Highlights
- FCIA Firestop Industry Conference & Trade Show
- UL Qualified Firestop Contractor Program Announcement
- Standards and Code Meetings
- FCIA Elections
- Call for Committee Volunteers…
FCIA 2006 Firestop Industry Conference & Trade Show - FCIA’s Firestop Industry Conference & Trade Show has new announcements for the specialty firestop and effective compartmentation contractor:
- NEW UL QUALIFIED FIRESTOP CONTRACTOR PROGRAM EXCLUSIVE ANNOUNCEMENT & DRI TESTING – Betsy Titus will introduce the new Firestop Contractor Program at FCIA’s Firestop Industry Conference in Charleston, SC on Wednesday, November 8, 2006. UL DRI Testing is offerred both Wednesday and Friday….
- FM 4991 UPDATE & TESTING – FM 4991 is growing nationwide…with specs appearing on about 40% of projects, and being held about 10% of the time. Hear Jeff Gould present how FM has been improving the program for fire and life safety protection.
- NEW FCIA FIRESTOP APPRENTICESHIP WORKER PROGRAM – Bob Hasting, Specialty Firestop Systems rolls out this new initiative. A new State Apprenticeship Program has started…don’t miss this important initiative.
Plus, learn about code change hearings from leaders like Bert Polk, former South Carolina State Fire Marshal and currently with the National Association of State Fire Marshals’, FCIA’s Code Consultant, Bill Koffel, George Mills from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, (JCAHO) plus other industry leaders.
Don’t forget the Ray Usher Memorial Golf Outing, tabletop displays are featured plus excellent education speakers. And, meet firestop contractors, firestopping and compartmentation inspectors and consultants, manufacturers, distributors and manufacturers reps from around the United States and Canada….
Plus, join FCIA in Charleston, SC to take your UL and FM DRI Exam or DRI Renewal as well….
FCIA at ASTM – FCIA’s Randy Bosscawen and Bill McHugh attended ASTM Meetings in Atlanta, GA, October 19 & 20, 2006, to work on the ASTM Inspector Qualifications Standard that could compliment the ASTM E 2174 Standard for On-Site Inspection of Fire Stops & ASTM E 2393, Standard for On-Site Inspection of Fire Resistive Joint Systems. The group, consisting of firestopping manufacturers, firestopping inspectors / consultants firestop contractors agreed that the qualifications of the inspector may be better served as part of ASTM E 2174 and ASTM E 2393 rather than a separate standard. FCIA will ballot the proposal to put inspector qualifications into these standards to improve quality of fire and life safety in the next few weeks.
FCIA at ICC Code Hearings – The International Code Council held round one of the code change process with hearings in Orlando, FL, Sept. 17 – Oct. 3. FCIA submitted code changes last March for the 2006/2007 code change cycle. FCIA presented these code changes on Compartmentation, while speaking in support of the International Firestop Council, National Association of State Fire Marshals and other groups changes as well.
FCIA’s goals at the hearings were:
- Compartmentation – Educate about Effective Compartmentation as a credible fire protection strategy.
- Introduce the concept that Proper Design, Installation, Inspection and Maintenance means Effective Compartmentation and Firestopping will perform when called upon.
- Tested Systems by FCIA Manufacturer Members
- Installed by FCIA Member, Qualified Contractors
- Inspected by qualified FCIA Member firestop inspectors
- Maintained by FCIA Member Contractors
- Systems – Add the concept of “Systems" to the Firestopping section of the code. In Firestopping, our world is Systems. The International Building Code should reflect what takes place in the real world.
- Promote the Specialty Firestop Contractor Concept and Professional Inspection
Although we had only one code change approved by the committee, FCIA was successful getting the message out to building officials and fire marshals. Of particular note was a code change from the National Association of State Fire Marshals to reinstate fire resistance rated corridors in most all occupancies…which would bring compartmentation back into these important egress areas for fire and life safety. FCIA presented statistics to support this change, showing that both effective compartmentation and sprinklers produced the incredible fire safety in buildings. Come to the FCIA Firestop Industry Conference to hear more about our code changes.
FCIA 2007 Elections – Voting Contractor Members, look for a FCIA Board of Directors election packet with Director Candidate Profiles via email later this week. Director candidates will present why they are running and why you should vote for them on Thursday morning, Nov. 9, 2006 at the Firestop Industry Conference. Voting can take place in Charleston during the conference before Thursday at 3pm, or via FAXBACK form prior to November 3.
FCIA Call for Volunteers – FCIA’s Committees are filled with volunteer leaders from the association who donate their time and talent and give back to the industry. Their commitment to participate via teleconferences, face to face meetings, and email has helped FCIA get where it is today. Email Don Murphy, FCIA 2006 President (don@ppmifirestop.com), or Mike Dominguez 2006 Vice President, (firestopmike34@yahoo.com), or Bill McHugh (bill@fcia.org) with your interest. FCIA Contractor, Manufacturer and Associate Members are welcome to participate on committees.
See you at the FCIA Firestop Industry Conference and Trade Show, Charleston SC next week!
Bill McHugh, FCIA Executive Director for Bob LeClair & Scott Rankin, FCIA Program Chairs
Bill McHugh, FCIA Executive Director
© Copyright FCIA 10/30/06 - Permission is hereby granted to forward, print, circulate, quote with credit to FCIA. FCIA is a non profit organization of Firestop Contractors, Contractor Branch Offices, Manufacturers and Associate Members interested in furthering life safety through the Specialty Firestop Contractor Concept. For more information, contact the
FCIA Office
Bill McHugh, Executive Director
4415 W. Harrison St.
Hillside, IL 60162
Phone: (708) 202-1108
Fax: (708) 449-0837
Email: info@fcia.org
Website: www.fcia.org