FCIA E-Newsletter May 16, 2013
FCIA Platinum Members
 
FCIA's Program Committee is excited to announce the location of the FCIA FIC Nov. 5 - 8, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, Albuquerque, NM.
The Hyatt Tamaya offers fantastic cultural and recreation events, is near the Albuquerque art district and close to the fun town of Sante Fe. It's only a 35-minute train ride to Albuquerque ($3/for day pass) and one hour to Sante Fe ($6/day pass). Plus, there's the Santa Ana Star Casino within 5 minutes on a free bus from the Hyatt for gaming fun. Whether it's horseback riding, running on trails, or taking a 20-minute Sandia Peak Tramway for a breathtaking view of Albuquerque, you won't want to miss the FIC!
FCIA special room rates are $109 + taxes for a single or double. We'll have FCIA's traditional Ray Usher Golf Outing for Scholarships, the FCIA Tabletop Trade Show, and of course fantastic education, plus much more. Watch FCIA.org for details and registration.
The beautiful Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa
The annual FCIA Education and Committee Action Conference in
Denver, CO April 30-May 4, was packed with firestopping education and dedicated FCIA Committee Members.
Several Committees met including Accreditation, Marketing, Membership, and Program, plus Task Groups for Canada, International and Inspection/Inspectors. Others reported during the conference including Code, Standards and Apprenticeship. FCIA Committees strategized about how to continue expansion of FCIA Programs in North America and around the world. Watch for Committee Updates posted to FCIA.org soon.
FCIA Executive Director Bill McHugh and attendees at FCIA's ECA
At the FCIA ECA Committee Meetings, the FCIA Program Committee discussed several program content ideas for the FCIA Firestop Industry Conference and Trade Show in Albuquerque, NM. They want to hear from you - the FCIA Membership. A quick, easy (and anonymous) survey will be sent out next week. We look forward to learning what programs are most important to you.
Nearly 4 million businesses have received forms for the 2012 Economic
Census, the U.S. Government's official five-year measure of American business and the economy. Businesses that were mailed a form, but have not responded to this mandatory survey, will be receiving a letter or phone call from the U.S. Census Bureau in the days and weeks ahead.
Firestopping is listed in the Federal Register under code number 238310. (Firestop Products are not listed, just the service of installing Firestopping.) Fill out the 2012 Economic Census forms using the links below. The Census needs to hear from the Firestop Contractor Industry. It's not too late to respond!
• Get help with forms and report online at: econhelp.census.gov
• Learn more about the Economic Census: business.census.gov
Don't miss the National Fire Protection Association's Conference & Expo at McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL. The Expo exhibit hall is free and registration is required. Stop by FCIA's Booth #1273. Earn valuable CEUs to maintain FM 4991 or UL/ULC DRI Status by attending the Conference for a fee. At the paid education sessions, hear the latest from experts including FCIA Code Consultant and Member Bill Koffel, Koffel Assoc. and FCIA Executive Director Bill McHugh. The "Bills'" education session titled, "Fire and Smoke Barrier Continuity & Firestopping" is set for Monday, June 10 at 9:30 a.m.
Top 10 reasons to attend NFPA Conference & Expo.
Register for the conference today!
FCIA's Marketing Committee has represented FCIA Members at the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE) Conferences for many years, presenting FCIA Member Specialty Firestop Contractors' value to healthcare organizations. ASHE's Annual Conference dates are July 21-24, 2013 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA. If you're coming to ASHE, stop by FCIA Booth #437. Make sure to register - see registration page for fee structure.
FCIA Exhibits at ASHE in Atlanta, GA
This year's CONSTRUCT/CSI-Annual Convention 2013, Sept. 24-27, is at
the brand new Music City Center, in Nashville, TN. Through the FCIA Exhibit, FCIA Members will have direct exposure to and connection with commercial building teams that specify specialty firestop contractors, inspection agencies, and more. Registration will open this summer. More to come!
CONSTRUCT is at the Music City Center
in Nashville, TN.
The International Fire Code, Energy Conservation Code, Existing Building Code, Residential Codes and Administrative sections of the Building Code were heard in Dallas April 21-29.
The Healthcare Industry had several code proposals for the Fire Code (F) developed by an Ad hoc Committee of both the American Society of Healthcare Engineers and ICC's Building Official and Fire Marshal Members.
Of interest were F212, EB26 and others. The Ad hoc Committee's objective was to allow a healthcare facility to maintain fire resistance as if it were a new building by upgrading fire protection features including a sprinkler system throughout the building. The ICC Fire Code Committee accepted EB26 which has requirements in addition to a sprinkler system. Likely, a public comment will be submitted mandating a look at the many fire and smoke protection features needed for a safe building in addition to a sprinkler system.
A session at the ICC Code Hearings
FCIA was again invited to participate at the UL Annual Meeting and 100th Anniversary Fire Council Meetings in Wheeling, IL May 5-8. We met some new friends and spoke to high level building officials, local and state fire marshals and UL's upper management team.
While at the International Accreditation Services (IAS) Board Meeting, we heard from building code officials that permit applications seem to be picking up strongly. The hard part for our building code official friends is that they laid off staff in the downturn. Now, volumes of work are reportedly back to 2007 levels.
FCIA Members Ken Slama and Randy Perry, plus Executive Director Bill McHugh will speak at Construction Specifications Canada May 24 on Firestopping and the importance of the DIIM. We'll focus on the program from the 'Inside Out'. The IIM of Firestopping is first, followed by D. Proper Designed, Installed, Inspected and Maintained Firestopping provides reliable fire and life safety.
FCIA's Executive Director Bill McHugh represents FCIA at this important code development process for NFPA 101 and 5000. Discussions on convenience openings, water washed assemblies, firestopping and more will be debated as
a committee. Look for a report in the next FCIA Enews.
FCIA has been working with Members promoting the FCIA DIIM Philosophy. In the UAE and Qatar, the members have modified DIIM a bit. They believed that the 'c' 'Coordination', is needed: DcIIMM. The extra 'M' is for Management. Maintenance and Management have been added to the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code due to FICA Member involvement. FCIA Members make the 'DcIIMM' work for the UAE, Qatar.
With over 90 delegates at the FCIA Educational Symposium in Doha, Qatar, speakers from UL, FM Approvals, FCIA, Specified Technologies and HILTI provided the DcIIMM Story to the building code enforcement officials, petroleum and healthcare industries. In Abu Dhabi, FCIA Members participated in the Symposium, Education and wrote the FM or UL Firestop Exams. In Muscat, Oman, we spoke at the 'Fire Safe Oman' Symposium promoting FCIA Members in the Middle East. We also met new friends from Europe too.
UL's Romnish Kapoor speaks at the
Abu Dhabi DIIM Symposium
FCIA would like to thank all current members for their continued support over the years. As we look ahead to the balance of 2013, it is clear that the organization is moving forward in the right direction! Below are the new members that have been recently added to the FCIA family.
FCIA New Contractor Members
• HGM Ingenieria y Proyectos, SA de CV - Mexico City, Mexico
• Ingenium Specialty Services Inc. - Burlington, ON
• Manganaro Midatlantic LLC - Beltsville, MD
• Pacific Firestop - Grand Forks, ND
• Valley Interior Systems - Columbus, OH
• Vancouver Island Firestopping Services Ltd. - Victoria, BC
• Western Partitions, Inc. - Tigard, OR
• Zerodraft Calgary - Calgary, AB
FCIA New International Contractor Members
• E.M.C.C. LLC - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Insulation Dynamics Trading & Contracting Co. WLL - Doha, Qatar
Comment on FCIA’s Facebook and LinkedIn!
FCIA is on Facebook and LinkedIn! Join us!
 
Best wishes for a safe, successful Spring construction season.
Bill McHugh, FCIA Executive Director
Platinum Level Sponsor
FCIA Manufacturer Members
Gold Level Sponsor
FCIA Manufacturer Member
FCIA Silver Level Sponsor
FCIA Manufacturer Members:
Bronze Level Sponsor
FCIA Manufacturer Members
EMSEAL, LTD
Intumescent Technologies
RectorSeal
© Copyright FCIA May 16, 2013. Permission is hereby granted to forward, print, circulate, and quote with credit to FCIA. FCIA is a nonprofit organization of Firestop Contractors, Contractor Branch Offices, Manufacturers and Associate Members interested in furthering life safety through the Professional Specialty Firestop Contractor Concept.
For more information, contact the FCIA Office:
Bill McHugh, Executive Director – 4415 W. Harrison St., #436, Hillside, IL 60162
Phone: 708-202-1108 ~ Fax: 708-449-0837 ~ Email: info@fcia.org ~ Website: www.fcia.org
|
