NFPA Considering New Standard for Hybrid, Gas and Fine Water Droplet Systems May 23, 2013
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: clean agent, clean agents, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, fire suppression systems, Fire Systems, FSSA, insurance underwriters, life safety, NFPA, nfpa standards council, Protex Central, water droplet, water mist systems
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The NFPA Standards Council is considering a proposal by Victaulic for a proposed new standard for Hybrid, gas and fine water droplet systems. The Council is soliciting public comments on the need for the project, information on resources on the subject matter, those interested in participating on a technical committee if established, and experience in the intended application of this technology. The Council is specifically looking for manufacturers that 
are actively developing hybrid droplet systems and whether there are enough common installation practices and procedures available to support a standard, and the intended application for this technology. The Council is also seeking input on whether the subject matter could be covered by an existing technical committee or possibly through the creation of a new document.
I’ve written to NFPA in support of such a standard’s creation. Here’s my pitch:
As a 28 year veteran of the special hazards fire suppression industry and from my vantage point as past president of the Fire Suppression Systems Association, I write in support of a new standard for hybrid, gas and fine water droplet systems.
The innovative technology involved with these hybrid systems is not adequately addressed by any existing NFPA standard whether it be NFPA 13, NFPA 15, NFPA 750 or NFPA 2001. Because of the lack of any clear and definitive standard, these new hybrid systems are at a disadvantage in the marketplace. AHJ’s, insurance underwriters, owners, engineers and other stakeholders are reluctant to embrace these systems because of no nationally recognized standard to which they can look for guidance in the design, installation, testing and maintenance of these systems. Moreover, independent third party testing agencies are prevented from listing such systems without the existence of a nationally recognized standard from an organization such as NFPA.
As an installer of special hazards systems including clean agent and water mist systems, I see a clear need for an independent standard. Too often we see applications that have to settle for a less than optimum solution because there is no national standard to which they can turn for reference and support. This is a disservice to a marketplace that is innovating new products and systems, yet is prevented from the benefits of similar fire suppression innovation because of the lack of a standard.
I encourage NFPA to seriously consider the establishment of a separate standard for hybrid, gas and fine water droplet systems. If need be, I would be willing to consider submitting my qualifications and resume for membership on such a new standard committee. Feel free to contact me if I may be of further assistance to the Standards Council in considering this important request.
The public comment phase is open until May 30, 2013. Persons wishing to submit comments should address them to Amy Cronin, Standards Council Secretary and e-mail to mmanyard@nfpa.org.
FSSA 31st Annual Meeting Off To Fast Start February 24, 2013
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The 31st Annual Meeting of the Fire Suppression Systems Association began today with presentations from keynote speaker Alan Beaulieu, President of the Institute for Trend Research. This was the second year in a row that Mr. Beaulieu presented at the Annual Meeting. His opening session provided a lively and informative review of current economic conditions both domestically and internationally.
Interesting insights that he provided included his prediction that the U.S. economy will dip into a slight recession beginning in the later part of 2013 and continue through the mid-point of 2014. More importantly, he urged the attendees to prepare now for the upswing in activity that will follow the dip in 2014 and continue through to the next predicted recession in 2019. Beaulieu cited several data points that supported his calculations and showed how leading indicators were reliable predictors for anticipating future activities.Alan Beaulieu Presentation via You Tube
Beaulieu admonished the group to consider the next depression’s occurrence in 2028 – 2029 and how to prepare oneself in advance. Specifically, he encouraged all to prepare for the cyclical event by being debt free, living below one’s means, assuring multiple income streams coming in to the home and to take advantage of a bull-run in the stock market in the early 20’s and then cash out and hold the cash to weather a three to five year depressive period. In conclusion, members peppered Beaulieu with numerous questions that ranged from stock picks to hold in 2014 (CAT, AXP, FDX), and how to to take advantage of low interest rates and low housing prices (buy house as rental property when in proximity there are (1) Fortune 500 company (2) college or university (3) military base and it’s an area of town you wouldn’t mind living).
The morning session continued with a joint presentation on the HFC Emissions Estimating Program (HEEP) by Dr. Joe Senecal of Kidde-Fenwal and Tom Cortina, Executive Director of the Halon Alternatives Research Council (HARC). They provided a brief historical recap of the impact and success of the Montreal Protocol in limiting emissions of halons. As part of the fire protection industry’s response to the phase out of halons and it’s interest in being at the leading edge of environmental awareness, the FSSA in conjunction with HARC developed a voluntary code of practice in 1999 that called for recording and tracking emissions of hydroflorocarbons (HFC) used in fire protection.
The development of HEEP resulted in unique cooperation between agent manufacturers, OEM’s, agent recyclers and distributors to report on usage of agents throughout the industry. In it’s last ten years of active record keeping, the HEEP data shows that HFC’s emitted in fire protection related industries accounts for only 0.007% of the total 6800 million metric ton CO2 equivalent emitted in the same time period.
The day concluded with a recap of the Technical C0mmittee meeting from Friday, February 22nd by Dan Hubert, Chairman of the Technical Committee.
The 31st Annual Meeting continues on Tuesday, February 26th.
FSSA Technical Committee Meets At 31st FSSA Annual Meeting February 23, 2013
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The FSSA Technical Committee met on Friday, February 22 at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Asociation. 18 committee members and 16 guests attended the meeting held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Grove Resort in Bonita Springs, Florida.
Technical Committee chairman, Dan Hubert, led the meeting which covered a variety of industry topics including:
- FSSA’s representation on various NFPA committees
- Agency reports from representatives from both UL and FM
- Sub-committee reports on numerous projects including:
- Room Pressurization
- Clean Agent/Hazard Analysis Guide
- Best Practices for Recycled Agents
- Radiant Heat Flux
- Co2 Design Guide
- Training Modules
The FSSA Technical Committee is active in developing technical reference documents and manuals that are published and available through the FSSA web site at www.fssa.net. Many of these technical publications are referenced in several NFPA standards including NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Extinguishing Systems (9) and NFPA 12 Standard on Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishing Systems (10).
The 31st FSSA annual meeting formally starts tonight with a poolside welcoming reception for all attendees.
Industry To Gather for FSSA 31st Annual Forum February 22, 2013
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, hot aisle cold aisle, NFPA, Protex Central
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Over 170 industry leaders will gather for the 31st Fire Suppression Systems Association Annual Forum in Bonita Springs, Florida beginning Saturday, February 23rd through Tuesday, February 26, 2013. 
A variety of topics ranging from economic outlooks to environmental impact trends will engage the attendees. Mixed with industry networking opportunities and social events The 31st Annual Forum is shaping up to be another great meeting.
Onward and Upward will blog daily from the meeting site with observations and industry insights. Stay tuned!
To learn more about FSSA, visit www.fssa.net
Happy 47th Birthday, Protex Central! February 1, 2013
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems.Tags: alarm, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, low-voltage, Protex Central, security
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Protex Central, Inc. marks the start of its 47th year in business today, February 1, 2013.
Through its first 46 years, Protex Central, as a 2012 SAMMY Award Finalist for Installer of the Year, has become a nationally recognized systems integrator in the fire and security market space.
Starting with only himself and a helper, Dennis Mullen, Chairman of the Board, has provided the vision and leadership of this dynamic and reliable enterprise. Operating from three fully-staffed office locations, Protex Central provides a variety of installation, testing and maintenance services across numerous vertical markets.
With second generation firmly in place, Protex Central’s envisioned future is to become the premier systems integrator in its marketplace by continuing to provide premium-level customer experiences. To learn more about Protex Central’s envisioned future click here.
Protex Central Featured In On-Line Article on Mass Notification Systems November 20, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Good Stuff to Share, Mass Notification Systems.Tags: alarm, Change Leadership, fire alarm, Fire Systems, life safety, Mass Notification Systems, NFPA, Protex Central
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Protex Central, Inc. is featured in the November 20, 2012 on-line edition of Today’s Systems Integrator. The article focuses on Protex Central’s continuing efforts to promote various Emergency Communications Systems (also referred to as Mass Notification Systems – MNS) solutions to it customer base as well as specific vertical markets.
Read the article by clicking here.
To learn more about Protex Central’s Emergency Communication Systems offerings and to download a White Paper on the subject, please click here.
Protex Central Presents to Hawkeye State Fire Safety November 1, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, Iowa Alarm Association.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, iowa state fire marshal, life safety, NFPA, Protex Central
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Protex Central recently presented to annual meeting of the Hawkeye State Fire Safety Association at the new Fire Department in Ankeny, Iowa. The gathering of over 100 building, fire and code officials from across Iowa featured education sessions on a variety of current topics including the latest 
revisions to the International Building Code and International Fire Code.
Protex Central presented a noontime review of recent changes in agent design concentrations featured in the 2011 edition of NFPA 2001 Standard on Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems. Shawn Mullen, President and Chief Energy Officer at Protex Central, delivered the presentation and fielded questions from the attendees.
For more information about the Hawkeye State Fire Safety Association click here.
Lund Fire Protection Appointed As Waukee Plan Reviewer September 30, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association.Tags: alarm, clean agent, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, life safety, Mass Notification Systems, NFPA, Protex Central, security
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The City of Waukee, Iowa has appointed Lund Fire Protection of Norwalk, Iowa as the third party plan reviewer. According to the official announcement from Cory Pergande, of the Waukee Fire Department, “starting September 24th, 2012 all new construction projects inolving a fire protection system (e.g. fire alarm, Type I hood extinguishing systems, fire pumps, sprinkler, standpipe and clean agent systems) submittals must be submitted to our third party reviewer.”
The announcement further indicates “questions about code interpretations should still be directed to Cory Pergande at the Waukee Fire department for consideration, our third-party reviewer only reviews plans to the extent of the applicable codes and standards and does not approve any alternative designs. Submittal approval, disapproval, and the granting of permits to start work must still be obtained for the City of Waukee.”
In addition to Lund Fire Protection, owner Jonathan Lund, currently serves as President of the Hawkeye State Fire Inspectors Association.
For additional information about this new process, contact Cory Pergrande at the Waukee, Iowa Fire Department or via e-mail at: cpergande@waukee.org.
SecurityXchange Gathering Brings Focus on Solutions August 13, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Good Stuff to Share, Iowa Alarm Association, PSA, Security Systems.Tags: alarm, Change Leadership, fire protection, life safety, low-voltage, Mass Notification Systems, Protex Central, security
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The SecurityXchange Conference serves leading integrators, end users and consultants who are seeking solutions for their upcoming projects. They identify innovative solution providers for executives of these large organizations to save them time building strategic relationships.
The meeting is a two day event held at the Deer Lodge Resort in Park City, UT bringing together over 100 of the top executives from manufacturers, integrators, consultants and end-users in the security industry from around the country.
Protex Central will be represented by it’s President and Chief Energy Officer, Shawn Mullen.
The meetings start on August 13th and conclude on Wednesday, August 15th.
Popular Clean and Green Demos Set for July 25th and 26th July 18, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, hot aisle cold aisle, life safety, NFPA, Protex Central
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Protex Central’s popular Clean and Green Fire Suppression Demonstrations dates are set for Wednesday, July 25th in our Urbandale, Iowa offices and Thursday, July 26th in our newly relocated Omaha, Nebraska offices.
If you’ve never experienced a clean agent fire suppression event, here’s your chance.
You can learn more by visiting:
Onward and Upward 