THE HISTORY OF THE NATIONAL FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION

by John A. Viniello, President, NFSA

On the 22nd of November, 1905, 58 years prior to the death of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, three specialty contractors met in St. Louis, Missouri, to organize the National Automatic Sprinkler Contractors Association. John Moore of General Fire Extinguishing Company, W.G. Allen of Niagara Sprinkler Company, and George M. Myers of Standard Fire Extinguishing Company, were the founding fathers of what is now the National Fire Sprinkler Association. The minutes of that historic meeting set out the objectives of the Association as spelled out in their by-laws: “To promote and improve the methods of fire protection, the discussion and consideration of all such matters as may be of general interest to the welfare, progress, and building up of the automatic sprinkler equipment business including all rules and regulations which have been, or may hereafter be, promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association and for the purpose of carrying out and obeying such rules and regulations as may be adopted and required by such association. And also to discuss and adopt such rules and regulations as will give to the public the best service possible. Also to adopt such measures as will produce the best and most satisfactory equipment and give to the public the highest standard of fire protection that can be afforded by such systems. And further to take all necessary steps towards ascertaining and carrying out the laws of the country, that in any way affect the automatic sprinkler equipment business. And to adopt all other lawful measures that may be deemed necessary and proper to promote and protect the best interests of the Association.

In addition, a committee of two, George M. Myers and W. G. Allen, was appointed to confer with the Sprinkler Fitters and Helpers Union #268 U.A. of St. Louis to effect some settlement, if possible, as regards the wages to be paid for a term of one year. The identity of the sprinkler industry was born. Even today, sprinkler contractors are recognized as unique specialty contractors, apart from plumbers and steam fitters, whose primary purpose is the competent installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems.

At 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon of May 6, 1914, at the Congress Hotel in the City of Chicago, the National Automatic Sprinkler Contractors Association changed its name to the National Automatic Sprinkler Association, and I. G. Hoagland was appointed Secretary of the Association at a salary of $4,000 per year. Over the next several years, a number of standing committees were formed and membership grew. While negotiation of labor contracts played a prominent part in the Association’s activities, committees were established to work with Underwriters Laboratories and the National Fire Protection Association.

In 1944, the same year the allies invaded Normandy, General Fire Extinguisher Company was renamed Grinnell Corporation and the Association added “and Fire Control” to its name signifying the scope of jurisdiction of work to include “non-water fixed” systems. In 1947, the National Automatic Sprinkler & Fire Control Association formed the Fact Finding Committee (now the Engineering and Standards Committee) with Ira Knight of Grinnell as its first chairman.

In 1952, a young industrial relations executive with background in the steel, textile, and paper industries, was hired as the Association’s Executive Director. For the next 26 years, under the leadership of Raymond J. Casey, the Association’s sphere of influence throughout the fire protection community grew by leaps and bounds. A visionary, who recognized the importance of preserving the industry’s identity through its relationships with organized labor, he also hired Edward J. Reilly, who became “Mr. Sprinkler” in the building code arena, and Richard D. Sullivan to augment the labor staff. The first field representative, the prototype of our present Regional Managers, was hired in 1961 in Los Angeles. Ray Casey recognized the need to develop markets by orchestrating the Association’s work in building codes and to improve standards by enhancing staff technical capabilities. In 1973, the staff was expanded. John A. Viniello was named Assistant Director of Codes and Standards, Maurice D. Bernier was hired to assist in the negotiation of labor contracts, and Frank Riseden was named Regional Representative for the Southwest. In 1974, the Association was reorganized to form separate Contractors and Manufacturers Councils under the Board of Directors, and the Association’s field program was expanded to service the growing contractor membership. In 1975, Russell P. Fleming, a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was hired to improve the association’s technical capabilities. The modern era had begun.

In 1978, Edward J. Reilly was elected President, the Engineering Development and Credentials Committee was formed to develop a mechanism for recognition of qualified industry technicians, and Michael J. Friedman, a contractor from Baltimore, was named chairman. On July 22, 1981, at a Board of Directors meeting at the Antler Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Director Joe Wiginton from Florida requested that the Contractors Council approve a recommendation of an Independent Apprenticeship Committee to involve the National Automatic Sprinkler and Fire Control Association in developing sprinkler fitter training curriculum for open shop contractors. After a general discussion, a motion to this effect was seconded and by a vote of 9-1 was defeated by the Contractors Council. In the same year, the American Fire Sprinkler Association was formed to serve the same function.

In 1983 the Association changed its name to the National Fire Sprinkler Association, and additional classes of membership were created. During the early 1980’s, a recession that affected the sprinkler industry forced the Association to reduce staff and field personnel. In 1984, John A. Viniello was elected President. During the balance of the 1980’s, the Association gained strength financially, increased membership, and additional staff members were hired. Robert L. McLeod and Gene Endthoff joined the Association in 1984 as Regional Managers for the Southeast and Midwest respectively. Residential and quick response sprinklers were developed by manufacturers, and a technological explosion hit the sprinkler industry. While the Association strengthened itself financially and “alternate revenue streams were developed,” additional staff positions were created to better serve the industry. An overall mission statement was developed and the Association truly became the engine which drove the fire sprinkler market.

NFSA CODE OF ETHICS

The members of the National Fire Sprinkler Association recognize that their work has a direct, as well as indirect, impact on the quality of life for all humanity. Accordingly, they all subscribe to a Code of Ethics requiring the highest principles of ethical conduct.  To view the complete text of the Code in PDF format, click on the link below.
NFSA Code of Ethics

ORGANIZATION OF NFSA
NFSA By-Laws

NFSA Mission Statement

“To protect lives and property from fire through the wide-spread acceptance of the fire sprinkler concept.” 

NFSA Board of Directors

The NFSA Board of Directors has oversight responsibilities of all Association activities. The Board establishes policy which is implemented by the Association staff. Sprinkler contractors who are members of the Contractors Council (13) serve on the NFSA’s Board of Directors. The Sprinkler Manufacturers Council has seven representatives, and the Supplier and Manufacturers (SAM) Council has one representative. The NFSA President is also a member of the Board of Directors.

NFSA Chapters

The NFSA is divided into Chapters throughout the United States. The NFSA Chapters elect their own officers and deal with issues affecting the sprinkler industry within their respective regions. One of the model Chapters is the State Association in Florida which, in 1994, conducted a pilot program and became a fully authorized Chapter of NFSA in 1995.

NFSA Departments

Labor Relations 

Hired in 2005 in advance of Neil Cahill’s retirement from the position of Vice-President of Labor Relations in mid-2007, Al Gettler now heads up the NFSA Labor Relations Department as Vice President of Industrial Relations. He is supported by Fred Barall, Vice President of Labor Relations and James Lynch, Director of Labor Relations. Collectively, they negotiate labor contracts with sprinkler fitter locals throughout the United States on behalf of the members who have designated NFSA as their Bargaining Agent.  This operating division of the Association is paid for by union contractors as part of a Contract Administration Fund that is negotiated as a separate article in the various Collective Bargaining Agreements throughout the United States. Dues from other classes of NFSA membership are not used to support the labor function.

Engineering 

The NFSA engineering staff is unmatched in personnel and ability in its services to the fire sprinkler industry with three Professional Engineers currently on staff: Russell P. Fleming, P.E. Executive Vice President, Kenneth E. Isman, P.E. Vice President of Engineering, Victoria B. Valentine, P.E. Director of Product Standards and Cecil Bilbo, who is NICET Level IV certified. The NFSA is internationally known and widely recognized as the preeminent spokesperson on technical issues for the sprinkler industry.  The department coordinates the NFSA representation on the committees that write the standards and codes that affect the fire sprinkler industry.  The members of the department assist the NFSA members in the application of these codes to specific situations and provide training and education to keep everyone in the industry familiar with the most recent changes to these codes and standards.

Training and Education 

Bob Treiber is NFSA’s Director of Training & Education. Based in Ohio, Bob heads up NFSA’s training and education efforts. Over the years, this department has created programs that have developed into major revenue streams for the Association. Bob is supported by NFSA’s National Training Manager, John Corso. Through their efforts and those of other staff members, NFSA has become widely known as the teacher of sprinkler topics throughout the sprinkler world.

Regional Operations 

Buddy Dewar, Director of Regional Operations, manages the regional operations network of Regional Managers – staff whose role is that of responding to grass root needs.  Regional Operations’ primary focus is on creating new markets, protecting existing markets, and improving the business environment within the thirteen NFSA regions.  This is the very heart of NFSA operations in serving the membership at the local level as diverse issues and solutions exist throughout these thirteen regions.  NFSA is committed to expanding its team of Regional Managers and providing even greater service to sprinkler contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers.

Public Fire Protection 

James F. Dalton, Director of Public Fire Protection, has been a member of the NFSA team since 1993. He is NFSA’s principle representative on the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, an organization dedicated to broadening public awareness through education to the benefits of residential sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes.  He has been very active in meeting with so-called non-traditional groups in an effort to expand the sprinkler market. Architects, engineers, specification writers, the National Association of Home Builders, the League of Cities, the Conference of Mayors, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the National Association of State Fire Marshals, to name a few, are groups with which Jim has had an active liaison with. He is supported by Associate Directors of Public Fire Protection Vickie Pritchett and Shane Ray who have both worked successfully in the formation of a fire sprinkler advocacy group known as “Common Voices.”

Internet Services

In recognition of the growing importance of the Association's activities on the internet, in January 2001, the Internet Services department was established.  The department supports the technical aspects of the Association's on-line seminars, its internal computer and telephone operations and maintains the NFSA web site at www.nfsa.org.  Jim Murphy serves as the Director of the department.

Communications

David J. Vandeyar, who serves as Editor of NFSA’s flagship publication, SQ, is NFSA’s Director of Communications. David coordinates his efforts with the other departments and is the Association’s voice for press releases and media communications. He is supported by Deborah Somers, Communications & Events Manager; Joanne Genadio, Publications and Advertising Coordinator; and Michael Repko, Database Coordinator.

Membership

In 2006, membership was separated from the Membership & Communications department to become a separate department within the organization. David Vandeyar continued as head of the Communications department and Karyn Hudgens was hired to fill the position of Director of Membership. Karyn works closely with all departments in the development of membership recruitment and retention programs and coordinates with regional operations to form new NFSA Chapters.

NFSA Future