Apartments, Dwellings & Lodging Housing, HighRise, Health Care, Nursing Homes, Education, Public Assembly, Business Occupancies, Mercantile, Institutional, College Dormitories, Other.

12. Are there any towns/cities that you are aware of that have retrofitting requirements in excess of the state requirement? List a contact person and phone number for retrofitting information.

16. Please provide a telephone number that a person can call if he/she has questions about jurisdiction in your state (i.e. state vs. local authorities) regarding fire sprinkler plan review/inspection.

17. Does your state require certification of Plan Reviewers? Inspectors (AHJs)?

18. Does your state require licensing for: Fire Sprinkler Contractors? Fire Sprinkler Fitters? Fire Sprinkler Designers? Fire Sprinkler Inspections? Fire Alarm Inspections (separate from sprinkler)?

19. Does your state require licensing for sprinkler drawings: P.E./Architect Seal?

NICET Level III? NICET Level IV? Other (i.e., NFPA-CWBSD, etc.)

20. Does your state require any of the following for those who perform inspection, testing and maintenance of waterbased fire protection systems? NICET Level I? NICET Level II? NICET Level III? Other (e.g., CSA, Local)?

21. Does your state require seismic protection on fire sprinkler systems?

22. Do you require a signed copy of the owner’s certification (see NFPA 13, section 4.3) as part of the working plan submittal?

Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 25

The tables on pages 26 through 31 provide the answers to most of the survey questions. The table on page 32 provides licensing and certification information (questions 17-19). The tables on page 33 provide the telephone numbers requested in questions 12 and 16 and the answers to questions 20 and 21.

Survey Findings Regarding pending sprinkler legislation (question 9) for the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, California has pending legislation for accessory dwelling units.

Florida has pending legislation for high-rises that will be more restrictive.

Hawaii has pending legislation for dwelling and lodging housing that is less restrictive and pending legislation for healthcare that is more restrictive.

Indiana indicated pending legislation for fire sprinklers “to transfer to the fire code from building code.” New Hampshire follows NFPA 101, Life Safety Code®, regarding fire sprinkler legislation. Oregon is considering legislation for high-rises.

Question 10 concerns the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC). Most

states indicated they were not adopting that edition. Georgia House Bill 1196 (2010 legislative session) prohibits any residential sprinkler requirement, past or future. Maryland and Montana have adopted the code. Minnesota has adopted the IRC with “single-family and duplex exempt from sprinkler protection; townhomes (three or more under same roof ) required to be sprinkler protected.” New York adopted the code with the “removal of NFPA 13D oneand two-family requirement.” North Dakota adopted but “removed the requirement due to state law.” Tennessee adopted the IRC, noting that “TCA 68-120-101(a)(8) does not allow mandatory adoption so Section R313 is removed.” West Virginia adopted the code with the residential sprinkler requirement intact.

For states that indicated “no changes” from last year’s survey and for those that did not respond this year, responses are for the 2015 edition of the IRC. California has adopted the code (water supply) and Colorado has adopted it for dwellings associated with public schools. Connecticut indicated it has

adopted the code. The 2015 Michigan Residential Code was to become effective in February 2016 and was to adopt by reference the 2015 edition of the IRC with amendments, deletions, and additions deemed necessary for use in the state. North Dakota is adopting but sprinklers are not able to be required in single-family homes.

Washington state adopted the 2015 IRC but did not adopt chapters 11-25 and notes residential sprinklers, if added, need to meet IRC P2904 or NFPA 13D. West Virginia has also adopted the code but refers readers to section 87-4-5 of the state building code. Arkansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire New Jersey, North Carolina, and Rhode Island are adopting the IRC with the residential sprinkler requirement removed. In Ohio, there are construction trade-offs for the adopted IRC. South Dakota is not adopting the 2012 IRC and indicated the state fire marshal has no authority in most residential occupancies (i.e., one- and two-family dwellings – only six stories or higher). Arizona, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Oregon indicated they were not

Province

Province Code Adoption

Additional NFPA Standards

NFPA 13 Edition Adopted

Local Jurisdiction Can Use Latest NFPA 13 Ed.

Minimum Base or a Min/Max for Enforcement

Alberta, Canada* Canada* Alberta,

2014 Alberta Alberta Building Building Code Code 2014 (amended 2010 2010 NBC) NBC) (amended

NFPA 13D, 13D, 13R, 13R, 14, 14, 20 20 NFPA

2013 2013

Yes, w/ w/ AHJ AHJ Yes,

Minimum Minimum

British Columbia, Columbia, Canada* Canada* British

NBC 2010 2010 amended amended NBC

2010 NBC NBC adopted adopted in in ‘12 ‘12 but but updated updated in in ‘17 ‘17 to to 2010 req. NFPA NFPA 13R 13R (‘13 (‘13 ed.). ed.). Also Also updated updated ‘14 ‘14 to to req. req. req.

‘10 versions versions of of NFPA NFPA 13D, 13D, 14 14 & & 20 20 ‘10

2013 as as of of 12/14 12/14 2013

No No

Minimum Minimum

Manitoba, Canada* Canada* Manitoba,

NBC 2015 2015 amended amended NBC

No No

2013 2013

Yes, w/ w/ AHJ AHJ Yes, approval approval

Minimum Minimum

New Brunswick, Brunswick, Canada* Canada* New

2010 NBC NBC 2010

NFPA 13D, 13D, 13R, 13R, 14, 14, 20 20 NFPA

2010 2010

Yes, w/ w/ AHJ AHJ Yes,

Minimum Minimum

Newfoundland, Canada* Canada* Newfoundland,

2010 NBC NBC & & NFPA NFPA 101 101 2010

NFPA 13D, 13D, 13R, 13R, 14, 14, 20 20 NFPA

Latest Latest

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Nova Scotia, Scotia, Canada* Canada* Nova

2010 NBC NBC 2010

NFPA 13D, 13D, 13R, 13R, 14, 14, 20 20 NFPA

2013 2013

Yes, w/ w/ AHJ AHJ Yes,

Minimum Minimum

Ontario, Canada* Canada* Ontario,

2012 Ontario Ontario Building Building Code Code 2012 (amended 2010 2010 NBC) NBC) (amended

NFPA 13D, 13D, 13R, 13R, 14, 14, 20 20 NFPA

2013 2013

Yes, w/ w/ AHJ AHJ Yes,

Minimum Minimum

Prince Edward Edward Island, Island, Prince Canada* Canada*

2010 NBC NBC & & NFPA NFPA 1 1& & 101 101 2010 (NBCC Province Province not not Authority) Authority) (NBCC

NFPA 13D, 13D, 13R, 13R, 14, 14, 20 20 NFPA

2013 2013

Yes, w/ w/ AHJ AHJ Yes,

Minimum Minimum

Quebec, Canada* Canada* Quebec,

2015 Quebec Quebec Construction Construction 2015 Code (amended (amended 2010 2010 NBC) NBC) Code

NFPA 13D, 13D, 13R, 13R, 14, 14, 20 20 NFPA

2007 2007

Yes, w/ w/ AHJ AHJ Yes,

Minimum Minimum

Saskatchewan, Canada* Canada* Saskatchewan,

2010 NBCC NBCC with with 2013 2013 2010 Saskatchewan amended amended Saskatchewan

NFPA 13D, 13D, 13R, 13R, 14, 14, 20 20 NFPA

2007 2007

Yes, w/ w/ AHJ AHJ Yes, approval approval

Minimum Minimum

approval approval

approval approval

approval approval approval approval approval approval approval approval

*Abbreviations: NBC-National Building Code of Canada; BOCA/National-Building Official and Code Administrators International; IBC-International Building Code; IFC-International Fire Code; IFGC-International Fuel Gas Code; (cont. on next page)

26 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

adopting the IRC. South Carolina has adopted it with modifications and directed readers to see 2012 International Code Council (ICC) modifications at llr.state.sc.us.pol/bcc.

When asked about sprinkler retrofit requirements for occupancies (question 11), numerous states indicated they have requirements. Washington, DC answered “yes” for all occupancies and noted that “all work to be performed in/on existing buildings will be

N N -

N N N N N N N N N

N Y1 Y2 -

N N -

Seismic protection required on fire sprinkler systems:

Yes/No

Other (CSA, Local)

Alberta* British Columbia* Manitoba* New Brunswick* Newfoundland* Nova Scotia* Ontario* Prince Edward Island* Quebec* Saskatchewan*

NICET Level III

Province

NICET Level II

Required for those who perform inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems:

NICET Level I

While the legislative charts in this issue indicate the most recent responses received from the individual states, some states did not provide updated information to this year’s survey in regards to the 2018 edition of the IRC. Therefore, Sprinkler Age recommends that readers visit the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Fire Sprinkler Initiative website, firesprinklerinitiative.org/ on a regular basis. Click on the “Legislation & Adoptions” tab to find the most up-todate information on local and state adoption of residential fire sprinkler requirements, as well as anti-sprinkler legislation that has been introduced.

Canada Inspection, Testing & Maintenance and Seismic Protection Requirements

Only in active seismic areas Yes Only in active seismic areas Only in active seismic areas Only in active seismic areas Yes, if required by code Only in active seismic areas Only in active seismic areas Only in active seismic areas Only in active seismic areas

1

Manitoba requires apprenticeship certification for sprinklers. 2 Nova Scotia requires a Red Seal sprinkler fitter.

based on the requirements from the ICC International Existing Building Code (IEBC) 2012, as is currently adopted. The 2015 IEBC is the new anticipated code to be adopted. The 2015 IBC chapter on Installation Standards will list the applicable editions that will be adopted.”

Scope of Enforcement is Limited or All Encompassing

Recognized Code Adoption for Local Authorities or Individual Preference

In a Code Revision Cycle Now? Codes & Years Anticipating Adoption

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 NBCC

-

-

-

-

No provincial code enforcement; done by local govts. (municipalities & regional districts)

Code adopted by province & applies in all local govts.

Yes, working towards adopting NBC 2015 in year 2018

Yes, 2008

-

-

All Encompassing

Provincewide adoption

Yes, 2020 NBC

Yes, 2014

-

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 NBC

-

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 NBC

All Encompassing

RCA

All Encompassing

Regarding nursing homes, Connecticut, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Tennessee have retrofit requirements.

Georgia has requirements for existing personal care homes upgrading to assisted living homes. Retrofit requirements for healthcare can be found in Florida, Minnesota, and New Jersey. Connecticut Signed copy of owner’s certificate as part of working submittal plan

State Requires PE to do Sprinkler Design Concepts

Office of State Fire Marshal Has Authority Over All Projects in State or Only Over State-Owned/ Financed Projects

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

-

-

Local govts would decide

Yes

N/A

No

No

No

Yes

No

Province Only

-

-

-

-

-

No

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

Yes, 2015 NBC

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

RCA

Yes, OBC

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

All Encompassing

RCA

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 NBCC

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

All Encompassing

RCA

Yes, 2015 NBCC

-

-

-

-

-

-

Yes

Yes, federal projects follow NBC

High-rise Condo/apt

MultiFamily

Local Jurisdiction With Residential Ordinances

SingleFamily

Locally

Provincewide

Adopted NFPA 25

(cont. from previous page) IMC-International Mechanical Code; IRC-International Residential Code; LSC-Life Safety Code; NBC-National Building Code of Canada; NEC-National Electric Code; NFPA 5000-Building Construction & Safety Code.

Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 27

State State

StateCode Code State Adoption Adoption

AdditionalNFPA NFPAStandards Standards Additional

NFPA13 13 NFPA Edition Edition Adopted Adopted

Local Local Jurisdiction Jurisdiction CanUse Use Can LatestNFPA NFPA Latest 13Ed. Ed. 13

Minimum Minimum Baseor oraa Base Min/Max Min/Max for for EnforceEnforcement ment

Alabama* Alabama*

2015IBC IBC&&IFC; IFC;2013 2013NFPA NFPA 2015 101 11&&101

No No

2013 2013

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Alaska Alaska

2012IBC IBC&&IFC IFCwith withamendamend2012 ments ments

Yes,http://dps.alaska.gov/fire/regulations http://dps.alaska.gov/fire/regulations Yes,

2010 2010

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Arizona* Arizona*

2003IFC IFC 2003

Yes,view viewat atdfbls.az.gov dfbls.az.govunder underFire FireMarshal MarshalArizona ArizonaState StateFire Fire Yes, Code.Amendments Amendments&&code codeadopted adoptedthrough throughAZ AZrule rulewriting writingprocess process Code.

IFC,2003 2003 IFC, NFPA13, 13,1999 1999 NFPA

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Arkansas* Arkansas*

2012IBC, IBC,IRC IRC&&IFC IFC--all all 2012 amended amended

Yes,requirement requirementfor forsprinklers sprinklersininone oneand-two-family and-two-familydwellings dwellings Yes, deleted deleted

2010 2010

No No

Minimum Minimum

California* California*

2016IBC IBC&&IFC, IFC,both both 2016 amended amended

Yes,https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/chapter/content/2237 https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/chapter/content/2237 Yes,

2016 2016

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Colorado* Colorado*

2015IBC IBC&&IFC; IFC;2015 2015IRC; IRC;2012 2012 2015 NFPA101 101 NFPA

No No

2013 2013

Yes Yes

Dependson on Depends occup.type type occup.

Connecticut* Connecticut*

2012IBC, IBC,IFC IFC&&NFPA NFPA101; 101; 2012 2012NFPA NFPA11--amended amended 2012

Yes,new newbuildings buildingsgreater greaterthan thanfour fourstories stories&&all allnew newschools schools Yes,

2010 2010

No No

Min/Max Min/Max

Delaware Delaware

2015NFPA NFPA11&&101 101 2015

Yes,http://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title1/700/; http://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title1/700/; Yes, Specificallyregulations regulations701 701and and702 702 Specifically

2013 2013

No No

Minimum Minimum

DistrictofofColumbia Columbia District

IBC&&IFC IFC IBC

Yes,currently currentlyenforcing enforcingthe theICC ICC2012 2012Codes Codesininconjunction conjunctionw/modif. w/modif.

Yes, asadopted adoptedininthe the2013 2013Title Title12 12DCMR DCMR(District (Districtof ofColumbia ColumbiaMuniciMunicias palRegulations).

Regulations).For Foradopted adoptedcodes codessee: see:https://dcra.dc.gov/page/ https://dcra.dc.gov/page/ pal dc-construction-codes dc-construction-codes

2010ed. ed.as as 2010 listedininCh Ch35, 35, listed 2012IBC IBC 2012

No No

Minimum Minimum

Florida Florida

2015IBC, IBC,NFPA NFPA11&&NFPA NFPA 2015 101 101

Yes,Florida Floridaspecific specificcode codeamended amended Yes,

2013 2013

No No

Minimum Minimum

Georgia* Georgia*

2012IBC, IBC,IFC IFC&&NFPA NFPA101 101- -all all 2012 amended amended

Yes,all allmodifications modificationstotoNFPA NFPA13, 13,13R, 13R,14, 14,15, 15,20, 20,22, 22,24 24&&101 101are are Yes, containedininGA GAChapter Chapter120-3-3 120-3-3(revised (revised1/1/2015) 1/1/2015) contained

2013 2013

--

Minimum Minimum

Hawaii^*^* Hawaii

2006IBC IBC&&UPC, UPC,2015 2015IECC; IECC;2014 2014 Yes, 2006 Yes,NFPA NFPA11Act Act53 53of ofthe the2017 2017legislative legislativesession sessionprohibits prohibitsthe the NEC;2010 2010ASME; ASME;2012 2012NFPA NFPA11- NEC; countiesfrom fromreq. req.automatic automaticfire firesprinklers sprinklersininoneone-&&two-family two-familyococcounties allamended amended all cup.;provided providedthis thisshall shallnot notapply applyto tonew newhomes homesthat thatreq. req.aavariance variance cup.;

2010 2010

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

fromaccess accessroad roador orfire firefightering fighteringwater watersupply supplyreq.; req.;http://www. http://www. from capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=GM&billnumber=11 capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=GM&billnumber=11 53&year=2017 53&year=2017

Idaho Idaho

2015IBC IBC&&IFC IFC- -all allamended amended 2015

No No

2016 2016

No No

Minimum Minimum

Illinois* Illinois*

SFMOenforces enforces2000 2000ed. ed.ofofNFPA NFPA SFMO 101for forstate statefac. fac.and andstate-licensed state-licensed 101 fac.Each Eachlocal localjuris. juris.can canadopt adoptits its fac. owncodes. codes.State Stateest. est.2006 2006IBC, IBC, own IEBC,IPMC IPMC&&2008 2008NFPA NFPA70 70min. min.

IEBC, standardsfor forjuris. juris.that thathave havenot not standards formallyadopted adoptedcodes codes(admin. (admin.by by formally theILILCapital CapitalDev. Dev.Board) Board) the

No No

2002 2002 minimum;Juris.

Juris. minimum; thathad hadadopted adopted that codesas asofof2011 2011 codes mayretain retainolder olderref. ref. may edofofNFPA NFPAinintheir their ed adoptedcodes codes adopted

Yes Yes

LocalJuris.

Juris.

Local mayadopt adopt may more more stringent/ stringent/ newercodes codes newer

Indiana* Indiana*

2006IBC IBC&&IFC, IFC,2006 2006IMC/IFG IMC/IFG Yes, Yes,Indiana Indianaamendments amendmentsto tocodes codesand andstandards standardsare areat at 2006 allamended amended in.gov/legislative/iac/iac_title?iact=675 --all in.gov/legislative/iac/iac_title?iact=675

--

No No

Min/Max Min/Max

Iowa§ § Iowa

IBC&&IFC; IFC;NFPA NFPA101 101 IBC

2013NFPA NFPA13 13 Yes,2015 2015IFC IFCsec. sec.907.2.3 907.2.3was wasamended amendedto torequire requiresmoke smokedetection detection 2013 Yes, corridors,hazard hazardareas, areas,and andnon-occupied non-occupiedareas. areas. inincorridors,

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Kansas* Kansas*

2006IBC IBC&&IFC, IFC,amended; amended; 2006 2006/2012NFPA NFPA101 101 2006/2012

No No

2007 2007

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Kentucky* Kentucky*

NFPA11&&101 101&&IBC, IBC,amended amended NFPA

No No

2000 2000

No No

Min/Max Min/Max

Louisiana* Louisiana*

2015NFPA NFPA101; 101;2015 2015IBC IBC-2015 amended amended

Yes,http://lsuccc.dps.louisiana.gov/pdf/Title_17_UCC.pdf http://lsuccc.dps.louisiana.gov/pdf/Title_17_UCC.pdf Yes,

2016 2016

--

Minimum Minimum

Maine Maine

2015IBC, IBC,IEBC, IEBC,IRC; IRC;2009 2009IEC IEC 2015 NFPA101; 101;2006 2006NFPA NFPA11 &&NFPA

Yes,the theupdated updatedchapters chapterscan canbe befound foundat athttps://www.maine.gov/ https://www.maine.gov/ Yes, dps/bbcs/index.htm dps/bbcs/index.htm

2016 2016

Yes Yes

Min/Max Min/Max

Maryland Maryland

2018IBC, IBC,NFPA NFPA101 101&&NFPA NFPA 2018 allamended amended 11--all

Yes,http://www.dsd.state.md.us/COMAR/ComarHome.html http://www.dsd.state.md.us/COMAR/ComarHome.html(Comar (Comar Yes, 29.06.01) 29.06.01)

2016 2016

No No

Minimum Minimum

Massachusetts* Massachusetts*

2009IBC IBCamended, amended,IFC IFC 2009 partiallyamended, amended,2012 2012NFPA NFPA11 partially amended(1/1/15) (1/1/15) amended

Yes,reduced reducedsprinkler sprinklerthresholds thresholds Yes,

2010 2010

No No

Min/Max Min/Max

Michigan* Michigan*

2012NPFA NPFA101 101&&2006 2006NFPA NFPA 2012 bothamended amended 11--both

No No

2010 2010

No No

Min/Max Min/Max

+

The District of Columbia Fire Dept. only enforces the DC Fire Code, and does not govern new construction or alterations to existing buildings. The DCRA Agency is responsible for administering the Building Codes and Building Inspections for construction work. ^Hawaii information is provided for Oahu only. §Iowa has adopted NFPA 25 statewide by reference from 2015 IFC and 2014 NFPA 25. °Maine’s SFMO reviews all sprinkler designs and permits; however, for life safety they do not review and permit for residential, storage, or industrial unless it is a mixed occupancy. See https://www.maine.gov/dps/

28 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

Signed Local Jurisdiction With Signed copyof of Residential Ordinances copy owner’s owner’s certificate certificate aspart partof of as working working submittal submittal plan plan

State State Requires Requires PEto todo do PE Sprinkler Sprinkler Design Design Concepts Concepts

Officeof ofState StateFire Fire Office MarshalHas HasAuthorAuthorMarshal ityOver OverAll AllProjects Projects ity inState Stateor orOnly OnlyOver Over in State-Owned/ State-Owned/ FinancedProjects Projects Financed

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

IP IP

No No

--

--

--

--

--

Yes Yes

All All

StateOnly Only State

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

IP IP

Yes,IBC, IBC,IFC, IFC, Yes, IFGC&&IMC IMC-IFGC 2018 2018

Yes, Yes, ‘11 ‘11

--

--

--

--

No No

No No

All All

Limited Limited

RCA RCA

Yes,IFC IFC2012 2012 Yes,

Yes, Yes, ‘98 ‘98

--

--

--

--

All All

No No

StateOnly Only State

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘11 ‘11

--

No No

No No

No No

No No

All All

StateOnly Only State

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

Yes,2018 2018IBC IBC&&IFC IFC Yes,

Yes, Yes, ‘11 ‘11

--

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yesor orlic. lic.fire fire Yes sp.contractor contractor sp.

StateOnly Onlyfor forcreating creatingregularegulaState tionstate stateand andoccup. occup.A,E,H,I,R A,E,H,I,R tion

Limited Limited

IP IP

No No

Yes Yes

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

NICETIII IIIor or NICET above above

Allfor forsuppression suppression All systems systems

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

No No

Yes Yes ‘11 ‘11

--

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

StateOnly Only State

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

IP IP

Yes,2018 2018 Yes,

Yes, Yes, ‘13 ‘13

--

Yes Yes

--

--

Yes Yes

No No

All All

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

Yes,2015 2015ICC ICCCodes Codes Yes, w/amend. amend.which whichwill will w/ beadopted adoptedinto intothe the be Title12 12DCMR DCMR Title

Yes Yes

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

No,enforcing enforcing No, NFPA13 132010 2010 NFPA ed. ed.

No No

All++ All

Limited Limited

RCA RCA

Yes,2018 2018NFPA NFPA11&& Yes, 101,2016 2016NFPA NFPA13 13 101,

Yes, Yes, ‘14 ‘14

--

No No

No No

No No

No No

Yes Yes

StateOnly Only State

AllEncompassing Encompassingexcept except All family&&individuallyindividually11&&22family ownedresidences residences owned

--

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘11 ‘11

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

Juris.varies varies Juris.

Limited Limited

RCA RCA

Yes,2015 2015NFPA NFPA1; 1; Yes, Yes, Yes, 2017NEC; NEC;2012 2012 ‘11 2017 ‘11 IBC,IRC IRC&&UPC UPC IBC,

Yes Yes

No No

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

No No

No No

NoState StateFire FireMarshal Marshal No Office Office

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘16 ‘16

--

No No

No No

No No

Yes Yes

No No

Allfire firesprinkler sprinklersystems; systems; All StateOnly Onlyprojects projects State

Limited Limited

IP IP

Yes,2015 2015NFPA NFPA101 101 Yes,

No No

Yes, Yes, varvaries ies by by juris. juris.

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

No No

Yes Yes

All All

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

--

Yes,2012 2012IBC, IBC,IFC, IFC, Yes, IMC,IFGC IFGC- -eff. eff.

IMC, 12/1/14 12/1/14

Yes, Yes, ‘11 ‘11

--

No No

No No

No No

--

No No

All All

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

IP IP

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘16 ‘16

--

--

--

--

No No

No No

All All

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘09 ‘09

--

--

--

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

All All

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

No No

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

No No

--

No No

n/a n/a

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘14 ‘14

--

--

--

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

All All

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

Yes,NFPA NFPA2009 2009 Yes, updatingto to2018 2018 updating

Yes, Yes, ‘14 ‘14

--

Yes Yes

--

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

All° All°

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

IP IP

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘17 ‘17

--

Covered Covered by by

adopted adopted codes codes

No No

No No

All,except exceptBaltimore Baltimore All, County County

AllEncompassing Encompassing All

--

Yes,updating updatingfire fire Yes, bldgcodes codesinin &&bldg Jan.2018 2018 Jan.

Yes, Yes, ‘11 ‘11

--

Yes Yes

--

--

--

No No

--

Limited Limited

RCA RCA

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘11 ‘11

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

StateOnly Only&&other other State regulatedfacilities facilities regulated

Locally Locally

Statewide Statewide

Adopted NFPA 25

High-rise High-rise Condo/apt Condo/apt

InaaCode Code In Revision Revision CycleNow? Now? Cycle Codes&&Years Years Codes Anticipating Anticipating Adoption Adoption

MultiMultiFamily Family

Recognized Recognized Code Adoption Adoption Code (RCA)for forLocal Local (RCA) Authorities Authorities or Individual Individual or Preference(IP) (IP) Preference

SingleSingleFamily Family

Scopeof ofEnforcement Enforcement Scope isLimited Limitedor or is AllEncompassing Encompassing All

incl. incl.

IRC IRC

fmo/sites/maine.gov.dps.fmo/files/inline-files/FMO_CBF_Permitting.pdf. Abbreviations: BOCA/National-Building Official and Code Administrators International; IBC-International Building Code; IFCInternational Fire Code; IFGC-International Fuel Gas Code; IMC-International Mechanical Code; IRC-International Residential Code; LSC-Life Safety Code; NBC-National Building Code of Canada; NEC-National Electric Code; NFPA 5000-Building Construction & Safety Code.

Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 29

State State

State Code Code State Adoption Adoption

Additional NFPA NFPA Standards Standards Additional

NFPA 13 13 NFPA Edition Edition Adopted Adopted

Local Local Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Can Use Use Can Latest NFPA NFPA Latest 13 Ed. Ed. 13

Minimum Minimum Base or or aa Base Min/Max Min/Max for for EnforceEnforcement ment

Minnesota Minnesota

2012 NFPA NFPA 101, 101, 2012 2012 IBC IBC 2012

Yes, https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/7511.0903/. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/7511.0903/. 55 psi psi safety safety margin margin in in calculacalculaYes, tions. Vestibule Vestibule exemption exemption (for (for some). some). Swimming Swimming pool pool exemption. exemption. Certain Certain linen linen closclostions. ets & & pantries pantries exempt. exempt. Control Control valves valves chained chained (even (even ifif monitored). monitored). Single Single sprinkler sprinkler ets on common common wall wall of of attached attached garages garages (NFPA (NFPA 13D).

13D). See See others others on on website. website. on

2010 2010

No No

Min/Max Min/Max

Mississippi* Mississippi*

2015 IBC IBC & & IFC IFC 2015

No No

--

2013 by by ref. ref.

2013

Minimum Minimum

Missouri* Missouri*

--

--

1999 1999

--

--

Montana Montana

2012 IBC IBC and and IFC IFC 2012

No No

2010 2010

Yes Yes

Min/Max Min/Max

Nebraska* Nebraska*

2003 NFPA NFPA 1; 1; 2000 2000 NFPA NFPA 101 101 2003

No No

2002 2002

No No

Minimum Minimum

Nevada Nevada

2012 IBC IBC & & IFC, IFC, amended amended 2012

No No

2016 by by ref. ref.

2016

--

Minimum Minimum

New Hampshire* Hampshire* New

2009 IBC IBC amended; amended; 2015 2015 NFPA NFPA 11 2009 & 101 101 -- both both amended amended &

Yes, no no sprinkler sprinkler req. req. for for oneone- and and two-family two-family dwellings dwellings Yes,

2013 2013

Yes, Yes, w/ variance variance w/

Minimum Minimum

New Jersey* Jersey* New

2015 NJ NJ IBC IBC New New Construction; Construction; 2015 2006 IFB IFB NJ NJ as as maintenance maintenance 2006 code -- both both amended amended code

No No

2013 as as ref. ref.

2013 by 2015 2015 IBC IBC by

Yes only only by by the the Yes designer for for designer specific issues issues not not specific in 2013 2013 ed. ed. in

Min/Max Min/Max

New Mexico* Mexico* New

2009 IBC IBC & & 2003 2003 IFC IFC -- both both 2009 amended amended

Yes, 903.2 903.2 exception exception does does not not apply; apply; 903.2.7 903.2.7 does does not not apply apply to to detached detached oneoneYes, and two-family two-family homes homes and

1999, ref ref by by 1999, IFC 2003 2003 IFC

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

New York York New

2018 IBC IBC & & IFC, IFC, both both 2018 amended amended

No No

2016 2016

No No

Minimum Minimum

North Carolina* Carolina* North

2015 IBC IBC & & 2012 2012 IFC, IFC, both both 2015 amended amended

Yes, amendments amendments to to Ch Ch 99 req. req. removing removing sprinklers sprinklers from from certain certain Yes, residential occupancies occupancies residential

2013 2013

Yes Yes

Min/Max Min/Max

North Dakota Dakota North

2018 IBC IBC & & IFC, IFC, both both 2018 amended amended

No No

2016 2016

Yes Yes

Min/Max Min/Max

Ohio* Ohio*

2009 IBC IBC & & IFC, IFC, both both 2009 amended amended

Yes, A-3 A-3 sprinkler sprinkler req. req.

Yes,

2010 2010

No No

Minimum Minimum

Oklahoma Oklahoma

2006 IBC IBC && IFC, IFC, 2007 2007 NFPA NFPA101, 101, all all 2006 amended amended

No No

2007 2007

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Oregon* Oregon*

IBC & & IFC, IFC, both both amended amended IBC

No No

2013 2013

Yes Yes

Min-Fire/ Min-Fire/ Max-Bldg Max-Bldg

Pennsylvania* Pennsylvania*

2009 IBC IBC & & IFC IFC 2009

No No

2007 2007

No No

Minimum Minimum

Rhode Island* Island* Rhode

2012 IBC, IBC, NFPA NFPA 11 & & 101 101 -- all all 2012 amended amended

Yes, residential residential deleted deleted Yes,

2010 2010

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

South Carolina* Carolina* South

2015 IBC IBC & & IFC, IFC, both both 2015 amended amended

Yes, see see llr.state.sc.us/pol/bcc llr.state.sc.us/pol/bcc Yes,

2013 2013

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

South Dakota* Dakota* South

2015 IBC IBC & & IFC IFC 2015

Yes, threshold threshold for for sprinkler sprinkler protection protection multi-family multi-family dwellings dwellings at at six six or or Yes, more units units more

2013 2013

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Tennessee Tennessee

2012 IBC; IBC; 2012 2012 IFC IFC & & NFPA NFPA101 101 2012

Yes, Tennessee Tennessee statute statute prevents prevents the the state state from from requiring requiring oneone- and and twotwoYes, family dwellings dwellings to to be be sprinklered sprinklered family

2010 2010

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Texas* Texas*

2012 NFPA NFPA 101 101 amended amended 2012

No No

2013 2013

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Utah Utah

2018 IBC IBC & & IFC IFC -- both both 2018 amended amended

Yes Yes

2016 2016

--

Minimum Minimum

Vermont Vermont

IBC, IFC, IFC, NFPA NFPA 11 & & NFPA NFPA 101 101 IBC,

Yes, firesafety.vermont.gov firesafety.vermont.gov Yes,

2013 2013

No No

Minimum Minimum

Virginia Virginia

2015 IBC IBC & & IFC IFC -- both both 2015 amended amended

Yes, many many exceptions. exceptions. Excluded Excluded single-family single-family sprinklers. sprinklers.

Yes,

2010 2010

Yes Yes

Min/Max Min/Max

Washington* Washington*

2015 IBC, IBC, IFC, IFC, IRC, IRC, IMC IMC & & UPC; UPC; 2015 2015 NFPA NFPA101 101 amended; amended; NFPA NFPA 2015 5000 amended amended 5000

Yes, IRC. IRC. Did Did not not adopt adopt Ch Ch 11-25.

11-25. Residential Residential sprinklers sprinklers ifif added added Yes, need to to meet meet IRC IRC P2904 P2904 or or NFPA NFPA 13D 13D need

2013 2013

No No

Min/Max Min/Max

West Virginia Virginia West

2015 IBC, IBC, NFPA NFPA 11 & & NFPA NFPA 101 101 2015

No No

2013 2013

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Wisconsin* Wisconsin*

2009 IBC IBC & & NFPA NFPA 11 -- both both amended amended 2009

Yes, systems systems req. req. in in most most bldgs bldgs over over 60 60 ft. ft. Different Different sprinkler sprinkler thresholds thresholds protection protection Yes, and alt. alt. for for smaller smaller apt apt bldgs bldgs & & townhouses, townhouses, Comm Comm 6.2.09 6.2.09 (5) (5) Wis. Wis. Sec Sec Code Code and

2007 2007

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

Wyoming Wyoming

2018 IBC IBC & & IFC IFC 2018

No No

2016 2016

Yes Yes

Minimum Minimum

≠South Carolina has statewide authority to enforce state and local fire codes, but the requirement to use its free plan review services comes from the primary AHJ or AHJs that control permits, licenses, etc., and can involve AHJs who are state or local or may involve both. Abbreviations: BOCA/National-Building Official and Code Administrators International; IBC-Interna-

30 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

--

No No

No No

No No

Yes Yes

No No

All. State State Fire Fire Code Code applies applies All. throughout but but SFM SFM only only has has throughout juris. for specialized occup. juris. for specialized occup. (health care, care, correctional, correctional, day day (health care, schools, schools, hotels, hotels, etc.) etc.) care,

No No

--

Yes Yes

--

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

State Only Only State

No No

No No

No No

--

--

--

No No

--

State License License Only Only State

Yes, 2018 2018 IBC IBC & & IFC IFC Yes,

Yes, Yes, ‘17 ‘17

--

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

All All

RCA RCA

Yes, 2012 2012 NFPA NFPA Yes, 101 101

Yes, Yes, ‘02 ‘02

--

No No

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

No No

No No

All All

Limited Limited

RCA RCA

Yes, 2018 2018 IBC IBC & & IFC IFC Yes,

Yes, Yes, ‘17 ‘17

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

No No

State Only Only State

All Encompassing Encompassing All

--

Yes, 2015 2015 NFPA NFPA 11 w/ w/ Yes, ref.; 2015 2015 IBC IBC & & IRC IRC ref.;

--

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

No No

No No

Yes Yes

State Only Only State

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

Yes Yes

State Only Only State

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

Yes, 2015 2015 IFC IFC Yes,

Yes, Yes, ‘98 ‘98

--

No No

No No

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

All All

All Encompassing Encompassing All

--

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘17 ‘17

--

--

--

--

Per ‘16 ‘16 ed. ed.

Per

Yes Yes

State Only Only State

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

No No

Yes Yes

--

Yes Yes

No No

No No

Yes Yes

No No

State Only Only State

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

Yes, 2018 2018 Yes,

By IFC IFC By

referreference ence

No No

No No

No No

Yes Yes

Yes, not not necesnecesYes, sarily PE PE but but sarily design req. req. design

All All

Limited Limited

--

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘08 ‘08

OH OH Fire Fire Code Code

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

--

Yes Yes

State Only Only State

Limited Limited

RCA RCA

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘02 ‘02

--

--

--

--

--

No No

All All

All Encompassing Encompassing All

IP IP

Yes, 2009 2009 IRC IRC 7/1/11 7/1/11 Yes,

Yes, Yes, ‘08 ‘08

--

No No

No No

No No

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

State Only Only State

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

No No

No No

No No

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

--

No No

PA Fire Fire Marshal Marshal has has no no code code PA

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

Yes, 2015 2015 Yes,

Yes, Yes, ‘11 ‘11

--

No No

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

--

Yes Yes

All All

See llr.state.sc.us/pol/bcc llr.state.sc.us/pol/bcc See

See llr.state.sc.us/ llr.state.sc.us/ See pol/bcc pol/bcc

Yes, see see llr.state. llr.state.

Yes, sc.us/pol/bcc sc.us/pol/bcc

Yes, Yes, ‘14 ‘14

--

No No

No No

No No

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

All≠≠ All

Limited Limited

RCA RCA

No No

No No

--

No No

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

--

Yes Yes

Certain public public bldgs bldgs Certain outlined in in statute statute outlined

Limited Limited

RCA RCA

Yes, ‘18 ‘18 IRC IRC Yes,

Yes, Yes, via IFC IFC via ref. ref.

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

No No

Yes Yes

All All

Limited Limited

IP IP

No No

Yes Yes

--

--

--

--

No No

No No

State Only Only State

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘17 ‘17

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

No No

No No

State Only Only State

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

Yes, 2018 2018 IBC, IBC, IEBC, IEBC, Yes, NFPA 11 && 101, 101, && ref. ref.

NFPA codes codes

Yes, Yes, ‘14 ‘14

--

No No

No No

No No

Yes Yes

No No

All All

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

Yes, ‘18 ‘18 NFPA NFPA 13 13 Yes,

Yes, Yes, ‘14 ‘14

--

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

State Only Only State

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

Yes, 2018 2018 Yes,

Yes, Yes, ‘14 ‘14

--

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

No No

No No

n/a n/a

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

Yes, ‘18 ‘18 NFPA NFPA life life Yes, safety codes codes safety

Yes, Yes, ‘14 ‘14

--

No No

No No

No No

Yes Yes

Yes Yes

All All

All Encompassing Encompassing All

IP IP

Yes, 2012 2012 ed. ed. of of IBC, IBC, Yes, IECC, IMC, IMC, IFGC, IFGC, IEBC IEBC IECC, NFPA 11 && NFPA

Yes, Yes, ‘08 ‘08

--

--

--

--

Eng., arch., arch., or or Eng., sp. contr. contr. sp.

n/a n/a

Limited Limited

RCA RCA

No No

Yes, Yes, ‘16 ‘16

--

No No

No No

No No

No No

No No

Yes, anticipate anticipate update update Yes, to 2018 2018 ed. ed. of of IFC IFC && IBC IBC to in Spring Spring 2020.

2020. Will Will incl. incl. in 2016 ed. of NFPA 13, 13D, 2016 ed. of NFPA 13, 13D, 13R, 14, 14, && 20.

20.

13R,

Yes, Yes, ‘17 ‘17 Spring Spring 2020 2020

Limited Limited

IP IP

No No

Limited Limited

IP IP

All Encompassing Encompassing All

RCA RCA

All Encompassing Encompassing All

Locally

RCA RCA

Statewide

All Encompassing Encompassing All

High-rise Condo/apt

Office of of State State Fire Fire Office Marshal Has Has AuthorAuthorMarshal ity Over Over All All Projects Projects ity in State State or or Only Only Over Over in State-Owned/ State-Owned/ Financed Projects Projects Financed

In aa Code Code In Revision Revision Cycle Now? Now? Cycle Codes & & Years Years Codes Anticipating Anticipating Adoption Adoption

MultiFamily

State State Requires Requires PE to to do do PE Sprinkler Sprinkler Design Design Concepts Concepts

Recognized Recognized Code Adoption Adoption Code (RCA) for for Local Local (RCA) Authorities Authorities or Individual Individual or Preference (IP) (IP) Preference

SingleFamily

Local Jurisdiction With Signed Signed Residential Ordinances copy copy of of owner’s owner’s certificate certificate as part part of of as working working submittal submittal plan plan

Adopted NFPA 25

Scope of of Enforcement Enforcement Scope is Limited Limited or or is All Encompassing Encompassing All

enforcement authority authority enforcement

State Only Only State

tional Building Code; IFC-International Fire Code; IFGC-International Fuel Gas Code; IMC-International Mechanical Code; IRC-International Residential Code; LSC-Life Safety Code; NBC-National Building Code of Canada; NEC-National Electric Code; NFPA 5000-Building Construction & Safety Code.

Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 31

has requirements for elderly occupancies.

Minnesota retrofits hospitals.

State Licensing & Certification Requirements

32 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

PE/Architect Seal

NICET Level III

NICET Level IV

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N

Fire Alarm Inspections

Contact the respective AHJ for more detailed information for particular states.

We thank the many individual state fire marshals, deputy state fire marshals, deputy chiefs, fire protection engineers, code specialists, and others who participated in this year’s survey. Some respondents did not provide a specific telephone number for questions regarding jurisdiction over fire sprinkler plan review/ inspections. In those cases, we have listed the telephone number for the state fire marshal’s office, with the hope that a state representative can direct contractors to the appropriate authority. n

Y Y N Y Y N Y Y N N N N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y N N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y

Inspections

Conclusion The AFSA staff has made every effort to provide the most accurate and current information. Because of the time lapse between gathering the information and publication of these charts, changes may have occurred. Also, code adoption cycles/processes vary from state to state, but most statewide codes are updated once every three years. So states that are not listed as considering adoptions within the next year may in fact be initiating the process of reviewing all available codes.

Y Y N N Y Y N Y N N N N N N Y Y N Y Y N N N N N Y Y N Y N N Y N Y N N Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y

Designers

When asked about towns or cities having retrofit requirements in excess of state requirements (question 12a), several states indicated “yes;” however, most did not provide a list of cities, towns, and/or villages.

Alabama* Alaska Arizona* Arkansas* California* Colorado* Connecticut* Delaware D.C. Florida+ Georgia Hawaii* Idaho Illinois* Indiana* Iowa Kansas* Kentucky* Louisiana* Maine± Maryland Massachusetts* Michigan Minnesota* Mississippi* Missouri* Montana Nebraska* Nevada New Hampshire* New Jersey* New Mexico* New York North Carolina* North Dakota Ohio* Oklahoma* Oregon* Pennsylvania* Rhode Island* South Carolina≠ South Dakota* Tennessee Texas* Utah Vermont Virginia‡ Washington* West Virginia Wisconsin* Wyoming

Requires for Sprinkler Drawings:

Fitters

New Hampshire retrofits per NFPA 101, Iowa and North Dakota per Chapter 11 of the International Fire Code (IFC), and South Carolina per Section 1103.5 of the 2015 ICC.

State

Contractors

For hotels and apartments, Florida has retrofit requirements, and Connecticut retrofits only hotels. New Jersey retrofits institutional occupancies. New Jersey and Wyoming have requirements for college dorms, and Illinois for dorms and Greek houses.

Inspectors

Florida has retrofit requirements for high-rises. Georgia and New Jersey have retrofit requirements for public assemblies (PAs).

Plan Reviewers

Requires Requires Certification Licensing Of: For:

Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y N N Y N N N Y N N Y Y Y Y N Y N N Y N Y N N Y N N N Y Y N N Y N N N N N Y N

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y N Y N Y N Y N Y N Y Y N N Y N Y Y N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N

Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N Y N Y Y N N N Y Y Y N Y N N Y Y Y Y Y

Y Y N Y Y N N Y N N N N N Y Y Y Y N N N Y Y Y Y N

Y Y N Y Y -

Y Y N Y Y

Y N Y -

Cert

Y Y N

Cert

Y Y N

Cert

Y N

lni.wa.gov

Y Y

NICET II

NICET II

NICET II

Depends

Depends

Depends

NICET II

NICET II

Y Y+ N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N N Y N Y Y

Only

Y Y Y N N N N Y -

Must be

Y Y Y Y Y

or sp ctr

N

Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N

N N Y Y Y -

NICET II

N Y N N Y N N -

sealed by

Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N Y

Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y N Y° N N N Y N N N

Y & cert des

N N -

1 of the 3

N Y Y Y Y

Information not available for Canada. A “-” indicates no response was given. +In Florida, a contractor can design systems with less than 49 sprinklers. ±Maine also requires code enforcement officials to be certified. For sprinkler drawing requirements, contact Gerald Leach at the SFMO at 207-626-2880. °Maryland answered “yes” for the requiring “other” (NFPACWBSD, etc.) for sprinkler drawings. ≠In South Carolina, certification per Title 6, Chapter 8 of SC Code of Laws. The SC-specific design and shop drawings requirements can be found in Title 40, Ch 10 of the SC Code of Laws. ‡Virginia will require inspectors to be licensed as of 7/1/21.

Georgia* Hawaii* Idaho Illinois* Indiana* Iowa Kansas* Kentucky* Louisiana* Maine Maryland Massachusetts* Michigan* Minnesota Mississippi* Missouri* Montana Nebraska* Nevada New Hampshire* New Jersey* New Mexico* New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio* Oklahoma* Oregon* Pennsylvania* Rhode Island* South Carolina* South Dakota* Tennessee Texas* Utah Vermont Virginia Washington* West Virginia Wisconsin* Wyoming

Numbers in ( ) are for retrofit questions. Phone numbers not available for Canada.

Alabama* Alaska Arizona* Arkansas* California* Colorado* Connecticut* Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia* Hawaii* Idaho Illinois* Indiana* Iowa Kansas* Kentucky* Louisiana* Maine Maryland Massachusetts* Michigan*+ Minnesota Mississippi* Missouri* Montana Nebraska* Nevada New Hampshire* New Jersey* New Mexico* New York North Carolina* North Dakota Ohio* Oklahoma* Oregon* Pennsylvania* Rhode Island* South Carolina*• South Dakota* Tennessee Texas* Utah Vermont Virginia# Washington* West Virginia Wisconsin* Wyoming

-

No Req Y Y State N

N N Y No Req N N Y Y Y N N No Req No Req No Req Y or Y N N Y Y Y License N No Req No Req N N No Req No Req No Req Y Y Y NFPA 1 & NFPA 101 N No Req No Req No Req No Req No Req No Req N Y, state cert No Req No Req N No Req Y

No Req Y Registered N

-

No Req -

Tester N

Yes/No

Y Y Y N N Y Y via waiver N No Req Y or Y y N Y Y Y State N No Req N No Req Per Y No Req No Req No Req N Y No Req N N N Y

Seismic protection required on fire sprinkler systems:

Other (CSA, Local)

N N Y N N No Req Y Y Y No Req N No Req N No Req No Req No Req N No Req N

State

NICET Level III

California* Colorado Connecticut* Delaware D.C. Florida

334-241-4166 907-269-5491 602-364-1003 501-618-8624 (501-618-8624) 916-327-4998 303-239-4600 860-713-5750 302-739-4394 202-442-4551 850-413-3610 (850-413-3610) 404-617-8515 (404-617-8515) 808-723-7176 (808-723-7176) 208-334-4370 217-558-0328 317-232-1421 (317-233-1421) 515-725-6145 785-296-0659 502-573-0365 x201 1-800-256-5452 (1-800-256-5452) 207-626-3880 (207-626-3880) 410-822-7609 978-567-3375 (978-567-3375) 517-241-9371 (517-241-9371) fire.code@state.mn.us 601-359-1061 573-751-2930 (573-522-6207) 406-841-2053 402-471-2027 775-684-7532 (603-271-3294) 609-984-7609 (609-633-6741) 505-476-0080 518-474-6746 919-647-0011 701-328-5550 614-728-5460 (614-728-5460) 405-522-5006 503-934-8269 (503-934-8269) 717-346-2729 401-393-7717 803-896-9800 605-773-3562 615-741-6246 512-305-7909 801-256-2365 (firemarshal.utah.gov) 802-479-7566 804-371-0220 360-596-3913 304-558-2191 608-266-0251 307-856-8214 or 307-777-8710

Required for those who perform inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems:

NICET Level II

Alabama* Alaska Arizona* Arkansas*

U.S. Inspection, Testing & Maintenance and Seismic Protection Requirements

NICET Level I

Local Jurisdictions and Retrofit Information

Y Y Y Y N N N Y N N Y Y

Only as req by NFPA 13 Yes, DOL appr program

N N Y N Y N Yes, in some areas Y N N N Y N Y Y Yes, some Y Based on IBC req N Y N Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y By specification on job

Y Y Y Y, in some areas

A “-” indicates no response was given. + In Michigan, in regulated facilities they have to be Act 144 Certified.

• In South Carolina, the adopted building code determines when seismic protection is required.

Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 33

Aircraft Hangar Protection Selection The Effect on Water Supplies RICK JACKSON | Jackson Associates, Inc.

Protection of aircraft hangars by the nature of the hazard typically require substantial water flow. This article provides a simplified description and example of common water flow and water storage requirements that may have a major influence on selection of the most appropriate design. This article is not intended to cover all options and nuances of NFPA 409, Standard on Aircraft Hangars, protection.

NFPA 409 applies to buildings or structure for aircraft storage, maintenance or related activities. The standard categorizes hangars according to size and construction as follows: • Group I Aircraft Hangar – Any hangar with a fire area exceeding 40,000 ft2 or a door height exceeding 28 ft (or other means of putting an airplane inside with a tail height of over 28 ft).

• Group II Aircraft Hangar – Any hangar with a fire area and construc-

Typical hangar fire pump house and water storage tank. Photo credit: Rick Jackson.

tion type per Table 4.1.2 and a door not exceeding 28 ft.

• Group III Aircraft Hangar – Any hangar with a fire area and construction type per Table 4.1.3 and a door height not over 28 ft.

See Table 4.1.2 Fire Areas for Group II Aircraft Hangars and Table 4.1.3 Maximum Fire Areas for Group III Aircraft Hangars in NFPA 409 for more details.

Group I

The main hazard in hangars is the fuel in the aircraft that can pour onto the floor and spread to large areas very rapidly. Even short exposure to the heat from a fire can cause significant damage to an aluminum aircraft. It is important to control the fire quickly. This is hampered by the shadowing of a floor fire by the aircraft itself. For this reason, most protection options are either overhead foam-water deluge sprinklers over the entire floor area or,

Group II

Group III

Protection Options

Duration

Protection Options

Duration

1) Foam – water deluge .16/entire area

60 min

1) Foam – water deluge .16/entire area

30 min

2) Sprinklers at ceiling .17/15,000 PLUS Low-level low expansion foam .1/entire area

45 min

2) Sprinklers at ceiling .17/15,000 PLUS Low-level low expansion foam .1/entire area

30 min 20 min

3) Sprinklers at ceiling .17/15,000 PLUS Low level high expansion foam over entire area 3 ft3/ft2 (typically flow is approximately equivalent to .05/area)

45 min

3) Sprinklers at ceiling .17/15,000 PLUS Low level high expansion foam entire area

30 min 24 min

4) Closed head AFFF sprinklers at .16/entire area Note: .16 is the minimum density. However, many sprinklers are listed for and require flowing at a higher density.

30 min

Figure 1. A summary of the most common protection options per NFPA 409.

34 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

Protection Options

1) Protect in accordance with local building codes.

2) Where hazardous operations are performed such as fuel transfer, welding, painting, etc. Protect as a Group II hangar.

both overhead wet sprinklers and low level foam, (either high expansion or low expansion), to rapidly cover the entire floor area, including below the aircraft.

This foam can be either low expansion foam, typically discharged from oscillating foam monitor or in floor nozzles, or it can be high expansion foam discharged by foam generators. In either case, the objective is to cover the burning fuel on the floor as quickly as possible.

NFPA 409 provides guidance for multiple extinguishing options. Depending on the use of the hangar, type of aircraft, and other factors, one option may be more effective than another. Note that most military branches have their own requirements which may differ from 409 requirements.

Figure 1 below summarizes the most common protection options.

Depending on which of the protection options chosen from the table above, the total required water storage and pump size can vary greatly.

In order to illustrate this, we will take an example from a recent project where a 25,200 ft2 Group II hangar was being designed. The hangar was to be built in cold climate with no municipal water in the vicinity. It was decided to install a large underground concrete tank with a vertical turbine fire pump. Building the tank underground, as opposed to, above ground eliminated the winter heating requirements

but construction would be relatively expensive, so the most efficient use of water became critical. Below is a table showing water storage requirements and fire pump flow for the four design options. (See Figure 2 on page 36.)

When considering Figure 2, it is apparent that options vary tremendously. Option 1 for a foam deluge system requires a fire pump flow of 4757 GPM and 310,620 gallons of storage. This is over three times the stored water of option 3 for closed head sprinklers with low level high expansion foam, which has a flow of 2,358 GPM and

In addition to the system flows in Figure 1, there are requirements for foam hand lines.

Two must be calculated flowing 60 GPM. This inside foam hose line requirement has been proposed to be eliminated in the next edition of NFPA 409. If the fire department is utilizing the same water source, 500 GPM outside hose must be calculated.

As can be seen from the Figure 1, the flow rates can be quite high since most Group I and II airplane hangars have a large floor area. The significant flow rates, high ceilings, and starting pressure requirements of foam making devices combine to make it very seldom that fire pumps would not be required. Prior to the 2016 version of NFPA 409, systems were required to have multiple fire pumps and be designed so the system functioned properly with the largest pump out of service. This requirement was eliminated in 2016; however, paragraph 6.2.10.1.2 does require, for Group I hangars, that a minimum of two pumps shall be provided.

There are numerous factors to consider when determining the appropriate type of hangar protection. First, if there is municipal water, the maximum flow available at 20 PSI must be determined. It is not uncommon to find that the municipal water is not capable of supplying enough water, even with the addition of fire pumps.

If this is the case, water tanks and fire pumps on site may be the only answer.

Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 35

91,980 gallons of stored water. The flow requirements of the fire pump are typically significant and vary drastically with the various options. The size of the pump(s) and size of piping around the pumps can have large effects on the overall system cost.

This example was for a midsized Group II hangar. Some options are based on flow over specified area while others are over the entire area. Changing the size of the hangar does not affect the various protection options equally, so the results may significantly change and must be calculated for each hangar.

From Figure 2 it is apparent that the area of application and the water supply durations can be significantly higher for Group I hangars than Group II. This follows since Group I hangars typically Option Number from NFPA 409 1) Foam deluge .16/25,200 + 15% Foam hand line 2 @ 60 =120

house larger aircraft, hence more fuel load, than Group II hangars. The norm for water supplies for aircraft hangars have always been multiple fire pumps and in almost all cases stored water at the facility, due to the water demand for the types of systems protecting the aircraft service and storage area. Flow rates exceeding 10,000 GPM can obviously require very large piping, costly valves and fittings.

Each of the various fire suppression options has advantages and disadvantages, depending on the use of the hangar, and should be evaluated.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rick Jackson graduated from Wittenberg University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering science/ physics. He has worked in the HPR department at Kemper Insurance and at a special hazards company. In 1979, Jackson Associates, Inc. was incorporated, and designs and installs all types of special hazard and sprinkler systems.

Jackson is a member of AFSA, NFPA’s Industrial Section, and SFPE. He has served on NFPA 409 Aircraft Hangar and NFPA 750 Water Mist committees, and the Michigan SFPE board of directors. Call (248) 762-2500 or email rick@jacksonassociatesinc.com to contact him.

Determining the capability of the municipal water supply, if available, is a good starting point. Then, simply doing the math for the various suppression options can help determine viable

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 present the official position of the NFPA and its Technical Committee.

Pump Water Flow GPM

Fire Dept.

Flow

Time Req. Min.

Total Water Through Pump Gallons

Total Water Fire Dept. Used Gallons

Foam Concentrate Total Minutes Gallons

4,637

60

278,220

10

1,392 (3%)

120

20

2,400

20

72 (3%)

500 GPM outside hose Total (310,620 gallons)

options. It then becomes an engineering discussion as to the best protection for the customer. n

500

60

4,757

30,000 280,620

30,000

1,464

2) .17/5,000 closed head sprinklers + 15%

978

30

29,340

.1/25,200 low expansion foam

2,520

20

50,400

10

756 (3%)

Foam hand lines 2 @ 60 =120

120

20

2,400

20

72 (3%)

500 GPM outside Total (112,140 gallons)

3) .17/5,000 closed head sprinklers +15% .05/25,200 Hi expansion foam Foam hand lines 2 @ 60 =120

500

60

3,618

30,000 82,140

30,000

828

978

30

29,340

1,260

24

30,240

12

415 (2.75%)

120

20

2,400

20

72 (3%)

500 GPM outside hose

500

60

30,000

Total (91,980 gallons)

2,358

4) .16/25,200 plus 15% closed head foam sprinklers

4,639

30

139,110

10

1,392 (3%)

Foam hand lines 2 @ 60 =120

120

30

2,400

20

72 (3%)

61,980

500 GPM outside hose Total (171,510 gallons)

500 4,757

Figure 2. Water fow and storage requirements for a 25,200 Group II hangar.

415 HI-EX 72 AFFF

30,000 141,510

2

36 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

60

30,000

30,000

212

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Douse Flammable Liquid Issues Informal Interpretations Assist Members The informal interpretations featured in this issue of Sprinkler Age address flammable liquids issues. Informal interpretations are prepared by the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Technical Services Department—Jason Williams, CET, manager of ITM Technical Training; and Tom Noble, CET, CFPS, CWBSP, technical programs specialist. This is provided with the understanding that the AFSA assumes no liability for this opinion or actions taken on it and they are not to be considered the official position of the NFPA or its technical committees.

SUBJECT: ESFR Protection and Storage of Level 3 Aerosols Question: “Rack storage of cartoned level 3 aerosols requires the ceiling sprinkler demand to be balanced with the in-rack sprinkler demand per NFPA 30B, Code for the Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products, 2019 edition table 6.4.2.7(h)? If there is an existing ceiling sprinkler system with ESFR K-22.4 sprinklers at 55 psi with a 250 gpm hose allowance, do I need to balance it with the in-racks sprinklers? Would hydraulic calculations showing that the existing ESFR system provides the required density by table 6.4.2.7(h) for an unlimited ceiling height with a clearance of greater than 5 ft but less than or equal to 15 ft and then balancing it with the demand of the in-racks sprinklers be acceptable?”

Answer: In response to your question, we have reviewed NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2019 edition and NFPA 30B, 2019 edition as the applicable standards. Our informal interpretation is standard spray sprinklers are required as well as balancing with the in-rack sprinklers.

The existing ESFR ceiling sprinklers cannot be used because NFPA 30B identifies criteria only for standard spray sprinklers in table 6.4.2.7(h). ESFR sprinklers are designed to have a spray pattern that penetrates down through the heat and smoke plumes, which is much different than the spray pattern of a standard spray sprinkler. Although it’s recognized that ESFR sprinklers typically provide a higher level of protection for standard storage that doesn’t extend to all products which can for 38 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

instance require larger remote areas due to burning characteristics. With this being the case, even though the current configuration of the ESFR sprinkler system at the ceiling would provide a higher density than what is being required by table 6.4.2.7(h), the system would have to be replaced with a standard spray sprinkler system.

When it comes to balancing the ceiling level sprinklers with the in-rack sprinklers, NFPA 30B states: “Installations of automatic sprinklers, where required by this code, shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 13 and the provisions of this code.”

From this requirement, NFPA 13, Chapter 25, Protection of Rack Storage Using In-Rack Sprinklers dictates the requirements for balancing in-rack sprinklers with ceiling level sprinklers. Upon review, section 25.12.1.4 of NFPA 13 states: “Where in-rack sprinkler arrangements have been installed in accordance with this chapter, except for section 25.8, the flow and pressure requirements of both the ceiling and in-rack sprinkler systems over the same protected area shall be hydraulically balanced together to the higher sprinkler system pressure requirement at their point of connection.”

This requires the ceiling level sprinklers to be hydraulically balanced with the in-rack sprinklers unless specifically stated otherwise in NFPA 13 and/or NFPA 30B. Thus, balancing would be required if this protection scheme is utilized.

SUBJECT: Sprinkler Protection for Intermediate Bulk Containers with Class IIIB Liquids Question: “In reference to the 2015 edition of NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, section 16.5.2.5 and table 16.5.2.5 we would like to confirm that the nonmetallic intermediate bulk containers being used in a facility conform to the requirements of these sections. The nonmetallic IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers) being used are rigid plastic with a wire cage around them. They are less than 275 gallons in capacity and contain Class IIIB liquid with a flash point greater than 375°F. Table 16.5.2.5 describes the packaging for this

scenario as “Flexible plastic liner within a composite continuously wound corrugated paperboard intermediate bulk container” and Note 1 states “Construction of intermediate bulk container to be a minimum of 8 layers of paperboard, with a minimum nominal thickness of 11/2-in. at the center of any side panel.” This packaging description is obviously not the same as what is actually being used, however, per the definitions of sections 3.3.12.2, 3.3.12.3 and of a nonmetallic IBC in section 3.3.12.4 along with section A.3.3.12.4 we would like to confirm that section 16.5.2.5 and table 16.5.2.5 would be applicable to this type of nonmetallic IBC.” Answer: In response to your question, we have reviewed NFPA 30, 2018 edition as the applicable standard. Our informal interpretation is both section and table 16.5.2.5 can be used.

The first step we need to determine if we can use section 16.5.2.5 is to confirm that the container you described is considered and IBC or Intermediate Bulk Container.

While the definition of a Nonmetallic IBC in section 3.3.12.4 states: “An intermediate bulk container, as defined in 3.3.12.2, constructed of glass, plastic, fiber, or a material other than metal.” Also, the annex section is vague and only describe the cardboard box with a flexible plastic liner or commonly referred to as a bag in a box there is still no mention of a plastic container with a

metal cage. Luckily there is some commentary in the handbook that discusses explicitly this section as follows: “Several types of nonmetallic intermediate bulk containers are available. One type is a rotational molded plastic IBC, shown in Exhibit I.3.10. This type has a fairly robust shell, up to about 3/ 4-in. (20-mm) thick and is self-supporting so that it can be stacked. The second type, known in the industry as a ‘composite nonmetallic IBC,’ consists of a blow-molded plastic vessel surrounded by a metal cage or enclosure. The vessel itself is basically a very large version of a plastic milk jug. The metal enclosure provides rigidity and stability (so the IBCs can be stacked and handled easily) and protection from mishaps during handling (e.g., punctured by the tines of a lift truck). Two of these types are shown in Exhibit I.3.11 (metal cage) and Exhibit I.3.12 (‘spam can’). NFPA 30 also recognizes, for Class IIIB liquids only, the use of IBCs consisting of a flexible plastic liner within a composite corrugated paperboard overpack, sometimes referred to as a ‘bag-ina-box.’ This last type is shown in Exhibit I.3.13.”

As you already know, the standard is ambiguous, so I have included the steps to determine if section 16.5.2.5 is applicable for your situation. First off, we need to determine which decision tree of section 16.4 to use to help guide us to the correct section. Figure 16.4.1(a) is not applicable as we are not using metallic containers. Now we move on to Figure 16.4.1(B) which is applicable as we are using nonmetallic containers.

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Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 39

Following the decision tree, the first step—is the liquid excluded by section 9.1.4? If the answer is no, we move on to the next step. Secondly, does the liquid meet the criteria of section 16.2.5? Again, if no, we move on to the next step. The third step asks us if the liquid is water miscible. If the answer is no, we move to the next step. Now finally is the liquid a Class IIIB liquid? If the answer is yes, we are told to protect using Section 16.5.2.5, table 16.5.2.9 or table 16.5.2.10 if applicable.

So moving on to section 16.5.2.5 tells us that: “Table 16.5.2.5 shall apply to the following: (1) Automatic sprinkler protection, (2) Single-, double-, or multiple-row rack storage, (3) Class IIIB nonmiscible liquids and Class IIIB miscible liquids with concentration of flammable or combustible component greater than 50 percent by volume, (4) Nonmetallic containers or intermediate bulk containers, (5) Cartoned or uncartoned.”

From there we move on to table 16.5.2.5 to determine the criteria to design the sprinkler system to based on storage arrangement and size of containers. etc.

In closing, from all of the items listed in your question, table 16.5.2.5 is the appropriate table to use to determine the level of protection you need to design the sprinkler system to.

SUBJECT: Class IIIB Indoor Liquid Storage Tanks in Maintenance Shop Question: “We are involved in a project that is to be used as a reconditioning facility for a car dealership. There are

two areas within this building where motor oil (Class IIIB combustible liquid) is to be stored. The first area is on the ground floor and consists of two 500-gallon double wall tanks that are to be located in a room that is approximately 514 ft2 in area. The oil located in the room is fresh oil to be used for the car repair garage. The room height is 15 ft-3 in. with tank heights of 60.5 in. The second area is located on a second floor mezzanine and consists of a single 3,900-gallon storage tank. It is to be used as a waste oil tank and will be located in a room that is approximately 2,800 ft2 in area. The room height is 12 ft-1 in. with tank heights of 47 in. In both cases, the rooms will be constructed of steel and concrete. Both areas are to be used for other general storage with no separation from the oil tanks. The tanks are to be constructed of metal, stationary, and mounted on skid plates relatively low to the floor level.

Each is to have an emergency vent that will discharge inside the building. The project documents call for ordinary hazard (Group 2) density for these areas with NFPA 13 being the applicable standard. Our questions are as follows: 1) Should NFPA 30 be the applicable standard in determining a sprinkler design density for this scenario? 2) Assuming NFPA 30 is the correct standard, is there fire sprinkler design criteria for metal tank storage of a Class IIIB combustible liquids over 793 gallons? 3) Because of a limited water supply at the site, would enclosure of the tank areas limit the (assumed) higher density to the room where the tank is located and allowing the lesser density to be used in the surrounding area? 4) Would the wall need to be a fire rated assembly?”

Answer: In response to your questions we have reviewed NFPA 13, 2007 edition that you indicated as the applicable standard as well as NFPA 30, 2008 edition. Our informal interpretation is noted below.

The list of examples is provided for ordinary hazard (Group 2) occupancies and shows repair garages in the annex of A.5.3.2. Repair garages are expected to have some amount of flammable and combustible liquids. The fuel and lubrication systems could also be drained and disassembled where these fluids are collected. There is no maximum quantity noted by the standard. The IFC classifies this occupancy as moderatehazard storage, Group S-1 and that the motor vehicle repair garages comply with the maximum allowable quantities of hazardous materials listed in table 5003.1.1(1). The table shows 13,200 gallons for storage or use-closed systems as the maximum allowable quantity. A note from this table indicates that quantities shall not be limited in a building equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with section 903.3.1.1. There is not a definitive correlation between the occupancies from the International Fire Code (IFC) and NFPA for determining discharge from sprinkler systems.

Section 5.4.2 does indicate that extra hazard (Group 2) occupancies shall be defined as occupancies or portions of

40 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

other occupancies with moderate to substantial amounts of flammable or combustible liquids or occupancies where shielding of combustibles is extensive. The problem is trying to define what quantity in gallons applies as moderate to substantial amounts of flammable or combustible liquids.

Section 11.2.1.2.3 does say that occupancies or portions of occupancies shall be classified according to the quantity and combustibility of contents, the expected rates of heat release, the total potential for energy release, the heights of stockpiles, and the presence of flammable and combustible liquids, using the definitions contained in section 5.2 through section 5.5. Section 11.2.1.2.4(4) points to special occupancy hazards in chapter 22. Section 22.2.1 for special occupancy requirements says that sprinkler system discharge criteria for the protection of flammable and combustible liquids shall comply with NFPA 30. As you noted above in your question, the code addresses tank construction, piping, containment, ventilation, etc.; how much product; and where tanks can be located but it does not give discharge criteria for sprinkler systems for this particular application.

Thus, one is left with providing the criteria specified in NFPA 13 where extra hazard (Group 2) may be applicable or a registered professional engineer could determine the criteria for theses tanks located indoors.

heated to their fire point. A double-wall storage tank provides an added layer of safety. With that in mind, it would be an external fire to the tanks that could involve the combustible liquids in the storage tanks. This is likely not to happen since the areas around the tanks are protected for the hazard. If the systems perform as designed, the fire should not involve the Class IIIB liquid storage tanks.

There are additional safeguards to be implemented for this application besides the sprinkler protection. A rated wall is not required around the hazard, but that is an option.

Since there are reservations regarding the hazards in this application, this should be discussed with the EOR. The EOR is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the system is designed and installed according to the applicable codes and standards. n EDITOR’S NOTE: These interpretations were prepared by AFSA’s Technical Services Department in answer to specific questions from contractors and/or AHJs. These opinions are provided for the benefit of the requesting party, and are provided with the understanding that AFSA assumes no liability for the opinions or actions taken on them. AFSA members can access past informal interpretations online. Visit firesprinkler.org, click on “Technical Services” and then “Informal Interpretations.” (Member user name and password required to gain entry.)

The project documents specified ordinary hazard (Group 2) density for these areas by the engineer of record (EOR).

Class IIIB liquids are relatively hard to start burning unless

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Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 41

Move Over Millennials Generation Z Comes to the Workplace MEGAN E. WALKER | Fisher Phillips

You may have noticed a new trend in your workplaces of late without even realizing it. As recent graduates descend into the workforce in entry-level positions across America, you may be under the impression that you are engaging with yet another crop of millennials, that over-analyzed and frequently maligned generation. However, these newest workers—aged 23 and younger—are actually the dawn of Generation Z’s coming of age. What can employers expect from the generation who has never known a world without search engines?

Big Mood: Gen Z Storms Into The Workforce First things first. Generation Z is the term most accepted at the

Top 10 Tips For Working With Gen Z Workers 1. Use recruiters who can connect with candidates.

2. Ensure you have up-to-date hiring technology.

3. Provide face-to-face, personalized communication.

4. Be a straight shooter and deliver your message efficiently.

5. Offer frequent feedback and mentoring.

6. Offer meaningful work.

7. Promote a positive work culture with opportunities to grow.

8. Provide mental health coverage.

9. Give independence and autonomy once earned.

10. Be honest and transparent.

42 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

current time to define those born in the late 1990s and later (with the oldest born around 1995 to 1997, depending on the source). There are approximately 60 million members of Gen Z, and while most are still minors at this point, they are expected to account for one-fifth of the workforce by 2020. In other words, if you don’t work with them yet, you should expect to work with them in the very near future.

What are their defining characteristics?

The most racially diverse generation, 72 percent believe racial equality is the most important issue today, and nearly half believe employers should be doing more to promote inclusion. They also have greater diversity in gender; in a survey of teens in California, 27 percent identified as non-binary.

Their outlook is framed from major events that occurred in the early 2000s: the dot-com bust, 9/11, and the subprime mortgage crisis that led to 2008 recession. Given those events, it is perhaps not surprising that, as a generation, they are pessimistic, anxious, and skeptical. And they are stressed. So now that you have a general sense of what they are like, what do you need to know about them as employees in order to best benefit your workplace?

How Do You Do, Fellow Kids?

Communicating With Gen Z We’ll start with technology, one of the primary factors that has defined this latest generation. Facebook came to the scene when the oldest were still in elementary school, and approximately 90% have a digital footprint. However, while one might assume that Generation Z prefers communicating through digital means, a recent survey found that 51 percent prefer face-to-face interactions, and only 25 percent prefer digital communication. This contradicts

managers’ expectations, a plurality (41 percent) of whom believe smartphones and tablets will be the most effective means of communication.

The challenges in communicating with Gen Z may not arise from the method, but rather the content. Gen Z is known to be less focused, but better at multitasking. The key is to get to the point.

This generation, who can spot a Valencia filter in the blink of an eye, want their managers to give it to them straight, so that they can be better set up for success.

Also, mentoring is of prime importance to this youngest generation in the workplace. Seventy-five percent (alternatively, “Three-quarters”) of Gen Z workers surveyed say they want a boss who can coach them; they value frequent feedback and manager consistency.

“Upload Your Resume... Now Painstakingly Fill Out This Application”: Hiring Gen-Zers So how do you go about staying competitive in the modern recruiting game and capturing the newest workers to come work for you?

Generation Z wants real connections, even with their recruiters. In fact, they rank the recruiters they worked with as the number one factor that influenced whether or not they accepted a job—five times higher than technology and nearly four times higher than a speedy interview process.

That said, outdated technology can be a turn-off to potential Gen Z applicants.

Over half of Gen-Zers will not even complete a job application if the recruiting methods are outdated, and 26 percent say that lack of tech throughout the hiring process would deter them from accepting a job offer. To appeal to on-the-go Gen Z applicants, employers should consider mobile-friendly job

application sites and applications. You may even consider using text messaging as part of your interview process to appeal to their desire for expediency and efficiency.

When You’re Trying To Decide Whether To Go Into Work Or Drive Across The County To Start A New Life: Creating A Gen-ZFriendly Culture Once you have hired them, you need to turn your attention toward retention tactics. Like millennials, Gen-Zers are global citizens interested in opportunities and companies that follow sustainable business practices, give back to their communities, and know how their work is making an impact. And while they agree with millennials and rank salary and work-life balance as the top two considerations when deciding on whether or not to accept a job offer, their third highest priority is meaningful work.

In the same vein, Gen Z also places a high value on company culture. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to break out the cornhole sets and electronic scooters around the office.

Rather, they want to work for companies that treat their employees like people and provide opportunities for growth. Given Gen-Zers’ high stress levels and greater propensity to seek out treatment for their mental health, however, it may be worthwhile to revisit your benefits plans to make sure mental health coverage is sufficient.

Over half of Gen-Zers plan to leave their current employer within three years, but they may stick around if they have an opportunity to grow within the company. Over half aspire to hold management positions.

Financial security is also a priority, particularly since only 30 percent are confident they will be able to repay their student loans.

Been There, Done That If some of these themes sound familiar, they are.

When Gen-X came of age in the early 1990s, they expressed a desire to influence social values, address global issues, and promote racial understanding. And just a few years ago, a study

showed that a majority of millennials would take a pay cut to work for a responsible company.

But there are key distinctions researchers are finding with Generation Z compared with millennials. Specifically, Gen-Zers are more independent and competitive, whereas the prior generation values collaboration. But mostly they’re just extra—that is, they are extra diverse, extra accepting, extra stressed, and extra ambitious.

In Conclusion The newest generation to join the workforce is accustomed to being sold a bill of goods. From Snapchat filters to #fakenews, they are hyperaware that nearly everything they consume has already been “spun� at best, and they are inherently skeptical.

And perhaps because of that, they say they place high value on honesty and transparency.

Because 79 percent of managers say that they do not plan to change their management style to meet the next generation of workers, there is opportunity for those willing to cut to the chase to attract and

maintain the newest generation of ambitious, critically thinking workers.

None of these suggestions mean you need to radically change your way of doing business, and in fact, adopting them will not lead you to be valuing the younger generation over the rest of your workers.

Instead, you’ll simply create a more flexible work environment suited for the 21st century. n ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Megan E. Walker is an associate with Fisher Phillips in its San Diego office. She received her B.A. in 2006 from New York University, her J.D. from Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law in 2014, and was admitted to the California Bar. She is very active within and serves on the Board of Directors for the Lawyers Club of San Diego. In 2019, she was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star, a distinction awarded to only 2.5 percent of attorneys in San Diego. Contact the author at MEWalker@ fisherphillips.com or (858) 597-9611.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Reprinted with permission from FisherPhillips’ October 1, 2019 online newsletter, Visit www.fisherphillips. com for details.

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Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 43

Council Elects 2020 Officers AFSA Manufacturer/Supplier Members Have a Voice The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council elected its officers October 4 at the AFSA38: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in San Diego. Chris Stason of Victaulic Company in Temecula, California was elected as chair of the Council and Derek Allen of Core & Main in Hayward, California was confirmed as vice chair of the Council.

Mike Dooley of Anvil International in Holliston, Massachusetts, and Ray Fremont, Jr. of General Air Products, Inc. in Exton, Pennsylvania, were re-elected to three-year terms, expiring in 2022. Mark Knurek of Lubrizol in Cleveland, Ohio, was elected to a two-year term, expiring in 2021, and Mark Abernathy of Bull Moose Tube Company in Chesterfield, Missouri, elected to a one-year term, expiring in 2020.

All members are anticipating a year of making a great difference on the Council. Knurek, who has served on the AFSA committees in the past, is especially thrilled to be a part of the

M/S Council. “It has been many years since Lubrizol/BlazeMaster has been on the M/S Council, so I am very excited that we have made it back,” said Knurek. “I look forward to working closely with the M/S Council to further advance the fire sprinkler industry initiatives that progress the quality of our products, solutions, training, and increasing residential fire sprinkler requirements. AFSA is poised to do great things over the next few years and I am looking forward to being an integral part of it.”

The Council, established in 1983, is a national council representing member companies who produce fire sprinkler system components and supply materials and services to the industry.

The M/S Council was created to represent the interests of all associate members that make and supply products in the industry, and assist AFSA’s Board of Directors in meeting the goals of AFSA. “Being the Chair affords me the opportunity to give back to the industry and work with all the

manufacturers for the betterment of the industry as a whole,” said Stason, who was elected to a two-year term as Council chair. “I think together with the new AFSA Board of Directors Chair Ted Wills and the new makeup of the M/S Council we look forward to two years of progress in tackling industry issues and opportunities.”

Members of the 2019-2020 M/S Council include: Mark Abernathy, Bull Moose Tube Company, Chesterfield, Missouri; Derek Allen, Core & Main, Hayward, California; Mike Dooley, Anvil International, Holliston, Massachusetts; Ray Fremont, Jr., General Air Products, Inc., Exton, Pennsylvania; Tim Freiner, Potter Electric Signal Company, St. Louis, Missouri; Michelle Hoffmann, WinSupply, Dayton, Ohio; Mark Knurek, Lubrizol, Cleveland, Ohio; Jim McHugh, AGF Manufacturing Inc., Malvern, Pennsylvania; Darren Palmieri, Viking SupplyNet, Hasting, Michigan; Bill Phair, Ferguson Fire & Fabrication, Passaic, New Jersey; Rex Schwendiman, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Company, Elmsford, New York; Chris Stason, Victaulic Company, Temecula, Califor-

Members of the 2019-2020 M/S Council. Back row (L to R): Mark Abernathy, Lainey Liotta (proxy for Mark Knurek), Rex Schwendiman, Joe Tieman, Derek Allen, Tim Freiner, Darren Palmieri, and Jim McHugh. Front row (L to R): Ralph Watson, Michelle Hoffman, Chris Stason, Mike Dooley, Ray Fremont Jr., and Bill Phair.

44 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

WITH FIRE SPRINKLERS

Les and Diane Woods in their fire-sprinklered home in Tega Cay, SC. Les Woods is a Resident Fire Marshal and Division Chief with the Tega Cay Volunteer Fire Department. Lt. Diane Woods is Fire Prevention Officer for the department.

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With 73 years in the fire service between them, Les and Diane Woods understand the dangers of home fires to both civilians and responders. In response, they’ve launched an ambitious educational strategy that already includes more than 60 public home fire sprinkler demonstrations across the southeast, and numerous fire service trainings. “We’re trying to educate as many people as possible,” Les says. They take their advocacy seriously and say they will never live in an unsprinklered home. In fact, they were the first in their county to install fire sprinklers in their own home. “We had to walk the walk and talk the talk,” Diane says. “It’s so much a part of our hearts and passion.”

From l to r: During the October 4 meeting, then M/S Council Chair Mike Dooley presented Chuck Kitts with a plaque recognizing his service to the AFSA M/S Council.

46 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

nia; Joe Tieman, Johnson Controls, Hillard, Ohio; and Ralph Watson, Globe Fire Sprinkler Corporation, Standish, Michigan.

commemorative plaque at their October meeting in recognition of his nearly two decades of service on the M/S Council.

The M/S Council is comprised of both appointed and elected representatives.

Each device manufacturing company that holds AFSA membership at level A-6 or above is allowed one seat, with the representative to be appointed by the individual company, and two appointed seats on the Council are reserved for distributor/fabricators in dues-paying categories A-9 or above with a national scope. There are seven elected representatives, and persons serving in these positions may represent any supplier or manufacturer company that includes, but is not limited to, suppliers, other manufacturers, or manufacturer’s representatives as long as the company is an AFSA member in good standing.

AFSA members are encouraged to contact M/S Council representatives with questions or ideas. If you are interested in becoming more involved with AFSA, the Council encourages you to do so! Consider investing in the future of your industry by getting more active; please also consider the time and financial commitment required to attend meetings and work on AFSA programs. The M/S Council will meet on these dates in 2020: January 22 – Westin Park Central, Dallas, Texas; April 22 – The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Point Clear, Alabama; July 22 – Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; September 16 – Hilton Bonnet Creek, Orlando, Florida.

At the Council’s July 2019 meeting, Chuck Kitts announced that he will step down from serving on the Council as a representative of System Sensor. On behalf of the members of the Council, Immediate Past Chair Mike Dooley presented Kitts with a

Members interested in serving on the Council should contact M/S Council staff liaisons Nicole Duvall at nduvall@ firesprinkler.org or Marlene Garrett, CMP, at mgarrett@firesprinkler.org, or visit firesprinkler.org. n

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Dates Set for 2020 AFSA Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning Schools The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has set the 2020 schedule for its popular Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School. Six sessions are planned for the coming year: • January 13-24; • March 9-20; • May 4-15; • July 6-17; • September 21 – October 2; and • November 9-30, 2020.

Taught by AFSA’s expert technical staff, AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School teaches the essential elements of system layout in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. It is designed to train a beginner to be productive immediately upon returning to work. This class is designed for those with no experience, or those who need

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assistance with design. The school, held at AFSA’s training center in Dallas, presents a comprehensive, practical approach to preparing fire sprinkler system drawings. Students receive two full weeks of instruction: 60 percent is study and review of NFPA 13 (2016 edition) and 40 percent is preparation of fire sprinkler system layout, shop drawings and hydraulic calculations. Students learn by actually planning and drawing sprinkler systems while studying and applying NFPA 13 (2016 edition).

Attendees are given the tools to accelerate the comprehension of plans and various types of building construction for proper sprinkler spacing applications; determine the proper and economical planning of fire sprinkler system layout and installation methods; know the importance of sprinkler specifications, types of pipe, hangers, fittings, flow tests, etc.; learn to develop shop drawings from start to finish; learn to coordinate with other trades such as plumbing, mechanical, structural and electrical; perform manual hydraulic calculations, preparing the student for an easier decision-making process when using a computer to perform hydraulics; and prepare shop drawings in class for projects with different applications.

Registration is $1,500 for AFSA members and $2,700 for non-members. Early registration is highly encouraged at firesprinkler.org/schools. For additional details, email AFSA Meeting & Events Coordinator Liz Nemerofsky at liz@ firesprinkler.org or call (214) 349-5965 ext. 117. n 48 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

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Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is proud recognize those members who are celebrating milestone membership anniversaries. The member companies featured have belonged to AFSA for 15 or more years of continuous membership. Several members are celebrating milestone anniversaries in November and December including Associate Member General Air Products, in Exton, Pennsyvlania. Ray Fremont, Jr., marketing manager of General Air, shares some of his favorite AFSA memories and things he’s learned within the fire protection industry.

How did you get involved in the fire sprinkler industry? General Air Products became involved in the fire sprinkler industry in the late 1950s. At the time we were an industrial design and buy/resell company. We designed and offered components for the boiler systems in many buildings in the Mid-Atlantic region. More and more an air compressor for a dry pipe sprinkler system would be called out in specifications and we offered a solution. Eventually that component came our way so often we decided to manufacture a compressor specifically designed to work in a fire sprinkler application.

How did you get involved with AFSA? General Air has exhibited at AFSA’s convention for many years and I’ve regularly attended. As I got to know more members and what AFSA does for the industry, I became more involved in the association both on the local and national levels. I’m a member of our local Schuylkill Chapter and have presented seminars and training for chapter members. On a national level, I helped to establish AFSA’s NextGen Initiative (NGI), the workgroup for industry professionals aged 40 and under, and was very active in it until I “aged out” and earned mentor status. I’ve written articles for Sprinkler Age, was elected to the Manufacturers/Suppliers (M/S) Council in 2016-2017, and I’ve signed up to be a mentor in AFSA’s new Mentor Program.

What is your favorite or most used AFSA benefit? Our participation in the trade show each year is the aspect of AFSA that we make use of and look forward to each year. The AFSA Board and staff do an incredible job of facilitating a sense of community and purpose that is a privilege to take part in.

What’s the key ingredient to your success? The success of General Air Products can be boiled down to two ingredients—highquality product and diligent customer service. The fire sprinkler industry is, in our estimation, different from other trades because of gravity of the end result. Sure, not getting hot water from a faucet or not getting power from an outlet is a problem—but a fire is an emergency. That is what drives our focus on quality and support, it drives our best customers to constantly get better at their trade and it drives the AFSA to develop the most effective curriculum—that is an industry and a community that we are proud to be a part of!

50 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

From left to right: Leah and Dwight Bateman visit with Fremont during AFSA38’s exhibition in San Diego.

Happy Anniversary! AFSA looks forward to celebrating with more members! Recognition in Sprinkler Age will be done in five-year anniversary increments and is available to all membership types. n AFSA Milestone Membership Anniversaries November and December 2019 35-Year Anniversary Contractor Members American Sprinkler Co., Inc., Harahan, LA Advanced Fire Protection, Inc., Woodinville, WA Anchor Fire Protection Co., Perkiomenville, PA Central Carolina Sprinkler Co., Lincolnton, NC Associate Members General Air Products, Inc., Exton, PA Ward Manufacturing, Inc., Blossburg, PA 30-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Brenneco Fire Protection, Inc., Flora, IN Precision Fire Protection, Inc., Reinholds, PA 25-Year Anniversary Contractor Members M. Walker Sprinkler Company, Syracuse, NY Western Automatic Sprinkler Co., La Grande, OR Associate Members Wheatland Tube Company, Sharon, PA 20-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Allan Fire Protection, Tucson, AZ Blaze Master Fire Protection, East Payson, UT Fire Sprinkler Design and Consulting, Phoenix, AZ Southern Vermont Services, Inc., Brattleboro, VT Associate Members Anvil International, Exeter, NH Huguenot Laboratories, Port Jervis, NY 15-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Falcon Fire Protection, Inc., North Kansas City, MO Security Fire Sprinkler, Sauk Rapids, MN

ENROLL FOR SPRING 2020

ITM

INSPECTOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Properly train your new inspector technicians in 20 months!

• Code compliant inspection & testing and the importance of professionalism taught by NFPA 25 committee members

T S E B THE CRET E S T P KE THE INDUSTRY IN

• Blended instruction utilizing on-demand, interactive webinars, live-class lecture, and hands-on field & lab training • No prior experience necessary • On-the-job training guidance • 89% first-time pass rates on NICET I and II I & T exams, compared to 65% national average

For more information visit: www.firesprinkler.org/ITM

*NICET II Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. AFSA makes no implied or expressed warranty that studying these materials or passing the assessments or exams will ensure passage of the related NICET exams or certification by NICET.

AFSA CHAPTERS AFSA Chapter Contacts Alabama alfiresprinkler.org Hunter Brendle – Pres.

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

Colorado afsacoloradochapter.org Roger Wallace – Chair.

719-337-6550 Kim Cook – Exec. Dir. 704-213-4368

Alberta, Canada afsaalberta.org Kevin Mozak – Pres.

780-203-5263

Connecticut afsact.org Rick Russo – Chair.

203-877-7983 Wendy Callahan – Exec. Dir. 978-855-6495

Arkansas Randy Gilliam– Chair.

479-646-8934 Coleman Farrar – Exec. Dir. 479-986-9090 Arizona Bob Caputo – Chair.

864-222-1381 British Columbia, Canada Alan Thompson – Pres.

778-867-7039 Carolinas afsacarolinaschapter.com David Smith – Chair.

828-327-4116 John Turnage – Exec. Dir. 919-624-3456 Chesapeake Bay afsachesapeakechapter.org 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

Northern New England Ryan Gadhue – Chair.

802-865-3600 Ohio afsaoh.org Bill Hausman, Chair 937-859-6198 Don Eckert– Exec. Dir. 513-310-9660

Louisiana lafiresprinkler.org Linda Biernacki – Chair.

318-688-8800

New Jersey Thomas Bowlby Jr. – Chair.

908-226-5313 Robert K. Melofchik – Exec. Dir. 201-741-0056

Greater Bay Area afsa-gba.org Dave Karrick – Chair.

925-417-5550

Upstate New York afsaupstatenychapter.org Justin Petcosky - Chair 607-296-7969

Sacramento Valley sacvalleyafsa.org Hal Burton – Chair.

916-332-1266 Paulene Norwood – Exec. Dir. 916-296-0635

Minnesota-Dakotas Michael Winiecki – Chair.

651-484-5903

Georgia Affiliate georgiafiresprinkler.org Patrick Cordi – Pres.

404-416-0762 Billy Wood – Exec. Dir. 404-226-8304

Tennessee afsatennesseechapter.org Casey Milhorn – Chair.

615-349-5278

Patriot afsapatriot.org Chad Dubuc – Chair.

508-431-9938 Wendy Callahan – Exec. Dir. 978-855-6495

Mid-Atlantic afsamac.org Meaghen Wills – Chair.

610-754-7836 Ilyse Shapiro – Exec. Dir. 610-642-7427

Florida afsafl.org Chris Johnson – Chair.

800-327-7604 CarolynAnn Mohr – Exec. Dir. 239-771-3907

Southern California socalafsa.com Jeff Bridges – Co-Chair.

714-285-0200 Terry Housholder– Co-Chair.

714-632-8646 Amber Barrios - Exec. Dir. 562-833-9492

Pacific Northwest afsanw.org Tracy Moore – Chair.

425-271-5598 Ron Greenman – Exec. Dir. 253-576-9700

Michigan afsamichiganchapter.org Doug Irvine, Jr.- Chair 616-784-1644 Frank L. Mortl – Exec. Dir. 517-285-7665

Dallas-Fort Worth afsadfwchapter.org CJ Bonczyk – Chair.

817-529-1693

South Carolina scfsa.org Stuart Weeks – Chair.

843-442-3346 Taylor Young – Exec. Dir. 980-253-3241

Utah Rocky Mountain afsautahchapter.org Mark Winder, Jr. – Chair.

385-630-8064 Brent Heiner – Exec. Dir. 801-544-0363

San Diego Ron Aday – Chair.

858-513-4949 ext. 307 Rhonda Hill – Exec. Dir. 951-326-4600

New Mexico Dave Wilson – Exec. Dir. 505-573-6712

Virginia afsavirginia.com Jack Medovich, PE – President 804-222-1381 Michael Christensen – Exec. Dir. 804-371-7456

AFSA Affiliate Contacts Oklahoma Affiliate ofsa.info Gary Field – Chairman 918-266-2416

Texas Affiliate fscatx.org David Stone – Pres.

713-466-9898 Sarah Kiefer – Exec. Dir.

Alberta, Canada

Pacific

Northw

est

Northern New England

Minnesota-Dakotas

Upstate New York

Sacramento Valley Greater Bay

Utah

Southern California

San Diego

Connecticut

Michigan

Arizona

Schuylkill

Ohio

Colorado

New Mexico

Virginia

Greater Kansas City Oklahoma (Affiliate)

Arkansas

Dallas Fort Worth

South Carolina Alabama

Louisiana

Georgia

a

id

or

Fl

Texas (Affiliate)

Carolinas

Tennessee

52 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

Patriot

New Jersey Chesapeake Bay

AFSA MEMBERSHIP New Members The following is a list of new contractor members that have joined as of October 31, 2019.

Contractors

Associates

AMTECK Sprinkler, LLC Madison, MS

Ryco Fire Protection LLC McKeesport, PA

Contender Fire Sprinkler of Texas, Inc. Richmond, TX

Walnut Garland, TX

United Industries Group, Inc. Lake Forest, CA

Jarrett Fire Protection Nashville, TN NuFlow Technologies San Diego, CA Pan-Pacific Mechanical Honolulu, HI

CONSTRUCTION REPORTS U.S. Construction...

August Construction Starts Decrease 6 Percent New

construction starts dropped 6 percent over the month in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $807.1 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. August’s decline breaks a string of three consecutive month-to-month gains. By major sector, nonbuilding construction fell 15 percent in August, reversing the large increases made in the previous month when several notable projects started.

The declines in residential and nonresidential building were milder – falling 1 percent and 3 percent respectively in August. The August statistics lowered the Dodge Index to 171 (2000=100) compared to 182 in July, marking the lowest reading for the Index since May. Despite the month’s decline, the Index remains above its 2019 average of 167. Year-to-date through eight months, total construction starts were 5 percent lower than the same period a year ago due to declines in residential and nonresidential buildings. Nonbuilding construction activity was 3 percent higher through the first eight months of the year due to gains in electric utilities/gas plants.

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

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, In Millions Aug. 2019 July 2019 % Change Nonresidential Building $283,925 $292,973 -3 Residential Building $305,765 $309,333 -1 Nonbuilding Construction $217,381 $256,459 -15 Total Construction $807,071 $858,765 -6

U.S. Construction...

September Construction Starts Decrease 5 Percent New con-

struction starts moved 5 percent lower in September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $774.1 billion, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. This marks the second consecutive monthly decline in construction starts. By major sector, nonbuilding construction fell 13 percent in September, while residential construction dropped 6 percent.

On the plus side, nonresidential construction starts rose 1 percent during the month aided by the start of a large manufacturing project. The September statistics pushed the Dodge Index lower to 164 (2000=100) compared to 173 in August, marking the lowest reading for the Index since May. Despite the month’s decline, the Index remains close to its 2019 average of 167. Through the first nine months of 2019, total construction starts were 3 percent lower than 2018 due to pullbacks in both residential and nonresidential construction starts.

However, nonbuilding construction starts are 4 percent higher year-todate as a result of strong gains in electric utilities/gas plants.

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

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, In Millions Sept. 2019 Aug. 2019 % Change Nonresidential Building $287,239 $283,620 +1 Residential Building $299,857 $319,190 -6 Nonbuilding Construction $194,415 $146,810 -13 Total Construction $774,072 $818,656 -5

THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000=100, Seasonally Adjusted) August 2019..................171 July 2019.......................182

THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000=100, Seasonally Adjusted) September 2019...............164 August 2019......................173

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

8 Mos. 2019 8 Mo. 2018 % Change Nonresidential Building $188,218 $201,646 -7 Residential Building $211,369 $1228,963 -8 Nonbuilding Construction $135,709 $131,794 +3 Total Construction $535,296 $562,402 -5

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

9 Mos. 2019 9 Mos. 2018 % Change Nonresidential Building $214,992 $223,055 -4 Residential Building $238,334 $254,362 -6 Nonbuilding Construction $151,297 $145,602 +4 Total Construction $604,623 $623,019 -3 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 53

AFSA NEWS

Calendar AFSA Welcomes Messner AFSA is pleased to announce and welcome Elizabeth “Liz” Messner, CAE, IOM who began her work with AFSA on Monday, October 21, as its vice president, membership & communications. In this newly created role, she will oversee the areas of membership, communications and marketing, including key involvement with AFSA’s association management system (AMS) and information technology (IT).

Messner brings to AFSA an extensive background in membership, and as she says, “My passion is membership.” A Houstonarea native, she has a degree in journalism from the University of Houston and has been intricately involved with association management for more than two-and-a-half decades.

As senior manager of membership at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) headquartered in Richardson, Texas, she developed a new volunteer management and incentive program and built an online member welcome center and other new member materials. After almost 10 years at SPE, she joined Fusion Marketing in Plano, Texas, where she most recently served as executive director of the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association (NOMMA) and their educational foundation. There, she has planned and developed business campaigns, action plans and budgets to implement the association’s strategic plan, while working with committees and the board of directors. Messner was also responsible for planning and leading the execution of NOMMA’s annual conference and expo. She also developed win-back recruitment, retention and new member on boarding marketing and communications campaigns to achieve targeted results. In 2018, Messner was the lead on

a rebranding campaign that won a Gold Circle award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

Other experience that Messner brings to AFSA includes serving as director of corporate relations at Mothers Against Drunk Driving, where she focused on fundraising through obtaining corporate donations. Prior to that, she administered services and programs among 28 regional associations (e.g., chapters) for Promotional Products Association International. She was also executive director of the Emergency Medicine Residents section of the American College of Emergency Physicians, headquartered in Irving, Texas, where she began her work in the 1990s as an education product assistant and later as editorial manager for Annals of Emergency Medicine. Please join AFSA in welcoming Liz Messner to the team. She can be reached at lmessner@firesprinkler.org.

Noble Achieves NICET Level III The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) staff is pleased to announce AFSA Technical Programs Specialist Tom Noble, CET, has achieved the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies’ (NICET) Level III in Water-Based Systems Layout, Hydraulics and Water Supply Planning.

Noble is the primary instructor for AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School.

NICET’s Water-Based Fire Protection Systems Layout certification program is for engineering technicians engaged in the layout and detailing of water-based fire protection systems that must meet code and statutory requirements. Certification requirements for each Level build on those of lower Levels. For details about AFSA’s technical schools, visit firesprinkler.org.

AFSA recently hosted the seventh class of the ITM Inspector Development Program for the first of two live training sessions in the industry’s first ITM program.

54 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

January 2020 13-24 AFSA Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School Dallas, TX firesprinkler.org/schools

March 2020 9-20 AFSA Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School Dallas, TX firesprinkler.org/schools

April 2020 15 ITM Inspector Development Program Spring 2020 Cycle Live Webinar Kick-Off firesprinkler.org/ITM

March 2020 4-15 AFSA Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School Dallas, TX firesprinkler.org/schools Seminars subject to change. Call (214) 3495965 to confirm locations and times. For information on Chubb and/or OSU programs, visit firesprinkler.org and click on “Training Calendar.”

ITM Spring 2020 Class Open for Enrollment Registration for AFSA’s Spring 2020 ITM Inspector Development Program is open! In only its third year, the program continues to hit new milestones: The fourth class graduat-

ed in June 2019; over 120 students have enrolled in this industry-first ITM program; and AFSA delivered over 7,000 hours of ITM training in 2018 through blended methods including live webinars, live classroom, and handson learning.

AFSA ITM students lead the way and outperform national average exam scores on both NICET Level I and Level II I&T exams, and AFSA boasts an 88 percent NICET exam pass rate versus the national average of 65 percent! For more details or to register, visit firesprinkler.org/ITM. n

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Whether you’re designing, installing, testing, or inspecting fire sprinkler systems and alarms, the best way to be ready for the unexpected is to train for it.

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CHAPTER NEWS

AFSA Carolinas Chapter members played golf on a beautiful day to benefit Wake Forest Baptist Health’s Burn Center.

The Florida Chapter golf tournament raised $5,000 for the Children’s Burn Foundation of Florida.

Carolinas Chapter On October 10, the AFSA Carolinas Chapter,

Patriot Chapter On October 15 at the Patriot Chapter meeting, the chap-

Inc. held its 25th Annual Golf Tournament at Colonial Country Club in Thomasville, North Carolina, benefiting the Wake Forest Baptist Health’s Burn Center. Thank you to all who came out and made the event a success. Keep up with the chapter’s upcoming events at afsacarolinaschapter.com.

ter was proud to present a donation for $5,000 to Shriners Hospital for Children – Boston. Present was Carolyn Wahto, Shriners’ interim development director, to accept the donation and give a presentation about the work and mission of the Shriners Hospital. Visit afsapatriot.org.

Florida Chapter Hats off to the members of our Florida Chapter for their hard work and dedication to plan and organize FireCon19, one of the largest fire industry events of its kind in the State of Florida. The Conference and Expo event sponsored by the AFSA Florida Chapter took place September 24-27, 2019 at the Margaritaville, Orlando Resort. The event kicked off with a charity golf tournament at which the chapter raised $5,000 for the Children’s Burn Foundation of Florida.

Way to go! Visit afsafl.org.

Fire Sprinkler Contractor Association of Texas The Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas is pleased to announce the addition of a new executive director. Sarah Kiefer is proud to fill the role of executive director for the association and brings a wealth of knowledge and ideas to the association. Keep up with FSCATx at fscatx.org.

Louisiana Fire Sprinkler Association The members of the Louisiana Chapter held a golf tournament on October 16 to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. While there was rain, the members didn’t let them slow that down a bit! Learn more about the chapter and its upcoming events at lafiresprinkler.org.

Rain didn’t put a damper on LFSA members’ spirits as they raised funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

56 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

Sacramento Valley Chapter The 2019 Annual SVC AFSA Softball Tournament raising funds to support the FireFighters Burn Institute (FFBI) was held on Saturday, August 10 at Kloss Softball Complex in Elk Grove, California. There were 11 participating teams of 16-plus players and their employees, friends, and families enjoying the tournament, games, barbecue and networking with fellow members in the fire sprinkler industry. There was a raffle with wonderful prizes to raise money to support the incredible work FFBI does with Survivors Kids Camp and the Shriners Burn Unit in Sacramento. The winning team this year was the FFBI team; congratulations! Thank you to all who participated with teams, sponsorships, and donations. To keep up with upcoming events visit sacvalleyafsa.org.

Schuylkill Chapter Thank you to the almost 200 people that attended the AFSA Schuylkill Casino Night Fundraiser on October 25! The chapter raised $11,000 for donation to The Burn Foundation. The chapter is overwhelmed with the support they’ve received for this event as it keeps growing every year. This event marks the end of Schuylkill Chapter events for 2019. Stay tuned for what we have happening in 2020 at afsasc.org.

Patriot Chapter members recently raised $5,000 for Shriners Hospital for Children – Boston.

Sacramento Valley’s 2019 softball tournament raised funds for the FireFighters Burn Institute.

Schuylkill Chapter members raised $11,000 for The Burn Foundation at its Casino Night Fundraiser.

Tennessee Chapter On October 25 the Tennessee Chapter gathered 21 attendees in Nashville for the Chapter’s inaugural NFPA 25, 2017 Edition seminar presented by AFSA’s Jason Williams, CET, manager of ITM technical training. The technical seminar was be followed by a chapter board meeting to discuss future seminars, NextGen events, and the South East Convention. Get involved with upcoming events by visiting afsatennesseechapter.org.

Upstate New York Chapter On September 13, 2019 the Upstate New York Chapter met for their 2019 Fall Legislative Meeting. 112th District Republican Mary Beth Walsh opened the discussion of fitter and contractor licensing legislation with a detailed explanation of how bills become law in Albany. Keep up with upcoming events by visiting afsaupstatenychapter.org.

AFSA Manager of ITM Technical Training Jason Williams, CET, presented an NFPA 25 seminar to Tennessee Chapter members on October 25.

Virginia Chapter On October 15, 50 members met for a chapter meeting to discuss current chapter happenings, hear vendor presentations, network, and much more. Additionally, the Virginia Chapter Board met for 2020 planning and beyond.

Following the meeting, 25 of the Virginia NextGen Initiative members met at Ardent Craft Ales to network and hear from AFSA Past Chair Michael F. Meehan, president of VSC Fire & Security, Inc., on what it takes to succeed in the sprinkler business and professional life in general.

Following the October 15 meetings, the chapter held its annual Burn Survivors golf tournament. While the golf was rained out, due to inclement weather, the attendees were all smiles as over 200 people still showed up to eat warm BBQ, network and raise money for two great causes. The Chapter was able to donate $40,000 to the Old Dominion Fire Fighters Burn Foundation and $40,000 to Central Virginia Burn Camp! Visit afsavirginia.com. n

Upstate New York Chapter members gathered for their 2019 Fall Legislative Meeting.

Virginia Chapter members raised $40,000 for the Old Dominion Fire Fighters Burn Foundation and $40,000 for the Central Virginia Burn Camp.

AFSA’s Virginia Chapter NextGen members recently networked at a mixer at Ardent Craft Ales.

Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 57

PRODUCT NEWS

Valve and System Configurator is the Newest Online Tool from Viking Viking Group, Inc. has introduced a new digital tool that assists its users in the configuration of Viking valve and trim selections. The new “valve and system configurator” simplifies the complex process of identifying and ordering the proper valve and trim combination for virtually any fire protection challenge.

The configurator, which can be accessed at http://webtools.vikingcorp.com/valveconfig/, al-

lows customers to interactively build a complete system riser for Viking’s wet, dry, deluge and preaction systems. Additional systems, including flow control, pressure regulation, and Firecycle®, will be added in the spring.

In the configurator, customers first select their desired system type. Next, the configurator walks the user through selecting an appropriate valve, trim set, and available system options. Throughout the configuration process, a representative 3D model of the system is dynamically rendered, allowing the specific system to be analyzed from any angle. After all the selections are made, a summary is generated with a complete bill of materials including part number, description, and quantity. This list can be sent to Viking SupplyNet automatically for quoting. Finally, a zip file is provided that contains all related technical documentation for the system riser, including technical data sheets,

trim diagrams, and friction loss charts. Visit vikinggroupinc.com.

Viega PEX Fittings Receive ASTM Certification Viega LLC is proud to announce that fittings for its PureFlow®Press system have received ASTM International certification.

Viega’s fittings have always met ASTM standards, and listed its PureFlow Press fittings under the ASTM F877 standard, but the company now has pioneered a new standard for its PureFlow Press connections, ASTM F3347 and ASTM F3348. Viega then submitted its products to NSF International in order to receive the official certifications, said Seth Larson, products manager, plastics, at Viega.

The specifications, published as ASTM F3347 (Zero Lead bronze press fittings with stainless steel press sleeves) and F3348 (plastic press insert fittings with stainless steel press sleeves), are for PEX tubes that distribute potable water and that support hydronic

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation

58 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

plumbing systems for homes and businesses.

Visit viega.us.

guard our environment and drive social change.

Visit xylem.com.

Xylem and Planet Water Foundation Partner During World Water Week 2019 which is set to address the theme of “water for society – including all,” global water technology company, Xylem Inc. (NYSE: XYL), and Planet Water Foundation have announced plans to extend and deepen their partnership. As part of the organizations’ expanded partnership, which initially launched eight years ago to address water access issues in the world’s most impoverished communities, Planet Water Foundation is integrating Xylem pump products into all the non-profit’s water filtration and sanitation solutions.

Since 2011, Xylem and Planet Water Foundation have provided education and access to safe, potable water in over 400 communities across 12 countries, supporting the daily drinking water requirements of nearly 500,000 people. Building on

Purge and Vent Valve Awarded US Patent AGF Manufacturing has announced that a patent for its innovative Purge and Vent valve was granted on August 27, 2019. The patent covers its PURGENVENT sprinkler air vent product line, which was designed to reduce corrosion in wet pipe fire sprinkler systems by releasing trapped air. The AGF engineering team designed the PURGENVENT product line to be a simple and flexible solution to fulfill new NFPA 13 (2016 edition) requirements. The new code requires that all wet fire sprinkler systems with metallic pipe include an air vent near the high point of the system to release trapped air, thus reducing pipe corrosion.

The main features of the PURGENVENT Model 7900 automatic air venting valve is its integral isolation valve, barrel strainer, purge valve with conical air release valve, purposely

this success, the new terms of the partnership extends Xylem’s involvement to a total of more than 1,100 projects across 13 countries, adding Xylem’s renowned manual, solar, petrol and electric pumping solutions to multiple life-changing engineering solutions.

With over two billion people across the globe living in water-stressed countries, Xylem recognizes its role in harnessing the power of digital technologies to solve water challenges, safe-

designed to prevent water discharge, eliminating the need for redundancy or drip pans. The unique to the category purge valve can speed up the system filling process, act as a vacuum break to expedite draining for service and allows easy access for strainer flushing to fulfill NFPA 25 requirements. PURGENVENT has been reviewed and maintains the standard UL Listings and FM Approvals, plus it has been approved by the California State Fire Marshal.

Jim McHugh (left) and George McHugh (right) present AGF engineer, Ben Gleeson (center) with a plaque to add to the AGF wall of patents for the design of PURGENVENT air vents for wet sprinkler systems.

Model 7950ILV, designed for in line installation downstream of the typical floor control assembly or when the high point of the system is at the beginning; it includes an expansion chamber to aid in the separation of air and water as the sprinkler pipe fills. The expansion chamber has an increased diameter that allows the water to sink to the bottom and air to rises into the high point and exits through the air scoop to be vented through the air release valve. As the water leaves the chamber, the smaller diameter forces the air back, where it rises through the patented quick vent channel in the air scoop. For details visit AGFManufacturing.com. n

SEP 13-16

HILTON BONNET CREEK

2020

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CONVENTION EXHIBITION

Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019 59

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS In Memoriam: Amy Donahoo AFSA staff and members were saddened to learn of the passing of Amy Marie Donahoo on September 1, 2019. She was the vice resident of Action Fire Fab & Supply and was instrumental in the founding and running of the softball fundraising events hosted by the AFSA Sacramento Valley Chapter, which benefited children burn victims at the University of California – Davis. Donahoo is survived by her husband Roger Donahoo; siblings Ted Jr. and Cathy Bolls; children Michele and Scot Manchester, Brian Donahoo; grandchildren Brianna Manchester, Nicolette Manchester; nieces and nephews Jamie and Tyler Olsen, Jared and Lindsey Bolls, Casey Bolls and many greatnieces and nephews. A memorial service was held in Tracy on September 16. For condolences and special messages to the family, visit the online guest book atfrymemorialchapel.com.

In Memoriam: Hal Sanders AFSA staff and members were saddened to learn of the passing of Hal Robison Sanders, HRS Systems, on October 15, 2019. In 1971, Sanders founded Hal R. Sanders and Associates, a consulting engineering company, which offered loss analysis investigative work as well as fire protection system design. Soon afterward, he created HRS Systems in order to begin working on the development of sprinkler system hydraulic analysis software (HASS) and CO2 fire protection software (COOSA). Survivors include his daughter, Sheryl (Matthew) Prucka of Park City, Utah; wife, Norma Jean Brown Beck Sanders; grandchildren, step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, sister-in-law. Funeral services were held October 19 at West End Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to West End Baptist Church, 200 Morgan Ave N, Fayetteville, TN 37334.

REED Adds Lessner as Regional Manager for Midwest US Reed Manufacturing welcomes Shannon Lessner as its new regional manager for the Midwest markets. Lessner will serve key REED accounts, work with manufacturer’s reps, and focus on developing new business in this 11-state area. Before joining REED, Lessner gained experience in durable goods with time at Werner Company, Spectrum Brands and Fiskars & Gerber. She brings a background in strong customer partnerships, rep agency management, plus strategic vision to drive successful sales and marketing programs with the REED distributor network. Lessner is looking forward to meeting and providing outstanding service to current customers, plus introducing new customers to the scope and quality of the REED product line. Visit reedmfgco.com.

Henry Appointed Telgian Engineering & Consulting Vice President of Finance/Controller Telgian Engineering & Consulting recently announced the appointment of Elizabeth Henry as vice president of finance/controller. In this position, Henry will be responsible for the preparation of operating budgets, overseeing financial reporting and performing essential duties relating to payroll and operations.

Henry brings more than 25 years of finance experience to Telgian, including extensive knowledge of budgeting; forecasting; financial planning and analysis; accounts payable and receivable; taxes and external audit management; banking and treasury management; bank negotiations; contract reviews and corporate insurance management.

Visit telgian.com.

60 Sprinkler Age | November/December 2019

Winsupply Names Roush, Vice President, Supply Chain Winsupply Inc. has named Eric Roush to vice president, Supply Chain. Previously director of sourcing services, Roush will lead Winsupply Sourcing Services in fulfilling its mission of providing supply chain expertise in support of the growth and prosperity of Winsupply’s nearly 600 locations. Roush’s areas of responsibility include the operation of Winsupply’s five distribution centers, central accounting and pricing, vendor incentive program administration, customer care, and regional distribution center purchasing. Prior to joining Winsupply in 2013, he held a variety of positions in both the public and private sector including eight years in management with Ferrellgas, a national propane retailer. Visit winsupplyinc.com.

Viega Promotes Palmer Viega LLC is proud to announce Greg Palmer as manager, regional sales, of the newly created Florida Region. Palmer will manage Viega’s sales strategies in the State of Florida, which previously was part of the Southeast Region.

Since joining Viega in 2018, Palmer has been a district manager responsible for the Tampa metro and Central/West Florida markets. Before joining Viega, Palmer held positions of increasing responsibility in sales leadership in the wholesale distribution and manufacturer’s agency sectors. Visit viega.us.

Winsupply Names Salsman Head of New Acquisitions Group, Ferguson to Local Company Group Winsupply, Inc. has created a new company, the Winsupply Acquisitions Group, to be led by Monte Salsman as president. Salsman was previously president of the Winsupply Local Company Group. The Winsupply board of directors decided to create this new company given the changing landscape of the wholesale distribution industry and the desire for Winsupply to broaden the reach of its long-held philosophy of providing hardworking entrepreneurs the opportunity for business ownership. The board also announced the promotion of Rob Ferguson as president of the Winsupply Local Company Group to fill Salsman’s former role. Ferguson was previously vice president of operations. He will also be added to the Winsupply, Inc. board of directors.

In the Winsupply business model, local company presidents and typically several employees own substantial equity in their company. Each of the nearly 600 Winsupply locations is a separate C-Corporation. As equity partner in each company, Winsupply, Inc. provides the locations purchasing power, distribution and other support services such as business consulting, accounting, payroll, IT and marketing. Visit winsupplyinc.com.

Kimball Named Executive Director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation Amanda Kimball, an eight-year veteran of the Fire Protection Research Foundation (Research Foundation), was named executive director of the independent, non-profit research affiliate of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). She replaces Casey Grant who is retiring in December after 16 years with NFPA, followed by 15 years directing Research Foundation efforts that support the NFPA mission of eliminating loss from fire, electrical and related hazards.

Kimball is well-known in research circles given her role as research director since 2016. As the executive director, Kimball will now provide leadership on research initiatives that pertain to fire protection, emergency response, and virtually everything that challenges safety in the built environment. In addition to managing a half dozen staff members, Kimball will work with the Research Foundation’s board of trustees and collaborate with project sponsors, project contractors, and advisory panel members who provide peer oversight and guidance. Visit nfpa.org. n

INDUSTRY NEWS Winsupply Opens Plumbing Distributor in Ocoee, Florida Winsupply Inc. has opened Winsupply of West Orange (County), in Ocoee, Florida, serving residential plumbing contractors and MRO (maintenance, repair and operations) for theme parks, resorts and

and negative impacts to productivity. Key findings from the study reveal the growing challenge: • Forty-two percent of contractors report using both the owner’s project management application, as well as a specialized project

hotels in central Florida.

Scott Karlson is the president of Winsupply of West Orange.

Karlson began his career as a plumber 34 years ago, shifting into

management application designed for contractors. This results in increased risk to the contractor due to duplicated effort.

• Only 45 percent of respondents are satisfied with the current

wholesale plumbing supplies for the past 23 years. In 2018 he joined Winsupply of Orlando (Florida) to help grow its residential

state of data connectedness. 65 percent of owners and 51% of contractors see high or very high value in a single data platform

plumbing business and has now accepted the opportunity to become owner of a new Winsupply location.

Although Winsupply of West Orange is a new location, Karlson and his team of seven employees have a combined 150 years of plumbing and distribution experience. Visit winsupplyinc.com.

New Electrician Checklist From NFPA The past few months have delivered a number of powerful and damaging natural disasters across the US. From earthquakes and wildfires in the west, tornadoes in the Midwest and hurricanes across northern and southern states, no one part of the country has been immune to the mighty force of nature.

As a result of these events, building owners and managers of industrial and commercial facilities face the daunting process of disaster recovery. More specifically, when electrical systems are damaged in a natural or man-made disaster, electricians need to make critical decisions about whether the electrical equipment that was damaged can be salvaged or not.

As a complement to National Preparedness Month in September, a new NFPA checklist has been developed for electricians that helps highlight and simplify key aspects of this decision-making process. The checklist is based on recommendations in Chapter 32 of NFPA 70B ®, Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, (2019 edition). Following these straightforward suggestions can help make the difference between an impossible task and an informed decision.

The checklist includes: a list of disaster scenarios, which can inflict damage of varying degrees to facilities; steps for assessing equipment; a Priority Assessment Table; and steps to help identify factors for replacement or repair. Download the free “Natural Disaster Electrical Equipment Checklist” to help prepare before a disaster strikes. Additional information about NFPA 70B can be found in the National Electrical Code® (NEC®) section of NFPA’s website at nfpa.org.

New Construction Report Reveals the “Data Ownership Battle” Between Project Owners and Contractors A ground-breaking new study

by Dodge Data & Analytics in collaboration with construction technology provider e-Builder, a Trimble Company, reveals the unintended consequences of increased adoption of project management software by project owners and the impact it has when contractors use their own, disconnected software workflows.

The study, entitled “Connecting Owners and Contractors: How Technology Drives Connected Construction,” highlights the challenges that arise when owners and contractors manage construction projects using disparate software applications without automated data exchange. For standard processes such as RFIs, submittals and progress payments, this situation can drive increased cost, higher risks and schedule delays. Conflict over data ownership and transparency often results in duplicate data entry

that all parties can use for collaboration and sharing.

• Seventy-three percent of contractors report medium or high impact on the productivity of workers due to double-entry of construction data.

A complimentary version of the Connecting Owners & Contractors SmartMarket Brief is available at connectedaec.com.

IAFC Foundation Receives Motorola Solutions Foundation Grant The International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation (IAFCF) has announced it has received a $40,000 grant from Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable arm of Motorola Solutions, Inc., to continue the Foundation’s efforts to train America’s future fire service leaders.

This is the seventh consecutive year that Motorola Solutions Foundation has provided grant funding in support of the IAFC Foundation’s leadership training initiatives. Since 2013, more than 1,000 company officers across the US have participated in the IAFC’s leadership program. This training follows the standards set forth in the IAFC’s nationally recognized Officer Development Program (ODP). Visit iafc.org.

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT CONT. (Continued from page 8) Our 20/20 Focus Helping you run your business the way you choose with the least amount of interference is paramount to us. So is building a qualified, reliable workforce through solid training while also providing top-notch continuing education to keep abreast of changes, expand knowledge, and learn advanced skills.

Having resources available when you

have a question or problem is something we strive to deliver on every day along with offering programs and solutions that provide real support for you and your team.

Whether addressing standards, rules, regulations, or finding ways to help you grow your business and reducing the number of headaches associated with running your company, AFSA will continue to be there FOR YOU

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We appreciate your support as we go through the changes necessary to move us along on the next part of our journey! n

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