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
Protex Central Launches New Website May 5, 2012
Posted by shawnpci in Change Leadership, Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA, Good Stuff to Share.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, Dealer of the Year, fire, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, life safety, Mass Notification Systems, nurse call systems, Protex Central, SAMMY Awards, security
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Protex Central, Inc., a SDM Top 100 Systems Integrator and SAMMY award finalist announces the launch of its new redesigned website at www.protexcentral.com.
Working closely with John Hardy of Hardy Communications and David Sutter of the ICreative Group, Protex Central has re-branded its on-line presence with a bold and informative web design. Drawing on the collective web crafting experience of the Hardy/ICreative team, Protex Central’s new site is becoming a destination site for industries and individuals to learn about the solutions-based approach that Protex Central offers to the marketplace.
Featuring industry segmentation pages and solution highlights as well as Protex Central’s new re-branded logo, www.protexcentral.com seeks to educate and inform users on the unique benefits that Protex Central offers.
Shawn Mullen, President and Chief Energy Officer at Protex Central commented, “we’re very pleased with the overall direction of our new website and the re-branding of our corporate image. We’ll leverage our web presence with a renewed focus on solutions-oriented offerings to move us to the next level and beyond.”
Industry Gathers for FSSA 30th Annual Forum February 28, 2012
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 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.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, hot aisle cold aisle, NFPA
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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.
Hot Aisle/Cold Aisle Containment Issues Presented March 1, 2011
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Protection, Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: clean agent, clean agents, fire, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, hot aisle cold aisle, NFPA
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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.Tags: alarm, clean agent, clean agents, fire protection, fire suppression, 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.Tags: clean agent, clean agents, Data Centers, fire alarm, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA, NFPA
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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.Tags: alarm, Change Leadership, clean agent, fire protection, fire suppression, Fire Systems, FSSA
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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>.</p>Ain’t No April Fools Joke April 2, 2010
Posted by shawnpci in Fire Systems, FSSA.Tags: Data Centers, Fire Systems, FSSA
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To quote Jerry Garcia…”what a strange trip it’s been.”
Rarely have two events conspired on the same day to bring into sharp focus the reality of our electronic connectedness: Google Data Center Fire and Windstream Outage.
Both unfortunate situations point out just how vulnerable we are in the electronic age. Despite what I’m sure were days if not months of planning and double checking, the systems put in place to safeguard systems and facilities failed.
In the Google case, not only was the giant brought to its technical knees, it’s being financially tormented by its advertisers.
With the Windstream outage, emergency 9-1-1 centers in Nebraska as well as a UL-listed central alarm monitoring station were literally disconnected from their constituents. The impact to public safety wasn’t limited to just the Nebraska counties affected, but the numerous central station customers locate throughout the Midwest.
Readers of my blog know that I’m all about good reliable fire protection, however, as both cases point out – it can’t hurt to consider the true total cost of ownership when assessing fire protection options in a data center or the reliability/redundancy of monitored services.
FSSA Annual Meeting Set To Begin February 21, 2010
Posted by shawnpci in FSSA.Tags: Fire Systems, FSSA, NFPA
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The 28th Annual Meeting of the Fire Suppression Systems Association is set to begin today at the beautiful Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Over 150 industry leaders and guests are anticipated for the two and a half day meeting. An energetic agenda is planned for attendees with topics ranging from “Leveraging Technology for Increased Productivity” with Steve Turner, to panel discussion on Climate Change and Related Legislation featuring members of the FSSA’s Public Policy Committee.
Technical presentations consisting of changes to various NFPA Codes including 2001 and 72 will be given by FSSA technical director, Tom Wysocki and other FSSA technical committee members.
The Annual Meeting concludes on Tuesday, February 24.
Onward and Upward 