The American Fire Sprinkler Association, VA Chapter

Part Two of AFSA�s New Hydraulic Calculations Series Released

Latest Affordable, Convenient Training for Fire Sprinkler Layout Technicians

DALLAS – The second in a four part series focusing on hydraulic calculations for automatic fire sprinkler systems, Fire Sprinkler Systems Hydraulic Calculations – Part Two, is now available through AFSA's e-learning courseware portal eCampus.

Written by well-known industry expert Russ Leavitt, S.E.T., and produced by AFSA, this second installment in the hydraulic calculations series focuses on giving layout technicians and others seeking NICET certification, as well as Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), the foundations in key subjects of calculation models and applications, and working knowledge of NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs - Position Statement

Fire Sprinklers in New Construction

The International Association of Fire Chiefs adopts the position that all new construction,
including one- and two-family dwellings, should be built with fire sprinklers installed to
protect the public, fire service personnel, the structure, its contents, the economy and the
environment.

In an effort to reduce the number of deaths from an average of 3,000 citizens and 100 firefighters
annually and to avert billions of dollars annually in property loss to the effects of fire, we must
include fire sprinklers as an integral part of a community’s fire protection. The increased demands
made today on local fire departments, usually without increased staffing or funding, and the changes
in building materials and home contents, all increase the risk to firefighters and the public. It’s time
to add active fire protection as a baseline in all new construction.

AFSA VA Chapter poll overwhelmingly indicates specialty certification is necessa

An online poll conducted by the AFSA Va. Chapter consisting of 37 respondents indicates many individuals believe specialty certification is necessary. The poll received 37 votes of which 62.16% of respondents voted yes that certification is necessary, 16.22% responded no, 13.51% voted no, with exceptions and only 8.11% feel certification is irrelevant to the industry.

The Virginia Board of contractors also agrees that certification is necessary and requires all class A and B sprinkler contactors have a qualified full-time employee or member of management who is at a minimum NICET III certified. Various training courses are available through AFSA. NICET certification is available via NICET test centers around the country.

Chesapeake City Council appoints AFSA, VA Chapter member to Fire Code Appeals Bo

Chesapeake City Council has appointed AFSA, VA Chapter member Ron Foster, Sr. to the Fire Codes appeals board. The term will begin Feb. 2008 and will continue through Feb 2011. The fire codes appeal board is responsible for reviewing complaints regarding the improper interpretation and enforcement of Fire Codes.

AFSA�s 15 Annual National Apprentice Competition

With Increased Prize Monies, Seven Finalists Compete for Capital in Our Nation’s Capitol

DALLAS – The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) will host its 15th Annual National Apprentice Competition, Oct. 17, 2008 in Washington, D.C. Seven of America’s finest fire sprinkler fitter apprentices will face off in an intense, one-day head-to-head skills contest in the national competition held at AFSA’s 27th Annual Convention and Exhibition, October 15-19, 2008 at the Marriott Wardman Park.

Newly increased cash prizes will be awarded: $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, $2,000 for third place, and $1,000 fourth-seventh place. In addition, the first place winner will receive an expense-paid trip to Honolulu to compete at the Associated Builders & Contractors’ (ABC) Craft Championship, February 25 - March 1, 2009.

AFSA�s eCampus Offers New Hydraulic Calculations Courses

Latest Affordable Training for Fire Sprinkler Layout Technicians

DALLAS – AFSA has developed and hosted via its e-learning courseware portal eCampus, the first of four one-hour courses focusing on hydraulic calculations for automatic fire sprinkler systems, Fire Sprinkler Systems Hydraulic Calculations, Part 1.

Created by fire sprinkler expert Russ Leavitt, S.E.T., president and CEO of Telgian, Inc., this first installment in the hydraulic calculations series focuses on giving layout technicians and others seeking NICET certification as well as Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) the foundations in key subjects of calculation models and applications, and working knowledge of NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

Welcome New Board Member

Ron Foster, Sr. has been elected for a 3 year term as a VA. AFSA Board Member. Ron had previously been appointed to the board to fill-in for an unexpected board vacancy.

As a life time residence of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, Ron’s fire protection career began at the age of 18 with the City of Va. Beach as a volunteer firefighter. He eventually became a career firefighter and was later promoted to fire inspector and Captain. In Dec. 2001 he retired from the VA. Beach Fire Department after a 22 year career. While employed with the City of Va. Beach he was employed part-time with two local sprinkler companies and later operated a part-time fire sprinkler company performing tests and inspections of water based fire protection systems.After retirement his attention was fully devoted to the operation of the company.

Since retirement he has achieved NICET III in both Automatic Sprinkler System Layout and Inspection and Testing of Water Based Systems. He is currently pursuing NICET IV in Automatic Sprinkler System Layout. He is also NICET I in Fire Alarm Systems and Special Hazards Suppression Systems. Ron’s fire department career has personally allowed him to witness the tragedies of fire in non-sprinklered buildings and also experience the success of fire extinguishment in buildings equipped with sprinkler systems.

Ron has been an member of AFSA national for 10 years and an active member of AFSA Virginia Chapter for 6 years. Ron is also on the Va. AFSA sprinkler committee and has a goal to promote and increase the participation in the sprinkler apprentice program.

GOVERNOR KAINE APPROVES EMERGENCY REGULATION ON MRSA

Requires labs to report confirmed cases of MRSA

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today approved an emergency regulation by the State Health Commissioner that requires laboratories to report Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The regulation is effective today, and will assist public health authorities in the effort to compile data on the prevalence of MRSA for surveillance and investigation.
Today’s action was prompted by concerns among citizens and health care professionals following the recent death of a Virginia teenager due to invasive MRSA, as well as the recent release of a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control identifying MRSA as a major public health problem in the United States.

AFSA Virginia Announces the 2007 - 2008 Eassy Contest

The Virginia Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) is sponsoring a scholarship contest for high school seniors. Students could receive up to $2000 in national tuition assistance, and additional Virginia prizes of $1500 for lst place, $750 for 2nd place, and $500 for 3rd place

The requirement is to write a 700 to 1000 word essay on the topic:

Residential automatic fire sprinklers.

The deadline to postmark entries is March 1, 2008.

NFPA 14 Seminar Coming in October

NFPA 14 - Installation of Standpipe & Hose Systems
Presented by Virginia Chapter of American Fire Sprinkler Assn.

Where:
Richmond, VA

When:
Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007
8:00am — 5:00pm

Please follow this link to download the registration form as an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file.