March/April 2018 Sprinkler Age

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MAR / APR 2018

SPRINKLER AGE

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION

VOL 37/02

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SprinklerAge

Vol 37 / 02 March/April 2018

Features 10 | NFPA 25, 2017 Edition What’s New?

14 | Celebrating 25 Years of Apprentice Training National Apprentice Competition Celebrates Silver Anniversary

16 | Maintenance on Fire Pump and Arc-Flash Hazards Don’t Open Energized Controllers

22 | AFSA Partners With Red Cross

Join the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign to Help Promote Residential Fire Sprinklers

24 | Digital ITM and NFPA 25 The Impact on Report Compliance

ON THE COVER Chance McCollister, Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, Louisiana, is AFSA’s

26 | Protecting America’s Heroes

AFSA Named Exclusive Sprinkler Partner of Homes For Our Troops

29 | What if Your Sprinkler System Could Think?

How an Electronic Sprinkler System Can Meet the Demands of Today’s Storage Needs

32 | Glycerin Antifreeze May Only Last a Few Years

top 2017 apprentice. Join AFSA this year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Apprentice Competition. Also featured in this issue is the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems.

What’s That Awful Smell?

34 | Developing New Leaders

Volunteering as a Path to Company Leadership

38 | Donate and Make a Difference

Scholarships Aid Students Studying Fire Protection

42 | Inaugural National Home Fire Sprinkler Day May 19 Advocates Initiate Day of Action to Address America’s Home Fire Problem

44 | Quick-Opening Devices

How You Can Make a Difference with ITM

46 | Hard Work and a Serious Reward

AFSA Virginia Chapter Golf Tournament Supports Burn Survivors

48 | Thank You for Your Support!

6

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

8

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

54

NEW MEMBERS

55

U.S. CONSTRUCTION

56

AHJ PERSPECTIVE

58

AFSA NEWS

60

CHAPTER NEWS

60

ASSOCIATION NEWS

62

INDUSTRY NEWS

64

PRODUCT NEWS

68

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

70

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries

52 | Honoring Academic Excellence

Graduates Achieve AFSA’s 2017 Sprinkler Fitter National Honor Society

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

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Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 5

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE EDITORIAL: 214 349 5965

BY WAYNE WEISZ AFSA Chairman of the Board

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

REBECCA HERRING, Communications Coordinator, ext. 134; rherring@firesprinkler.org CIRCULATION : 214 349 5965

As a business owner, I have gone through and witnessed some of the school of hard knocks. Having started a company at a young age with not much more than a hope and a dream, I learned quickly from both the good and the bad experiences. One principle I learned very quickly: surround yourself with good people. Our industry is full of very good people. One group that has become very near and dear to me, is the staff at the AFSA headquarters in Dallas. As our association grows, the constant need mounts for information, training, and a multitude of other information. We, as association members, are leaning harder on our AFSA staff than ever before. Staff members have accepted the challenge and have hit the ground running. We have an incredible group.

The members of our AFSA staff are on a constant mission to discover where a need may be for new services and products which may be helpful to our membership. One of those new ideas is the development of a low-voltage training program. The idea was brought forth last summer in response to a large number of contractors contacting the AFSA staff regarding low-voltage training. The need for this educational program has become apparent. Although the program is very much in an infancy stage, development of a low-voltage program could be very useful and a big part of our future. In February, AFSA held a webinar on low voltage in which over 400 people participated.

A real success story for our products and services line has been the development of the AFSA Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (ITM) Inspector Development program. In early discussions about this program, the biggest motivating factor to get it off the ground was simply that the industry needed it. Again, staff had heard from a very large number of contractors looking for educational material. George Wagner, Russ Leavitt, and Bob Caputo were all influential in the development of this excellent two-year training program. I feel it very appropriate to share some of the successful numbers associated with this program: • All ITM classes (five to date) have sold out, including the spring 2018 class, which starts in April.

• Group 1 graduated November 2017.

• Groups 2 and 3 will graduate in June and November 2018, respectively.

• One hundred percent of all students who attempted the Level II Inspection exam passed on the first try.

• Students have 20 percent higher passing rate of NICET Levels I and II than the national average.

This program continues to evolve, improve and update with code changes and member feedback. Many thanks to all involved.

I want to close with another promotion. AFSA 37: Convention, Exhibition, & Apprentice Competition will be held at the beautiful Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington, DC September 30-October 3, 2018. This will be an incredible venue in our nation’s capital. This will no doubt be one of the largest shows our industry has ever experienced. Sign up early and make plans to attend! Q

6 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

REBECCA HERRING, Communications Coordinator, ext. 134; rherring@firesprinkler.org AFSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

FRANK MORTL III, CAE, President ROLAND J. HUGGINS, PE, Senior Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services, ext. 121 MARLENE M. GARRETT, CMP, Vice President of Meetings & Operations, ext. 118 BRADLEY ELLIOTT, Director of Member Services, ext. 135 LAVERNE DAVIS, Director of Financial & Administrative Affairs, ext. 112 NICOLE DUVALL, Director of Communications, ext. 126 LESLIE CLOUNTS, Director of Education Services, ext. 130 ROGER GRAGG, Director of Marketing & Information Technology, ext. 116 Sprinkler Age is devoted to the professional development of the Fire Sprinkler Industry. Deadline is 1st of the month preceding publication.

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

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

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

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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 FRANK MORTL III, CAE AFSA President

Persistence. The quality of possessing tenacity and the continuance of consistent effort. When reflecting upon the theme for this particular issue of Sprinkler Age magazine, technology in the workplace – “Is Your Jobsite Smart?,” I immediately thought of an American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) staff member who has embodied the term persistence and has worked as an association manager for nearly 30 years. Roger Gragg, AFSA’s director of marketing & information technology, has been a staff member working on behalf of merit shop contractors at our national headquarters in Dallas since August of 1988. Nearly. Thirty. Years!

And it’s not just outstanding longevity in his job that makes Roger an extremely valuable member of the AFSA staff team and personification of persistence. Roger’s ability to consistently produce high-effort levels of creative and technological proficiency have allowed for the promotion of AFSA services to be delivered to contractor members in ways that are understandable, imaginative, and interactive.

All AFSA members have been receiving hard-copy mailings from the only fire sprinkler industry association dedicated to the development of educational and training programs benefitting merit shop contractors since the association began in 1981. For many years it was paper, ink, and postage that were the primary way for a group like AFSA to communicate with its supporters. By executing the vision of AFSA volunteer and staff leadership, Roger helped forge a new electronic communications path for members throughout the 1990s. And to this day, AFSA members find great value in the e-newsletters, general emails, online Sprinkler Age blog, and vast archive of resources available on the vibrant website: firesprinkler. org. Roger’s ability to learn what was once a very foreign concept for everyone at the time, has now positioned him to not only be considered an expert in the field of association management information technology currently, but to persistently make decisions on behalf of AFSA members from the perspective of specifically addressing a merit shop contractor’s needs.

Drawing from nearly 30 years of experience working on behalf of fire sprinkler contractor members has allowed for AFSA’s Marketing and Information Technology (I.T.) Department to adapt to changing times while also being nimble enough to create new promotional programming year to year. The latest example of Roger making a direct impression on the way contractors capture valuable information from AFSA came two years ago when I asked him to identify how members can understand the virtues of our programming in a more impactful way. Flash forward to 2018 and the already impressive library of original videos created by Roger Gragg and AFSA’s Digital Media Producer & Brand 8 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

Specialist Josh Fisher. By working in Roger’s department, Josh has brought a significantly enhanced level of persistent digital acumen to AFSA marketing deliverables and the fire sprinkler industry as a whole. Readers are encouraged to visit www.firesprinkler.org/video where all new AFSA videos are available on one page for convenient reference. Viewing these impressive 30 second to 2 minute or so long videos are guaranteed to educate and entertain industry professionals interested in learning about AFSA products/ programs.

While marketing and promotional elements are cool and informative when conveying member benefits, it’s been stated for many years by AFSA leadership and from association volunteers in all disciplines that simply “communicating” information is not enough when trying to penetrate the consciousness of the average member.

Fortunately, Roger took that challenge head on last year as the primary staff point of contact for the implementation of a dynamic membership database that allows for a true dialog to occur between fire sprinkler contractors and their association. By creating an “engagement score” for every single member company as well as any potential branch offices, AFSA’s new software platform identifies what industry programming at which engaged level in however many years has a fire sprinkler contractor utilized their available benefits and services to successfully grow their business. This inspirational mechanism of persistent tracking by Roger is allowing AFSA’s Membership & Chapter Development Committee to target under-participating contractors with the goal of effectively communicating the virtues of member benefits, peer-to-peer.

Nothing in our industry can take the place of good old fashioned persistence. Basing the expectations of your company on pure talent is not always a guarantee for success. We’ve all heard the stories of “talented contractors” struggling in the long run time and again.

Surrounding ourselves with intellect delivers no promise of achievement either. Unrecognized intelligence is found in every walk of life and throughout the business models of companies throughout history. Even education cannot assure positive outcomes in the contracting world. Education levels certainly vary and the school of hard knocks can be as valuable if not more so than any formal learning exercises, certifications or degrees. Persistence. It’s persistence and determination alone that are all powerful, particularly in the case of a humble association manager like Roger Gragg – on behalf of our Marketing & I.T. Department, who has devoted his professional career to supporting the merit shop fire sprinkler contractor. AFSA members can appreciate the wisdom of this staff member forged by many years of service to our industry and for his profound persistence. Q

NFPA 25, 2017 Edition What’s New? HOWARD CLAY | VSC Fire & Security, Inc.

If you read this magazine, then you already know the 2017 edition of NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, was ready for adoption last year. You may even know whether your jurisdiction has adopted it or not. Yes, three years of your life have expired in the blink of a code cycle; but as with all decay, there is rebirth and regeneration. The NFPA 25 standard is no different. It, too, was transformed from the expiring 2014 edition in an ever-increasing attempt by its committee to refine, clarify, and make better a standard that is purposed “to ensure the operational status of a system is maintained.” If time has not afforded you the chance to peruse the new edition, this article may help summarize the changes that affect the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems. As with most issues, I would be remiss if I didn’t include the normal disclaimers: I won’t be covering all “100-and-some” changes; the changes that get covered are the changes the author has chosen to pinpoint; the order is not indicative of importance; this is not a tutorial that once read makes an individual any more competent to perform inspections

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10 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

than prior to reading it; yada, yada, yada. Having said that, on a more serious note, I do hope this article piques the interest of the reader enough to want to pick up the new edition and dive a little deeper into it, whether the jurisdiction has adopted it or not.

I’ll begin by saying that chapter 2 is not represented with any significant changes. Since that chapter is Referenced Publications, the references to those publications remain unchanged, but the year of each reference has been updated to the latest edition.

Chapter 12 on water mist systems only has one change in section 12.1.1.3 that basically consolidates into one location those sections that were scattered around the chapter. Chapters 14, 15, and 16 only have one change each. In chapter 14.4, the chapter on Internal Piping Condition and Obstruction Investigation, the text was rewritten to bring the wording “freezers and cold storage rooms” in alignment with the text from NFPA 13, section 7.9.

That section now reads “refrigerated spaces maintained at temperatures below 32 degrees.” The change for chapter 15, Impairments, can be found in section 15.4.2 which added the term “water supply” to the list of equipment that can be impaired. In chapter 16, Special Requirements from Other NFPA Documents, the committee chose to remove the list of items to inspect and simply chose to reference NFPA 101, Life Safety Code,® as the standard by which to perform those inspections. If the Handbook is your source of reference, you will find the extracts from NFPA 101 that were removed from the body of the 2014 standard.

Finally, annex F and annex G are new to the standard in 2017. So there are your second stringers… those chapters that are “sitting the bench’”with minimal changes in 2017. Now, let’s get to the first stringers that bring the weightier matters into play.

Undoubtedly, one of the weightier matters, from the perspective of an inspector, resides within chapter 8 on fire pumps. Much deliberation has been infused into chapter 8 surrounding the danger of taking the voltage and current readings during a pump test from the interior of the fire pump controller while it is under load. The committee, after an emergency interim amendment, was able to add section 8.3.3.10.1 to the 2017 standard. This change stresses the importance of having a licensed or qualified individual perform those readings. After much study, it became apparent that the joules present in those controllers is of such substantial amounts that proper protective equipment needs to be worn. The difficulty is that in many cases, the type and rating of the flash protection equipment is not known. This type of information and expertise is better suited to an electrician. Since the fire pump controllers cannot be completely de-energized, the potential for arc flash within the controller is always present. The electrical standard, NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, has safety guidance and additional information on this

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topic. So, the TIA was passed in late 2017 removing the requirement to take the voltage and current reading during the annual pump test. Keep in mind that the 2017 edition was already published prior to the TIA being passed, so the change in the requirement of taking the voltage and current readings will not be in your 2017 edition. However, the passing of the TIA puts the change in effect for the current 2017 edition. The TIA may be downloaded from the NFPA website, nfpa.org.

The rest of the changes in chapter 8 deal with consolidating some tables and adding subsections to clarify the frequencies identified in the tables. There are a few sections that revised some terms in order to be more consistent with other NFPA standards using those same terms. One notable section that has been beefed up is section 8.3.7 referring to test results and evaluation of the test data. In section 8.3.7.2, you will see multiple additions dealing with the pump data that is meant to help the inspector evaluate and determine acceptable tests.

Chapter 13 is the next chapter to have some pretty significant changes. For starters, it received a new name; no longer is chapter 13 called Valves, Valve Components, and Trim. Instead, it has been retitled as Common Components and Valves. This was done because chapter 13 covers pieces of equipment that are not considered part of the trim or valve components. So, with its new title, the term “common components” will be found throughout the standard’s chapters for the purpose of creating consistent terminology. Having said that, table 13.1.1.2 is still using the old title; I’m sure that will get resolved in time. The table received a pretty elaborate face lift, moving around the deluge and preaction requirements into two sections and moving the gauge requirements to later in the chapter. There is also the addition in the table of the valve status test that is discussed at the end of the chapter. There is an error, however, in table 13.1.1.2 that should be noted. Under the testing of control valves, the supervisory section indicates an annual test; that should read semi-annually as required by section 13.3.3.5.1.

Not new to the standard is the concern for minimizing damage and controlling water runoff. Inspectors frequently have to deal with upset customers over smelly water and blown out flower bed mulch from performing a main drain test or flowing and inspector’s test valve. The 2017 standard touches on that issue in section 13.2.4.

Much deliberation went into trying to decide whose problem this is: the owner’s or the inspector’s. Without rehashing the entire discussion, suffice it to say that wording was created in the standard for the purpose of bringing the owner and the inspection company together to discuss where water is going and what damage may occur when it is flowed. I would be remiss if I didn’t bring up that NFPA 13 covers this at installation and requires proper drainage and splash blocks to account for the flowing of water. By no means am I insinuating that it shouldn’t be discussed; I am merely pointing out that NFPA 13 has already accounted for this issue, and it should have already been resolved at the acceptance test... upstream of a functional test and inspection.

As mentioned earlier, gauges have been moved to their own section under 13.2.7 and a new paragraph has been added to 12 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

help clarify what is meant by “normal water supply pressure.”

There are multiple new paragraphs under section 13.2.7 that inform the inspector of gauge calibration due dates and tolerances for gauge accuracy. Under section 13.3.3.4 the valve status test is mentioned. This is important because a main drain test was previously required after the closure and reopening of a system control valve. The 2017 standard now calls it a “valve status test,” which may include the use of a main drain, but is trying to inform the inspector that the largest orifice that can be opened downstream of the cycled valve will achieve a better result for indicating a partially closed valve. In some cases, the main drain may be all there is; in other cases, a fire pump test header or backflow forward flow test header could be used.

Supervisory devices have had some frequency overhauls, although I am a little confused on what they are. There are several discrepancies with the table and the text. The standard states that the low air on a dry system is now tested annually while those of preaction and deluge valves are still tested quarterly.

However, table 13.1.1.2 still lists the dry system low air as a quarterly test and sites an incorrect standard section leading the reader to a section on deluge valves. Moreover, the correct section, 13.4.5.2.6, does list it as an annual test. In addition, section 13.2.8.2 mentions supervisory signal devices (excluding valve supervisory devices) and informs us that all have been moved to annual testing. Be careful, however, because we still have other supervisory devices that get tested more frequently than annually. Granted, they are covered in other chapters and likely not intended to fall under “common components and valves,” but this can be confusing.

Finally, I’d like to cover a few of the changes from chapter 5.

Finding an inspector who has not struggled with the inspections of painted or corroded heads at one time or another would be difficult to do. I’m pleased to see that the committee has worked hard to create information that will give guidance to inspectors for assessing corroded sprinklers. That information can be found in 5.2.1.1.1 and the associated annex. In a nutshell it discusses that different metals have different properties, not all of which is corrosion. Basically, any change in the state of the sprinkler material that will detrimentally affect the operation of the head should be recorded as a deficiency. The key phrase being “detrimental to sprinkler performance.” So, not all corrosion applies. When in doubt, the option for testing sprinkler heads is a viable one. Speaking of testing sprinkler heads, recalled products will continue to be announced as long as products are being made. The committee still struggles with the complexity of this issue. Finding and replacing recalled products is important and desirable. The conundrum lies in the fact that finding recalled products through a visual means is difficult at best and in most cases, not possible. The standard alludes to the need to have the spare sprinkler legend updated and located in the spare head cabinet. This is one reasonably efficient way for the owner to identify any recalled heads that might be installed in his facility. That, together with staying updated on the information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission can reveal valuable information as to products installed in a facility. If there is a doubt about recalled heads, testing them is always an option

as the testing laboratory will identify recalled heads as part of their testing procedures.

The committee made a valiant effort to create wording under section 5.2.5 that brings more conformity to the various signs. I like conformity, and there are a lot of signs that seem to be revealing similar information. Section 4.1.9 is the “information sign” and it requires that it be available on any system control riser that supplies “an antifreeze loop, dry system, preaction system, or auxiliary system control valve.” This sign must identify at least four items as listed in section 4.1.9.2. In addition, we have an “antifreeze information sign” required on antifreeze loops indicating information pertinent to the type, brand, concentration, and volume of antifreeze in the system.

Section 5.2.5 references the “hydraulic data plate” or a sign indicating the system is a pipe schedule system. Finally, we have the “general information sign” which is the longer version of the “information sign” found in 4.1.9.1 and is discussed in NFPA 13, section 25.6.

Speaking of conformity and clarity, the committee has gone through great strides to discuss the antifreeze situation in section 5.3.3, its subsections, and the associated annex material. I highly recommend a perusal of that information to refresh yourself on the difficulty of the antifreeze situation. Remember, at the current time, there is not a listed antifreeze solution. So, the testing procedures listed in section 5.3.3 will remain in effect until either the deadline arrives or a listed antifreeze does.

In summary, the old saying is still alive: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Indeed, changes are inevitable in every cycle of the standard. Our hope is that the changes get more and more refined in the pursuit of a clearer understanding of how to inspect and test life-safety systems “around the common theme of ensuring operational readiness.”

As time presses on, let not your values change with the standard; rather, keep them focused on the prize of performing the best inspection and test within the cycle of the standard that has been adopted in your jurisdiction. Q ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Howard Clay is employed by VSC Fire & Security, Inc. in its Inspection Division. He received his B.A. in managerial economics from Hampden-Sydney College. Clay is NICET certified in waterbased fire protection systems, fire alarm systems, and fire alarm inspections and testing. He holds state backflow prevention testing licenses in both Virginia and North Carolina and carries the FS-IT-C inspection and testing certification in North Carolina. Clay represents AFSA on the NFPA 25 committee. He has authored articles for magazines of local organizations, and has been asked to speak to local businesses, fire departments, and community associations to help them better understand fire protection. Clay is an instructor for AFSA’s ITM Inspector Development program, and is a member of the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).

He can be reached at hgclay@vscfs.com.

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.

™

Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 13

Celebrating 25 Years of Apprentice Training National Apprentice Competition Celebrates Silver Anniversary This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) National Apprentice Competition. This year’s competition will be held Wednesday, October 3 in the exhibit hall at AFSA37: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington, DC Started in 1994 by the late Robert L. (Bob) McCullough, then chairman of the Apprenticeship & Education Committee, AFSA’s Annual National Apprentice Competition was created to promote apprentice training and give recognition to the apprentices who are actively enrolled in the AFSA Apprenticeship Program. Twenty-five years later, the competition continues to attract more fire sprinkler apprentices from AFSA local chapters and member training programs from all corners of United States bringing them together for the fire sprinkler industry’s foremost showcase of training excellence.

Enrolling in AFSA’s apprentice training program not only offers an excellent education and a fulfilling career, it is also the gateway to competing in the AFSA National Apprentice Competition. “[The National Apprentice Competition] brings us back to our grassroots and where we came from,” says Chair

14 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 2018

14 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

of the National Apprentice Competition Rod DiBona, Rapid Fire Protection, Inc., Rapid City, South Dakota. “I believe in the concept of giving these apprentices a chance to come in here and really excel at what they do as well as show what they’ve learned.”

When AFSA was formed 36 years ago, its founders had a vision: to be the industry leader in fire sprinkler education and training. “This competition really showcases what this industry is all about, which is life safety and education,” says Linda Biernacki, president of Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, Louisiana, and secretary of AFSA’s Board of Directors.

As the competition grows, more apprentices than ever before enter to compete in the two-day competition culminating in a live install before record crowds of attendees in the AFSA exhibition. At the core of the competition, and more so, the program that drives the competition’s success, the AFSA/ NCCER Contren® Learning Series Sprinkler Fitting curriculum, is AFSA’s most important initiative, education.

Modernizing in the Digital Era This showcase of not just apprentice training, but education has remained largely

unchanged in the 25 years since its inception. However, this year AFSA is pleased to announce a monumental change that will impact the accessibility of testing and ability to participate for all apprentices interested in competing!

For first time ever, AFSA is proud to introduce online testing for Phase I of the competition. The initial qualifying testing will now take place online instead of in a proctored location at a designated time as in years past. The addition of this new testing systems will add a whole host of benefits for those competing this year, as well as in years to come. First and foremost, the system increases the convenience of testing.

Apprentices will now schedule a time during the testing window and be able to test online when and where it is convenient for them. Additionally, the competition is now open to members in all 50 states to compete for the first time ever! This introduction will streamline the testing process for all involved and allow more apprentices than ever before the opportunity to raise the stakes in the competition.

Celebrating Silver As it continues to modernize and expand, AFSA’s 25th Annual National Apprentice Competition in Washington, DC is preparing to be one of the biggest events of the year! One of the most excited to see how this year’s competition will play out is Chance McCollister, the winner of last year’s competition. Sprinkler Age caught up with McCollister to see how the apprentice competition has impacted him and his company, and to hear what advice he has for incoming apprentices following his win at AFSA36 last year.

McCollister, who represented Fire Tech Systems in Shreveport, Louisiana, says simply, “[The National Apprentice Competition] is a chance to show what you’re worth and what you can do. The feeling of hearing my name called as the winner is still unforgettable to this day, and this win is what I wanted for both my personal life and my career path.”

McCollister continues, “[The National Apprentice Competition] gave me an opportunity to make my life so much brighter and it will do the same for future apprentices.”

When asked how McCollister’s win has changed the dynamic for her company, Biernacki continues, “[Chance’s] win has

made the whole office energized. The new apprentices are more eager than ever to participate.”

However, more than just the excitement in her company, Biernacki has seen a shift in excitement all across the state of Louisiana as far as training is concerned. She says, “It’s added a renewed excitement for apprentice training, not just for us, but for much of the Louisiana Chapter of AFSA.” Biernacki believes that this competition serves a two-fold purpose, firstly, “highlighting the merit shop philosophy through a showcase of excellence in training that is integral in this industry.” Additionally, Biernacki believes the competition gives “a reason to be engaged in [the fire protection] industry when so many other industries are vying for the same workforce.”

The National Apprentice Competition truly offers a little something for everyone from the excitement that can rock a whole company, to the personal victories each apprentice gets to experience during the competition. New apprentices feel excitement and a healthy sense of competition with their peers at the prospect of winning top prize and accolades for their companies, and companies benefit by having an extremely well-trained, efficient, and more motivated workforce. Even those who are not participating in the competition have the motivation of seeing hardworking apprentices continue to strive to improve the industry and its reputation for all! The competition has been and remains an important reminder of training and industry excellence that shines throughout the year and is a hallmark of AFSA conventions.

AFSA invites all interested apprentices enrolled in its apprenticeship training program to participate – this year the winner could be you! Besides an expense-paid trip to Washington, DC, to compete at AFSA37, each of the top seven national finalists received a commemorative plaque, tools, cash prizes, and a complimentary convention registration for their employer to come cheer them on.

While the competition only takes place once a year, the legacy it leaves behind lasts far after the competition has ended and the winners have been announced. The deadline to register to compete in the 25th Annual National Apprentice Competition is April 13, 2018. To learn more about the apprentice competition or to enter, visit firesprinkler.org/apprentice. Q Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 15

Maintenance on Fire Pump and Arc-Flash Hazards Don’t Open Energized Controllers TRACEY BELLAMY, PE, CFPS | Telgian Corporation

We’ve probably all heard or used the old adage, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you,” when referring to things that one would better off not knowing, but there are some things that not knowing can indeed hurt you. One such thing that tends to be an unknown to most water-based fire protection system inspectors is the arc flash hazard associated with electric fire pump controllers. The occurrence of an arc flash involves the rapid release of energy through an arcing fault between a phase bus bar and another phase bus bar, neutral, or a ground.

Initiation of such an event can be caused by contamination tracking over insulated surfaces, dust, dropping tools, accidental touching, condensation, material failure, corrosion, or faulty installation, among other means. An arc fault causes an ionization of the air and resultant formation of highly conductive plasma through which a sustained arc is established and maintained until such time that the current is interrupted. As the temperature of the arc increases, the resistance of the plasma path decreases causing an increasing current flow and resultant increase in temperature, quickly elevating the severity of the event.

The temperature of the arc flash can reach as high as 35,000°F. These temperatures can cause severe burns to human skin, the ignition of nearby combustibles, and even liquefy or vaporize metal parts in the vicinity of the event, including copper, aluminum, and steel. The resultant rapid volumetric expansion of material (conservatively estimated as up to 40,000 to 1 – vaporing copper expands 67,000 times its volume) in transitioning from a solid to a vapor creates an explosive pressure with sufficient concussive force to cause physical damage to equipment and severe injury to personnel within the area. The blast pressure can exceed 2,000 lb/ft2 with a pressure wave velocity exceeding 700 mph.

Damaging sound waves (as high as 16 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

140-160 dB) and flash injuries can occur resulting in loss of hearing and vision.

These injuries can be very severe including death of the exposed individual.

This hazard is recognized by the provisions of NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, (2017 edition), sections 4.9.6 and 8.3.3.11 which indicate that legally required precautions must be taken when testing or maintaining electric controllers for motor-driven fire pumps.

The provisions of NFPA 25, sections A.8.3.3.11 and A.4.9.6 further provide a reference for the user to NFPA 70E®, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®, (2015 edition) for additional safety guidance. NFPA 25, section A.4.9.6 also provides warning of the unusual hazard associated with electric fire pump installations installed in accordance with NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection, which discourages the installation of a disconnect in the power supply connection. Additionally, in the United States the provisions of OSHA’s selection and use of work practice standard 29 CFR 1910.333(c) provides that individuals working on exposed live parts must be qualified and must be familiar with the proper use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment (PPE), insulating and shielding materials, and insulated tools. Furthermore, the provisions of the General Duty Clause of 29 U.S.C. §654(a)(1) provide an overarching requirement that employers shall furnish to each of his/her employees a place of employment, which is free from recognized hazards that cause, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to the employee. This provides a baseline statement that marks the utmost importance of safety in the conduct of work and sets a basis of such in requiring that safety be

Typical controller servicing a 460v three-phase electric motor. Photo credit: John Morgan, Telgian Corp., Phoenix, Arizona.

paramount in the conduct of any work application. However, knowledge of the true level of hazard associated with arc flash for electric fire pump installations is not generally understood by those individuals tasked with completing such work or by their employers.

In order to truly understand the hazard, the provisions of NFPA 70E (2015 edition), section 130.5 require that an arc flash risk assessment be performed to determine if an arc flash hazard exists. Where an arc flash hazard is found to exist, the risk assessment shall also determine the appropriate safety related work practices required, the arc flash boundary distances (location at which the incident energy equals 1.2 cal/cm2), and the required PPE necessary for work conducted within such boundary distances. The results of this assessment must be documented as provided by NFPA 70E, section 130.5(3) (A) and the electrical equipment itself must include labeling that specifically indicates:

1) the nominal system voltage, 2) the arc flash boundary, and 3) at least one of the following: a) the available incident energy and corresponding working distance or the arc flash PPE category needed for work on the equipment (but not both), b) the minimum arc rating of clothing, or c) site-specific level of PPE as provided

by NFPA 70E, section 130.5(3)(D).

The owner of the electrical equipment is responsible for the documentation, installation, and maintenance of this field-marked labeling. Experience has shown this labeling to be virtually nonexistent in the field and even if it were in place would an inspector understand the hazard associated with a designation showing some number of cal/cm2 or would it simply be dismissed as meaningless to the inspector? Where an inspector is faced with conducting work inside an energized unlabeled electric fire pump controller without proper documentation they have no means to determine what specific level of PPE is necessary for the safe completion of such work and as such should not engage in the activity.

of 0.33 seconds (20 cycles) and requires Category 4 PPE arc-flash protection. An anticipated working distance of 18 inches is indicated in both cases. It is important to understand that these are just examples of the calculated arc flash incident energy and associated designation of required PPE under those specific conditions indicated.

Under any other conditions beyond these specific limits for short circuit current and clearing time indicated in table 130.7(C) (15)(A)(b), the exact conditions must be assessed individually to establish the specific incident energy for which the PPE must then be selected from NFPA 70E, table 130.7(C)(16). A select number of recognized methods are provided in annex D of NFPA 70. It is also important to note that the incident energy covered by the provisions of NFPA 70E, table 130.7(C)(16) for Category 4 PPE is a minimum of 40 cal/ cm2. Beyond that limit, selection of appropriate PPE must be made based on the actual incident energy protection afforded by the PPE and not the Category of PPE. Some manufacturers have PPE designated for incident energy levels significantly higher than 40 cal/cm2. The

protection afforded by the use of the designated PPE may not prevent all arc flash burn injuries but rather is intended to reduce potential burn injury and increase survivability. Additionally, arc rated PPE is not intended to address the resultant explosive physical impact trauma beyond the thermal effects of the arc flash whereas arc blast PPE (including hard hat, hearing protection, safety glasses, etc.) can include a degree of protection from physical impact.

As the incident energy rises above 40 cal/ cm2, the concussive impact potential can exceed that protectable by conventional means. The fact is many electric fire pump installations are designed to have incident energy level well in excess of 40 cal/cm2 and have no means for disconnect for power and no overcurrent protection.

For fire pump installations, the provisions of NFPA 20, chapter 9 and National Electric Code (NEC), Article 695 permit the installation of a single disconnecting means between the source of power and the fire pump controller/transfer switch under the following conditions: • The disconnecting means must be

The determination of the required arc flash PPE can be established by conducting an incident energy analysis to determine the incident energy exposure level at the anticipated working distance of the employee’s face and chest area from the prospective arc flash source for the specific task being performed, as provided in annex D of NFPA 70E or it can be established using the PPE Category Method as included in NFPA 70E, table 130.7(C)(15) (A)(b) for alternating current systems where the specific provisions of the table apply to the conditions being considered. Again, a typical fire pump installation is considered a motor control center (MCC) with a voltage rating of 600V or less. For this type of equipment, table 130.7(C)(15)(b) includes two separate line entries. The first entry allows for a maximum available short circuit current of 65kA with a maximum fault clearing time of 0.03 seconds (2 cycles) and requires Category 2 PPE arc-flash protection. The second entry allows for a maximum available short circuit current of 42kA and the maximum fault clearing time Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 17

•

•

•

•

•

identified as being suitable as service entrance equipment The disconnecting means must be lockable in both the closed and open position The disconnecting means must be located remote from other building and other fire pump disconnecting means The disconnecting means must be marked “Fire Pump Disconnecting Means” A placard must be installed adjacent to the controller indicating the location of the disconnecting means and location of any keys needed to unlock such The disconnecting means must be supervised in the closed position by: 1) central station, proprietary station or remote station signaling device; 2) local signaling service that sounds an audible alarm at a constantly attended location; 3) locking of the disconnecting means in the open position; or 4) sealing of the disconnecting means in the open position where located within a fenced enclosure or building under control of the owner with weekly inspections.

While a single disconnecting means is permitted under the above conditions, the installation of a disconnecting means is not required under the provisions of either NFPA 20 or the NEC. As a result, it is rare to find the installation of such within the power feed to the fire pump controller due to the increased cost of installing such devices. This typical lack of disconnecting means limits the ability to de-energize the fire pump controller, requiring that work be completed on an energized controller.

For fire pump installations, the provisions of NFPA 20, chapters 9 and 10 and NEC, Article 695 provide that the only overcurrent protection required for squirrel cage or wound-rotor induction motors shall be within the fire pump controller and shall have a time delay of between 8 and 20 seconds at locked rotor current, and 3 minutes at 300 percent of the motor full-load current. Other means of overcurrent protection, while not recommended by NFPA 20 and the NEC, would have to be rated higher than that specified above to limit the opportunity for tripping of other overcurrent protection prior to that located 18 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

within the controller. If installed, the overcurrent protection device must be sized in accordance with either of the following: • Sized to carry the locked rotor current of the fire pump plus the full-load current of all other connected loads for an indefinite period of time • The overcurrent protection device must not be field adjustable and must not open: ° Within 2 minutes at 600 percent of the full-load current, ° With a restart transient of 24 times the full-load current, or ° Within 10 minutes at 300 percent of full-load current This is intended to ensure continuity of power to the fire pump under certain adverse overload conditions to keep the fire pump operational regardless of risk to the conductors. As a result, it is rare to find the installation of such within the power feed to the fire pump controller due to the increased cost of installing such devices. The only other overcurrent protection typical for a fire pump installation would be the primary fuse found in the transformer supplying power to the installation. Both the rating and associated operating time delay [typically beyond that indicated in NFPA 70E, table 130.7(C)(15)(A)(b)] associated with these device cause an increase in the exposure to an electric arc flash incident energy beyond that normally anticipated for typical motor control centers. As a result, each installation condition must be individually assessed to determine the incident energy associated with the specifics of that installation. The determination of the appropriate PPE must then be selected based on such a determination.

The calculation of the incident energy in accordance with NFPA 70E, annex D requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of the operating conditions at hand as well as the principals and limitations of the various calculation methods presented.

The provisions of NFPA 70E, annex D include four suggested methods for determination of incident energy, each with associated limitations as summarized on NFPA 70E, table D.1.

The utilization of any of these methods requires a thorough understanding of the methods and limitations thereof for proper determination of incident energy associated with a specific installation and should only be undertaken by qualified individuals. This analysis is not within the typical purview of a water-based fire protection system inspector.

A number of activities are included in NFPA 25 that require the inspector to access the interior of the fire pump controller while the panel may be energized. Where the controller is not provided with a separate disconnect, the controller would generally remain continuously energized unless power is pulled at the supplying transformer.

NFPA 25, section 8.3.3.7(2)(a) requires that electric motor voltage and current levels be recorded on all lines at each of the required flow conditions during the annual performance test of the fire pump. This would normally include churn, rated and 150 percent flows. With variable speed controllers, additional flow point readings would be needed. Additionally, NFPA 25, section 8.3.3.9(3) requires that the electric motor voltage and current levels be taken with the pump operating at peak operating load after transfer of power to the alternate power source for installations that include an automatic transfer switch.

For older fire pump controllers, inspection personnel must conduct work inside the energized fire pump controller. With the advent of a requirement in NFPA 20 to include voltage and current meters from the exterior of fire pump controllers, inspection personnel would no longer be required to open the fire pump controller to take the necessary readings. This was initially included in the 1999 edition of NFPA 20 as follows: “Means shall be provided on the exterior of the controller to read all line currents and all line voltages.” The committee substantiation included with the modification is as follows, “This is to eliminate a recognizable hazard, i.e., high available fault current. A fire pump controller enclosure serves to contain such a fault and is tested to verify its integrity.” The current language in the 2016 edition of NFPA 20 has been tweaked slightly over the years to include accuracy criteria for the

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installed meters and reads as follows, “10.3.4.3 Means shall be provided on the exterior of the controller to read all line currents and all line voltages with an accuracy within +/-5 percent of motor nameplate voltage and current.”

Interestingly, the provisions of NFPA 25, table A.8.1.1.2 provides that the installed voltmeters and ammeters on the face of the controller be inspected for accuracy (5 percent) annually. If checked in place, this would require that inspection personnel must conduct work inside the energized fire pump controller to complete the task of verifying accuracy of the installed voltmeter and ammeter. It should also be noted that the inclusion of this task as an inspection activity would not appear to be correct but should likely have been included as a test activity. Alternatively, the voltmeter and ammeter could be removed and bench tested and then reinstalled; however, this work would also likely require work inside the energized fire pump controller.

Inclusion of this provision within NFPA 25 appears to be contrary to the original intent of the change made to NFPA 20 in 1999 to minimize the exposure to personnel to the hazards associated with work inside of an energized fire pump controller.

The provisions of NFPA 25, table A.8.1.1.2 also includes additional provisions for the following activities that need to be completed which would likely also involve internal access to the fire pump controller.

NFPA 25 contains as many as 14 specific tasks that need to be completed that will likely involve internal access to the fire pump controller.

NFPA 25, section 8.3.2.8(2) requires that during the weekly/monthly churn tests on controllers that include electronic pressure sensors, that the inspector record the current pressure and the highest and lowest on the controller event log. This work may involve inspection personnel making internal access to an energized fire pump controller.

NFPA 25, table 8.1.1.2 and section 8.3.3.10 provide that the fire pump alarm signals be tested annually. For an electric fire pump this would include pump running, loss of power, and phase reversal. For the first two items, such testing can be com20 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

pleted directly by operating the fire pump and by disengaging power on the controller; however, testing for phase reversal would be tested by simulating an alarm condition rather than an actual reversal of the electrical phase. This simulation can be accomplished by jumpering across the terminals within the fire pump controller, or by jumpering across the terminals at the monitor module installed outside the controller (where so equipped). Some controllers may include a test button inside the controller that simulates the same condition as jumpering the terminals. In any event, testing of this monitored condition may involve inspection personnel making internal access to an energized fire pump controller. NFPA 25, section 8.3.3.10.1 further recognizes the hazard of conducting such work on an energized fire pump controller with a reinforcing mandate that such only be done by qualified personnel using appropriate PPE. As a result of the hazards associated with arc flash with electric fire pump controllers, a TIA was submitted to and approved by the NFPA 25 Technical Committee to address this issue. See NFPA 25, TIA-2 online at nfpa.org/assets/files/AboutTheCodes/25/ TIA_25_17_2.pdf. As a result the inspector is no longer required to routinely conduct periodic work within an energized electric fire pump controller, thereby diminishing the resultant exposure to the arc flash hazard and protecting the inspector from the hazard they didn’t even know existed. Q AUTHOR’S NOTE: Tracey Bellamy, PE, CFPS, is chief engineering officer for Telgian Corporation, Atlanta, Georgia.

He is active in NFPA and represents the company on a number of technical committees including NFPA 13, 30B, and 101. Bellamy is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with undergraduate and master’s degree in civil engineering. He is a registered fire protection and civil engineer.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This article and its content are 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.

EDITOR’S NOTE: AFSA members can purchase NFPA publications such as NFPA 70E® at a discount. For details visit firesprinkler.org and click on “Shop.”

AFSA Partners With Red Cross Join the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign to Help Promote Residential Fire Sprinklers The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has teamed up with the American Red Cross to include fire sprinkler information for the first-time ever in its Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.

Launched in 2014, the Red Cross’ Home Fire Preparedness campaign has installed more than one million smoke alarms in homes across the country. Now, AFSA and its Public Education & Awareness Committee wants to take this one step further by not only educating the public on having life-saving measures in place in the home, but also educating them on home fire sprinklers as the ultimate protection of their lives and property.

Each year, the Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters, the vast majority of which are home fires. So, the American Red Cross set a goal to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries in the United States by 25 percent by 2020. To date, Red Cross has documented 348 lives saved.

On average: • Seven people die every day from a home fire – that’s more than 2,500 people a year.

• Thirty-six people suffer injuries as a result of home fires every day – that’s more than 13,000 people a year.

• Over $7 billion in property damage occurs every year.

A critical part of the campaign is “Sound the Alarm,” a series of home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events across the country. Together with fire departments and other community partners, Red Cross volunteers to canvas at-risk neighborhoods, install free smoke alarms, replace batteries in existing alarms, and new this year, provide fire prevention and safety education, that includes fire sprinklers!

This year’s annual campaign will launch April 28, 2018 in more than 100 cities 22 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is partnering with the American Red Cross to educate homeowners about making their homes safe, including the message that home fire sprinklers save lives. Please donate online at redcross.org/afsa-pub.

across the United States. Help AFSA get the sprinkler message in front of millions, and together, we can save lives!

Red Cross is invested in humanitarian services and programs, like the Home Fire Preparedness campaign.

Please help AFSA’s Public Education & Awareness Committee raise $10,000 to include fire sprinklers in this campaign reaching Red Cross’ over 4.4 million social media followers as well as thousands of volunteers, homeowners, and disaster victims. More than 90 percent of every dollar donated to the American

Be part of this historic campaign by contributing with your tax-deductible donation online to the American Red Cross on AFSA’s special giving link at redcross. org/afsa-pub. Q

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Digital ITM and NFPA 25 The Impact on Report Compliance JOE SCIBETTA | BuildingReports

The requirements in the 2017 edition of NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, regarding documentation make digital inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) abilities increasingly attractive and useful to industry leaders. This is especially true as more jurisdictions adopt electronic report submission services to help streamline fire prevention reports and code enforcement processes.

Let’s take a look at each of the record-keeping requirements in section 4.3 of the 2017 edition of NFPA 25 from the reference point of a company using digital technology to document the results from inspecting, testing, and maintaining waterbased fire protection systems.

Sub-section 4.3.1 Records are required for the system and its components. This harmonizes with section 4.6.1, which requires testing of all components and systems. It’s not enough to write down that “(1) Wet pipe system was inspected and tested. Everything passed.” The property owner or designated representative needs to see that the components making up that system are itemized and accounted for during testing. If a component failed, it needs to be individually documented. This also helps the service contractor when quoting service and returning to the site for repairs. This need is even more critical if you’re working in the highly regulated healthcare setting. Whether using a checklist-type form or a report with a device-type-specific listing, digitally inputting this information expedites the ITM process for the service contractor, keeps costs down for the property owner, and provides the level of detail implied in this section.

24 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

Sub-section 4.3.1 also requires that the report be made available upon request to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Rather than scanning a multi-page report and emailing it or, slower still, mailing a hard copy, emailing or submitting a report via a web-based service in digital format to the AHJ with a couple of clicks or taps is far more efficient. Additionally, providing the AHJ with the ability to scan a QR code at the actual site and access the report on a phone or tablet instantaneously creates even more significant efficiency advantages for stakeholders. The service contractor’s labor and time in providing documentation is reduced, the property owner’s responsibility to the AHJ is quickly fulfilled, and the AHJ’s wait time in receiving the report for review, especially where there are deficiencies, decreases substantially.

Sub-section 4.3.1.1 This section recognizes the increased usage of digital reporting in our industry by permitting records to be stored and accessed electronically. Digital reporting makes it significantly easier for the property owner to comply with the requirements that follow.

Sub-section 4.3.2 Here we find the minimum required features for the report. At first glance, it might appear light on details. However, annex B.4 clarifies the expectation for documentation by providing a list of recommended information for every report. While NFPA 25 stops short of mandating any specific format, it does provide excellent guidance. New to the 2017 edition, annex B.4 outlines what should be standard content – regardless of the form or report you choose. As one scans through this brief, informative

The advantages of digital ITM processes include saving time and money and reducing risk and liability.

material, it becomes clear how advantageous it is for the service contractor to enter this content digitally. This makes it easier for the inspector to enter the data and expedite delivery to the end-user.

Sub-section 4.3.3 The property owner has the responsibility to maintain records. Digitally documenting inspection records translates to easier storage, retrieval, and delivery options for the owner, saving time and facilitating the relationship with the AHJ when a request is made for the report. This also solves logistical challenges for facility management companies or building owners with multiple properties. Let’s say a large multi-national industrial manufacturer operates numerous plants across North America, but the employees at the corporate headquarters are conducting an audit. The auditors can now rely on a single, centralized online repository of all the required reporting. They’re no longer reliant on each of the

facilities to provide hard copies or scanned images of the required documentation, and they have the necessary visibility across operations to identify potential liability issues quickly and easily.

Section 4.3.4 With digital reporting also comes the ability to store related data in the same manner. For example, related data would consist of acceptance tests, data sheets, hydraulic calculations, certificates, and as-builts – all of which are required to be retained for the life of the system. Over the course of many years and many property owners, having this data stored digitally benefits all parties when historical data needs to be quickly accessible for reference during a compliance inquiry or survey.

Section 4.3.5 The “Records” section ends with the requirement for a retention period for documentation, which is currently one year after the next ITM activity. If adhering to

the International Fire Code requirements for record keeping, the retention period is not less than three years, and could be longer if specified in another section of that code or in another referenced standard. Regardless of the retention period your local AHJ requires, digital documentation of ITM reports indefinitely allows for safe storage of the data.

Hard-copy documentation is still valid and recognized by all major inspection, testing, and maintenance-related codes and standards. However, those same codes and standards permit electronic alternatives, recognizing a growing awareness of the advantages that digital reporting provides. Paper reporting, which for decades has been the industry standard, is expensive to produce and maintain, highlighting the green, cost-saving benefits to going paperless.

Along with 24/7 access and ease of dissemination to stakeholders, the advantages of digital ITM processes are clearly seen in the time and money saved, risk and liability reduced, and

highly prized gain of report-compliant reassurance that every sprinkler contractor wants and needs. Q ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joe Scibetta has more than a decade of experience in the field as a certified inspector and more than a decade serving as codes & standards manager for BuildingReports. In addition to providing product insight and training related to the application of fire and life safety codes and standards, Scibetta is an active member of numerous industry associations and serves on technical committees for AFAA, NFPA, and NFSA. For more information on BuildingReports, visit buildingreports.com.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This article and its content are 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.

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Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 25

Protecting America’s Heroes AFSA Named Exclusive Sprinkler Partner of Homes For Our Troops The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is pleased to announce a partnership with Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) as its exclusive fire sprinkler provider. In this role, AFSA, along with its local partners, will both donate the sprinkler systems as well as the install services for HFOT homes.

Homes For Our Troop’s mission is to build and donate specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives. Since its inception in 2004, HFOT has built 250 homes and currently has over 90 projects underway nationwide.

“As we enter our 37th year, AFSA is proud to continue its work with charitable organizations who share our passion for and commitment to life safety,” says AFSA Region 5 Director and Chair of the AFSA Public Education & Awareness Committee Jeff Phifer, Crawford Sprinkler Company of South Carolina, Lugoff, South Carolina. “We are thrilled to be working together with Homes For Our Troops and our nationwide network of chapters in this joint effort to make the homes of our veterans and their families safer.”

As the exclusive fire sprinkler provider for HFOT, AFSA and its local partners will team up to both donate and install the fire sprinkler systems. Systems will be installed in any home where required by law or in any home where the future homeowner requests fire sprinklers. This partnership will provide a robust safety addition to the already highly customized homes that HFOT provides to veterans.

Approximately 4,000 Americans die and 20,000 are injured in fires each year. The risk of death or injury from fire is even greater for people with physical, mental or sensory disabilities.

Through this partnership, AFSA hopes to protect these veterans in their homes, where roughly 80 percent of all fire deaths occur, and decrease their risk of dying in a home fire by 81 percent by installing fire sprinklers.

“Homes For Our Troops relies on contributions from donors, supporters, and corporate partners for the building of each veteran’s home,” states HFOT Executive Director Bill Ivey. “We are proud to partner with AFSA in an area that will truly make a positive impact in the lives of our veterans and their families, and reduce our costs so we can build more homes to help our veterans rebuild their lives.”

HFOT is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes 26 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

AFSA’s Sacramento Valley Chapter members were proud to have been involved with this project and HFOT in 2015. Pictured here is Marine Corporal Joshua Hotaling assisting in raising the flags at his new home in Loomis, California.

nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives. Most of these veterans have sustained injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

These homes restore some of the freedom and independence to veterans who sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. For more information on how you can get involved, visit firesprinkler.org or hfotusa.org. Q

Apprentices...

Win a Trip to Washington, DC Plus a FREE convention registration for your boss

Enter at ÄYLZWYPURSLY VYN JVTWL[P[PVU :L]LU UH[PVUHS ÄUHSPZ[Z ^PSS YLJLP]L HU L_WLUZL WHPK [YPW [V JVTWL[L H[ [OL (-:( ! *VU]LU[PVU ,_OPIP[PVU (WWYLU[PJL *VTWL[P[PVU :LW[ 6J[ H[ [OL .H`SVYK 5H[PVUHS H JVTWSPTLU[HY` JVU]LU[PVU YLNPZ[YH[PVU MVY [OLPY LTWSV`LY [VVSZ HUK JHZO WYPaLZ

Application Form th

$)6$·V Annual National Apprentice Competition Competition: A written exam will be provided by AFSA and administered online.

April 13, 2018 - Entry Form Deadline Entry forms must be submitted no later than April 13, 2018.

April 21-May 27, 2018 - Phase I National Competition 7OHZL VUL ^PSS JVUZPZ[ VM H X\LZ[PVU T\S[PWSL JOVPJL L_HT [V IL [HRLU VUSPUL 6UJL JVUMPYTLK (-:( ^PSS WYV]PKL PUZ[Y\J[PVUZ [V ZJOLK\SL [OL L_HT ( ^LI JHT PZ YLX\PYLK MVY VUSPUL [LZ[PUN (U VUSPUL WYVJ[VY ^PSS IL HZZPNULK [V `V\Y [LZ[PUN ZLZZPVU ;OL [LZ[ T\Z[ IL [HRLU IL[^LLU (WYPS 4H`

One form per apprentice. Multiple entries per form will NOT be accepted. Make as many copies of this application as needed.

Return completed applications to: AFSA - Education Dept.

12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350 Dallas, TX 75251 FAX - (214) 242-2155

October 3, 2018 - Phase II National Competition Held at AFSA’s Annual Convention in Washington, D.C., the National Competition will consist of a three-hour exam, as well as the requirement to cut, thread and install a steel and CPVC piping system with sprinkler heads and perform a pressure test. Participants will be graded on accuracy, craftsmanship and safety.

Deadline - April 13, 2018

Guidelines:

(WWYLU[PJL»Z LTWSV`LY T\Z[ IL H TLTILY VM (-:( PU NVVK Z[HUKPUN (WWYLU[PJL T\Z[ IL HJ[P]LS` WHY[PJPWH[PUN PU [OL (-:( (WWYLU[PJLZOPW *V\YZLZ VY LUYVSSLK PU [OL 5**,9 (-:( -PYL :WYPURSLY -P[[PUN ;YHPUPUN :LYPLZ 0M HU apprentice intends to complete this course work prior to October 3, 2018, he/she is not eligible to compete in AFSA’s National Apprenticeship Competition.

(WWYLU[PJL T\Z[ OH]L H[ SLHZ[ VUL `LHY VM MPLSK L_WLYPLUJL ^P[O H 40504<4 VM TVU[OZ JVTIPULK /(5+: 65 L_WLYPLUJL PU J\[[PUN [OYLHKPUN and installing steel pipe AND installing CPVC pipe.

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Apprentice Information FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

Name: Date Apprentice began installing sprinkler material:

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Company Address:

Last Active:

Email:

Mobile Number:

Check if AFSA can send texts to this number with important alerts and upates related to Competiton, Testing, and Dates and Times. Note: Data charges from your mobile phone provider may apply.

Contractor Member

Member: Region: Date Received:

Company Name: Contact: Address: PM KPÉ&#x2C6;LYLU[ MYVT (WWYLU[PJL City/State/Zip: Phone:

Fax:

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AFSA Correspondence Course Book Apprentice is Studying Book:

Lessons passed:

Note: If not testing with AFSA, documentation must be submitted proving enrollment and current transcript.

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Apprentice Signature: Employer Signature:

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What if Your Sprinkler System Could Think?

How an Electronic Sprinkler System Can Meet the Demands of Today’s Storage Needs GAURAV MALIK | Johnson Controls

Automatic fire sprinklers have remained relatively unchanged since their introduction in the 1800s. Advancements have been made, allowing for protection of more complex spaces and fire hazards, but the underlying fundamentals of how a sprinkler operates have not. Current fire sprinkler technology built on those fundamentals has become a limiting factor to rapidly evolving end-user needs.

These needs, driven by ever-evolving technology, are seen clearly in the storage and warehousing sectors where e-commerce has changed the way consumers shop, forcing companies to change how they service them. Fast isn’t fast enough – two-day, overnight and same-day delivery are quickly becoming an expectation and logistics must evolve to support customer demands.

The Johnson Controls research and development team recognized that fire sprinklers were making it challenging for end-users to keep pace with the needs of their warehouses while also keeping their fire sprinkler systems up to code. The team approached the next evolution of storage protection by asking: What if your sprinkler system could think? What if your sprinkler system didn’t rely on the unknowable factors when facing a fire, such as sprinkler skipping? What if your sprinkler system knew where the fire was and could start controlling it sooner? The electronic sprinkler system can do all these things.

The UL Listed electronic sprinkler system consists of K16.8 ESFR sprinklers operated by an “intelligent” electronic sensing and control system. Electronic sensors detect the rate of temperature rise, which allows for quicker detection of a heat source.

Once a fire is validated by multiple sensors,

the system activates an array of sprinklers simultaneously to “surround and drown” the fire. This technology gets water to the fire sooner, avoids sprinkler skipping, maximizes the amount of water applied to burning materials, and pre-wets adjacent unburned fuels to help prevent lateral fire spread. This concept was validated with multiple full-scale fire tests performed at the Underwriters Laboratories large burn lab facility in Northbrook, Illinois.

The test setup consisted of standard Exposed Expanded Plastic (EEP) commodity – polystyrene meat trays shrink wrapped on oak pallets and stored on double-row racks under a 35-ft and 40-ft smooth flat ceiling. The sprinkler used in the testing consisted of an existing commercially available ESFR sprinkler with a k-factor of 16.8 gpm/psi 0.5 that was modified to operate electrically. The detection and control system utilized standard addressable heat sensors that were hard-wired to a commercially available fire control panel. There was a single heat sensor located within 12-in. horizontally above every sprinkler. The panel was programmed to operate up to nine sprinklers simultaneously through basic control logic. Sprinklers were selected for operation using a sensitive rate-of-temperature-rise detection algorithm, and activated once specific triggering criteria were achieved. Figure 1 details the set up for four full scale tests that were performed.

typically have been observed.

2. In all tests sprinkler operating arrays were contiguous and roughly centered around the point of fire ignition.

3. In all tests the damage was limited to within two pallet loads laterally in either direction from ignition, well within the envelope of sprinkler operation with a significant wetted margin.

4. Minor aisle jump was observed in Test 1 only, and was principally caused by burning commodity falling into the narrow 4-ft wide aisle and igniting a single pallet load on the target array opposite ignition. During the course of

During the test series the following observations were made: 1. In all tests, nine sprinklers operated simultaneously at or before the first ESFR sprinkler activation would Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 29

the test this single pallet load was partially consumed. Due in part to this observation, Tests 2-4 were conducted using a wider 8-ft aisle.

5. In all tests significant fire suppression was achieved within approximately 90 seconds from initial sprinkler operation.

The results of this investigation demonstrate that the simultaneous activation of fire sprinklers surrounding the point of fire origin electric fire sprinklers operated by an Test #

search Foundation, Quincy, MA. 2. NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprikler Systems, 2016 Edition, NFPA, Qunicy, MA. 3. “Sprinkler Protection Criteria for Exposed Expanded Group A Plastics Project Summary” 2014, Fire Protection Research Foundation, Quincy, MA.

“intelligent” fire detection and control system can provide adequate protection of exposed expanded group-A plastics stored on racks in warehouse applications without the need for vertical barriers. Further, protection can be achieved with up to 55 percent lower total system water demand as compared to existing alternatives. Q

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gaurav Malik is global product manager of storage sprinklers and enterprise software, building technologies and solutions at Johnson Controls.

REFERENCES: 1. UL LLC, “Protection of Rack Stored Exposed Expanded Group A Plastics with ESFR Sprinklers and Vertical Barriers” 2012, Fire Protection Re-

Test 1

Test 2

Test 3

Test 4

TEST PARAMETERS Storage Type

Double row rack

Commodity Type

Exposed expanded Group A plastics

Nominal Ceiling Height (ft)

40

35

35

35

Nominal Storage Height (ft)

30

30

30

15

Under 1 Offset

Between 2 Offset

Between 4 Offset

Between 2 Offset

Ignition Location Aisle width (ft) Sprinkler & sensor spacing (ft x ft) Sprinkler type

4

8

8

8

10 x 10

10 x 10

10 x 10

10 x 10

Electronic suppression Electronic suppression Electronic suppression Electronic suppression

Sprinkler k-factor (gpm/psi )

16.8

16.8

16.8

16.8

52

52

52

52

Addressable heat detector

Addressable heat detector

Addressable heat detector

Addressable heat detector

Sensor vertical distance from ceiling surface (in)

3

12

12

12

Sensor horizontal distance from sprinkler location (in)

12

12

12

12

Length of test (min:s)

31:00

31:00

31:00

31:00

First sprinkler activation (min:s)

00:43

00:44

00:45

00:43

Last sprinkler activation (min:s)

00:43

00:44

00:45

00:43

9

9

9

9

Peak ceiling gas temperature above ignition (°F)

140

257

320

190

Maximum 1 min. avg. gas temp. above ignition (°F)

120

156

174

95

Peak steel temp. at ceiling above ignition (°F)

115

144

160

84

Max 1 min. avg. steel temp. above ignition (°F)

102

135

145

82

Fire spread across aisle?

YES*

NO

NO

NO

Sustained combustion at outer edges of target array?

YES*

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

NO

0.5

Operating pressure (psi) Sensor type

TEST RESULTS

Number of sprinklers operated

Fire spread to outer edges of main array

Figure 1. The set up for four full-scale tests that were performed. *Burn through of a single pallet at very bottom of target array ignited by falling debris from main array.

30 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

Glycerin Antifreeze May Only Last a Few Years What’s That Awful Smell?

TIM O’LEARY | Huguenot Laboratories

Antifreeze-based fire protection systems need to be monitored and tested on a routine basis to ensure there is an adequate level of freeze protection. What isn’t required is any testing to determine product stability. This isn’t likely to change anytime time soon due to the inability to do anything about the degradation (due not only to the ambiguity about the ability to add compounds to a product that is required to be premixed but more critically the lack of listed stabilizers). The point of this article though, is that antifreeze (especially glycerin) can have a life span as short as two years instead of the commonly identified (by the manufacturers) expectation of six years. I’ve personally seen systems that have lasted

eight years. Needless to say, it’s an unpleasant discussion when trying to explain to a customer why you’re having to replace the antifreeze after just a couple of years.

All glycerin-based antifreeze products oxidize when exposed to air and heat.

When this occurs, organic acids are formed. Some key indicators to be aware of are: • For glycerin, a reddish-brown discoloration; • A pH between 6.0 and 4.0; • Foaming of the solution; • The presence of a foul (vomit-like) odor; • Sprinkler leaks where green patina corrosion debris is witnessed around the seat or thread area; and

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32 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

• Pinhole leaks appearing in the steel pipes.

If you have witnessed any or all of the above conditions, then you are likely experiencing the breakdown of the glycerin antifreeze by way of the Krebs cycle. This breakdown of glycol is a normal course of bacterial digestion. When a fire sprinkler system is filled with antifreeze, the bacteria leave their spore form to become live bacteria cells.

The different strains of bacteria are facultative anaerobe, which means they live with and without oxygen being present.

The Krebs cycle is often described as the citric acid cycle. The waste byproducts of these bacteria are highly acidic and are composed of acid aldehydes, formaldehyde, and butyric acid. The byproducts produced by bacteria oxidize the glycerin which rapidly reduces the pH of the antifreeze solution. Factory premixed glycerin antifreeze solutions are chemically buffered to a pH of 7.5. The reduction in pH causes iron to oxidize and solubilize into solution, which promotes additional bacterial growth. This increases the rate of degradation of the antifreeze (as well as degradation of the steel piping). Oh, did I forget to mention the horrible odor?

An additional mechanism that contributes to the degradation of the antifreeze is the common occurrence dilution of the antifreeze solution at the connection to the water supply. Antifreeze solutions have a higher expansion and contraction rate than water, meaning the pressure will be higher on the antifreeze side of the interface with the water supply. System design considerations are critical to avoid over-pressurization and possible failure of the piping system. Expansion tanks are engineered and sized based on the overall volume of the antifreeze system. Alternate methods of compensating for the expansion and contraction of antifreeze involve an

antifreeze loop configuration or drilling a hole in the check valve that isolates the supply water from the antifreeze system.

This drilled check valve allows the antifreeze and water to mix as temperature rises and falls. Also on smaller systems a pressure relief device is allowed to be used. This influx of water naturally causes some reduction in the level of freeze protection but a more critical aspect is that it accelerates the degradation process.

Glycerin-based antifreeze products are manufactured from food-grade raw materials which is a highly desirable food source for bacteria. The antifreeze solution is formulated with buffering agents as well as inhibitors to protect the solution and system components. Even with these additives, the antifreeze can gradually decompose producing acids that can cause corrosion in a system. There are things that can be done to greatly improve the life span of glycerin. It is important to be aware of the potential for degradation as well as the destruction caused by oxidized antifreeze.

Biological fouling contamination can occur in as little as one year and is a common cause of failure in fire sprinkler systems that contain glycerin based antifreeze solutions.

Monitoring of the glycerin antifreeze freeze protection level is a primary test method to document the degradation of the antifreeze solution. It is critical that the system pH of the solution be maintained.

The pH measurements are normally tested with a handheld calibrated pH meter or Litmus paper. pH electrodes can be adversely affected by contamination, so Litmus paper is the preferred method for reliable ease of measurement. Litmus is water-soluble and is extracted from certain lichens which are then absorbed onto the filter paper. The resulting piece of paper becomes a pH indicator and is commonly used to test materials for acidity. The Litmus paper, when wetted will turn a specific color depending on the pH of the solution being tested. A color chart is then referenced to determine the actual pH of the solution being tested. Litmus paper can be found in any pool supply store. It is inexpensive and, if used correctly, is a good ball park indicator for pH monitoring.

There are more accurate techniques for measuring pH, but none are less expensive than Litmus paper. Unfortunately, we can’t

really fix this problem once it has started but the problem should initiate a discussion with the owner regarding the degradation and possible solutions.

One needed course of action is to eliminate the equipment that allows fresh water to dilute the concentration. In other words, replace the allowed check valve and associated hole with a backflow preventer and an expansion chamber. This would also include replacing the allowed relief valve (on small systems with a backflow preventer) with an expansion chamber.

At some point in time, all systems will need to be refilled with a new glycerin solution.

In order to avoid having the new glycerin antifreeze become contaminated by the residual oxidized antifreeze located in the sprinkler piping network and sprinkler head drops, the system should be cleaned. This requires flushing valves to be installed at all end points of the system. Drain hoses are connected to end point drains and routed to sanitary sewer for disposal. The systems are thoroughly flushed and cleaned with a CPVC friendly alkaline cleaner. The use of CPVC friendly corrosion inhibitors can provide added corrosion protection to steel piping networks that supply water to the antifreeze system. Once the system has been cleaned, it is then refilled with a new glycerin-based antifreeze solution.

In summary, antifreeze systems provide fire protection in areas where freezing is probable. Assuring that the water and glycerin remain isolated from each other via a check valve and an expansion tank is vital to the longevity of the antifreeze solution.

Mixing water and antifreeze quickly diminishes the level of freeze protection to protect the piping and also promotes the oxidation of the glycerin via the Krebs cycle.

The isolation of water from the antifreeze portion of the system is fundamental in assuring reliable operation of your antifreeze fire sprinkler system. Q ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tim O’Leary is the president and CEO of Huguenot Laboratories, a specialty testing laboratory for the fire sprinkler industry. He has over 30 years of experience in water treatment corrosion management in fire sprinkler and complex process control water systems. O’Leary can be reached at (800) 228-3793 or via email at tim-oleary@huguenotlabs.com.

Antifreeze and NFPA 13

by Roland Huggins, PE AFSA Senior Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services I was recently quite surprised to learn that it’s not uncommon for glycerin (GL) antifreeze solutions to require replacement after only a couple of years. We’re so used to the favorable history (from a freeze protection and stability stand point) we’ve had with propylene glycol (PG) that the transition to a greatly increased use of glycerin occurred without a second thought (since GL can protect to -15° F and PG to only 0° F it’s no longer used with just CPVC).

This article has raised some questions about what is allowed in maintaining antifreeze systems and, more importantly, likely changes needed on the installation criteria (despite it being effectively on hold awaiting a listed compound, it is still applied for the repair of existing systems). The question is can we modify the pH level of antifreeze? Technically, NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, does not address this issue.

The current requirement is that antifreeze must be premixed (but that’s an issue of ensuring a homogenous solution of the antifreeze compound and water). This certainly leaves the door open. Additionally, it’s silent on whether a listed compound is required. A section was added to the end of chapter 7 in the 2013 edition titled “Additives and Coatings,” but it explicitly and exclusively addresses additives “intended for control of microbiological or other corrosion.”

With all the relatively recent attention on compatibility, it’s safe to leap to the conclusion that the intent is that any compounds added to the system must be listed. There’s also the need for some assurance on functionality.

Having said that, I don’t believe there are any listed pH stabilizers or, for that matter, even a test protocol to obtain a listing. Combine this fact with the current challenge the industry is having getting a listed corrosion inhibitor (after it being required by NFPA 13 for over four years), any chance of a listed stabilizer is pretty low. This leaves us with the option of going back to accepting approved compounds or live with replacing the solutions on an unacceptably short time span.

We also need to look at deleting the allowances to install a check valve with a 1/32-in. hole at the connection to the water supply (see figure 7.6.3.1) or a relief valve for systems smaller than 40 gallons (see section 7.6.3.4).

In other words, you have to have an expansion chamber. There is another nuance. Why is a supplemental backflow preventer required instead of a check valve when the system itself has a backflow preventer? If after future consideration by NFPA 13 and NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, (most likely working together as has been done in the past), we are still unable to add stabilizers to existing glycerine antifreeze systems, we need to expand the installation requirement to include flushing connections along with guidance on minimum cleaning processes.

Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 33

Developing New Leaders Volunteering as a Path to Company Leadership MEAGHEN WILLS | Anchor Fire Protection

This year, 2018, is the year of leadership for the NextGen Initiative (NGI). The number one challenge facing organizations worldwide is developing new leaders. We want business owners and managers to see the invaluable experience that can be gained through a path of leadership within the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). The next generation of leaders within our companies can be honed before they take on their managerial roles in the office. Leadership is a difficult thing to teach and getting involved in the local chapters as an officer or as a NGI chair can teach these skills so they’re in place for the future. I want to share my personal experience and

the important leadership skills I’ve learned being the chair of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter (MAC) of AFSA for the last six years.

If you would have asked me 13 years ago when I entered into the sprinkler industry if I knew how to manage people I would have said no, but I had no problem being bossy! I knew I had something along the lines of a leader in me; it just had to be brought out in the right ways. I spent the better part of my first four or five years in the field and in the office watching. My boss won’t believe me, but I really was paying attention to everything he said, everything he did, and the way he interacted with the

other employees. I paid attention to what I liked and what I didn’t like about his management style. I filed all of that away until I was able to use it myself, which now I do as the leader of my local AFSA chapter.

About six years ago, my dad “suggested” I get involved with the AFSA MidAtlantic Chapter. I said okay, not having any idea what they did, who would be there, nor what I was going to get out of it. After attending meetings for a year and getting to know the other local members, I was asked to run for chapter chair. I accepted the nomination and a month later I was chapter chair. I had no idea what I was getting myself into – coordinating meetings and speakers and running the meetings. It was quite obvious when I ran my first meeting that I didn’t know what I was doing. I was uncomfortable to say the least.

When I became comfortable in my leadership role, I was really able to focus on the chapter and where I wanted to take it. The direction I saw for the chapter didn’t align with the current executive director’s vision. I felt like I was constantly battling her to make the chapter better. So, enter my first lesson in management: firing people. There is only one word to describe firing people and it’s awkward.

You’re not sure how the other person is going to react, and you have no idea what to say to make it less awkward.

After an awkward handshake and good-bye the search was on for another executive director. Management lesson number two: hiring people.

Hiring people is almost worse than firing people! You know what you want and while you’re performing what seems like an endless task of searching for people, you have to pick

34 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

up all of that slack to make sure everything still gets done. It took a few months, but I found someone that seemed to be in line with where my team wanted to take the chapter.

Management lesson number three: being a leader. Now that I have the right people in place, what do I do with them? This is the part that I think most people in management positions struggle with. How do I be a good leader? How do I push people in the right direction without micromanaging them? The number one thing I learned from being involved with my local chapter is this: If you have a passion to share with people, they will want to work hard for you.

I’m continuously sharing my vision for the chapter and creating new goals for us to attain and making sure everyone is on the same page with where we want to go. We have a big responsibility on the local level to help make an impact on our members and on our industry, and you can’t do it alone. Surrounding yourself with

the right people who have the same passion as you is key. If you continue to work hard, communicate, and appreciate the people working with you or for you, they will push hard for you. That creates a team.

Our AFSA MAC is a chapter I’m really proud of. Under my leadership team, we have become a chapter that holds side-by-side burns for residential fire sprinkler awareness, puts on training for Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), hosts fundraising benefits for burn victims, and now has packed meeting rooms for our bimonthly meetings. It took a few years to get there, but with the right people and the right leadership everything is attainable.

I got involved with my local chapter because I was told to participate. I became a leader in my chapter because I wanted to. I don’t have these responsibilities in my current role at Anchor Fire Protection (AFP), but as I continue to work my way through the

company, I’m able to learn the skills I need to be successful as the future owner. I know that AFP is going to be better off with me at the helm because of the years that I’m devoting to the industry as a volunteer for my chapter.

There’s no better place to learn this skill set for the future. Q ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Meaghen Wills does sales and project management for Anchor Fire Protection, Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania. She received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Hartford and is a graduate of AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School. Wills serves as chair of the NextGen Initiative; chairs AFSA’s Mid-Atlantic Chapter; and is a member of AFSA’s Public Education & Awareness, Apprenticeship & Education, and Convention committees.

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Visit firesprinkler.org/designschool Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 35

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

“By supporting the best and brightest students studying for degrees in fire protection, CLSE donors make an investment in the future of our special industry,” says Frank Mortl III, CAE who serves as president of both AFSA as well as CLSE. “We are so grateful for donations from supporters which assist in the development of the next generation of fire protection professionals.”

Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. Scholarship – University of Maryland (UMD) Established by the AFSA Board of Directors in 1984, the DeCamara Scholarship program benefits outstanding juniors and seniors majoring in the fire protection engineering (FPE) curriculum at the University of

Maryland in College Park, DeCamara’s alma mater. The program presents two scholarships each year.

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

Katherine McKee, the winner of the first place award of $4,000, is studying FPE. She went into the field because she wanted to make the world a better and safer place.

McKee is equally passionate about teaching. She has worked as a teaching assistant for several courses in the FPE curriculum, worked as a fire protection engineering ambassador, and also taught high school students about FPE through a design challenge.

In her spare time, McKee does everything she can to help the department. She speaks at every high school presentation, open house, demonstration, and shadowing experience that she can in order to bring talented students into the program.

She was recently selected by the Dean of Engineering to represent the University of Maryland at the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Global Grand Challenge Summit, a prestigious engineering conference between the United States, United Kingdom, and China.

Lindsay Huffert, an FPE major, was awarded the second place prize of $3,000. From 2013 until 2015 she worked as an emergency medical technician for the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, while also attending school, and took that passion for saving lives into her college career. Huffert was first introduced to FPE during her sophomore year of high school. She worked in the campus labs to learn about the physics and principles behind fires, and then as an engineering intern at the R.E. Ginna nuclear power plant to gain practical experience. Huffert currently works as an undergraduate research assistant in the department’s FireTEC program, which performs consulting and fire testing projects for outside companies.

Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship – Oklahoma State University (OSU) The AFSA Board of Directors voted to fund a second scholarship in 2005 after industry leader Thomas S. Waller passed away. Waller

38 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

Dr. James A. Milke (center) presents winners Lindsay Huffert (left) and Katherine McKee (right) with 2017 Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. scholarships.

Dr. Sam Wang (right) presents the 2017 Thomas S. Waller Memorial Scholarship to Aaron Erb.

devoted more than 40 years to the fire protection industry.

He served as chairman of the board of Viking Fire Protection of the Southeast in High Point, North Carolina, and also gave much of his time to AFSA. He helped form the AFSA Carolinas Chapter and served on the board of directors of the North and South Carolina state chapters. He also served on the AFSA Board of Directors from 1985-1995 and as national chairman of the Board from 1989-1991. Waller believed in the value of education and was determined in his efforts to provide educational opportunities for young people, both in and outside of the industry. The Waller scholarship is presented to juniors or seniors enrolled in the Fire Protection & Safety Technology program in the College

of Engineering, Architecture & Technology at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

The 2017-2018 winner is Aaron Erb, who is studying fire protection safety technology, and has a passion for protecting people. He is currently an operations manager in the Tulsa Air National Guard. He was a technical school honor graduate in the Operations Management career field at Shepard Air Force Base in 2014, and a top performer at the 145th RTS Deployment for Training in North Carolina in 2015. Erb has spent much of his young life giving back to his community. He has been a mentor to younger students through the ELEVATE program, he has volunteered as a physical education and

Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 39

dreams while positively impacting the fire protection industry. Supporting either the DeCamara Scholarship Fund, Waller Scholarship Fund or both is greatly appreciated by the winners, their families, and the DeCamara and Waller families. Remember, as CLSE is a 501(c)(3) educational affiliate of AFSA, all contributions made to these scholarship funds are tax deductible.

Jefferson Muncy, son of former AFSA President Steve Muncy, has painted a limited-edition print for CLSE scholarship donations of $100 or more.

wellness instructor at his local YMCA, and he has put his engineering skills to good use constructing shelters for rescue dogs. Erb also embarked on a humanitarian mission to Latvia where he helped to insulate a school in a rural community so that children could attend classes in the winter.

Invest in the Future Your tax-deductible donations help students attain their educational goals and professional

To make a one-time donation or become a regular donor, visit CLSE online at clse.org and click on “Scholarships” or mail a check to DeCamara Scholarship or Waller Scholarship, c/o CLSE, 12750 Merit Dr., Ste. 350, Dallas, Texas 75251. With a donation of $100-$199, donors will receive a complimentary, limited-edition 13-in. x 19-in. print (one of 200 total prints), signed and numbered by original painter Jefferson Muncy, the son of former AFSA President Steve Muncy. Or, for a donation of $200 or more, donors receive an 18-in. x 24-in. limited-edition signed and numbered print (also one of 200 total prints).

With appreciation, we welcome all donations of any amount should you choose not to receive a print. For more information on the scholarships or to apply, visit clse.org/scholarships.htm. Q

2017 Philip L. DeCamara, Jr. & Thomas S. Waller Scholarship Contributors The DeCamara and Waller Scholarships are supported by voluntary donations from corporate and individual members of the fire protection industry and their friends and associates. AFSA and CLSE thank the individuals and companies listed below for their contributions to the 2017 scholarships, as well as the donors who chose to remain anonymous.

A & E Fire Protection, Canton, MA ABC Fire and Cylinder Service, Las Vegas, NV ACCU-Fire Fabrication, Inc., Morrisville, PA Advanced Fire Protection, Inc., Woodinville, WA Advanco Fire Protection, Inc., Ontario, CA Aegis Fire Systems, Inc., Pleasanton, CA Aegis Technologies, Inc., Pottstown, PA Aegis Technologies, Inc., Wayne, PA Alwest Fire Protection, Roseville, CA American Fire Protection Group, Houston, TX American Fire Systems, Inc., Houston, TX Anchor Fire Protection, Quakertown, PA Anvil International, LP, Edina, MN Arkansas Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Roland, AR Atlanta Sprinkler Inspection, Winder, GA Bamford Fire Sprinkler Co., Inc., Salina, KS Travis Benson, Phoenix, AZ Linda Biernacki, Shreveport, LA CAFSA, Ripon, CA Joseph & Wendy Callahan, Boxford, MA Carolina Fire Control, Inc., Concord, NC Carolina Fire Protection, Inc., Dunn, NC Cen-Cal Fire Systems, Inc., Lodi, CA Central Carolina Sprinkler Co., Lincolnton, NC Central Connecticut Fire Protection, Inc., Meriden, CT CJ Suppression, Corona, CA CMI Sprinkler Corporation, Warrington, PA Colonial Fire Protection, Rochester, NY Commonwealth Fire Protection, Leola, PA Crawford Sprinkler Co. of SC, Inc., Lugoff, SC 40 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

Andrew DeCamara, Sherman Oaks, CA Teresa DeCamara, Dresher, PA Kevin Derr, Washington, DC ES Systems, Inc., Rochester, NY Ferguson Fire & Fabrications, Mansfield, TX Fire and Life Safety America, Hanover, MD Fire Design Inc., Burnsville, NC Fire Suppression Services, Princeton, MN Firestop Inc., Bethel, CT Foothill Fire Protection, Rocklin, CA Gagnon Engineering, Woodbine, MD General Underground Fire Protection, Orange, CA Carry Gray, Rocklin, CA Hampshire Fire Protection, Westfield, MA Hampshire Fire Protection, Londonderry, NH Hangtown Fire Control, Inc., Diamond Springs, CA Joe Heinrich, Salina, KS Bob Hollis, Boxford, MA Hub City Sprinklers, Inc., Hagerstown, MD JFV Engineering, South Hadley, MA JG Tate Fire Protection Systems, Poway, CA Jimco Fire Protection, Inc., AuGres, MI JS Federal Group dba A/C Fire Protection, Ventura, CA Kaufman Fire Protection, Albuquerque, NM Knight Fire Protection, Southwest Olympia, WA Les Woods, Tega Cay, SC MB Metals, Bellevue, WA Richard Matsuda, Dallas, TX

Michael Meehan, Virginia Beach, VA Metro Fire & Safety Equipment Co., Inc., Carlstadt, NJ Mr. Sprinkler Fire Protection, Roseville, CA Nancy DeCamara Maglio, West Hartford, CT NFPA, Quincy, MA Parsley Consulting, Escondido, CA Pro Fire Systems LLC, Nutley, NJ Protection Design & Consulting, San Diego, CA Rapid Fire Protection, Inc., Rapid City, SD Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Elmsford, NY SDG LLC, Webster, TX Southeast Fire Protection, LP, Houston, TX Strickland Fire Protection Inc., Forestville, MD Sunland Fire Protection, High Point, NC Superhero Fire Protection, Lawrenceville, GA Target Fire Protection, Pine Brook, NJ Telgian Corporation, Mesa, AZ Willie Templin, Fort Worth, TX United Fire Protection Corp., Kenilworth, NJ United Sprinkler Co., Inc., Fredericksburg, VA Universal Fire Systems, Inc., Tampa, FL The Viking Corporation, Ada, MI Viking Group, Inc., Hastings, MI VSC Fire & Security, Inc., Myrtle Beach, SC Warren Sprinkler Co., LLC, Clifton, NJ Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Concord, NC Western Fire Protection, Poway, CA Ted Wills, Perkiomenville, PA

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Inaugural National Home Fire Sprinkler Day May 19 Advocates Initiate Day of Action to Address America’s Home Fire Problem Home fires claim the lives of seven people each day. Home fire sprinklers can help eliminate these tragedies, but legislative barriers and a general unawareness of this technology have prevented its use in new homes.

America’s fire service and safety advocates will be able to take action in unison to raise national awareness of these challenges and a fire sprinkler’s life-saving ability.

NFPA’s Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) are initiating Home Fire Sprinkler Day on May 19, 2018 along with representatives from several fire safety organizations.

AFSA’s Director of Communications Nicole Duvall is one of the members on the Home Fire Sprinkler Day Steering Committee. “With prevention and educational efforts, such as Home Fire Sprinkler Day, we are changing the conversation, attitudes, and beliefs surrounding fire sprinklers,” says Duvall. “The more that the community is educated and public awareness is heightened, then the more people will ask for fire sprinklers in their homes.”

This project tasks safety advocates across the U.S. with hosting simultaneous events promoting home fire sprinklers. While raising awareness of the home fire problem, these events will also underscore the life-saving impact of fire sprinklers and legislative barriers to its use. The aim is to have the fire service and other safety advocates host at least one sprinkler-related event on the same day in all 50 states.

“The alarming number of home fire deaths and injuries each year should 42 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

be on the radar of every decision maker and member of the media,” says Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy and HFSC’s president. “Through this event, we hope to illuminate the fire problem and its solution on a national scale. Fire sprinklers have been a U.S. model building code requirement since 2009, yet challenges to its adoption still exist. Taking action collectively will send a powerful message that fire sprinklers are widely accepted and must be embraced in every state.”

Taking action is easy. Some possible activities include: • Host a side-by-side live burn/fire sprinkler demonstration.

• Conduct a fire department open house featuring fire sprinkler information and sprinkler riser display.

• Initiate a media event/walkthrough of a sprinklered home in your community.

• Dedicate a training session to your fire department staff on the myths and facts of home fire sprinklers.

• Advocate for a “Home Fire Sprinkler Day” proclamation in your town.

• Spearhead a social media campaign demanding local legislators and

decision makers address local fire problem/support sprinklers.

• Write letters to the editor or op-eds underscoring your local fire problem and fire sprinkler laws or lack thereof.

Home Fire Sprinkler Day resources are provided online to help convince the media and others on the necessity of fire sprinklers. Some make great handouts, while others are shareable on social media: • Fire sprinkler talking points for the media • Fire sprinkler myths vs. facts • State-by-state fire sprinkler requirements • Fire sprinkler infographics • Fire sprinkler online quiz For more details, ideas, resources, and assistance planning National Home Fire Sprinkler Day in your area, visit nfpa. org/FireSprinklerDay for more information. And share your events with AFSA and NFPA! Together, we can make a difference in reducing the number of home fires and increasing awareness about home fire sprinklers. Q

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Quick-Opening Devices How You Can Make a Difference with ITM DEVIN O’LEARY | Johnson Controls

How many times have you shown up to a facility for a dry-pipe valve inspection or test, and entered the riser room only to find the water and air normal, but the valve supplying air to the quick-opening device closed? It happens more often than you would think.

Does this mean the valve won’t open?

No, but it may not operate as designed or how NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, (2016 edition) intended. Many dry-pipe valves have traditionally been designed as differential-pressure valves. This means the clapper has a surface area on the air side which is greater than that on the water side. The difference between these areas determines the differential (i.e., 6:1, 5:1). Those differentials will vary based on the manufacturer and model.

Table 7.2.3.6.1 in the 2016 edition of NFPA 13 states water delivery requirements for dry-pipe systems based on hazard. The larger a system gets, the less chance there is of fulfilling the water delivery requirements. For this reason it is beneficial, and sometimes necessary, to add a quick-opening device to the valve set.

The quick-opening device recognizes air pressure loss and is designed to operate before the traditional drypipe valve drops below its differential trip pressure. This allows the valve to operate much quicker than it would if there was no quick-opening device, thus helping the NFPA 13 water delivery requirements to be met.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a quick-opening device to be installed, pass the initial acceptance test, and then be neglected. The 2017 edition of NFPA 25, Standard for Inspections, Testing, and Maintenance of Water44 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

Based Fire Protection, requires dry-pipe valves to be annually trip tested with a partial trip and fully tripped every third year. Once this testing is completed, the quick-opening device is expected to be in service; however, these devices are often misunderstood and may also be difficult to reset back into service. As a result, they are frequently shut off from the air supply and left out of service for months, if not years, at a time.

Additionally, many contractors, property owners, and maintenance personnel do not realize that quickopening devices are required to be tested quarterly, per section 13.4.5.2.4 of the 2017 edition of NFPA 25. Testing procedures for quick-opening devices should be in accordance to the manufacturer instructions found in the technical documentation. This is normally a relatively easy test procedure that can be done by a trained, qualified individual in a very short period of time. These quick-opening device tests typically require shutting off the water supply to ensure there is not a false trip of the system. At the completion of the quick-opening device test, a valve status test (also referred to as a “main drain”) is required to verify that the system control valve is not closed.

An out-of-service, quick-opening device can be detrimental to the entire fire protection system, leaving a portion, or all, of the building with inadequate protection. There are quick-opening devices, called electronic accelerators, designed to operate in under four seconds of initial activation of a sprinkler. This means that within four seconds of a sprinkler activating from the heat of a fire, the dry valve opens, allowing

water to flow to the fire area. In the exact same type of system where a quick-opening device is left out of service, it could take upwards of two to four minutes, or longer, before the valve reaches its trip point to allow water to flow into the system.

Volume of pipe in the system is one factor that can significantly impact water delivery time. A large volume of pipe means a greater volume of air and, therefore, more time for the air to release and the valve to trip. A longer delay in valve trip and water delivery time means the fire has much more time to grow without any water being discharged, resulting in the activation of additional sprinklers which could overwhelm the water supply and leave the building with inadequate fire sprinkler protection.

The simple steps of inspecting and testing an installed quick-opening device could mean the difference between a contained fire with just a few sprinklers operating and the complete loss of a building due to delayed activation of a system. Q ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Devin O’Leary is manager of technical training for Johnson Controls at the Frederick Grinnell Education Center, Cranston, Rhode Island.

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Hard Work and a Serious Reward AFSA Virginia Chapter Golf Tournament Supports Burn Survivors GEORGE WAGNER | AFSA Virginia Chapter

The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Virginia Chapter held its 24th Burn Survivors Golf Tournament on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at the Williamsburg National Golf Club in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was a very beautiful fall day for this event!

The tournament was well attended with 195 paid golfers and 40 volunteers. The chapter is proud to announce the donation of $80,000 in total to two charities – the Central Virginia Burn Camp for children was given $40,000 and the Old Dominion Firefighters Burn Foundation was given $40,000. The amount donated by the Virginia Chapter over the 24 years, for these two charities, is a grand total of $892,400.

Tournament Results In 2015, the chapter established the “Giles Cup” award for the grand prize winner. This cup was established to honor Marty Giles, past chapter chairman and past chairman of the AFSA Board of Directors, for all of his great work and support for the Virginia Chapter golf tournament from its inception. The Virginia Chapter keeps the master Giles Cup and places a name plaque on it each year with the grand prize winners.

Additionally, each player on the winning team receives a replica copy of the cup.

The 2017 Grand Prize Winner (Best Overall Score) and Giles Cup recipient was the Fire & Life Safety America (FLSA) Team of Andrew Medovich, Jack Medovich, Frank Mortl III, and Allan Strange. The Mid-Atlantic Capital Management Team – John DePew, Robert Wrenn, Bill Taylor and Terry Watterford –won Second Place Overall.

Other winners recognized were: Fire Flight, 1st Place: Jamestown – Eagle Fire Team of Harry Hoffon, Jamie 46 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

The 2017 Grand Prize Winner (Best Overall Score) and Giles Cup recipient was the Fire & Life Safety America (FLSA) Team of (from l to r): Frank Mortl III, Allan Strange, Jack Medovich, and Andrew Medovich.

Phillips, Greg Rogertson, and Steve Usry; and Yorktown – Lexacom Team of Scott Evans, Paul Kessler and Dean Sidot

Closest to the Pin: Jamestown – Wayne Pugh, FireX; and Yorktown – George Webb

Sprinkler Flight, 1st Place: Jamestown – Cool Breeze/Richmond Fire Team of Rodney Coles, David Loving, Chad Waddy, and Mark Watkins; and Yorktown – Sunland Fire Team of Bobby Ellis, Steve Manis, Chuck Sandlin, and Anthony Spencer

Prizes Galore Major prizes won were: a 65-in. Samsung TV – Darren Palmieri, small Green Egg Cooker – Matthew Bunting, medium Green Egg cooker – Gordon Taylor, large Green Egg Cooker – Todd Brenahan, and an extra-large Green Egg Cooker – Brian Davis.

Raffles prizes won were: 50/50 raffle of $1,000 went to Chris Lindsey with eTec Fire, and a $500 gift certificate for GreenTop/Hopkins went to Rick Johnson. Three separate four-round certificates at Jamestown/Yorktown courses at Williamsburg National Golf Club went to Neil Gregoire, Gem Fab; Paul Whitaker, Eagle Fire; and Hooper Loscomb, Eagle Fire. A Foursome at Lee Hill Golf Club was won by Shawn Walls, Hajoca. A Twosome at Country Club of Virginia and lunch with Allan Strange went to Robert Marshall. Two days of Foursomes and two hotel nights at Williamsburg National Golf Club were won by Kevin Moyer, Reams & Moyer. One hundred individual gift prizes were also given to golfers, drawn from the list of all players and volun-

Saves Lives Flight, 1st Place: Jamestown – Hajoca Team of Bryan Lutto, Mike Miller, Steven Price, and Shawn Walls; and Yorktown – Clark Nexsen Team of Chris Born, Bill Drum, Kevin Kimmel, and Ron Lauster Good Sport Team Award (Last Place Overall): James Alls and Darren Wilmore Move-Up Winners: Jamestown – Grant Campbell, Jeremiah Hazzard, Darren Palmieri, and Rick William; and Yorktown – Jason Gill, Troy Hazzard, Mark Johnson, and Sean Simpson Closest to the line: Jamestown – Woody Witzak, Victaulic; and Yorktown – Lexi Torrice, Merrill Lynch

Chapter members honor Marty Giles and his memory with the Giles Cup, awarded to top-scoring golf team at each year’s tournament.

teers. A golf vest and goody bag were given to each golfer as well.

The Central Virginia Burn Camp for children is one of two beneficiaries of the Virginia Chapter’s annual golf tournament.

Chapter members were pleased to present a check for $40,000 to the camp.

Thank You! This tournament could not have been successful without all of our primary sponsors. The Diamond Sponsor of $15,000 was Ferguson Fire. Platinum sponsors ($5,000) were: Eagle Fire, Fire & Life Safety America, VSC Fire & Security, Performance Fire, Viking Supply, George Wagner, Reliable Automatic Sprinkler, Core and Main, Hajoca, and Victaulic. Gold sponsors ($2,500) were: Atlantic Constructors, FirePro, Central Virginia Burn Camp, Potter Electric Signal, Old Dominion Fire Fighters Burn Foundation, System Sensor, Tyco, Globe Fire, and General Air Products. Major sponsors ($500) were: AFSA National, Magic City Sprinkler, Foley Company, eTec Fire, Lexacom, Flexhead, Scott Insurance, Tournatech, Fire Tech Services (two), Tands (Bojangles), Keiter, Sunland Fire, Verizon, and Colonial Ford Truck Sales. Hole sponsors ($175) were Clark Nexsen, Assured Partners, Merrill Lynch – Joe Torrice, ECS, Master Controls, Lubrizol, Chesterfield Firefighters, Ameripipe, Fire Protection Equipment Company, The Joyce Agency, Potter Roemer, Nicholson Sprinkler, Teligan, Crews and Gregory, Riley Fire, eTec Fire, Prince George Local 4994, Crater Regional TRT, AGF Manufacturing, Henrico Firefighters, Rapid Fire, Sunbelt (two), Colonial Heights Firefighters, Service Trade, Bankers Insurance, Carolina Fire, Cool Breeze, Axeman Motorcycle Club, and Liberty Fire Solutions.

The Chapter also thanks O’Toole’s Restaurant & Pub for donating lunch for all the golfers and volunteers and for providing a great dinner. We are grateful to both Colonial Ford Truck Sales and Haley Buick GMC Airport for the hole-in-one sponsorship. The 2017 Golf Chairman’s Committee worked the full year, meeting 10 times in planning for this tournament and we greatly appreciate their time, effort and hard work: Chairman Jack Medovich, FLSA; Harry Hoffon, Eagle Fire; Bill Jones, FirePro; Scott Williams, VSC Fire & Security; Jerry Pruden, Old Dominion Firefighters Burn Foundation; Hooper Loscomb, Eagle Fire; Tiffany Clarke, Eagle Fire; Lanny Gault, retired; Griff Brinkley, Fire Tech; and George Wagner, chapter executive director.

An Everlasting Gift The chapter is pleased to announce that it has set up a Virginia non-profit corporation and has received a 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS and named this The Burn Survivors Foundation. This foundation will separately raise monies for an endowment fund for future needs to support the two charities for many years to come. This will be an ongoing challenge until the goal is met to ensure that the charities will be taken care of long into the future.

Wagner sent out a call to all members to fund this endowment. A total of $34,448 was raised for the fund which will be invested for future needs. Thank you to the major donors of this endowment of $1,000 or more: AGF Manufacturing

– $1,000; Bob Beckwith – $1,000; Griff Brinkley – $1,000; Dave and Sharon Fleming – $1,000; Harry Hoffon – $11,475; Tom McKinnon – $1,000; Jack Medovich – $1,000; Mike Meehan– $5,000; Melanie Obenchain, Magic City Sprinkler – $1,000; Joe Safer, American Automatic – $1,000; and George Wagner – $5,000. Thank you to the 30-plus additional donors who gave less than $1,000 each.

These donations will help ensure that the Central Virginia Burn Camp for children and the Old Dominion Firefighters Burn Foundation will be supported for years to come. If you wish to see the activities of the Burn Survivors Foundation or if you would like to make a donation, visit the website at burnsurvivorsfoundation.org.

Silver Anniversary Celebration The chapter would like to invite everyone to participate in the 2018 AFSA Virginia Chapter/Burn Survivors Foundation Golf Tournament on Wednesday, October 17, 2018, which will be held at the Williamsburg National Golf Club in Williamsburg, Virginia. Please put this on your calendar now to save the date as this will be a special 25th anniversary celebration event! For more information on sponsoring or playing in the 2018 tournament, visit afsavirginia.com. Q

Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 47

Thank You for Your Support!

Members Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries Happy Anniversary! The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is honored to recognize those celebrating milestone membership anniversaries with the association. These member companies have belonged to AFSA for 15 or more years of continuous membership. Recognition in Sprinkler Age will be done in five-year increments, starting at the 15-year mark, and is available to all membership types.

Associate member The Viking Corporation, Hastings, Michigan, is celebrating its 35th anniversary with AFSA. Sprinkler Age asked Viking Group’s Vice President of Marketing Jeff Norton to share some of Viking staff ’s thoughts and memories about the fire sprinkler industry and the association.

Viking Shares Memories “Over the 35 years of our membership with AFSA, many Viking employees have benefitted greatly from the professional and personal relationships that they have built. We’re proud to be associated with an organization that shares our passion for fire protection, and we congratulate and thank them for their many years of dedication to training and the advancement of professionalism in our industry,” Norton says. “It would require too many pages to document all the benefits Viking, and our industry in general, have enjoyed through AFSA, so here’s a modest attempt at hitting a few highlights.”

Education and Training “Viking values AFSA’s focus on training and its dedication to quality of workmanship that benefits us all. We’ve seen significant growth in training programs and presentations over the years, and we know that effort has resulted in more effective fire protection and has made a difference in countless lives.”

48 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

The Viking Corporation has been active in AFSA’s newly formed Michigan Chapter. From left to right: Chapter Membership Chair Sandy Richter, Viking Corporation; Chapter Vice President Tom Gustafson, Total Fire Protection; Chapter Secretary Greg Dittenber, Jimco Fire Protection, Inc.; Chapter Executive Director Frank L. Mortl; and Chapter Treasurer Mike Bosma, Viking Corporation.

The Viking Corporation welcomed AFSA NextGen Initiative members for a tour of its Michigan facilities in the summer of 2017.

Technical Resources “Many Viking employees follow the AFSA’s SprinklerForum. The passionate exchange among AFSA members on such a wide variety of topics has helped advance our common knowledge and understanding of important technical issues impacting the sprinkler industry.”

Networking “There is no better way for Viking to reach our markets, learn more about our customers, and to promote the advancement of our industry than to attend national and

local AFSA events. We’ve made it a priority for our company to offer support at as many meetings as possible,” Norton states. “The AFSA Michigan Chapter’s inaugural meeting was held last July at Viking Headquarters in Hastings. This new chapter is creating a training platform and opportunity for peer-to-peer interaction that will stimulate personal growth and continuous learning for all industry professionals, including architects and engineers (A&Es), contractors, and Authorities Having

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Jurisdiction (AHJs). Viking was proud to host this initial gathering, and we look forward to supporting this chapter’s great work.”

A New Generation of Leaders “One of the most exciting new AFSA initiatives is the development of the Next Generation (NextGen) program.

Recognizing the important role of future leaders in our industry, AFSA started the initiative in 2014 as a way for younger leaders in the fire protection industry to connect and learn from each other. Viking is very excited about this group and has been involved since its inception. We were pleased to host NextGen members for a tour of our Michigan facilities in the summer of 2017, and we feel we have a lot to learn from these talented individuals,” Norton comments.

Friendships Throughout the Years “Maybe the most important benefit of AFSA membership is the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships with others focused on doing all they can to protect lives and property through fire protection.

Many of our Viking colleagues remember their first AFSA convention and exhibition, and those initial meetings have created friendships that have lasted through the years. Here are just a few of the comments that illustrate Viking’s bond with AFSA. “‘One of my favorite memories is from my first AFSA convention in Boca Raton, Florida. I specifically recall the assembly of all the manufacturers and suppliers in the exhibit hall for a group photo. I met a lot of great people that week, and many of those initial meetings evolved into strong business relationships and friendships that still exist today,’ says Chris Sharp, sales manager.” “‘Viking has participated in AFSA since the early 1980s, and I’ve always highly valued the association’s dedication to improving the quality of workmanship in our industry,’ comments Mike Bosma, executive vice president, sales – international.”

50 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

“‘It’s been an honor to serve as the membership chair for the newly formed AFSA Michigan Chapter, and through this opportunity I’ve learned how important a local organization can be in adding value for our customers, our industry, and the people and property we protect,’ states Sandy Richter, territory sales manager.”

advancing our industry, including acceptance of fire sprinklers. AFSA has embraced the ‘Sprinkler Saves’ effort which seeks to promote any and all instances of successful sprinkler activation. Thank you, AFSA, for a great 35 years… we’re looking forward to even greater accomplishments in the next 35!” Q

Norton concludes: “I personally appreciate the AFSA’s commitment to

AFSA Milestone Membership Anniversaries March and April 2018 35-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Capitol Sprinkler Contracting, Columbia, MD Fire Engineering Company, Salt Lake City, UT

Associate Members Hydratec, Inc., Windham, NH Victaulic, Easton, PA The Viking Corporation, Hastings, MI

30-Year Anniversary Contractor Members BFPE International,Hanover, MD S & L Mechanical, Inc., Reading, PA

Associate Members Bull Moose Tube Company, Chesterfield, MO System Sensor/Honeywell Security and Fire, St. Charles, IL

25-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Alpine Sprinkler, Inc., Burlington, VT Essential Fire Protection Systems, Inc., El Paso, TX Pacisa, Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain

20-Year Anniversary Contractor Members Coastal Sprinkler, Summerville, SC Palmetto Automatic Sprinkler, West Columbia, SC

Designer Members Fire Sprinkler Design, Hamilton, OH Rybak Engineering, Inc., Warren, MA

15-Year Anniversary Contractor Members A.L. Fire Protection, LLC, East Hartford, CT ABCO, Lubbock, TX Fire Sprinkler Associates, Edgewood, NY Fire Technologies, Inc., Castle Hayne, NC Henry’s Plumbing, Inc., Owensboro, KY International Fire Protection Corp., Scandia, MN Metro Fire Sprinkler Services, Stuart, FL Precision Fire Protection Systems Co., Inc., Rocklin, CA Total Fire & Safety, Inc.

Associate Members Gecco, Inc., Fleetville, PA

AHJ Members Alabama Dept. of Public Health Facilities Management, Montgomery, AL

Honoring Academic Excellence Graduates Achieve AFSA’s 2017 Sprinkler Fitter National Honor Society The American Fire Sprinkler Association’s (AFSA) Fire Sprinkler Fitter National Honor Society was first established in 2012 to recognize those trainees, along with their sponsoring employers, who have completed all four levels of the AFSA Correspondence Course for Fire Sprinkler Fitters with a cumulative grade point average of 95 percent or above. Inductees into the 2017 class of AFSA’s Fire Sprinkler Fitter National Honor Society represent approximately the top nine percent of the 172 four-level graduates for the year.

AFSA Director of Education Services Leslie Clounts notes: “Congratulations are due to these accomplished companies whose dedication to training excellence is proven in these elite apprentices. I applaud each individual who made the effort ensuring these National Honor Society students not only succeed, but excel in their training endeavors.”

The following companies are the proud employers of inductees into the 2017 Fire Sprinkler Fitter National Honor Society: • Aero Automatic Sprinkler, Phoenix, AZ (three inductees) • AFPG, Inc., Jackson, TN • Allied Fire Protection, Pearland, TX • Colby Fire Protection, Rochdale, MA • Fire Tech Services, Inc., Chesapeake, VA • Front-Line Fire Protection, LLC, North Andover, NH • Johnson Controls, South Bend, IN • Johnson Controls, Williamsville, NY • L&L Fire Protection, Torrington, CT • Meridian Fire Protection, Salem, NH • Metropolitan Fire Protection, Broomall, PA • Phoenix Fire Protection, Idaho Falls, ID (two inductees) 52 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

• Platinum Fire Protection & Services, Marlborough, MA (two inductees) • Tri-State Fire Protection, Smithfield, RI • Western Automatic Sprinkler, Salt Lake City, UT Recognition plaques for the individual students are provided to the sponsoring employer, so that the contractor company can present the plaque to the fire sprinkler fitter graduate at an appropriate time and location. AFSA is also pleased to honor those contractors who participate in this training curriculum and encourage their fitter trainees to study and do well on their tests by recognizing their company in Sprinkler Age. Calling all Apprentices! Enter now for AFSA’s National Apprentice Competition, celebrating its silver anniversary at AFSA37: Convention, Exhibition, & Apprentice Competition September 30-October 1 at the Gaylord National & Convention Center in Washington, DC. Many contractor employers of fire sprinkler fitter trainees who competed in the annual event state that it builds enthusiasm and encourages trainees to study the AFSA Fire Sprinkler Fitter Training Series more carefully and improve their performance. See the entry form for the 2018 competition in this month’s issue of Sprinkler Age (page 28 or look for details online at firesprinkler.org/ convention/apprentice-competition. Q

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AFSA’S ONLINE SAFETY PORTAL

www.afsasafetyportal.comoRTAL.COM AFSA American Fire Sprinkler Association

THE TOOLS YOU NEED FOR WORKER SAFETY This virtual library proactively delivers the accident-prevention and safety related information you need to educate your staff, help prevent claims and create a safe work environment. Highlights include: • Electrical Safety • Ladder Safety • Loss Control • Personal Protection • Vehicle Safety • Reference Links • OSHA Resources Links • Workers Comp Resources Ř $)6$ōV 7RROER[ 7DONV D VDIHW\ VHULHV FXVWRP WDLORUHG IRU WKH ƓUH VSULQNOHU LQGXVWU\

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AFSA MEMBERSHIP New Members The following is a list of new members that have joined as of March 1, 2018.

Associates

Designers

International

ETNA Supply Grand Rapids, MI

DJ Fire Sprinkler Design Peoria, AZ

Associates

East Bay Fire Systems Folsom, CA

Rio Plumbing Alton, TX

Fire Fabrication and Supply Spring Arbor, MI

Icon Fire Systems Design Kapolei, HI

FIRE NET Sherman Oaks, CA

Sprinklermatic Fire Protection Systems Davie, FL

FireLab New York City, NY

Kirlin Raleigh, NC

AHJs

Melissa Nickel Glenville, PA

Contractors Chesapeake Fire Systems Frankford, DE

Rescom Fire Protection, Inc. Burlington, MA

Fire Tech, LLC Las Cruces, NM Life Safety Solutions of Sheridan, Inc. Sheridan, WY Ozark Fire Protection Warsaw, MO

Vanguard Fire & Security Grand Rapids, MI Victory Fire Protection Wheat Ridge, CO

Stafford County Fire Marshal’s Office Stafford, VA

BuildingReports Canada Oakville, Ontario

Michael Hill Huntington, MD NYMS Consulting, LLC Basking Ridge, NJ

Wright’s Fire Protection Orlando, FL

ProServe Fire Systems Fuquay Varina, NC

AFSA Chapter Contacts Alberta, Canada Kevin Mozark – Pres.

780-203-5263 Arkansas Coleman Farrar – Chair.

479-986-909 Wallace Reed – Vice Chair.

501-945-2900 British Columbia, Canada Alan Thompson – Pres.

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

828-327-4116 John Turnage – Exec. Dir. 919-624-3456 Chesapeake Bay Jay Zollars – Co-Chair.

410-286-3314 Danielle Fowler – Exec. Dir. 410-635-3022 Connecticut afsact.org Rick Russo – Chair.

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

Florida HMZHÅ VYN Chris Johnson – Chair.

800-327-7604 Carolyn Mohr – Exec. Dir. 239-771-3907 Greater Bay Area Cory Riley – Chair.

510-490-7873 Lorelei Upshaw – Exec. Dir. 925-954-5031 Greater Kansas City Mark McKenzie – Chair.

913-432-6688 Brett Heinrich – Exec. Dir. 785-825-7710 Louisiana Linda Biernacki – Chair.

318-688-8800 Mark Taylor - Vice Chair.

504-837-0572 Michigan Doug Irvine, Jr. – Chair.

616-784-1644 Frank L. Mortl – Exec. Dir. 517-285-7665

Mid-Atlantic afsamac.org Meaghen Wills – Chair.

610-754-7836 New Jersey Thomas Bowlby Jr. – Chair.

908-226-5313 Robert K. Melofchik – Exec. Dir. 201-741-0056 New Mexico Dave Wilson – Exec. Dir. 505-573-6712 North Central Michael Winiecki – Chair.

651-484-5903 Northern New England Ryan Gadhue – Chair.

802-865-3600 Ohio Bill Hausman, Chair.

937-859-6198 Don Eckert – Exec. Dir. 513-310-9660

7HJPÄJ 5VY[O^LZ[ afsanw.org Tracy Moore – Chair.

425-271-5598 Ron Greenman – Exec. Dir. 253-576-9700 Patriot Wendy Callahan – Exec. Dir. 978-855-6495 Rocky Mountain Brent Heiner – Chair.

801-544-0363 Adam Millward – Exec. Dir. 801-216-4545 Sacramento Valley sacvalleyafsa.org Hal Burton – Chair.

916-315-1697 Paulene Norwood – Exec. Dir. 916-296-0635

San Diego Ron Aday – Chair.

858-513-4949 Rhonda Hill – Exec. Dir. 858-513-4949 South Carolina scfsa.org Jason Strickland – Chair.

843-664-0077 Taylor Young – Exec. Dir. 980-253-3241 Southern California 1LɈ )YPKNLZ ¶ *V *OHPY 714-285-0200 Terry Housholder– Co-Chair.

714-632-8646 Amber Barrios - Exec. Dir. 562-833-9492 Virginia afsavirginia.com Jack Medovich – Chair.

804-222-1381 George Wagner – Exec. Dir. 757-486-3103

AFSA Affiliate Contacts (SHIHTH (ɉSPH[L HSÄYLZWYPURSLY VYN Charles Bielair – Pres.

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

54 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

.LVYNPH (ɉSPH[L NLVYNPHÄYLZWYPURSLY VYN Ray Vance – Chair.

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

6RSHOVTH (ɉSPH[L ofsa.info Gary Field – Chairman 918-266-2416

;L_HZ (ɉSPH[L fscatx.org David Stone – Pres.

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

CONSTRUCTION REPORTS

U.S. Construction

U.S. Construction

December 2017

January 2018

New construction starts in December climbed 12 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $733.3 billion, bouncing back following November’s 12 percent decline, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. December’s gain for total construction reflected varied improvement by each of the three main construction sectors. Nonbuilding construction (public works and electric utilities/gas plants) jumped 43 percent, lifted by the start of the $2.3 billion I-66 Corridor Improvements Project in northern Virginia. Nonresidential building rose 10 percent, aided by the start of two large data center projects, while residential building edged up 1 percent. For all of 2017, total construction starts grew 3 percent to $745.9 billion, which followed the 6 percent increase reported for 2016. The full year 2017 gain was dampened by a 35 percent downturn for the electric utility/gas plant category. If electric utilities and gas plants are excluded, total construction starts for 2017 would be 5 percent higher than the corresponding amount for 2016.

The December statistics produced a reading of 155 for the Dodge Index (2000=100), up from November’s 138. For the full year 2017, the Dodge Index averaged 158. “After weaker activity was reported in both October and November, the December rebound for total construction starts eased the extent of the decline that took place during the fourth quarter,” stated Robert A. Murray, chief economist for Dodge Data & Analytics. “On a quarterly basis, growth in 2017 was reported during the first and third quarters, while activity retreated during the second and fourth quarters, continuing the upand-down pattern around an upward trend that was present during 2016.

On the positive side for 2017, institutional building assumed a leading role in keeping the nonresidential building expansion going, reflecting elevated activity for transportation terminal starts and further improvement by educational facilities. Manufacturing plant construction starts strengthened, ending a two-year decline, and commercial building was able to stay close to its heightened 2016 amount. Residential building in 2017 showed more growth for single family housing, offsetting a downturn for multifamily housing. And, public works construction in 2017 was able to strengthen, helped by the start of several very large pipeline projects and a moderate gain for highway and bridge construction.”

The value of new construction starts in January receded 2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $725.9 billion, easing slightly after December’s 13 percent hike, according to Dodge Data & Analytics. The nonbuilding construction sector, comprised of public works and electric utilities/gas plants, pulled back 18 percent after surging 45 percent in December, as that month was boosted by the start of the $2.3 billion I-66 Corridor Improvements Project in northern Virginia and a $992 million transmission line project in California. At the same time, nonresidential building edged up 1 percent in January, supported by groundbreaking for the $1.3 billion domed stadium in Las Vegas NV that will be the new home for the NFL Oakland Raiders once construction is completed prior to the 2020 season. In addition, residential building climbed 7 percent in January, helped by a rebound for multifamily housing after three straight months of declines. On an unadjusted basis, total construction starts in January were $52.2 billion, down 7 percent from the same month a year ago. On a 12-month moving total basis, total construction starts in the 12 months ending January 2018 were up 2 percent from the twelve months ending January 2017.

The January statistics produced a reading of 154 for the Dodge Index (2000=100), compared to December’s upwardly revised 156. During 2017, the pattern of construction starts frequently showed an upand-down pattern, which was present towards the end of last year when the Dodge Index fell to 138 in November followed by 156 in December. The 154 reading for the Dodge Index in January, along with December’s 156, shows construction starts climbing back close to last year’s mid-range of activity. For 2017 as a whole, the Dodge Index averaged 159.

Monthly Summary of Construction Starts Prepared by Dodge Data & Analytics

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, In Millions Dec. 2017 Nov. 2017 % Change Nonresidential Building $240,311 $219,283 +10 Residential Building $308,092 $305,164 +1 Nonbuilding Construction $184,932 $129,453 +43 Total Construction $733,335 $653,900 +12 THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000=100, Seasonally Adjusted) December 2017...............155 November 2017................138 YEAR-TO-DATE CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION STARTS Unadjusted Totals, In Millions 12 Mos. 2017 12 Mos. 2016 % Change Nonresidential Building $270,701 $253,330 +7 Residential Building $302,018 $297,702 +2 Nonbuilding Construction $173,190 $176,560 -2 Total Construction $745,909 $727,092 +3

Monthly Summary of Construction Starts Prepared by Dodge Data & Analytics

MONTHLY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT VALUE Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rates, In Millions Jan. 2018 Dec. 2017 % Change Nonresidential Building $240,831 $238,903 +1 Residential Building $331,312 $310,120 +7 Nonbuilding Construction $153,751 $188,217 -18 Total Construction $725,894 $737,240 -2 THE DODGE INDEX (Year 2000=100, Seasonally Adjusted) January 2018...............154 December 2017...........156 YEAR-TO-DATE CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION STARTS Unadjusted Totals, In Millions 1 Mo. 2018 1 Mo. 2017 % Change Nonresidential Building $18,204 $22,623 -20 Residential Building $22,784 $22,559 +1 Nonbuilding Construction $11,206 $10,773 +4 Total Construction $52,194 $55,955 -7

Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 55

AHJ PERSPECTIVE

BY RONNY J. COLEMAN

Is America Still Burning?

This is not a rhetorical question. Is America still burning?

If we go back as early as the 1947 Fire Conference sponsored by President Harry Truman, you can see that fire loss has taken a terrible toll on the economy of our community and our nation. Well within the experience of our current fire officers, we have seen tremendous fire loss continue to occur. The Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland, California and the wildland interface fires in Sonoma, California are two examples. A seminal document in the assessment of this fire loss for the current generation is America Burning. Recent fire experience begs the question of whether or not we are winning or losing in the battle of fire prevention.

The headlines continue to document significant losses in our communities. Who could have predicted the encroachment of an urban wildland fire into a suburban neighborhood, such as the disaster that occurred in Santa

56 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

Rosa, California? Recent fires have resulted in fatalities that reflect the same kinds of fatalities that occurred in the 1910 fires.

I believe that it is all together appropriate that we continue to admit that America is still burning and statements from that document still hold true today.1 “Fire is a major national problem.”

One aspect of continued fire growth is cited in America Burning. “The efforts of individuals and organizations in the fire protection field have run against the twin tides of ignorance and indifference – tides which contribute substantially to the extraordinary magnitude of the fire problem in the United States.” 2 Therein lies the problem. We in the fire service have assumed responsibility for a problem that is impacted by

political forces and is subject to knee-jerk reaction when events actually occur. How many fire chiefs and fire marshals have attempted to resolve the problem locally only to be told that their recommended solutions are too expensive?

Many fire departments are experiencing a phenomenon of having fire losses that are extraordinary. The losses could be worse. We are confronted on the one hand with a reoccurring fire problem that rises to a public debate every 20 or 30 years. And yet, the politicians who often have a one- or two-term perspective do not see it that way.

past successes. Emphasis needs to continue on addressing the legacy fire problem. There needs to be continued debate of repetitive fire problems such as the urban interface. Q

They say that those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it all over again.3 We need to remind all of our political bodies of the ridiculous repetition that goes into these tragic losses. I submit that part of the reason we continue to have major losses is that the current generation that is responsible for fixing the problem is thwarted by the lack of perspective.

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

REFERENCES: 1. https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-264.pdf 2. America Burning 3. George Santayana 4. Sangree, Hudson, Lodi Hotel Fire Illustrates No-Sprinkler Dangers, Sacramento Bee, February 26, 2018

It can be said that each generation has attempted to reduce the significance of the fire problem with the use of the fire and building code. If we go back and compare the codes that were in existence when America Burning was first published, there have been significant inroads that have been made. Frequently in the aftermath of catastrophic fires there have been surges in improvements in those codes. Yet, the phenomena still repeats itself.

There may be some silver lining through all of this.

Recently, the City of Lodi, California experienced a very serious hotel fire. The newspaper article describing this event had a unique headline: “Lodi Hotel Fire Illustrates No-Sprinkler Dangers.”4 Perhaps this is a sign that local media has finally gotten the message about sprinklers. The battle is not over, as there are still tremendous numbers of buildings in the community that should have sprinkler protection. We have to stick to our guns on retrofit for these occupancies.

Fire is still a major public policy issue in the United States.

America is still burning. We need to continue focusing our attention on the education of public policy makers as they are the ones that must support active fire prevention programs through code adoption. We need a constant drum beat heralding the automatic fire sprinkler cause.

Sprinklers have been around for over 100 years. One of the excuses given about older structures is that sprinklers were not required when the buildings were built. One question remains and that is why weren’t they installed way back then? As long as we have non-conforming buildings, they are going to have the potential for significant fire loss. America will continue burning.

Summary America continues to have a fire problem. We need to continue with public education efforts to convince the policy people that built-in fire protection is a viable solution. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels for

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www.ustoolinc.com Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018 57

AFSA NEWS Call for Trainers’ Webpage Launches The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is excited to announce the launch of the “Call for Trainers” webpage! AFSA has always been the voice for the merit shop fire sprinkler contractor. It was founded by fire sprinkler contractors for fire sprinkler contractors. If you’ve been in this industry for any length of time, you’ve probably heard about a few of AFSA’s nationally renowned training programs, such as our fourlevel apprenticeship training series or our Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning Schools.

AFSA offers a wide variety of training options, mostly centered in the installation, layout, or inspection/testing/maintenance of fire sprinkler systems. If you, or someone you know, are well versed in any (or all) of these areas, and want to teach or develop courses, let us hear from you! Perhaps you excel in an instructor capacity, engaging an audience to create a fulfilling learning environment.

Or perhaps your skills shine in the written word, providing concise, technical training in the form of articles, training manuals, forms, and documents.

Maybe this doesn’t describe you, but someone else comes to your mind: a coworker with an impressive propensity for technical knowledge, or a colleague with a talent for training others. Though they may not recognize their own remarkable gifts, you do! Nominate them to share their skills with this growing industry. Complete AFSA’s Call for Trainers questionnaire so that talents, skills, qualifications, and areas of expertise can be assessed and used to determine where you (or your colleague) might be a great fit in the delivery of AFSA training programs.

This association’s success, direction, services, and integrity are all due to the dedication of its membership. If you haven’t already, step up and make your mark on AFSA! Visit www.firesprinkler.org/ trainer for more information and to sign up!

AFSA Now Accepting Nominations for 2018 Awards The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is now accepting nominations for the following awards for the 2018 year: the Henry S. Parmelee award, the Fire Sprinkler Advocate of the Year award, and the Young Professional of the Year award. The awards will be presented during AFSA37: Convention, Exhibition & Apprentice Competition in Washington, DC and the recipients will be featured in Sprinkler Age magazine.

Nominations can be submitted by AFSA members in a number of different ways. Nominees do not need to be a member of AFSA to be eligible. Nominations can be submitted to AFSA via fax at (214) 343-8898, emailed to AFSA President Frank Mortl III, CAE at frankm@firesprinkler.org, or mailed to: AFSA, Attn: Award Nominations, 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 350, Dallas, TX 75251.

A letter stating which award the nomination is for, the nominee’s name and contact information, and a brief statement of why he or she is deserving is all that is required.

Learn the Art of Design in 2018 The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has five classes remaining in 2018 for its popular Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School: April 30-May 11, June 18-29, July 23-August 3, September 10-21, and November 5-16. Taught by Tom Noble, CET, AFSA technical programs specialist, the school teaches the essential elements of system layout in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. Currently, the school focuses on the 2016 edition, but planning is underway for the 2019 edition’s anticipated adoption.

58 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School is geared toward those with limited experience or those who need assistance with design. Classes are held at AFSA’s training center in Dallas, and 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 and 40 percent is preparation of fire sprinkler system layout, shop drawings and hydraulic calculations.

Registration prices are $1,400 for AFSA members and $2,600 for non-members. Classes are kept small (maximum 18 students per session) and enrollment is open exclusively to AFSA contractor members until six weeks prior to each school. Register online at firesprinkler.org/education-center/schools or contact AFSA Meeting Programs Manager Maricarmen Martinez via email at mmartinez@ firesprinkler.org or call (214) 349-5965 ext. 132.

ITM Spring Class Sells Out – Enroll Now for Fall The Spring 2018 class for AFSA’s Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (ITM) Inspector Development program, the first of its kind in the industry, has officially sold out! The program prepares a “green” inspector trainee for NICET’s Level II Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems in less than two years. Students grow in a blended-learning environment, including: on-demand online coursework; live, interactive web instruction; live in-class lecture; and hands-on field testing and inspections. The small class size (maximum 20 per session) allows for personalized instruction. Register now for the Fall 2017 class at www.firesprinkler.org/itm.

AFSA Online Safety Portal Launches The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) announces the immediate availability of its newest free member resource, the AFSA online Safety Portal found at afsasafetyportal.com. Developed by the AFSA Safety & Insurance Committee in partnership with Blue River Underwriters, an AFSA-endorsed insurance partner, the Safety Portal is a customized safety portal built with the specific needs of fire sprinkler contractors in mind.

With over 1,000 resources and references, the Safety Portal aims to address some of the key issues in construction safety today, such as electrical safety, ladder safety, loss control, personal protection, and vehicle safety.

This new member-only website proactively delivers the accident-prevention and safety-related information members need to educate their staff, help prevent claims, and create a safe work environment. In addition to expanding upon AFSA’s popular Toolbox Talks, a weekly safety series custom tailored for the fire sprinkler industry, the Safety Portal also provides a wealth of practical resources from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Center for Construction Research and Training, the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health, the National Safety Council, and many others.

Whether members are in need of OSHA regulations, workplace safety posters, or even loss statistics to better prepare their staff, AFSA’s Safety Portal helps to make your place of business a safe and compliant one. Because a safer business means better business. Check out all the resources at afsasafetyportal.com.

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CHAPTER NEWS Carolinas The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Carolinas Chapter will hold a regular meeting with optional golf on April 5, 2018 at the Colonial Country Club in Thomasville, North Carolina.

The chapter will join with the South Carolina Chapter of AFSA to host the North Carolina/South Carolina Joint Convention May 2-5, 2018 at the Marriott Grande Dunes Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

For more information on either event, contact Chapter Executive Director John Turnage at (919) 624-3456.

Connecticut The Connecticut Chapter of AFSA is happy to announce the 21st Annual Chapter Scholarship Essay Contest, open to all Connecticut high school seniors. This year’s essay theme is “Making the Case For Home Fire Sprinkler Systems.” Two scholarship awards are available for $1,000 each.

Each entry must include a completed application, essay, and one recommendation letter and must be received by the executive director of the Connecticut Chapter of AFSA by May 15, 2018. Winners will be announced in late May. For more information on the scholarship contest visit afsact.org.

Virginia Save the date! The 25th Annual AFSA-Virginia Burn Survivors Golf Tournament will be held October 17, 2018 at the Williamsburg National Golf Club in Williamsburg, Virginia. This event benefits the Central Virginia Burn Camp and Old Dominion Firefighters Burn Foundation. Registration begins at 9:30 am and includes lunch and dinner. Deadline for entry is September 14, 2018.

Sponsorships are also available. For more information contact

Virginia Chapter President Jack Medovich gives a report at the chapter’s February 6 meeting.

Chapter Executive Director George Wagner via email at gwagner@ argusfirecontrol.com.

On Tuesday February 6, 2018, the chapter held a board meeting and regular meeting at the by Hilton Short Pump Hotel in Richmond. The chapter had 38 attendees for the regular meeting. Chapter news was reported by Chapter President Jack Medovich, and the Virginia Chapter committee chairmen all reported on their chapter issues. Billy Marshall of Service Trade gave his presentation on “Money for Nothing,” and Madison Parsons of Globe Fire gave a 15-minute update on new Globe Fire products. Q

ASSOCIATION NEWS TXFSCA The 8th Annual Skins and Fins Golf, Continuing Education Classes, Tabletop Show & Fishing Family Weekend event will take place June 7-10, 2018. The event will kick off Thursday with lunch at the Magnolia Creek Golf Course followed by a golf tournament. Friday will feature many continuing education classes and opportunities. Saturday all attendees are invited to participate in a fishing tournament beginning in the early morning and lasting for a day of family fun. Sunday will wrap up the event for the year and provide a travel day to depart home. The event promises to be a great weekend filled with fun for all, excellent networking opportunities, and invaluable continuing education classes. Any questions or inquiries about classes or the weekend should be directed to travis.hitzeman@ferguson.com. Q

60 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

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INDUSTRY NEWS Victaulic to Build Additional 400,000-ft2 Manufacturing Facility in Pennsylvania Victaulic has unveiled a plan to build an additional state-of-the-art manufacturing center in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. The 400,000-ft2 facility is the result of increased domestic demand for the company’s products. The facility is expected to break ground later this year and be fully operational in 2019.

In addition to housing the company’s current light assembly operation, which has been conducted in partnership with CastPac, Inc. for 20 years, the new facility will include several millions of dollars in new equipment to modernize its manufacturing operations.

Along with the expansion, Victaulic anticipates adding 40-50 new jobs by the end of 2018. From machining and lab technicians to assemblers and production staff, it is expected that many of the new positions will be filled by local talent from the area’s skilled workforce. New hires will join the current Victaulic team of 3,600 employees globally, of which 49 percent are located in the United States.

Victaulic has been a part of the Lehigh Valley business community for nearly 40 years. The new facility will be located on 28 acres of land located in Lower Nazareth Township, Pennsylvania. Visit victaulic.com.

Data Available on All 50 U.S. States’ Fire Service Progress, Needs and Challenges How well are the needs of fire departments in your state being met? Access the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) all-new, state-by-state fact sheets and online portal, which deliver statewide and customizable data, to find out. Both resources were developed using results from the association’s four U.S. Needs Assessment surveys.

The fact sheets for all 50 U.S. states serve as a snapshot of where each state has made improvements in meeting the needs of its communities and where there are continued gaps. They include statistics on the percentage of fire departments that are fully trained to fight structural fires; have the needed protective equipment and clothing; conduct fitness and health programs; implement community risk reduction programs; and are equipped with specific safety features.

NFPA’s online Needs Assessment portal enables users to create customizable reports that can generate statistical comparisons to other departments of similar size, population protected and region.

All of NFPA’s U.S. Needs Assessments reports offer a wealth of information on U.S. fire departments’ needs, and can be downloaded online. Visit nfpa.org to learn more.

RIDGID® Brings Back the Trade Trip of a Lifetime For the second year in a row, RIDGID® is rewarding its most passionate fans with an all-expenses-paid, VIP trip to its world headquarters. The RIDGID Experience Contest is open now for entry. Six winners will be selected for a trip July 11-13, 2018, that includes a VIP tour of RIDGID headquarters, the opportunity to build your own custom pipe wrench, and more.

To enter, visit the RIDGID Facebook page – facebook.com/RIDGIDTools, fill out the entry form and upload a photo or video of you and your favorite RIDGID tool.

The deadline to enter is April 26, 2018. The prize package includes: • VIP RIDGID headquarters tour; • A custom RIDGID pipe wrench; • Photoshoot for upcoming ad campaign; • Share insights and get one-on-one time with product, engineering, research and development managers; • Suite seats to see the reigning AL Champion Cleveland Indians take on the New York Yankees; • Fishing excursion on Lake Erie; and much more.

Winners will be announced in early May. Visit the RIDGID Facebook page for complete entry details and rules at facebook. com/RIDGIDTools.

Viking Group Plans New Global Headquarters and R&D Center As part of an overall strategy for its sustained and longterm growth, fire protection product manufacturer and distributor Viking Group, Inc. has announced plans to build a new facility in Caledonia Township, situated between the company’s existing facilities in Hastings and Grand Rapids. Slated for completion in early 2019, the new global headquarters will feature a modern, professional work environment designed to promote creativity, innovation and collaboration, and will also include an expanded, state-of-the-art research and development center.

The yet-to-be-finalized site, located near M-6 and M-37 in Caledonia, will provide a significant upgrade to Viking Group’s R&D infrastructure, including design, engineering and testing capabilities, paving the way for future product innovation. Additionally, the new building will feature a hightech training facility to support the organization’s goal of becoming the recognized leader in fire protection training. For details visit vikinggroupinc.com.

Engineered Corrosion Solutions Launches New Website The Engineered Corrosion Solutions’ (ECS) redesigned website offers visitors insight into the company’s approach to nitrogen-based corrosion control and ECS’ corrosion control and monitoring technology.

The new website offers easy access to essential information and features to provide a comprehensive understanding of ECS dry and wet pipe nitrogen solutions and services. Product spec sheets and CAD files are available for contractors, engineers, and property owners/managers in the fire protection industry. The resource section provides the latest and greatest knowledge base for best practices on corrosion control with industry approved case studies, white papers, and design criteria specifications.

The new website will have continual updates for product launches, blogs, customer references, FAQs, and featured videos.

Be sure to visit ecscorrosion.com to sign up for updates from Engineered Corrosion Solutions.

Latest FM Global Research Finds Novel Oxygen-Reducing Technology a Potentially Viable Fire Protection Method FM Global has released new research on oxygen reduction systems, finding them a potentially adequate fire protection method for certain well-sealed, unoccupied spaces.

Oxygen reduction systems (ORS) stream nitrogen into the spaces, lowering the oxygen level to reduce fire risk. FM Global details its findings, including the first large-scale fire tests involving ORS, in a new research technical report titled “Evaluation of Oxygen Reduction System (ORS) in Large-Scale Fire Tests.” The report is available for download (PDF) at no cost and notes that ORS are not a general replacement for fire sprinklers. Visit fmglobal.com for more information. Q

62 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

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PRODUCT NEWS

Tyco® EG-25 Sprinkler Guard from Johnson Controls is First Listed Guard to Meet FM Global Design Guidelines Johnson Controls announces that its Tyco® EG-25 sprinkler guard is the first FM-approved guard on the market to meet FM Global design guidelines and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements for using a listed guard in areas where sprinklers are exposed to potential damage.

The new sprinkler guard is designed for use with TYCO ESFR-25 pendent sprinklers. These sprinklers provide suppression load performance with ceiling-only fire protection for a wide variety of commodities and storage arrangements, enabling building owners to lease to the widest range of occupiers. When used in in-rack ap-

plications, such as the FM Global design guidelines, the ESFR-25 can be combined with the EG-25 guard to help protect the sprinkler from damage that is common to in-rack sprinklers.

The guard’s welded assembly is fabricated from carbon steel, providing protection from mechanical and/or physical damage, including the installation of rack storage sprinklers. The guard does not require any regularly scheduled maintenance; however, proper installation of the EG-25 should be verified during the annual visual inspection of the sprinkler.

Learn more about the EG-25 Sprinkler Guard and Tyco fire sprinkler solutions at tyco-fire.com.

For questions or support, contact Tyco technical services at 1-800-381-9312.

RIDGID® Introduces the First Tool to Press Black Steel Pipe Up to 4-in. The only tool on the market that lets contractors press black steel pipe between two-and-a-half and four inches, the new RIDGID® press booster for use with Viega® MegaPress® XL jaws and rings, builds on the power of the RIDGID RP 340, attaching to the tool to multiply its output for fastconnections on larger diameter pipe.

MegaPress XL makes connections in under 25 seconds, saving time and enhancing efficiency. Simply attach the booster to the

end of the RP 340, press the trigger on the tool three times, and you have a secure press connection. Hard-to-reach angles are a breeze with an actuator that can rotate 180 degrees on the press ring.

Weighing less than 22 pounds and coming with built-in carrying handle and strap, the MegaPress XL booster is designed for portability and easy transport between jobs. The primary kit includes the XL booster, 2.5-in. ring, 3-in. ring, 4-in. ring, and high-quality carrying case.

After success in Europe, RIDGID and Viega introduced ProPress® to North America in 1999 and continue to have a strong partnership to this day, resulting in continuous tool innovation and design. RIDGID press tools are unsurpassed in making quick and reliable connections on copper, stainless steel, black steel, PEX and

IS YOUR GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWING SOON? Your AFSA membership lets you take the first step toward lowering your costs. Members can receive a FREE, no obligation quote through our partner, Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants, Inc (MMIC), which specializes in providing individual and group health insurance to association members.

If your group health insurance plan is renewing, this is an excellent opportunity to obtain an alternative health insurance quote to compare against your health insurance renewal. To request your free quote, visit www. mmicinsurance.com/AFSA. MMIC can offer cost-effective PPO, HMO, and HSA plans from highly rated insurance companies. Within 48 hours, MMIC evaluates and negotiates with insurance companies to tailor a plan that best fits your needs, and sends you the proposal with the rates and benefit comparisons.

To obtain information of any of our health or other insurance products Call toll-free 1-800-349-1039, 8:00 – 4:00 CST or email us at mmic@mmicinsurance.com.

64 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

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PRODUCT NEWS CONT. multi-layer tubing. All RIDGID press tools come backed by the RIDGID Full Lifetime Warranty.

To purchase or learn more about MegaPress XL or other pressing solutions contact your local distributor, visit RIDGID.com, or call toll-free: 1-800-769-7743.

NFPA’s EFFECT™ Tool Helps Assess, Prioritize and Remediate Combustible Cladding Risks in High-Rises The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has created EFFECT™, an Exterior Facade Fire Evaluation Comparison Tool to help global building owners, facil-

ity managers and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) proactively assess risk in their high-rise building inventory with combustible facades.

Enforcement authorities and those responsible for managing large portfolios of high rise buildings have been lacking a tool to assess and prioritize remediation works.

Fires in high-rise buildings with combustible exterior wall assemblies have occurred in cities from Berlin to Las Vegas to Dubai to London. In response to concern around the world, NFPA sponsored research by Arup, a global firm of engineering consultants, designers and

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planners working across every aspect of today’s built environment, to develop a risk assessment methodology that enables the prioritization of mitigation work. The Fire Protection Research Foundation facilitated a detailed review of the project with input from an international panel including Jensen Hughes as technical peer reviewer and Thomas Bell-Wright International Consultants of Dubai as advisors on facade systems fire testing. This High-Rise Buildings with Combustible Exterior Wall Assemblies research takes into account the building envelope; potential ignition sources; building characteristics; and existing fire safety measures such as means of warning, containment, and extinguishment. The result is the comprehensive prioritization tool, EFFECT. EFFECT takes into account the building, the facade, and the impact of potential ignition sources such as fire spreading from inside the building, or fire stemming from a vehicle, trash container, or balcony outside. The tool employs a two-tiered risk assessment process: Tier 1 entails an AHJ, building owner, or facility manager answering a small number of questions with clearly pre-defined answers, to inform the ranking of buildings within their portfolio. Some questions pertain to the combustibility of the insulation and facade cladding; the presence of sprinklers; potential ignition sources; and the type of alarm system.

Tier 2 is where authorities will complete a deeper fire risk assessment evaluation of those buildings deemed at risk in Tier 1. Onsite inspection; as-built information; maintenance records; samplings; and laboratory testing of unknown facade materials are considered in this section.

EFFECT, which is free to access, comes with a user’s guide that describes the methodology but is intended to help the user to answer each of the questions posed by EFFECT through words, images and examples.

In some instances, EFFECT will highlight the need for a more detailed risk assessment by a qualified team of facade and fire engineers. The tool can be used in any geographic area; and currently applies to residential (hotel, apartments) or business (office) type occupancies that are over 18m high. This height is measured as the vertical distance from the fire department access level to the uppermost occupied floor of the building. EFFECT assesses risk in existing buildings and has not been created for use in new building design. Visit nfpa.org. Q

5.19.18 The day home fire sprinklers get widespread attention.

NFPA’s Fire Sprinkler Initiative and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition are initiating

Home Fire Sprinkler Day Saturday, May 19, 2018 Join fire sprinkler advocates in hosting simultaneous events promoting home fire sprinklers.

Help raise awareness of this life-saving technology and break down the myths and legislative barriers to its use. Learn how to initiate your own event highlighting home fire sprinklers.

Visit NFPA.org/FireSprinklerDay

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS Viking Group Announces Reorganization of U.S. Sales and Business Development Functions The Viking Group has announced a realignment of its Viking SupplyNet sales organization into three primary regions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; East, Central, and West. With this reorganization, as well as the creation of a new business development team, the company is pleased to announce several staff changes, which are effective immediately.

The sales function for the new East region, which encompasses Viking SupplyNetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous Northeast and Southeast regions, will be

directed by Randy Lane, who has been promoted to the role of regional sales manager. With this move, Ted Collazo has assumed the position of territory sales manager for North Florida.

Viking SupplyNetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Central region includes the former Midwest region, as well as Texas and Oklahoma. Tom Bowers, who has served as Viking SupplyNetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regional sales manager in the Midwest region since 2004, will continue in this role and now manage the expanded Central region.

Viking SupplyNetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sales team in the West region, which remains unchanged, will contin-

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ue to be managed by Jeff Hill, as regional sales manager. With the sales reorganization, both Chris Sharp and Jeff Graham will continue to serve in pivotal sales roles for Viking SupplyNet. Additionally, Viking has announced the formation of a new business development team, which will align with the reorganized sales regions. The new business development function, will be managed by Martin Workman and include James Dooley in the East region; Gregg Vlahakis in the West; and Ken Brown, who joined Viking in November 2017, in the Central region. Concurrent with these changes, Bryan Berkley has also been promoted to the role of senior technical representative for the East region.

This reorganization of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sales and business development functions will facilitate improved sales coverage and service for Viking SupplyNet customers and business partners across the United States, and effectively support the market growth anticipated in the coming months. Visit vikinggroupinc.com.

Lubrizol Names Brian Pitts CFO The Lubrizol Corporation announces the promotion of J. Brian Pitts to corporate vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Pitts succeeds Brian Valentine who has announced his decision to leave the organization later this year.

Pitts has worked for Lubrizol since 1998 in accounting and finance assignments, including segment controller and positions in business finance, financial planning and analysis, and operations finance. In 2009, Pitts undertook a three-year expatriate assignment in Shanghai as the director of finance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Asia Pacific. From 2012 to 2015, he served as vice president of finance for Lubrizolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Advanced Materials segment. In 2015, he was named general manager of TempRite® Engineered Polymers, where he had responsibility for the global TempRite Engineered Polymers organization and for developing the businessâ&#x20AC;ºs growth strategy.

Pitts holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting from David Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee and a master of business administration degree in accounting from the University of Alabama. Visit lubrizol.com.

Core & Main Announces New Fire Protection President Core & Main LP has announced the appointment of Brad Cowles to COO of Core & Main and president of the fire protection business. He will continue to serve as COO for the waterworks business, leading strategic sales in capital-intensive growth initiatives including national accounts, water me-

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ters, treatment plants and fusible plastics. In his expanded role, Cowles will also assume responsibility for fire protection’s national footprint. Cowles will continue to report directly to Core & Main CEO Steve LeClair.

Core & Main Fire Protection offers a full array of fire protection products and services to installers in the commercial and residential construction markets. As president, Cowles will oversee all functions and personnel within the fire protection business.

Prior to becoming COO in February 2017, Cowles was the CIO and a founding member

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AGF Manufacturing, Inc.

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American Red Cross

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of the IT leadership team for HD Supply. He led the business-focused technology organization through over 30 acquisitions, divestiture from The Home Depot under private equity ownership and Core & Main’s transition to become an independent company. Cowles originally joined HD Supply in 2005 as senior manager, mergers and acquisitions, after which he held a series of technology leadership roles in multiple business units, culminating as the CIO of HD Supply in 2015. For more information about Core & Main, visit coreandmain.com. Q

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ARGCO

17, 34

BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems

45

BuildingReports

3

Bull Moose Industries

31

Center for Life Safety Education

56

CST Industries

13

Easyflex

IBC

Ferguson Fire & Fabrication, Inc.

43

Fire Lab

51

Fire Protection Products, Inc.

9

Fire Sprinkler eCampus

61

FlexHead Industries, Inc.

4

GECCO, Inc.

20

Globe Fire Sprinkler Company

36-37

Hydro Flow Products, Inc.

52

Johnson Controls

11

Mass Marketing Insurance Consultants

64

Metraflex

66

National Home Fire Sprinkler Day

67

Potter Electric Signal Co.

41

Raimondo Consultants Inc.

29

Reed Manufacturing Company

32

Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co.

IFC, BC

South-Tek Systems SprinkFlex, LLC

dŚĞ ƐŽůƵƟŽŶ ŝƐ ŽďǀŝŽƵƐ͘ Firesprinkler.org is where the Fire Sprinkler industry goes online. You will find the solutions to your education and training needs, technical support and industry news and updates. Membership in the American Fire Sprinkler Association gives you full access to real benefits and services that will fit perfectly in your business plan and increase your productivity and profitability. )L H 4LTILY

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70 Sprinkler Age | March/April 2018

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

21 7

U.S. Tool

57

Underwriters Laboratories

10

Victaulic

25

Viega/Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co.

49

Viking Group

23