Wow, What a Conference!! - The FCIA Firestop Industry Conference in Nashville, November was a big success. Over 90 Conference attendees participated in FCIA Committee Meetings, received presentations and education from industry leaders in addition to the fun of Nashville's Opryland Hotel, and the FCIA Golf Tournament. In an economy where most associations convention attendance is down significantly, FCIA's 2002 program was even with 2001's performance..... a real positive sign about the health of your association.
FCIA Elections - Before and during the Conference, voting was taking place for three new directors. Tom Hottenroth, (Firestop Solutions, Holbrook, NY), Roger McKenzie (McKenzie Insulation, Inc., Acworth, GA) and Bob Patton, (FireSafe Systems, Inc., Meridan, CT). They replace three founding "steering committee" FCIA members; Aedan Gleeson, FCIA's first President, (Gleeson Powers, Inc.), Don Murphy, Director, (PPMI Firestop, Inc.) and Mel Tabor, (Tabor Insulation, Inc.) Treasurer and FCIA's accountant for the past four years. FCIA has much talent depth as shown by our new leadership on the Board of Directors. Best wishes to both outgoing and incoming board members.
FCIA Committee Meetings - FCIA Committees met Wednesday afternoon. The Marketing, Education and Technical Committees all discussed dates to convene for maintenance of existing and production of new FCIA Programs. Additionally, leaders of FCIA and IFC met to discuss how we can work together on issues common to both organizations. Watch the FCIA website, and E-Newsletter for reports and announcements in the next few weeks. As FCIA President Elect, Scott Rankin, PyroStop, LLC stated Thursday Night at the banquet, "We need to focus on what we can do for our industry through FCIA involvement. The investment in volunteer time will payback tenfold, if we are willing to give something to our industry". Join a FCIA Committee now! To find out what's going on in committees, check our their reports, https://www.fcia.org/committees.php .
FCIA Seminar Sessions - FCIA Education sessions were high quality, with information valuable to attendees businesses. Highlights included programs on:
- Package your firm to reduce Insurance Costs - by Robert Larsen
- FM 4991 Approval Program (Aedan Gleeson, Gleeson Powers, Inc) & ASTM E 2174 (Don Sabrsula, FireSafe of Houston)
- FM 4991 Quality Control Manuals (Jeff Gould, FM Approvals) Jeff also conducted a "FM 4991 DRI Study Session", before the DRI Exam.
- Code Update - (Bill Koffel, Koffel Associates, FCIA Code Consultant)
- Passive Fire Protection Panel - with John Butler, Georgia State Planning Commission, Ken Hercenberg, RTKL Associates, V.J. Bella, Fire Marshal, State of Louisiana, Chris Spencer, FM Approvals and Rich Walke, UL.
- Public Relations Campaign - Al Paul Lefton Public Relations presented a program on passive fire protection that roused interest by the whole FCIA Member group in attendance at the meeting.
- The Intumescent Fireproofing Business - Carboline Company (Chris Little, John Swindlehurst) presented the intricacies of this complicated business to the FCIA Membership.
- Perimeter Fire Protection Issues - Jim Shriver, Thermafiber, LLC and Ray Usher, SUPERL, Inc. presented issues important to the Firestopping Contractor with Perimeter Fire Protection Systems.
FCIA Firestop Industry Conference Presentations - FCIA Presentation handouts are available on the FCIA website. Below is the link to the presentation handouts available to date. Check the website frequently as articles will continue to be added. FCIA Firestop Industry Conference Presentation Handout Link - https://www.fcia.org/articles.htm
FCIA Industry Golf Tournament - FCIA President Elect Scott Rankin (PyroStop, LLC) delivered a gorgeous golf day (no wind, 65F) for 33 players in the Firestop Industry Golf Tournament. Rumor has it that Ray Usher (SUPERL, Inc.) Mel Tabor, (Tabor Insulation), Bob Meister and Denny Matz (3M Fire Protection Products) are still wandering the course looking for the clubhouse due to playing after dark! The tourney was very competitive with 3 players within 3 strokes of claiming the "Silver Caulk Gun" Trophy. Scott Rankin, winner this year, was presented the trophy at the Firestop Industry Banquet Thursday night by the winner in Denver, Tom Hottenroth, (Firestop Solutions).
FCIA Sponsors - FCIA Thanks it's sponsors who provided financial and promotional materials to our Firestop Industry Conference Attendees, in order of sponsorship occurred. Specified Technologies, Inc., (Breakfast) RectorSeal, Inc. (Break) , NUCO, Inc Self Seal Firestops, (Lunch, Golf Prizes) HILTI, Inc. (Golf Balls).
FCIA at Trade Shows in 2003 - CSI "Construct America Show & Convention" - FCIA will display with another organization, the International Firestop Council, (IFC) at this event, in Chicago, April 9-11, 2003. In addition to 15,000 architect, engineer, and facility managers, Standard & Poor's Chief Economist David A. Wyss, Ph.D., will be the April 9, 2003 keynote speaker. Additionally, FCIA will display with IFC at the NFPA Show in May, 2003, and the ICC Code Show, Fall 2003 to promote FCIA Programs. Contact Don Murphy, PPMI Firestop, Inc., 317.894.9111, if you are interested in working the booth for FCIA during the conventions.
IFC Invites FCIA Members for Presentation - A passive firestopping protection seminar being co-sponsored by the IFC and the Associated General Contractors of Colorado is being held on January 21, 2003 in Denver from 8:00 am to noon. Topics covered include: Firestop basics; plan review basics; inspection guidelines; understanding 3rd party tested systems. The cost to attend is $35. Register for the seminar with Lee Blum, AGC, 303-388-2422 lee@agccolorado.org . The Seminar will be held at the A.G.C. Training Center ~ 686 Mariposa St. ~ Denver, CO 80204 . Email a reply to this ENewsletter so Don Murphy and the FCIA Office can coordinate the FCIA Speaker for the program.
Best wishes from FCIA for a great Thanksgiving holiday.
-- Bill McHugh, FCIA Executive Director
Copyright FCIA 12/18/02. Permission is hereby granted to forward, print, circulate, quote with credit to FCIA.
FCIA is a non profit, volunteer organization of Firestop Contractors, Contractor Branch Offices, Manufacturers and Associate Members interested in furthering life safety through the Professional Specialty Firestop Contractor concept, (experience, value, expertise) and life safety in the industry. For more information, contact the
FCIA Office
1257 Golf Circle
Wheaton, IL 60187
630.690.0682 Phone
630.690.2871 FAX
Email: info@fcia.org
Website: www.fcia.org