Industry Gathers for 33rd Annual FSSA Meeting February 20, 2015
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, NICET, Uncategorized.Tags: alarm, Change Leadership, clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, explosions, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, hot aisle cold aisle, life safety, NFPA, Protex Central
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Over 190 members of the fire suppression systems industry are gathering in Clearwater Beach, Florida to participate in the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Fire Suppression Systems Association at the Sandpearl Resort.
The three-day event will feature presentations from the Association’s Technical Committee Chair, Daniel Hubert, as well as the Association’s Technical Director, Tom Wysocki. Association president, Eric Burkland, will recap recent developments and improvments in the Association’s new on-line Training Program.
FSSA’s involvement with NFPA Code and Standards development will be highlighted by Derek Wester who provides oversight of the Association’s participation. Bill Eckholm, chair of FSSA’s Public Policy Comittee will report on recent committee activities.
The opening session’s Keynote Presentation will be by Geno Church, Chief Word of Mouth Inspiration Officer of Brains on Fire. His presentation, THE PASSION CONVERSATION, changes one’s perspective on marketing by explaining the three motivations for why people talk about businesses and causes.
Other topics of interest to be presented will include updates on NICET, challenges in data center fire protection, exposure limits of HF in museum and archive applications as well as innovations in industrial explosion protection.
As always, several networking events are planned throught the course of the event.
For more information about FSSA and its annual meeting, visit www.fssa.net.
The meeting runs through Tuesday, February 24th.
Yes Virginia, Data Center Fires Really Do Happen November 26, 2014
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, Fenwal, fire, fire alarm, fire alarm systems, fire protection, fire suppression, fire suppression systems, Fire Systems
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Responding to recent comments from a facility manager that fires in data centers are rare, Onward and Upward offers a recap of three such fires that have happened in the previous 11 months with details on each.
♦ A fully-powered, but unused transient-voltage surge suppressor (TVSS) failed in the Hoover State Office Building’s basement l
evel data center on the afternoon of February 18, 2014. The failure caused significant damage to the unit and produced smoke throughout the room. A quick-thinking employee activated a manual release station that discharged over 2,400 pounds of FM-200 clean fire-suppressing agent throughout the room and raised floor. In addition, the agent release also triggered the emergency-power-off circuit dropping power to critical equipment.
The Des Moines, Iowa fire department responded within minutes of receiving the signal from the building’s automatic fire alarm system. Upon arrival, the fire was extinguished and personnel were assessing the fire damage and working to restore operations.
♦ The catastrophic failure of a capacitor caused dense smoke to be generated within the cabinet of an uninterruptible 
power supply (UPS) unit at a central Iowa data center on March 19, 2014. The FM-200 clean agent fire suppression system incorporated a VESDA air-sampling smoke detection system that quickly sensed the smoke and automatically released 385 pounds of agent. The fire was extinguished by the time local fire teams arrived on the scene.
While the facility itself was unaffected by smoke damage or the clean agent discharge, it took over a day and a half for personnel to locate the failed component deep within the UPS unit.
♦ The malfunction over-heating of evaporator coils on a self-contained computer room air-conditioner ignited collected dust and paper filaments in the raised floor of a Des Moines area data room. The slow smoldering of the materials was sensed by a smoke detector located under the raised floor on the evening of September 18, 2014. A second smoke detector confirmed the smoke condition and initiated the discharge sequence that notified the building’s automatic fire alarm system and released 274 pounds of FM-200.
The small data room was unoccupied at the time of the event. When facility and fire department personnel arrived, the fire was extinguished and there was no damage caused by the agent’s discharge.
While it maybe uncommon to have three events occur within a short time span, it’s clear that it’s not uncommon for fires to occur in data centers. Each of these incidents could have easily gotten out-of-hand and escalated into major disruptions for these facilities. However, because of forethought by prudent operators and well-designed and maintained clean agent fire suppression systems, the effects of each of these fires was minimized so that mission-critical functions could return to normal.
IEP Technologies Acquires UTC’s Explosion Suppression Businesses July 24, 2013
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: dustexplosions, explosions, Fenwal, fire protection, Fire Systems, life safety, NFPA, Protex Central
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UTC Climate, Controls and Security announced yesterday, July 23, 2013, that it has sold its Industrial Explosion Protection business to IEP Technologies, LLC of Boston, MA.
IEP Technolgoies, LLC is a new company formed from four leading explosion protection companies in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Switzerland. According to their press release, their mission is to offer leading edge explosion protection solutions to their customers worldwide by designing the best protection solutions, manufacturing innovative explosion protection components; providing precise applications engineering; and supporting their systems with responsive sales/service.
The new company was formed in response to UTC’s transformation to divest non-core businesses. The explosion protection business is a niche business which requires customized application engineering; best suited to a single focused company.
Leadership of the new company comes from the four acquired business units. Randy Davis, Chief Executive Officer and President, is a 26 year industry veteran and most recently was General Manager of Global Explosion Protection for United Technologies Fire and Security.
According to a press release from Sentinel Equity Partners, the private equity firm that formed IEP Technologies, Eric D. Bommer, a Sentinel partner said, “We are very excited about IEP Technologies’ growth potential and thrilled to be partnering with its talented management team.” IEP Technologies’ creation came about through a lot of hard work by IEP Technologies’ management, Sentinel’s team, and a large group of dedicated outside advisers to complete a highly complex corporate carve-out, including four separate business units spread across four different countries.”
Protex Central, Inc is an authorized service center for Fenwal IEP Technologies for the states of Iowa and Nebraska.
To learn more about IEP Technologies, click here.
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.
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.
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 