NFSA Regional Page

Cranston, RI, 20 Apr 06- Several NFSA members and “not yet members” gathered for a second time this year and made a formal motion to establish the NFSA Rhode Island Chapter.

NFSA member Dave Smith of Aero-Mechanical will serve as Acting Chair and NFSA member Chris Lowen of Arden Engineering will serve as Acting Vice-Chair. By-Laws are being assembled as well as a dues schedule, applications, and meeting schedule which will then open the opportunity for a formal election of officers. A search will be on for NFSA members to serve as Secretary and Treasurer. A September and a November meeting are being planned at this time to finalize the details with the members.

Presently, meetings will be open to all members and “not yet members” in all areas of fire protection. There will be discussion as to a comfortable time line to promote the Chapter and the benefits of becoming a NFSA member to those that are not yet a national member.

After the tragic Station Nightclub fire and the soon following RI Fire Safety Act which upgraded the fire and life safety codes in Rhode Island, both in 2003, there has been many concerns regarding how codes are being interpreted and how variances or waivers may be establishing precedence in the State which affects our industry.

Other issues which lead to formation include training and enhanced networking among peers.

he web site address www.NFSARI.org has been obtained and the site is under construction. It is anticipated that the web site will be the focus point for information exchange with notices, copies of presentations, logging of meeting minutes and other advantages, including a private Q&A Forum for members and another open section for public Q&A and comments.

NFSA Asst. VP of Engineering, Ken Isman, PE attended as our guest speaker with a very informative presentation on changes in NFPA 13 for the 2007 edition and addressing an issue that came out of the previous meeting in RI regarding Alarm Test Valves on wet pipe systems covering the misnomer of “Inspector’s Test”, to be or not to be at the most remote point, what the true purpose is of the valve, plus disadvantages to a wet system having the valve at the most remote location.

Please contact Northeast Regional Manager Dominick Kass at 518.373.9392, Kass@NFSA.org or visit www.NFSARI.org “Comments” section.

Town of Brookhaven, Long Island Steps Up to The Plate and Hits One for the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act!"

Mr. Joseph Sauerwein, Deputy Commissioner of Building & Fire Prevention in the Town of Brookhaven, (Long Island) NY is a prime example of one's passionate belief in a cause. Through e-mails and various meetings, I conversed with Mr. Sauerwein, most recently at a NY State Codes Council meeting, regarding HR 1131 and SB 512 known as the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act.

Some weeks ago I had sent out to many fire and building officials in my Region a copy of a sample "Resolution" in support of the Act. Mr. Sauerwein was instantly moving forward with the sample Resolution and in a matter of days he contacted me that things were in place in Brookhaven and a few days later I received copies of a "Town of Brookhaven Resolution" to support HR 1131 and SB 512, as well as a directive to the Town Clerk to send a copy to both New York US Senators Schumer and Clinton, as well as the Brookhaven Representatives Israel, Ackerman, and Bishop. On top of all this a copy also was sent directly to President Bush!

Many thanks to the governing body of Brookhaven, NY and especially Mr. Joe Sauerwein for the fine example of leadership in government. This will assuredly have an impact and make your legislators take notice. I personally thank you as should anyone interested in fire and life safety.

NY State - Gov. Pataki has signed a "prompt pay" bill that imposes a 1% per month late payment penalty. Low income, 1-3 family housing, public works and WTC rebuilding will be exempt.
Photo of NYS Fire Demo Trailer at ABC-TV program, Good Morning America. Appearing with the trailer are Guy Swartwout, Erik Holter, Kristi McGarithy and John Gilmore.

Psychiatric Center Saved by Fire Sprinklers
Albany, NY- Sunday, 20 Feb 2005- At approximately 9 pm a fire spread from the outside of Unit K at the Capital District Psychiatric Center on New Scotland Rd. to the interior.

It has been reported that the fire’s point of origin was in a smoking area’s trash container. The fire grew to a proportion that it melted through shatter resistant window. The fire progressed as an interior fire into the kitchen as it caught a set of drapes on fire.

Three fire sprinklers halted the progression of or extinguished the fire until Albany Fire Dept units arrived. Local news that was on scene has attributed the save to the fire sprinklers.

NFSA Member SRI Fire Sprinkler Corp. of Central Ave. Albany, NY, owned by Don Deluca Sr., installed and services the fire sprinklers at CDPC.

In the smoky shadows of another Chicago tragedy, the New York media is picking up the pace in understanding where NYC high rises stand as to being fire sprinkled or retrofitting. The New York Sun interviewed me only hours before a near tragic residential high rise fire occurred in Queens on the early morning hours of 09 Dec.

The Sun was very interested in the recent passing of Local Law 26 in NYC giving 15 years to retrofit business (NYC Class J) occupancies above the 100 foot FD access level. The reporter even commented, "isn't that a long time"?

SunHRarticle1204.doc