Annually, the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA-WI) delivers promotional messages to the public during National Fire Prevention Week about the life- and property-saving abilities of fire sprinklers in all buildings. This year, NFSA-WI Chapter is running a 60-second radio spot focusing on the important role fire sprinklers play in protecting schools, hotels, housing, college campuses, and public buildings. The spot is running on 620 WTMJ twice daily during National Fire...
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This time of the year is a reminder for those of us that are professionals in the fire safety industry, as to why our line of work is so vitally important. The recent ten-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks still burns so deeply in all of our minds as we honor those who responded to save lives and lost their own. The hard work we put into fire safety education is also a reminder...
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2011 MAY Multifamily Building West Allis On May 21, 2011, the West Allis Fire Department was dispatched to a multifamily building fire. When the firefighters arrived, they found that fire detectors were operating and one fire sprinkler had activated in a single unit on the second floor of a four-story building. The fire originated when the occupant removed the lid from a pot of cooking oil in the kitchen. He put the pot under...
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Lorenz Hall, a Mendota Mental Health Institute building located in Madison, Wisconsin, has received a lifesaving fire safety improvement. The 125,000 square-foot, three-story building from the 1950s is now protected with a fire sprinkler system. The sprinkler installation was the primary reason for the renovation, so the fire sprinkler contractor was the lead on the project. Because of the age and structure of the building, there were challenges not found in a typical retrofit....
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The National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is pleased to announce the launching of NFSA.tv! NFSA.tv is another way to receive up to date news and public service announcements on fire sprinklers and related fire safety messages. The NFSA.tv website provides informational videos on cutting-edge products and services from national and global leaders. It also offers training and education given by world-class NFSA instructors in a new and advanced format with live-video training sessions. The “virtual...
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Recognizing National Fire Prevention Week, the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA) is hosting their annual Sprinklerman coloring contest, with $50 Savings Bond prizes in each of three age categories. Copies of the picture to be colored and the contest rules can be found on the NFSA website. Entries must be received by October 31, 2011. Winners will be notified by November 30, 2011 and be announced in the December issue of Grass Roots and...
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The Wisconsin Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association is now on Facebook! “Like” WI Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association on Facebook and you will receive the latest updates!
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An updated printed version of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA-WI) directory is now available. Member contractors, vendors and professional consultants are listed with contact information including website addresses. Obtain the directory by calling 262-376-0270 or 914-671-1975. You may also find the directory information on our website.
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The state of Wisconsin has updated its edition of the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 1: Fire Code to the 2009 edition. The adoption came through Administrative Code Comm 14, Fire Prevention Code, Section 14.001 and became effective on January 1, 2011. NFPA 1: Fire Code, 2009 edition, covers the inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems, including fire pumps. Recognized worldwide and adopted statewide in 19 states, NFPA 1 provides requirements...
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It is hard to ignore how terrible the winter season had been here in Wisconsin with the number of tragic fires we’ve experienced. Tragic fires seemed like they were part of the daily news throughout the state with a number of them being fatal. Many resulted in a loss of taxable income properties. Fires like these impact communities in a horrific way. Along with the serious fires however, there were a number of successful...
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2010 OCTOBER Bowling Alley Mount Pleasant South Shore firefighters responded to a call about a fire at the Paradise Lanes Bowling alley. The fire started behind the bowling lanes near the mechanical area in the corner of the building. South Shore Fire Chief Bill Bouma told the Racine Journal Times “the bowling alley could have been completely burned to the ground if the building hadn’t had a sprinkler system.” The bowling alley was open...
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On April 7, 2011, in Washington, D.C., the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) was honored as the recipient of the Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership Award. Presented jointly by the Congressional Fire Services Institute (CFSI) and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) at the 23rd Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner, the award is named after retired-Senator Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland, a strong advocate of our nation’s firefighters and...
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For a number of years, the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA-WI) has partnered with fire departments to conduct educational fire sprinkler demonstrations. In fact, NFSA-WI has helped with more than 50 side-by-side demonstrations in front of thousands of people, including fire sprinkler trailer demonstrations with sprinkler fitter unions 183 and 669. Realizing the impact of the demonstrations, fire departments continue to conduct demonstrations at their events annually to show community...
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On June 2, 2011, the Wisconsin Residential Fire Sprinkler Coalition (WRFSC) will be hosting a residential fire sprinkler summit. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were 1,348,500 fires reported in the United States in 2009, resulting in 3,010 civilian fire deaths. An estimated 78.5 percent of structure fires were residential, in which 272,500 occurred in one- and two-family homes. Approximately 85 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home, where people...
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From June 12 – 14, 2011, the Wisconsin Apprenticeship Advisory Council and the Department of Workforce Development, Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards will be hosting a 100th Anniversary of Apprenticeship Conference in Madison, Wisconsin, recognizing Wisconsin’s Registered Apprenticeship programs, formed by the nation’s first modern apprenticeship law. The law has been a model for the nation since 1911. The conference focus will be to celebrate Wisconsin’s past leadership and embrace the future. “We are expecting...
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On Tuesday, May 17, 2011, sprinkler fitters will be one of a number of groups of apprentices in the pipe trades to compete at the annual Wisconsin Pipe Trades Apprenticeship Contest. Attendees will observe firsthand the skills of future technicians and mechanics during the competition. The event takes place between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. For event details, please call (920) 462-0406 or (920) 462-0407.
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The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) now offers credit for completion of an online course on fire sprinkler installations in one- and two-family dwellings. Developed by the nonprofit Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC), the course is delivered through AEC Daily, the largest provider of free, online continuing education to construction professionals. HFSC’s course is also approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and the...
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Wales has made history by becoming the first country in the world to require the installation of fire sprinklers in newly built homes. On February 16, 2011, Welsh Assembly Members passed stages three and four of the domestic fire safety measure that will see sprinklers fitted in houses, flats, care homes and halls of residence throughout the country. The Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) is delighted with the outcome and believes many lives will...
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A new section on State Farm Insurance’s website supports the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems and discusses the company’s involvement with home fire sprinkler education advocates such as the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition. View State Farm Insurance’s home fire sprinkler advocacy page.
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The National Fire Protection Association‘s (NFPA) Standard Council has issued four Tentative Interim Amendments (TIAs) that address the use of antifreeze in fire sprinkler systems. The TIAs provide new requirements in NFPA standards for the use of antifreeze in both new and existing sprinkler systems. NFPA has also issued a new safety alert regarding the use of antifreeze in sprinkler systems. These actions come after extensive research and standards development activities to address concerns...
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For people who experience the horrific trauma of being badly burned, moving forward emotionally, psychologically and socially is a daunting scenario. Fortunately there are wonderful resources available to help burn survivors of all ages, but they need your help. Below are two fun and easy ways you can support burn survivors here in Wisconsin and throughout the country. On August 29, 2011, the 23rd Annual Burn Center Golf Invitational presented by the Wisconsin Alliance...
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