6:30-8:00am	Continental Breakfast	Exhibit Tabletops
7:00am-5:00pm	Registration
8:00-9:15am	Workshop Breakout Sessions	Panel of Stakeholders: What We Can Learn From One Another – Roland Asp
		APIs Leadership Journey – Paul Grunau
		Remote ITM: Code Compliance in the Age of Information, Automation and Integration – Jason Webb & Jeff Hugo
		Developer Incentives: A Proven Method – Peg Paul
9:30-10:45am	Workshop Breakout Sessions	Servant Leadership – James Stoddard
		Panel of NFSA Board and Committee Members: Value of Involvement – Vickie Pritchett
		Digital Transformation – Rocky Pavicevic
		ITM Reporting Position Paper Panel – Jeff Hugo
11:00am-12:15pm	Workshop Breakout Sessions	Residential Sprinkler Acceptance Through Alliances: The Best Practices Forum – Todd Short
		TIM Talks: NFPA 25 – Jeff Hugo
		Texas Retrofit Overview – Cindy Giedraitis & Panel
		The Influence of Private Equity in Fire Life Safety – Greg Londo
12:15-1:00pm	Lunch	Exhibit Tabletops
1:00-2:15pm	Workshop Breakout Sessions	Fire Sprinkler Podcast & NFSA EOD Book of the Best! – Chris Logan & Joe Meyer
		NFPA 25 / NFPA 915 – Terry Victor
		ESFR Research – Garner Palenske
		Contractor Services for You! – Mike Joanis
1:00-3:00pm	Spouses Event	To Be Announced
2:30-3:45pm	Workshop Breakout Sessions	Training Millenials – Jim Lake
		Shane Ray Unplugged – Shane Ray
		Evaluating Storage Protection Under Sloped Ceilings – Wes Baker
		Cost Conscious Decisions – Richard Armellino
4:00-5:15pm	Workshop Breakout Sessions	History of Corrosion in NFPA 13 – Jim McHugh
		Water Supplies: The Importance of Water Supply Assessment in the Era of Aging Infrastructure – Jeff Brassel
		Maximizing the Relationship Between the Contractor and Engineer – Melisa Rodriguez & Dan Wilder
		Update from NFPA (Tentative) – Matt Klaus
5:30-7:30pm	Opening Reception	Terrace Lawn

Session Presentations

 

8:00-9:15am

 

Panel of Stakeholders: What We Can Learn From One Another
Roland Asp
A Common Thread – The installation of a residential fire sprinkler system is a collaborative effort of many stakeholders. A successful residential fire sprinkler installation or even legislation is the result of all these stakeholders working together and finding common ground. These stakeholders include the home builder, the water purveyor and the sprinkler contractor. This panel discussion will bring together the fire protection industry, the home builders and the water purveyors’ industries to discuss and find common ground and to find solutions to the challenges of ensuring all our safety in the places that we live.

 

APIs Leadership Journey
Paul Grunau
Join Paul as he shares the API leadership journey and how the company leverages leadership training to impact operations across the board. This journey incorporates in the following cornerstones: building great leaders by sharing best practices, developing peer-to-peer solutions and benefits by direct access to the wealth of members on the team. API brings people together to share knowledge, improve best practices and spark innovation. Special emphasis is paid to the API purpose: Building Great Leaders^TM and its mission “An energetic organization providing leadership to a diverse family of companies dedicated to delivering innovative solutions to the construction industry.

 

Remote ITM: Code Compliance in the Age of Information, Automation and Integration
Jason Webb : Potter Electric Signal Company and Jeffrey M. Hugo, CBO, Director of Codes, Standards and Public Fire Protection : National Fire Sprinkler Association
Verifying code compliance typically involves onsite inspection, confirming that applicable rules are being followed. But in today’s era of smart, integrated devices and systems, more and more code-related inspections and tests are being performed either by a 3rd party who generates a record, or on a constant basis and monitored electronically. Additionally, integrated systems rely on each other to function properly and require different ways of verifying readiness than those used in the past. In either case, an inspection has often become a review of data in lieu of physically witnessing a process or condition. The presenters, each being former AHJs now involved in emerging technology, will examine the changing approaches to code compliance, contrasting those with traditional methods. The current state of codes and standards regulating these activities and where they may be headed in the future will also be discussed.

 

Developer Incentives – A Proven Method
Peg Paul, Communications Manager : Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition
An estimated one million new homes will be built this year, but fire sprinklers will be installed in fewer than 5% of them. Powerful homebuilder groups have spent hundreds of millions of dollars spreading damaging myths about home fire sprinklers and successfully lobbying to keep them out of state and local codes across the country. Their anti-code work ignores the fact that today’s home fires are faster and deadlier for civilians as well as first responders. Offering local developers home fire sprinkler incentives (trade-ups) is a proven method to protect new single-family home developments, especially where sprinklers are not required by code. Incentives can reduce construction costs and increase profit margins. Yet surveys show developers are not aware of them and would be interested if they were offered. Spotlighting case studies from a new joint Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition/NFPA incentive pilot program, presenter Peg Paul will detail how AHJs are achieving sprinklered developments. She will discuss the importance of including sprinklers in new developments as part of local community risk reduction efforts. New, free resources will be offered to support AHJs and educate planners, building officials, water authorities, builders/developers and consumers. These resources can help overcome local challenges, identify incentives for each community and prepare the AHJ to make the offer to developers.

 

9:30-10:45am

 

Servant Leadership
James Stoddard, Owner/President : Argco
As a child burn survivor, James grew up with the scars of fire on his face, it was eye catching and he was cast in a spotlight before kindergarten and now at first sight, he had to make people feel at ease or their imagination often would draw the conclusion that the scars were more than skin deep and they would withdraw and back away from the potential danger that he presented by appearance. James was a minority and hence he had to be nicer to earn acceptance. You may have read the story printed in NFSM magazine Little Jimmy part one and two. In James’ presentation he will attempt to explain how to take tragedy to triumph, it’s not something you try to do, there is no school for it yet.James will keep it up beat and teach all who attend how to triumph with servant leadership!

 

Panel of NFSA Board and Committee Members: Value of Involvement
Vickie Pritchett : National Fire Sprinkler Association
This panel will consist of NFSA Board, Council and Committee Chairs – the panel will be moderated by Vickie Pritchett… posing questions to the panel that will highlight their service to both the NFSA and the fire sprinkler industry. We hope this will encourage someone in the audience who would like to get involved to reach out to one of our respective chairs and join in! NFSA is growing strong together and we want you to join our team!

 

Digital Transformation
Rocky Pavicevic, Partner : firepro365 / Slickdata
We all should know that technological advancement needs to become an ongoing strategic initiative for companies to achieve success in this day and age. The price of entry into this digital age is becoming more and more accesible as time goes on – with a high availability and cost effectiveness of a variety of cloud products and services. As a service provider, what do you need to know: 1. About transforming from being a paper based business into a digitally striving and growing organization 2. Managing Customer expectations in the current business landscape 3. Introducing technological change to a diverse employee base 4. Case studies of Successful digital transformations.

 

ITM Reporting Position Paper Panel
Jeffrey M. Hugo, CBO, Director of Codes, Standards and Public Fire Protection : National Fire Sprinkler Association
Learn the latest on ITM Reporting in this interactive panel facilitated by Jeff Hugo.

 

11:00am-12:15pm

 

Residential Sprinkler Acceptance Through Alliances: The Best Practices Forum
Todd Short, Fire Marshal : City of Redmond Fire Department
The Washington State Fire Sprinkler Coalition has successfully engaged local sprinkler contractors, plumbing companies, developers, builders, manufacturer representatives and authorities having jurisdiction to what we call, The Best Practices Forum. This forum engages stakeholders in problems associated with the installation of residential fire sprinklers from submittal to final inspection. The presentation will focus on the benefits of bringing stakeholders together and some of our successes including the publication of our Best Practices guide. The objective of the presentation is to highlight the benefits of engaging stakeholders to improve the efficiency of the permitting process and to showcase the Best Practices Guide. The presentation will be provided by Todd and Tracy Moore, Moore Fire Protection, with an explanation of what we have done and how we have accomplished providing the forums. Additionally, a question and answer time period would provide attendees with the opportunity to engage us with questions on the topic. A goal of the presentation would be to encourage such forums in other regions of the county.

 

TIM Talks: NFPA 25
Jeffrey M. Hugo, CBO, Director of Codes and Public Fire Protection : National Fire Sprinkler Association
In a format similar to the famous TED Talks, each speaker has up to 15 minutes to cover an area of ITM. Topics include ITM reporting, automated testing, changes to the 2020 NFPA 25, inspection techniques and highlights from other workshops and sessions from earlier in the week. This session is a great opportunity to pack in a lot of knowledge from a diverse group of ITM experts.

 

Texas Retrofit Overview
Cindy Giedraitis, Regional Manager : National Fire Sprinkler Association
A Texas Retrofit Update: Three different Texas Fire Department Fire Sprinkler Retrofit Programs will be highlighted: 1) High Rise Retrofit Ordinance, San Antonio Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Monestier; 2) Historical Downtown Retrofit, Lewisville Fire Marshal Tim Ippolito and Grapevine Fire Marshal Bryan Parker.

 

The Influence of Private Equity in Fire Life Safety
Greg Londo, CEO : National Fire & Safety
In the past 5 years, the fire life safety industry has seen an increase in financial backing from private equity firms nationwide. Private equity provides financial support that will fuel market growth, help attract the best talent, and put your company in the driver seat to compete for top tier jobs. National Fire & Safety CEO, Greg Londo has an extensive history in private equity and has helped maximize growth for multiple fire life safety subcontractors in the central United States. Greg will speak on some of the recent transactions that have taken place in the industry, as well as, how private equity funding is helping companies with working capital constraints and growth.

 

1:00-2:15pm

 

Fire Sprinkler Podcast & NFSA EOD Book of the Best!
Chris Logan, Host/Founder : Fire Sprinkler Podcast and Joe Meyer : Meyer Fire
Utilizing social media to fill the gap left by mainstream media by leaving out sprinkler saves from the evening news and newspaper. How companies and individuals can use social media to develop a following and spread the word of fire protection.

 

NFPA 25 / NFPA 915
Terry Victor, Senior Manager of Industry Relations : Johnson Controls Fire Protection
The presentation will review the various changes made to this newest edition of NFPA 25, describe why the changes were made, and explain the impact they will have on the fire protection industry. Some proposed changes that weren’t made will also be discussed, and potential changes to the 2023 edition will be presented. Feedback will be encouraged one other changes needed to future editions of this standard.
In April 2019 the NFPA appointed a technical committee to develop a new Standard on Remote Inspections. Since August 2019 the committee has held several development meetings to turn the scope approved by the NFPA Standards Council into a document ready for public review. This seminar will describe the scope of the proposed standard and present the outline as it currently exists. Remote inspection methodologies, the types of systems and components proposed to be used, file formats, record collection, and record retention will all be discussed. While the use of remote inspections was initially not considered for water-based and other active fire protection systems, several committee members are in favor of including them in the standard.

 

ESFR Research
Garner Palenske, Associate Principal : Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
This presentation documents the latest progress in resolving the most important issue in storage fire protection, obstruction of Early Suppression Fast Response Sprinklers (ESFR). Obstructions created by structural members, lighting, or cable trays, can affect the ability of the ESFR sprinkler to achieve fire suppression. ESFR sprinkler obstruction sensitivity however, was mostly unknown. The requirements found in the current edition of NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinklers, have created hardship in application. Acknowledging the importance of this issue, NFPA’s research affiliate, the Fire Protection Research Foundation, embarked on a multi-year testing program. The fourth, and possibly final phase of the project, was completed in spring of 2019. The author will showcase the results of recent testing which explores the relationship between ESFR performance and various obstruction scenarios. Eight full-scale and 60 Actual Delivered Density (ADD) tests have been completed to date. This project is unique as ADD testing was used as a scoping tool to select appropriate full-scale testing scenarios. This approach has never been used before. Attendees will also see a preview of the proposed NFPA 13 code changes regarding the requirements for ESFR sprinklers and obstructions.

 

Contractor Services for You!
Mike Joanis, Director of Contractor Services : National Fire Sprinkler Association
As the new Director of Contractor Services for NFSA, Mike Joanis will share with attendees the new initiatives that NFSA is planning to provide service to our Contractor Members. A great time for you to offer suggestions as well! .

 

2:30-3:45pm

 

Training Millennials
Jim Lake
Description coming soon

 

Shane Ray Unplugged
Shane Ray, President : National Fire Sprinkler Association
Visit with NFSA President Shane Ray and find out the latest happenings across the nation. This is your chance to ask Shane questions and learn how you can get involved in NFSA! You know it’ll be interactive, and you know you’ll learn something new! #fastestwater in action happens every single day…. and leading the team is NFSA President Shane Ray. This is your opportunity to spend some quality time with him!

 

Evaluating Storage Protection Under Sloped Ceilings
Wes Baker, Staff Vice President, Sr. Engineering Technical Specialist : FM Global Research – Engineering Standards Group
FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 2-0, Installation Guidelines for Automatic Sprinklers, and NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, both limit the installation of quick-response, pendent Storage sprinklers under ceilings with slope to a maximum inclination of 2 in 12. A project was initiated by the Fire Protection Research Foundation to gain a better understanding of potential sprinkler operation protecting storage when installed under a sloped ceiling. For this protect, computer modeling was initially used to determine the heat flow pattern from a theoretical storage fire in the presence of both unobstructed and obstructed ceilings to determine the expected sprinkler operation patterns in the absence of water discharge. This modeling was then used to determine the test parameters for full-scale fire testing with sloped ceilings. This presentation will discuss the parameters used in both the computer modeling and the full-scale fire testing as well as discuss the results of the testing and how it will potentially be used to update the current installation guidelines in Data Sheet 2-0 of Storage sprinklers in the presence of sloped ceilings.

 

Cost Conscious Decisions
Richard Armellino, Vice President : A & F Fire Protection Co., Inc.
The presentation is geared towards the Leadership or Business aspect of the business. The main focus is how cost conscious decisions play a role in running a successful business but there is a need to reinvest in growth. Richard will address the technical accounting methods and practices that can be used to help solidify the business and then address areas of growth potential. He will specifically discuss the increased costs of fabrication, intrinsic costs of labor and HR, and then how safety can impact financial stability within the business and construction as a whole. Finally, Richard will discuss trends in successful construction business practice and how to apply productivity analysis, customer requests, and employee needs to stabilize the business before we face economic woe.

 

4:00-5:15pm

 

History of Corrosion in NFPA 13
Jim McHugh, President : AGF Manufacturing Inc.
Corrosion in sprinkler systems can leave systems inoperable and people and property at risk. Corrosion and the prevention of corrosion have gradually changed with each edition of NFPA 13. This presentation will review the evolution of code to better address corrosion and provide current solutions to keep systems operational.

 

Water Supplies: The Importance of Water Supply Assessment in the Era of Aging Infrastructure
Jeff Brassel, Consultant : Nationwide Insurance
Description coming soon

 

Maximizing the Relationship Between the Contractor and Engineer
Melisa Rodriguez, Director of Fire Protection Engineering : LEO A DALY
Highlights the roles and responsibilities between the contractor and the engineer and how that changes with different project types. It will help attendees understand what decisions should be the responsibility of the engineer and what is to be managed by the contractor and will review the document published by the NSPE that was a joint collaboration between them, the SFPE and NICET to better define the roles of the engineer and the designer on projects.

 

Update from NFPA (Tentative)
Matt Klaus
Description coming soon

6:30-8:00am	Continental Breakfast	Exhibit Tabletops
7:00am-3:00pm	Registration
7:00-8:15am	Early Bird Workshops	Tech Top 5 – Cary Webber
		Exterior Fire Protection Systems – Mark Fessenden
		NFPA 13, 2022 Edition: What's New – Bill Koffel
		Concrete Anchoring Systems – Alex Schickling
8:30-11:00am	General Session
11:00am-12:00pm	Lunch	Exhibit Tabletops
12:00-5:00pm	Common Voices Golf Classic
	Evening On Your Own

Session Presentations

 

7:00-8:15am

 

Tech Top 5
Cary Webber, Director of Technical Services : Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co.
A smart phone based interactive application will be used to quiz participants on frequently asked questions in the top (5) categories of questions received by our technical service department. Technical discussion and best practice discussion will follow each question.

 

Exterior Fire Protection Systems
Mark Fessenden : Johnson Controls
Exposure Protection Systems: In this presentation we will discuss the Fire Protection Challenges associated with exterior fires and fire protection systems designed to address these challenges. We will also look at how automatic sprinklers can be used to provide equivalency to a fire ratings for interior windows.

 

NFPA 13, 2022 Edition – What’s New
William Koffel, President : Koffel Associates, Inc.
The session will provide an overview of changes that are contained in the First Draft Report of NFPA 13-2022. The more significant changes will be identified and the rationale for the changes will be explained. Some of the Public Input that was not accepted will also be discussed since there may be Public Comments on those items.

 

Concrete Anchoring Systems
Alex Schickling : Dewalt
Alex will present a hands on anchor training. This will be geared towards engineers/designers/contractors. The focus will be to help engineers/designers understand advantages and disadvantages of various types of concrete anchors and challenges the contractor will go through installing them. Additionally, it will help contractors understand why engineers/designers pick specific anchors for specific types of applications. This presentation has been very popular as it lets people understand concrete anchors better, as well as what people on the other side of the drawings are going through. As a bonus, people always enjoy getting hands on with tools.

6:30-8:00am	Continental Breakfast	Exhibit Tabletops
7:00am-12:00pm	Registration
7:00-8:15am	Early Bird Workshops	Business Economics – Gene Marks
		3D Laser Building Scanning – Zarko Ognjenovic
		NFPA 909 Historical and Cultural Properties – Mark Hopkins
		NFPA 13R 2020 Code Changes – Pete Schwab
8:30-11:00am	General Session
11:00am-2:00pm	Contractor's Forum (includes lunch)
	Afternoon on your own
6:00-9:00pm	Awards Banquet

Session Presentations

 

7:00-8:15am

 

Business Economics
Gene Marks, Owner : Marks Group PC
Gene has written 5 books on business management, specifically geared towards small and medium sized companies. His most recent is In God We Trust, Everyone Else Pays Cash.
Through his keynotes and breakout sessions, Gene helps business owners, executives and managers understand the political, economic and technological trends that will affect their companies and—most importantly—the actions they can take to continue to grow and profit.

 

3D Laser Building Scanning
Zarko Ognjenovic, Professional Engineer : Milton J Wood Fire Protection
The use of Laser Scanners to survey and 3D model the existing facility (e.g warehouse or industrial complex) for the purposes of designing a new sprinkler system for it, then describe the process of transferring the spk. system design model into fabrication output and also into laser based set-out tool that will facilitate laying out the exact locations of piping, hangers, sprinklers, etc in the field for the purpose of faster, more precise and therefore more economical installation. Also, describe and illustrate with actual scans how the laser scanner can be used to survey existing sprinkler systems (say for the purposes of performing engineering analysis of the system’s adequacy for the protected property), and also for capturing the as-built condition before demobilizing. With multiple slides with actual before and after scan images and “walking through the scan model” videos. All this is intended to show where our industry is, or should be going!

 

NFPA 909 Historical and Cultural Properties
Mark Hopkins, VP of Engineering : National Fire Sprinkler Association
NFPA 909 Requirements for Cultural Properties Seeing fires at the Notre Dame, Shuri Castle, Brazil’s National Museum and other historical/culturally significant properties is devastating to say the least. NFPA 909 provides protection requirements for museums, libraries and other cultural properties in a wholistic manner. The document requires fire prevention, active fire protection systems, passive fire protection features, and considerations for resiliency and salvage planning. When applied, it imposes additional requirements for fire alarm, detection, security, and fire suppression systems beyond what is minimally required by building and fire codes which will impact cost and schedule. Contractors and designers of these systems need to function as part of the team assembled by the facility operators. Understanding roles and responsibilities is necessary to manage expectations. Communicating effectively will ensure successful projects in these facilities. This program will discuss issues effecting contractors and engineers working in these types of facilities.

 

NFPA 13R 2020 Code Changes
Pete Schwab, VP of Engineering : Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers Inc.
This course will focus on the relationship between NFPA 13R and the Building Code.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

1. Understand the progression of breezeway/ corridor protection as it relates to NFPA 13R and the building code
2. Identify the changes to allowable building height because of the massive fire (1/21/2015 Edgewater New Jersey)
3. Understand the concept of mixed occupancies and how they relate to use of NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R.
4. Indicate the changes made to NFPA 13R in regards to the scope of the document
5. Identify conclusions and changes brought about by the 2016 NFPA 13R workshop.
6. Understand the height and area table rules from the IBC that pertain to NFPA 13R.
7. Identify major upcoming changes to NFPA 13R.