NFSA The nation’s full service fire sprinkler industry

trade association:

Serves all Contractors - signatory and open shop.

Employees nationally renown and highly respected fire sprinkler and fire safety code experts.

Is leading and recognized as the leader of the fire sprinkler cause throughout the nation.

Brief History 1905 Organized by contractors to work with organized labor. 1940’s Formed the Fact Finding Committee (now the Engineering &

Standards Committee) to address changing technology. 1950’s Continued to negotiate labor contracts and participated in the

development of installation standards. 1960’s Became deeply involved in the Model Building Codes. 1970’s Added staff and became involved in the R & D of fast response

sprinkler technology. 1980’s Added Training & Education Department and increased the number

of Regional Managers to better serve members at “grass roots” level. 1990’s Growing of member services and created the Public Fire Protection

and Internet Service positions and a continued expansion of the Regional Manager network.

2000’s Representing the entire industry, the NFSA continues to be the #1 association for the Fire Sprinkler Industry.

Membership

ContractorsSignatory and Open Shop Membership

Man

ufac

ture

rs Suppliers

NFSAMembership

Representation

Professional Subscribers

How is NFSA Structured to serve its membership?

Regional Operations

Regional Operations Northeast

CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT.

D. LaFond

Pacific Northwest

AK, WA, OR, ID, MT

S. Mayr

MountainCO, UT, WY, NE

Eric Gleason

Great Lakes

MI, IN, OH, KY, WVRon Brown

North Central

ND, SD, MN, WI

D. Gengler

Great Southwest

HI, CA, AZ, NM, NV

B. Lecair

South Central

TX, OK, AR, LA

C. Giedraitis

Mid-Atlantic

PA, MD, DE, NJ, VA

R. Lonabaugh

Southeast

NC, SC, GA, AL, MS

TBA

Gulf Atlantic

FL, PR

L. Bush

10-31-2013

Tennessee

W. Waggoner

IllinoisB. Tinucci

New York

D. Kasmauskas

Central

IA, KS, MO

Chris Gaut

Examples of Regional Manager Activities

Mitigates conflicts between contractor and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Promotes goals and objectives of Regional NFSA Chapters.

Has a strong presence with local & state fire service associations.

Provides public education about sprinklers. Promotes, protects or defends local and state

fire sprinkler initiatives.

Examples of Regional Manager Activities Continued

Arranges local fire sprinkler training programs.

“Watchdogs” for political activity. Promotes the adoption of current codes

and standards. Prepared to assist in other Regions where

specific talents are needed.

Engineering

Engineering Expert of the Day Program answers most challenging

questions with an average response time of just 4 business hours.

Our interpretations are well respected, and relied upon by AHJ’s.

Earned unparallel respect in the nation’s codes, standards, and regulating bodies as they represent our member companies.

Teach the design, layout, detail and calculation of fire sprinkler systems in a variety of formats to fit our members needs.

Publish regular articles for e-bulletins that keep our members up to date on the latest technical thinking.

Codes and Standards

Building Code Development participation.

Standards-making process participation.

Generating and protecting markets.

Fire Sprinkler markets come mostly from adopted codes;

Training & Education

A Major NFSA Objective

Training and Education NFSA recognizes the importance of highly

trained and educated staff and AHJ code enforcement officials.

In addition to a full-time T&E staff, NFSA commits engineering, qualified Regional Managers, and highly qualified adjunct staff to provide a total and complete T&E program.

NFSA has long been recognized as the premier provider of fire sprinkler related T&E.

Training & Education

Layout Technician Training (2 week course) Subcontractors Operating Strategies

(Designed for Business owners and upper level management)

Sprinkler Advantage (Designed for Building Designers and AHJs)

Plan Review & Standards programs (designed for the AHJs i.e. Building & Fire officials)

Internet Seminars (for contractor employees, design professionals and AHJs)

A sample of our programs

Training & Education Delivery modes:

Classroom Seminars.On-line Seminars.Combination Classroom and On-line

Seminars.Contract Seminars.“For your company only” specialized

training and education programs. All NFSA training seminars are approved for

continuing education in states where approval is required.

NFSA Annual Seminars

Educational Programs Exhibits (every other year)

Peer Networking FUN!!

2014 Non-Exhibition Year

Atlantis, Bahamas

Internet Services

NFSA Website (www.NFSA.org) provides timely and interesting updates on “what is happening” in the fire sprinkler world.

NFSA website contains contractor member list and other useful information.

You can now fill out an application on line at NFSA.org.

Becoming a member has never been so easy!

Communications and Publications

Publications & e-Bulletins

SQ Magazine GrassRoots LaborLine TechNotes

Technical Tuesdays Business Thursdays e-Tech Alerts and e-

Bulletins NFSA Academy

The Communications Department keeps members up to date on the latest news pertinent to the fire sprinkler industry by daily updates to the NFSA website along with the following;

Resource Center NFSA’s own Layout, Detail and Calculation of

Fire Sprinkler Systems- is authorized by NICET to be used during the certification testing.

NFPA 25 Inspection Reporting Forms; training material; technical reports; the very popular NFSA Safety Handbook;… a large supply of available resources to help you manage your business.

Labor Relations

Organized to negotiate a contract with a local in St. Louis.

In 1981 membership was 96% union signatory contracting companies.

Today, 55% Signatory & 45% Merit shop.

NFSA holds that how you do business, is your business!

Organized to negotiate a contract with a local in St. Louis.

In 1981 membership was 96% union signatory contracting companies.

Today, 55% Signatory & 45% Merit shop.

NFSA holds that how you do business, is your business!

The Truth about NFSAOpen Shop or Union?

Then What does the Labor Relations Division do? If the business owner is a signatory

contractor, there is then the issue of contract negotiations.

The owner has the option of negotiating a contract with the union or allowing NFSA to manage the negotiations.

Thus, Labor Relations assists the business owner through contract negotiations on their behalf.

Industry Promotion Funds Are: Part of the bargaining agreement, therefore all who

are signatory contribute to the I.P. Fund regardless of NFSA membership status.

“Management controlled” funds. The union has no say as to how they are expended.

Funds that may not be used for political lobby or as PAC monies.

Funds subsidize many national programs and support staff positions, stabilizing membership dues.

Funding programs that benefit the entire fire sprinkler industry.

Funds that are used to promote the industry.

Student Housing Fire Safety NFSA is active in the college community by attending

their conferences providing fire sprinkler awareness programs and technical assistance.

The NFSA has been recognized throughout the Greek fraternity and sorority network as the focal point for fire sprinkler information and assistance.

As a result of our efforts many fraternities and sororities have established a five-year retrofit window.

Regional Managers are prepared to provide testimony and technical assistance in support of these initiatives in the campus setting throughout the country.

Help NFSA help you!

Take control of your future by supporting and being part of NFSA.

“Every man owes a part of his time and money to the businessor industry in which he is engaged. No man has a moral rightTo withhold his support from an organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere.”

-President Theodore Roosevelt