FSSA UPDATES

FSSA 2014 ANNUAL FORUM RECAP The FSSA recently held its 2014 Annual Forum in San Diego, CA.  With over 170 attendees, this year’s meeting was a huge success!  A big thank you to our volunteer program committee members who organized an informative and educational program that included guest speakers from DLB Associates, Minimax, The Wackel Group, Tyco, UL, Wesco HMB, and the Fire Chief of Redding, CA.  In case you were not able to attend this year we have posted the presentations to our home page and have linked them here. Mark your calendar for next year’s Annual Forum for February 21 – 24, 2015 in Clearwater Beach, FL at the Sandpearl Resort. FSSA ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT At this year’s annual forum Eric Burkland, Healey Fire Protection was elected to serve as president of FSSA for 2014-15. Eric has over 13 years’ experience in design engineering, project sales & project management of engineered special hazard fire protection systems including specialty gas & flame detection, air sampling, clean agents, CO2, foam, dry chemical, explosion-suppression, water mist and water deluge systems for industrial and commercial applications.  Eric has served on the FSSA since 2009 when he was appointed Vice-Chair of the Installer’s Division.  Eric is the youngest President ever to serve for the FSSA.  Left: Bob Burkland, Owner, Healey Fire Protection Right: Eric Burkland, President, FSSA FSSA 2015 FORUM TOURNAMENT An impromptu but fiercely competitive ping pong tournament took place after this years President's Reception and Banquet. Steve Foulk, Comprehensive Fire Technologies, winding up for his serve. Tim Pope, Janus Fire Systems, employing his be the ball strategy. Tim was the reigning champion of the night and its easy to see why with all that focus in the picture above.  That was until  Brad Stilwell of Fike Corporation arrived and apparently swept up the competition.  Will the ping pong masters continue this over into next years forum?  We shall see. 2014 - 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS The FSSA would like to congratulate and welcome its 2014-15 Board of Directors: PRESIDENT: Eric Burkland | Healey Fire Protection Inc. VICE PRESIDENT: Tim Carman | Tyco SECRETARY/TREASURER: Steve Carter | Orr Protection Systems, Inc. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Dale Kent | 3M Company DIRECTORS: Matt Euson | 3S Incorporated Tina Nelissen | Amerex Corporation Scott Bailey | Koorsen Fire & Security Mike Kiamanesh | WAYSMOS USA Inc John Lawlor | Keystone Fire Protection Helen Lowery | DuPont Fluoroproducts Bill Howerton | Fike Corporation Rick Scott | BFPE International Todd Stevens | Minimax USA LLC INSTALLERS DIVISION:  Bill Blanchard (Chair) | Great Lakes Building Systems, Inc. Anna Gavin (Vice Chair) | Fireline Corporation MANUFACTURERS DIVISION: John Demeter (Chair) | Wesco HMB Kevin Murray (Vice Chair) | Siemens Industry MEMBERSHIP DUES NOTICE It's almost that time of year again for the yearly renewal process.  Dues renewals will be sent out in the next month for the 2014-2015 calendar year.  Thank you to those who have already renewed for the upcoming year. Questions about billing, payment, or maybe want to get a jump start on the process?  Please contact Jason Dumm, Financial Coordinator at headquarters for assistance. NEW USPS POSTAGE RATE INCREASE In case you have not heard the FSSA would like to inform its members of the recent postage rate increase. On January 26, 2014 the rate to mail a first class letter rose from $0.46 to $0.49. Click here to download a printable rate increase chart. 2015 FSSA ANNUAL FORUM The 2015 Annual Forum will be held next February 21 - 24 in Clearwater Beach, FL at the Sandpearl Resort. More information coming soon. FSSA TRAINING PROGRAM The FSSA Training program is live!  If you reserved a spot at the forum invoices were emailed in May. For questions regarding the training program or to reserve your space, please contact Vince Mullhausen at FSSA HQ. Table of Contents 2014 FSSA Annual Forum Recap FSSA Elects New President Forum Ping Pong Tournament 2014 - 2015 Board of Directors 14-15 Dues Notice New USPS Rates 2015 Annual Forum   FSSA Training Program Have News to Share? Do you have news to share about your company or newsworthy topic?  Send it our way and it may be included in an issue of the Annunciator.  You can email Vince with your news. Volunteers Needed! FSSA's Marketing & Membership Committees are looking for volunteers to serve on the committees and assist the association with marketing, communication, and membership recruitment efforts.  If you are interested in participating and offering your expertise, please contact Vince at FSSA Headquarters via email.     FSSA, the FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS ASSOCIATION, is a not-for-profit trade association, drawing members internationally. FSSA is a unique blend of designer/installers, manufacturers and suppliers working together to share ideas and strategies for the benefit of the fire suppression systems industry. FSSA members are dedicated to the highest level of safety, reliability and effectiveness of special hazards fire suppression.   The mission of FSSA is to promote the use of, and be the leading recognized authority on, special hazard fire protection systems; employing existing and new technologies to safeguard people, high-value assets and the environment. Interested in passing along information on FSSA to prospective members? FSSA has printed cards proclaiming "WHY Join the FSSA" with information on member benefits. If you would like a stack of cards mailed to you so that you can distribute them to your colleagues, please contact FSSA Headquarters. Crista LeGrand, CAE, CMP - Executive Director Vince Mullhausen - Meetings & Member Services Donna Liberto - Financial Manager Jason Dumm - Financial Coordinator (contact Jason for all membership dues & meeting registration payments or invoicing) The complete archive of The Annunciator is available on the FSSA website. Click here to view.  Please contact Vince Mullhausen at FSSA Headquarters if you would like to have a colleague added to the mailing list. Copyright © 2013 Fire Suppression Systems Association. All rights reserved.

FSSA NEWS

DOT vs NFPA REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTING OF SYSTEM CYLINDERS Do DOT Regulations or NFPA Standards require fire system cylinders containing gaseous fire extinguishing agents to be periodically removed from service, emptied and hydrostatically tested? Please click here to download the White Paper* from the Fire Suppression Systems Association (FSSA) to help you answer that question. *This document provides general guidelines and is not intended to provide all information necessary to determine test requirements for all cylinders. Always refer to the most current equipment manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations, DOT regulations, NFPA Standards, along with other codes and regulations that may apply.*

FSSA HAS NAMED NEW VICE CHAIR OF MANUFACTURERS DIVISION The recently vacated Vice Chair of the Manufacturers Division  has been filled.  A vote was conducted by the principle Manufacturers and the results are in. The FSSA would like to congratulate and welcome Kevin Murray of Siemens Industry to the Board of Directors.

FSSA 2014 ANNUAL FORUM REGISTRATION IS OPEN The FSSA 32nd Annual Forum registration is now open.  Mark your calendar for February 22 - 25, 2014 in San Diego, CA. Click here to make your reservation now.  Sponsorship opportunities are still available. The forum agenda is currently being crafted by the Program Committee and may be viewed here.  Stay tuned for more updates!

PASSING OF CHARLES WILLMS Charles Fredrick Willms, 84, passed away September 14, 2013. Born in Hudson County, NJ, on June 28, 1929, he was the son of the late Sadie and Fredrick Willms. An award winning rifleman, Charles served in the US National Guard, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant. Charles attended NJ Institute of Technology where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering. A registered professional engineer, he was a member of the Tau Beta Phi National Engineering Honor Society, Phi Tau Sigma, ASME, CGA, IAC, US TAG, and served as technical director of the FSSA, and chairman of the NFPA. Charles worked as Director of Engineering for Fire Protections Systems for Walter Kidde, in NC, and was then self-employed as a Product Liability Consultant for fire protection products. He enjoyed playing the drums and spending time with his family. Charles was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Maryann E. Willms. He is survived by his loving daughter, Beverly, of Raleigh, NC; son, Roger, and his wife, Melinda, of Charlotte; grandchildren, Dean and Madolyn, of Charlotte; brother, Fred Willms, of NJ; and several nieces and nephews.

FSSA TRAINING PROGRAM The FSSA Training program is live!  If you reserved a spot at the forum invoices were emailed in May. For questions regarding the training program or to reserve your space, please contact Vince Mullhausen at FSSA HQ.   Information was received via email from the FSSA publication "Annunciator." To join the distribution list please visit http://fssa.net/

Thank YOU!

In the spirit of being thankful this season, A-Gas RemTec would like to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone that helped make all of our trade shows this year a success. Without our loyal customers and friends we would not be able to provide all of the services and products that we do!


Please keep in mind that we want to purchase any Halon 1301 you may have to get rid of before the end of the year! Let us boost your numbers and pad your wallets for the upcoming Holiday season!!! 

Updated Green Team!!

Bulk, Recharge, Refurbish!

GAFSED Scholarship Program- ENTER NOW!

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATION ENTRIES FOR THE GAFSED / RANDY CARLISLE MEMORIAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM YOU'RE A WINNER!!! Well you could be, if you have a child entering college or already a college student! Those of you in attendance at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Conference Center, for the September continuing education classes sponsored by GAFSED, have heard the announcement that the GAFSED / Randy Carlisle Memorial Scholarship   program has been rolled out! The GAFSED Board of Directors wants to make sure all of our members know about this awesome opportunity of winning a chance to help pay for your college education, or your child's education beyond high school. The average cost of college books per year is $800.00 and up; so $1,000.00 can sure help to ease the financial burden placed on college students and their families. It's just our way of giving back to you the membership and to say "Thank you" for all you do for our association and this industry. The winner of this $1,000.00 scholarship will be awarded in March of 2014.       The cut-off date for submitting an application AND essay is December 31st, 2013. Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 25 AND be an employee, a child of an employee, or owner, of an Active GAFSED member in good standing. The application and details are on the GAFSED website,Find the "Scholarship" link and simply click to get started! Visit our web link  RC MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM In closing, as I picture Randy with a huge smile on his face ... full of enthusiasm, I can still hear him say, "...never let an opportunity to learn something pass you by." So, with those encouraging words we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity and make the most of it! Thanks again, and Good Luck! Your GAFSED Education Scholarship Committee DAWN BODEN,  ADMIN@GAFSED.COM

Fire Extinguisher Accident

Freak accident with fire extinguisher

Posted: Aug 28, 2013 9:33 AM EDTUpdated: Aug 28, 2013 9:33 AM EDT

13abc.com Bill Hormann - email

 

Tom Orvis of Plainville, Conn., is fortunate he wasn't in the wrong place when a fire extinguisher flew nearly a quarter-mile through the air and into his house. Connecticut officials say a machine operator was cutting beams at a metal recycling company Tuesday and accidentally cut into the extinguisher, causing it to explode. Orvis says he was in the kitchen when he heard a loud noise, and now has a small hole in his roof. The company says it'll fix the damage.

Click the link for the original story from 13ABC.com : http://www.13abc.com/story/23276652/freak-accident-with-fire-extinguisher

Just a friendly PSA, remember that extinguishers can be dangerous if they are not handled properly!

We here at A-Gas RemTec hope you all have a safe and wonderful Labor Day Weekend!!! 

Sorry to announce

 

FSSA regrets to announce the passing of Philip DiNenno, president of Hughes Associates, Inc., and a member of the NFPA Board of Directors, died on August 18, 2013. He was 60 years old.

DiNenno had a long professional history in the fire protection industry and with NFPA, serving on many Technical Committees, including Gaseous Fire Extinguishing Systems, Merchant Vessels, Water Mist Fire Suppression Systems, Halon Alternative Protection Options, Fire Investigations, and Fire Tests. He served on NFPA’s Standards Council from 1998-2007 and was Chair from 2002-2007. In 2011, DiNenno received the Paul C. Lamb Award from NFPA in recognition of his volunteer spirit, leadership skills, tact and diplomacy, and dedication to the goals of NFPA. In 2013, his outstanding contributions to fire safety and the development of codes and standards were recognized when he received the NFPA Standards Medal. DiNenno spoke at several FSSA Annual Meetings both as a presenter and panelist.

He began work at Hughes Associates in 1985. Previously, he worked as a fire protection engineer at Benjamin/Clarke Associates and Professional Loss Control, Inc. He was a registered professional engineer in Tennessee and Arizona and held a B.S. in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland, where he also lectured from 1977-1990.

The family will receive friends at Pritts Funeral Home and Chapel, 412 Washington Rd., Westminster MD on Wednesday from 6-8pm and Thursday from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 11:00 am at St. John Roman Catholic Church, 43 Monroe St, Westminster MD. Interment will be at Meadow Branch Cemetery, Westminster.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Phil DiNenno's memory to the Carroll Hospital Center Foundation, for the development of the new Cancer Center, 200 Memorial Ave., Westminster, MD 21157 or to the Ivymount School for Autism, 11614 Seven Locks Road, Rockville, MD 20854.

We now have Halotron I!

Due to an increasing demand, A-Gas RemTec would like to announce that we now carry certified Halotron I™ and HFC-236fa in bulk! Our customer's needs are always our first priority, so when you ask, we deliver!

As the Halon supply continues to diminish, we will continue to provide you with the most effective clean agent alternatives in the market.

FSSA ANNUAL FORUM!

FSSA 2014 ANNUAL FORUM - SAN DIEGO

 

SAVE THE DATE!

 

The FSSA 32nd Annual Forum location is confirmed.  Mark your calendar for February 22 - 25, 2014.

 

Book your hotel reservations now at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort by calling 1-800-815-6397 and just mention the FSSA Room Block.  FSSA has a special group rate of $219/per night.

 

Thank you FFEDA

A big THANK YOU to Bill Johnson- President of FFEDA, for this very nice card. We are always so excited to help the state associations grow and  be able to continue to help our industry. Happy 50th Anniversary FFEDA, and THANK YOU for having such a wonderful organization for us to be able to support!!!