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Industry Gathers for FSSA 30th Annual Forum February 28, 2012

Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.
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Over 150 industry leaders have gathered for the 30th Fire Suppression Systems Association Annual Forum in Rancho Mirage, CA.

A variety of topics ranging from economic outlooks to water mist fire suppression have engaged the attendees. The hot topic of fire protection challenges associated with hot aisle/cold aisle containment systems was reviewed by Steve Carter of Orr Protection Systems.   It’s clear from the discussion generated that this topic continues to be one that FSSA is leading the way on.

Steven Turner with Turner Time Management demonstrated the myriad ways of improving productivity with tips and shortcuts available for smartphones and laptops.

Factory Mutual engineering specialist, Matt Daelhouse, provided an overview of water mist fire suppression systems from Factory Mutual’s perspective.  He provided details on the various types of water mist suppression systems that FM Global tests as well as the testing methods employed.  He further explained the future testing that take place for other types of hazards to be protected with water mist.

The 30th Annual Forum concludes today with morning sessions devoted to topics of interest for the two divisions represented in the association:  Installers and Manufacturers.

To learn more about FSSA, visit www.fssa.net

FSSA Prepares to Celebrate 30th Annual Meeting February 25, 2012

Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, Uncategorized.
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The Fire Suppression Systems Association is set to celebrate 30 years of fire protection excellence beginning tonight at the opening reception at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Rancho Mirage, CA.

Over 150 attendees will gather to renew friendships, share industry experiences and learn about new activities and initiatives being undertaken by the FSSA.

The in addition to numerous committee reporting sessions, this three day annual meeting features several seminars including:

  • Keynote Speaker:   economist Alan Beaulieu
  • Technical Session:  Fire Protection Challenges with Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Containment in Data Centers
  • Educational Session:  Liability for the NICET Designer
  • Educational Session:  Maximizing Your Productivity & Efficiency When You’re On the Road

Industry leaders William Eckholm, President and CEO of Firetrace International, and Roger Bourgeois, Founder and President of Bourgeois & Associates, Inc., will be presented with FSSA’s Leadership Award during the President’s Banquet on Monday evening, February 27th.

The FSSA Leadership Award is presented annually to honor individuals in the special hazards fire protection industry that have shown great leadership and responsibility in their professional and personal lives. When choosing a recipient, the FSSA Awards Committee takes into consideration a variety of attributes including dedication to and longevity in the industry, integrity and fairness in their work, and a desire for innovation and change to improve the industry.

To learn more visit:  www.fssa.net.

The 30th Annual Meeting concludes on Tuesday, February 28th.

NFPA 750 and Water Mist Focus of Seminar August 18, 2011

Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems.
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Protex Central and Victaulic will present New Trends in NFPA 750 Water Mist Fire Protection Systems on September 13, 2011 at the new FFA Enrichment Center on the campus of Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa.

Seminar explores NFPA 750 and associated technologies

The two hour seminar will focus on NFPA’s standard on water mist fire protection systems (NFPA 750) as well as different water mist technologies including Vicatulic’s hybrid system: VORTEX.

VORTEX is a unique fire suppression system that provides a homogenous mixture of nitrogen and water to create a highly effective suppression capability. VORTEX systems feature several important factors including:

  • environmental sustainability
  • near zero wetting
  • no clean-up or downtime
  • safe for occupied spaces

Common applications for VORTEX technology include:  industrial applications; electrical generator enclosures even data centers.

A complimentary box lunch will be served beginning at 11:30 a.m.

Reserve a seat by contacting Shari Mullen at (515) 252-9932 or via e-mail at:  shari.mullen@protexcentral.net.

Presentation Holds Attention of 140 Character Conference June 21, 2011

Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Good Stuff to Share.
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A recent presentation at the Des Moines 140 Character Conference featuring NOVEC 1230 Fire Protection Fluid held the attention of roughly 150 persons in attendance. The conference was held this past May at the Stoner Theater in the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. It was simultaneously broadcast over the internet. This is a clip of my presentation entitled:  It Sucks To Be Left Behind.

The 140 Character Conferences seek to highlight the use of social media in a variety of ways. I took the wild chance of submitting an application about how I’m trying to position myself (and my company, Protex Central) as the “go-to” solutions provider. I’ve had several inquiries on the agent and much disbelief that it’s not water. It’s not magic – it’s just technology at it’s best.

Telecommunications Companies Seek Exemption from Iowa’s RME Law June 17, 2011

Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, Iowa Alarm Association, Security Systems.
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The Iowa House recently passed and sent to the Iowa Senate H.F. 697 in an effort to break the stalemate over Iowa’s budget for the coming fiscal year that starts July 1st.    It is not clear how the Senate will resolve the many issues contained within the 588-page omnibus bill.  What is clear is an attempt by telecommunications companies to skirt Iowa’s fire extinguishing & alarm systems contractors and installers licensing law (Chapter 100C).  To see the bill click here.

Buried within the legislation are provisions (sections 670 – 671) that allow telecommunications companies to contract with a qualified individual to fulfill the duties of a responsible managing employee (RME).   Iowa law requires companies who offer fire extinguishing and/or alarm system services to be certified by the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office and employ (not contract with) a qualified individual to be responsible for the management of the services provided.  Interestingly enough is Iowa’s ban on any qualified individual serving as a responsible managing employee for more than one employer.

It appears that this provision if allowed to pass with the rest of the legislation would give telecommunications companies an unfair advantage over certified contractors who must employ RMEs – not contract out their services.  Moreover, the safety and security of Iowa’s citizens may be undermined.  No assurance is provided that the contracted RME even resides within the state or is readily available to directly supervise the layout, installation or maintenance of fire and security related systems.

As one who is active in the industry and serves on the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Advisory Board, I can’t support this provision to weaken laws designed to protect and secure Iowans.

Popular Clean and Green Demo Dates Announced April 30, 2011

Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.
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Protex Central’s popular Clean and Green Fire Suppression Demonstrations dates are set for Tuesday, May 17 in our Papillion, NE  location and on Wednesday, May 18 in our Urbandale, IA offices.
If you’ve never experienced a clean agent fire suppression event, here’s your chance.
You can learn more by visiting:

Protex Central, Inc. or see a video clip at:  PitchEngine

Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Containment Issues Presented March 1, 2011

Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.
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Example of HACS/CACS solution

Challenges created by hot aisle/cold aisle containment systems (HACS/CACS) to effective fire suppression system design were presented at FSSA’s Framing for Success Annual Meeting by Jeffery Kidd of New England Fire Systems.

Kidd presented the variety of HACS/CACS solutions that are being implemented in data centers to deal with increasing heat loads. He cited recent studies that showed average data center operating temperatures rising from an average of 72 degrees before 2004 to 81 degrees in 2008. He also noted that it’s not uncommon for hot aisle temperatures to reach well over 100 degrees.

Proposals are currently being presented to the technical committees of NFPA 75 and NFPA 76 to recognize the challenges posed to fire suppression systems by these HACS/CACS efforts.

Kidd noted several items to consider when designing or modifying a fire suppression system where HACS/CACS systems are used including: detection for high air flows; agent design considerations for higher ambient temperatures and obstacle interference for nozzle placement.

FSSA’s annual meeting concludes on March 1.

Non-fire Related System Releases Discussed February 28, 2011

Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.
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Non-fire related system releases were discussed during a presentation at FSSA’s Framing for Success Annual Meeting in San Juan.  Installers Division chair, Eric Burkland, presented a review of six top reasons for non-fire related system releases.

The top six discussed were:  (1) dirty smoke detectors, (2) products of combustion caused by HVAC heating elements, (3) freon leaks, (4) unintentional manual release activation, (5) end-user hazard modifications with no regard on system impact and (6) power surges such as lightning strikes.

HFC-227-ea System Discharge

The top six were a result of a non-scientific survey conducted among FSSA installer members prior to the annual meeting.  Burkland also discussed several preventative measures that would help to prevent unwanted system releases.

Those preventative measures included:   routine system maintenance by qualified personnel; HVAC maintenance; signage installation; personnel training; installation of surge suppressors and notification of qualified personnel when modifying a hazard area.

FSSA’s Framing for Success annual meeting continues through March 1.

Technical Chair Hubert Highlights Activities February 28, 2011

Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.
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FSSA’s technical committee chair, Dan Hubert, presented highlights of the technical committee’s work over the past year during a session yesterday at FSSA’s Framing for Success Annual Meeting.

Hubert provided details on a variety of efforts underway with the committee including major contributions to the NFPA comment cycles for 2001 and 72. He noted that FSSA is represented on over 37 NFPA standards committees.

Additionally, he announced the third in a series of Carbon Dioxide design guides covering total flooding applications. It forms a trilogy of documents with the previously published guides for local application rate-by-volume and local application rate-by-area.

Other topics being worked on are design considerations for data centers with hot aisle/cold aisle arrangements, and a possible white paper discussing Class C design concentration applications.

Hubert unveiled a unique software program developed by the committee that quickly and easily correlates all of the NFPA occupancy standards with all of the NFPA design standards. Free copies of the software will be distributed to all meeting attendees on a jump drive.

FSSA’s annual meeting continues in San Juan through March 1.

Erik Wahl Keynotes FSSA’s 2011 Framing for Success February 19, 2011

Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, Good Stuff to Share.
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Erik Wahl, groundbreaking artist and communicator, challenges organizations to transcend mediocrity through creativity and originality. Drawing upon his experiences and understanding as an artist, Wahl passionately leads individuals to innovation and ingenuity.

Wahl will be the featured keynote presenter at the Fire Suppression Systems Association 2011 Framing for Success annual meeting on Sunday, February 27 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

His program, The Art of Vision, is uniquely designed to channel innovative strategies to create extraordinary results. By breaking apart the traditional rules, Erik Wahl challenges and inspires organizations to re-define their commonly held assumptions and misconceptions about vision, goals, success and creativity. And, ultimately, each program ends with a live, dynamically choreographed painting that leaves the audience in awe.

For more information or to register, click here.

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/12166946″>Art of Vision</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user3935308″>Tasha Moffitt</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>