Ozone Layer Healing!

Ozone Layer is healing! Click Here to read the story!

A-Gas Americas is proud to be HARC code of practice compliant. 

Replace. Reclaim. Contain. Protect! We are here to help you recycle all of your old Halons, CFCs, HFCs & HCFCs! Call us today to find out more! 1-800-372-1301

Introducing our NEW Newsletter- In the Line of Fire

We are excited to announce the launch of our NEW monthly fire protection newsletter. Please sign up to receieve this publication that gives you all of the latest industry news, and so much more!

Click HERE  to see the First Edition & to subscribe!



Don't Forget- We BUY HALON 1301!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from A-Gas Americas. As a Reminder We will be CLOSED for normal business on Thursday November 26th & Friday November 27th for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We are available for Emergency recharges! If you have an Emergency and need immediate assistance please contact Terri on the Emergency Recharge Hotline 419-466-6238! Thank you and have a safe and blessed holiday!

Boeing warns of Battery Fires

Halon can't compete with lithium battery fires.

Read the article below

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Boeing-warns-airlines-against-flying-battery-6391418.php

MARKETING COMMITTEE UPDATE The FSSA Marketing Committee raced from the Annual Forum and is off to a great start!  They’ve been reviewing and incorporating ideas from their strategic planning meeting in October 2013 and suggestions from attendees at the Annual Forum. Over thirty members volunteered to serve to help FSSA get to the finish line and were divided amongst the sub committees listed below.  If you’d like to join one of the sub committees and participate with FSSA, please let us know.  The time commitment is small and all meetings are held via conference call.  We’d love to have you help us promote, educate and grow FSSA!  Please email Vince Mullhausen with questions or to participate. Marketing Sub Committees: Promote Website Review Interaction with Other Associations FSSA "Fortune 500" Promote Fire Suppression System Technology Industry Marketing Summit Educate FSSA Webinars SHAPE Revision Evaluate FSSA Training Programs End User Perspective Forum Grow Fires in Mission Critical Environments Evaluate Shrinking Market Survey of Clean Agents Discharges. SUCCESS!  NEW SPRINKLER LICENSE BILL INTRODUCED IN KENTUCKY - HB 420 BLOCKED FSSA is pleased to report that the Kentucky Legislature adjourned on April 15, 2014 and HB 420 did not make it out of the House Licensing and Occupations Committee.  A public hearing was held on this bill, which FSSA opposed (click here for letter), and opponents at the hearing effectively blocked passage.  Special thank you to FSSA members, Koorsen Fire & Security and Orr Protection Systems, who participated in the hearing.  Thanks also goes to George Keeley, FSSA legal counsel who drafted  the letter FSSA submitted. Is this happening in your state?  Let FSSA know and the Public Policy Committee will assist you with support.  Please remember to keep us in the loop so these situations will be identified quickly and can be attacked aggressively by FSSA and your fellow members.  This is yet another benefit of your membership with FSSA! FSSA TO EXHIBIT AT NFPA BOOTH # 574 The FSSA will be exhibitng at this years NFPA Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, NV.  Stop by and visit us at booth # 574.  Volunteers are welcome to help represent the FSSA.  Should you find yourself at the show this year and wanting to help in the booth email Vince Mullhausen at FSSA HQ. TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING The next Technical Committee meeting will take place at the Hilton O'Hare Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois from 8:00am - 3:30 pm.  You will want to fly into O'Hare airport= ORD.  Guests are welcome. Click here to RSVP as a guest. FSSA has secured a room rate of $189/per night + applicable taxes at the Hilton.  To make your reservations: By Phone: 877-865-5322 Reference Group code:  FIR Online: Visit the Hilton’s website Click on “Add special rate code” In the Group Code box enter:   FIR MEMBERSHIP DUES NOTICE It's that time of year again for the yearly renewal process.  Dues renewals were sent out in April 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. 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.

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.

NFPA Las Vegas, NV June 9-12

Register now for the premier event in fire and life safety, coming to Las Vegas this June!

Register now to attend NFPA Conference & Expo®

James Shannon announces that the 2014 NFPA Conference & Expo® is scheduled June 9-12, 2014 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Registration is open for Conference, Expo and the Association Technical Meeting. 

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!!! 

Life Kit for Battery Fires on Aircrafts.

SpectrumFX Making the LIFE Kit Available to Airlines Worldwide to Fight Lithium Battery Fires in the Cabin of Commercial Aircrafts

Lithium battery fires aboard commercial airlines are a new and dangerous threat.

Tulsa, OK, October 02, 2013 --(PR.com)-- In the preceding 10 years, fire safety and fire potential aboard commercial aircrafts has changed and the challenges faced by the aviation industry to put these fires out while airborne have increased 10 fold.

Just a few years ago technology brought aboard commercial passenger airlines did not include: cell phones, lap top computers, DVD players, Readers or iPads. All of these everyday use devices can cause a new risk of fire and explosion in the passenger cabin and in cargo shipments. All of these devices and much more use the battery technology of Lithium and Lithium-ion batteries – these batteries pose a new threat aboard our commercial airlines.

Certified and aboard our commercial airlines to fight most contingencies of fires is an extinguishing product referred to as Halon, a commercially available agent that will extinguish a multitude of fires using last century technology and science. However the FAA also states; “…Halon 1301, the fire suppression agent found in Class C cargo holds, ‘is ineffective in controlling a lithium metal cell fire’ and lithium metal battery explosions can lead to 'rapid fire spread' in cargo compartments.”[1]

The range of Halon products now being used in the airline industry are no longer manufactured. By worldwide treaty Halon is being phased out because of its ozone depleting properties.[2]

A small Aviation Safety Company in Tulsa, OK, SpectrumFX, Inc., is taking new steps to offer groundbreaking safety measures to control this new risk of fire danger. SpectrumFX is now marketing its biodegradable agent in a product called the LIFE Kit. This Kit, to be carried on board, is the first known product that will assist the cabin crew in extinguishing a Laptop or other fire caused by Lithium-ion batteries aboard airlines worldwide.

For more information you may contact SpectrumFX at info@spectrumfx.net or call 918-392-9799 and you can visit their website at www.spectrumfx.net

[1] AVFLASH NEWS October 8, 2010

[2] http://www.epa.gov/ozone/intpol/

Read the full story here: http://www.pr.com/press-release/517853

Airbus Wins Greentec Award for Innovative Fuel Cell Project

Airbus Wins Greentec Award for Innovative Fuel Cell Project

02 SEP 2013

Airbus’ has been awarded with the GreenTec Award 2013 for its research activities to integrate fuel cell technology into commercial aircraft. The “Multifunctional Fuel Cell Integration” analyses the replacement of the auxiliary power unit (APU) and the ram air turbine (RAT) with a fuel cell.

Günter Butschek, Airbus Chief Operating Officer said: “Airbus has always been a driver in making aviation more environmentally friendly and invests around €2bn per year in research and development to improve our aircraft’s performance. We are on track to meet the aviation industry’s short-term environmental targets that include sustainable and carbon neutral growth from 2020. Fuel cells are one of the most promising step change technologies to make our aircraft even more efficient, cleaner and quieter. The recognition of our fuel cell project at the GreenTec Awards underlines the relevance of our activities. I thank our partners and congratulate the whole team on this great achievement.”

Airbus’ fuel cell research activities focus on ‘multifunctional fuel cell’ systems which not only supply the aircraft with electric power, but also make efficient use of the by-products in various aircraft systems. The electrical energy can be used both for conventional aircraft systems but also for main engine starting and emission-free autonomous ground operations at airports. In parallel, the inert nitrogen gas replaces common halon-based fire suppression systems for the cargo hold and may be used for inerting the fuel tanks. Finally, the water can be used for the water supply system of the aircraft. Another benefit is the significant reduction in overall aircraft weight – hence reducing fuel burn and emissions in flight – as well as reducing noise and emissions during ground operations at airports.

The GreenTec Awards are awarded each year for projects on eco-management and environmentally friendly technologies. The jury is composed of experts from various areas like engineering, economy and media and is supported by representatives from the economy, science, politics and media.

     

Source: Airbus.

- See more at: http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/news-events/news-archive/2013/september/airbus-wins-greentec-award-for-innovative-fuel-cell-project#sthash.bs0oXQRP.dpuf

National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors

Certification Renewals

If you have earned a certification from the ICC/NAFED or NAFED certification programs, you know that they must be renewed every three years. Information regarding the renewal process, policies, and application is available from the NAFED website. By logging in to the website, you can verify your certification status and check your renewal date.

It is important that you include accurate information on your renewal application. Only check those areas that you are certified in. Some applications are received where all four areas of certification are checked off for renewal when the individual only holds certification in one or two disciplines. This delays the renewal process because we have to verify if the individual is indeed certified in all of the areas that are checked. This takes time and adds to the expense of renewal processing. If this practice continues, NAFED may have to look at charging a special fee for processing erroneous applications.

To expedite the renewal application process, it is recommended that the application include copies of certificates or descriptions of any education credits from the past three years that are being used for renewal. Failure to include this information could result in an application being held for a verification audit. This would delay the issuance of a renewal and depending on a licensing jurisdiction, could delay the applicant's ability to obtain a new license/permit from the state.

New Board Members Elected

NAFED has elected new board members for the 2013-16 term. Following the 2013 annual meeting in Chicago, NAFED instated three new board members who will serve out three-year terms:

• Region Two Director: Bill Johnson, Mid State Fire Equipment, Lake Placid, Florida
• Region Four Director: Bob Sorensen, FireGuard, Omaha, Nebraska
• Director-at-Large: Daniel Laughlin, ProTec Fire Protection, Loganville, Georgia

Congratulations and welcome to our new board members.

Extinguisher Requirement Proposed Following Limo Fire

Following a fatal limo fire on the San Mateo Bridge in May 2013, State Senator Jerry Hill, representing San Mateo, California, has put forward a bill requiring fire extinguishers on limousines of less than 10 occupant capacity.

The proposed bill, SB-338 Fire extinguishers: limousines, adds the following text to the state vehicle code:
28062. (a) Every limousine shall be equipped with one fully charged fire extinguisher having at least a 4B:C rating.
(b) For the purposes of this section, “limousine” includes any sedan or sport utility vehicle, of either standard or extended length, with a seating capacity of not more than 10 passengers including the driver, used in the transportation of passengers for hire on a prearranged basis within this state.

The Flame - FFEDA Update

February 19, 2013

This month, we are pleased to present information on the Saturday night entertainment: Bobby Blackmon!    Feeling the Blues? Join FFEDA at our 50 Years with FFEDA Celebration Dinner on Saturday night, June 22nd and let Bobby Blackmon croon those blues away!   Bobby Blackmon is an entertainer with a talent for contemporary Southern soul, blues and classic R&B. Bobby's career began in the Southwest in the small town of Athens, Texas. He played in many house bands and worked as a sideman with many well known blues and R&B artists before making his home base in Central Florida. His band includes: Bobby (Guitar & Vocals), Jack Bumgarner (Keys), Jimmy Seay (Bass) and Terrance Jenkins (Drums). Blackmon gained many new fans when he was a co-headliner with Buddy Guy at the House of Blues-Orlando in 2006. In May 2010, he opened for the legendary BB King in Orlando. Bobby's band performed at the BB King's Club in Orlando two nights a week from 2008-2012.   In March 2013, he opened for the Robert Randolph Band at the City of Orlando's Blues & BBQ event. Bobby has shared the stage with many other blues artists at festivals and comes from a long line of polished blues guitarists from Texas.  His band is the premier choice in Central Florida for private parties, festivals and nightclubs. Bobby is based out of Leesburg where his fans gather each year to catch his band at the annual Mardi Gras & Bikefest. Check out his website at www.myspace.com/beautifulbobbyblackmon and hear songs from his 3 CDs.   You can also hear his most recent CD, Yeah Baby-Chillin With The Blues which is a mixture of downhome to southern soul blues at www.cdbaby.com/cd/beautifulbobbyblackmon. Bobby's CD was picked as a Pick To Click on satellite XM/ Sirius BB King's Bluesville radio show. His music is played on numerous blues stations throughout the USA. His band also has numerous live performances videos on www.youtube.com. You'll be sure to enjoy one of the best live shows in the business when you attend Bobby Blackmon's high energy show at the FFEDA 2013 Annual Conference, Trade Show & 50th Anniversary Celebration! More Information FFEDA Website 2013 Calendar of Events Not a Golfer? Make a Donation to the Charity through FFEDA If you would like to forego participation in the golf tournament, but would still like to support The Children's Burn Foundation of Florida, you can make a donation to the Charity either onsite or prior to the conference.  We will collect all contributions made through FFEDA and make a one time donation.  Please make your check out to FFEDA and designate in the memo line (or attachment) that it is meant for The Children's Burn Foundation of Florida.  We will make sure that you are recognized as a donor!  Call for Past Presidents Have you or a family member been a FFEDA president during the past 50 years? If so, we want to know. Please email the FFEDA office at ffeda@executiveoffice.org       with the names and years served. We will recognize past presidents during the 2013 conference and would love to have everyone listed!    Keep an eye out for next month's issue of the Flame where we will highlight more exciting events that will be happening during our 2013 Annual Conference, Trade Show & 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Florida Fire Equipment Dealers Association | | ffeda@executiveoffice.org | http://www.ffeda.com 325 John Knox Road, L103 Tallahassee, FL 32303

Fire Equipment Distributors of Texas (FEDOT)