Testing completed on first proven CPVC-Compatible Antimicrobial Steel Pipe Products
Potter Pipe-Shield ™ Corrosion Inhibitor and Wheatland Tube Company’s MIC-SHIELD Coating™ added to FGG/BM/CZ tm System Compatible Program. Potter Pipe-Shield is available as an aftermarket Antimicrobial in 5-, 15-, and 55 gallon containers. Wheatland’s MIC-SHIELD coating is applied at their manufacturing facility.
Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act Introduced to 111th Congress:
On February 25, 2009, by Representative Jim Langevin ( D-RI ). The Bill was introduced with 55 co-sponsors already on board. Sprinkler Industry Representatives will be visiting selected Congressional offices on Capitol Hill to drum up additional Co-sponsor support for the bill.
Fire Protection Networking Around the Region
On Wednesday, April 22, 2009, various Philadelphia area Fire related organizations come together to produce a program that provides education, as well as an opportunity for professionals to come together to network. Keynote speakers will discuss
The economy and the sprinkler industry, issues relating to CPVC piping, codes and how they relate to designers, and several other important subjects. The luncheon and program will be at the DEL TECH Facility in Stanton, Delaware. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. $ 60 in advance and $ 75 at the door. Send checks to FIRE PROTECTION NETWORKING-2009 attn:
Rick Cappola/ F.P.I., 1765 Woodhaven Dr., Bensalem, Pa. 19020
Atlantic Builders Convention
Will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center, April 22-24th. The NJ Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board will have an exhibition booth to educate attendees about residential fire sprinklers and also participate in a panel discussion on res. Sprinklers.
FIRE TEAM USA is Coming to VIRGINIA
On April 14-15 they will be holding their 2 day program at the Richmond Marriott Hotel, 500 East Broad Street to assist entities who desire to pass residential fire sprinkler ordinances by providing information and resources.
NFPA Proposed Sprinkler Standards Revisions
The following are some proposed changes for the 2010 editions of NFPA 13, 13R, 13D, and 24., that would effect some of Atlantic American’s products:
NFPA 13 – 7.6.3.2 ( Listed Expansion Chambers) The committee agreed to require expansion chambers used with antifreeze systems needed to be listed. Note this does not effect 13D systems (OUR YOUNG ENGINEERING EXPANSION CHAMBERS ARE THE INDUSTRIES ONLY LISTED UNITS.)
NFPA 13 – 9.2.1.3.3.4 ( Flexible Hose Fittings ) Where flexible sprinkler hose fittings are used to connect sprinklers to branch lines in suspended ceilings, a label will be required on the anchoring component to warn the user about the dangers of relocating the sprinkler. A sample warning is included in the annex text.
NFPA 13D – 5.2 ( PEX and Passive Purge ) The committee reversed its position and decided NOT to allow the use of PEX pipe on passive purge systems. PEX will still be permitted on multipurpose systems. This issue is expected to be discussed at the NFPA meeting in June in Chicago. ( THE MULTIPURPOSE SYSTEMS ARE GENERALLY INSTALLED BY PLUMBERS AND NOT BY SPRINKLER CONTRACTORS)
Center for Medicare and Medicad Services Mandates Fire Sprinkler Coverage
All Long-Term Care Facilities Serving CMS Beneficiaries Must Have
Fire Sprinkler Systems in Place by 2013
Today, only about one in five nursing homes have full fire sprinkler coverage, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicad Services (CMS). To address this gap in fire safety, CMS created a regulation that mandates comprehensive fire sprinkler coverage for all long-term care facilities serving Medicare and Medicad beneficiaries by 2013. It is estimated that the new regulation affects 3,500 existing facilities.
According to the the CMS website, approximately three million elderly and disabled Americans reside in the nations 16,000 nursing homes. Although fatal fires in nursing homes are rare, in a July 2004 report, the government Accountability Office estimated that automatic sprinkler systems can decrease the chance of fire-related deaths by 82 percent.
Previous CMS regulations required sprinkler systems in all newly constructed and rehabilitated facilities. However, the federal government did not require existing nursing homes to have such systems and some older facilities were exempt from this requirement. This new CMS mandate holds all 16,000 nursing homes in the country to the same standard.
All new fire sprinkler systems retrofitted as a result of this rule will be required to meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire safety guidelines. The NFPA specifies that all resident rooms; kitchen; dining and activity areas; corridors; attics; canopies; overhangs; offices; waiting areas; closet; storage areas for trash and linen; and maintenance areas have full fire sprinkler coverage.
AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION Council Election
Rick Perella, Marketing Manager for Atlantic American, has been elected to a seat on the Manufacturers and Suppliers council for the A.F.S.A. He will begin serving a three year term from when he is installed at the MS council meeting on Oct.17, 2008 at the A.F.S.A. Convention in Washington, D.C. He will be asked to sit on various committees and report information to the MS council 4 times a year. Rick is celebrating his 45 th year in the Fire Sprinkler Industry this year, having started as a sprinkler draftsman in 1963 and working his way up to Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for several industry leading companies in the Northeast and Nationally.
Kevin Galligan re- joins Atlantic American as the area sales manager for the North Jersey and metro NYC market. Kevin started in the sprinkler industry in 1980 as Regional Sales Manager for the Muellar Co. He then joined Atlantic American as the NYC metro sales representative in 1986. Kevin then went to the Mitchell Love Company as the Sales Manager in 1990 and then became the owner of the firm. He lives with his wife, Anne, in Dresher, Pa. They have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. We welcome Kevin back to our family.
Al Zanga recently joined Atlantic American as our Kearney, N.J. Warehouse Manager. Al comes to Atlantic American with over twenty years of management experience having a background in HVAC and most recently plumbing. He spent the last 3 years at Pashman Supply in Passaic, NJ where he was in counter sales and ran the yard operation. Prior to that, he was a warehouse manager for a supply company in Fairfield, NJ. Al resides in Cedar Grove, NJ with his wife Phyllis. They have 3 children and 4 grandchilren. Al is an active member and president of the Cedar Grove Chapter of UNICO, a national Italian American Service Organization.
Flexible Connections
Do you like the advantages of flexible sprinkler head connections but have confusion with all the recent changes with UL approvals? Then stick with the FLEXHEAD product line of flexible sprinkler head connections. Available from all 6 of Atlantic Americans stocking locations, these flexible drops are fully UL and FM Approved and offered in lengths from 2 feet through 6 feet. FLEXHEAD offers the industry`s highest quality flexible drops with a FULL 1” internal tube diameter for optimum flow characteristics.
QUALITY CONTROL HOTLINE
The management team within Atlantic American takes constructive criticism very seriously and believes the growth of our company is fueled by the helpful comments provided by our customers. For this reason, we have instituted a “QUALITY CONTROL HOTLINE” that customers can access to leave totally CONFIDENTIAL COMMENTS to help us better serve the sprinkler industry. Please feel free to call our hotline at 800-871-9012, extention 11214 to leave your confidential comments directly to our senior management team.
Cold Weather Products
As we approach the colder season, many contractors turn their attention to dry fire protection systems and we offer the finest products that can greatly enhance the benefits of utilizing a dry pipe sprinkler system. Whether it is a low pressure Victaulic Dry Valve that virtually ELIMINATES the need for accelerators, an oil-less, riser mounted air compressor, Or low cost propylene glycol and glycerin based anti-freeze solutions, we have what you need in stock and can deliver to your shop or jobsite. Need some dry sprinkler heads in a hurry ?? We carry some in stock in all locations and Victaulic can make most dry heads in 5 days!!! Think winter, think Atlantic American for all your dry pipe system products.
Price Increase Notification
Many sprinkler contractors comment that it has been difficult to stay abreast of the many price increases our industry has seen in 2008. May we suggest to you that a NET PRICE BOOKLET can be E-MAILED automatically each month to your attention and it will detail the changes that have taken place on product pricing from the previous month and what changes we anticipate will occur in the future? Simply ask your Customer Service Representative to be added to the e-mail list of satisfied customers who receive monthly. Price updates from Atlantic American.
Storage Applications
Storage sprinkler applications can be handled quickly and inexpensively through Atlantic American Fire Equipment Company. Ask for information on the Victaulic line of storage sprinkler heads that include the “K 25 Control Mode Sprinkler” that features as much as 70 % lower end head pressure, and can reduce pipe size requirements for mains and branches by as much as 25 %. Less water means smaller pipe sizes. Ask for literature on the K25 Control Mode Sprinkler- the LP-46.
Steel Pipe Prices
Feeling frustrated with the recent price increases the industry is seeing on domestic steel pipe? Ask for John Beck, our General Manager of Steel Services, for help in managing the cost escalation on steel pipe. Backed with literally thousands of tons of steel pipe, conveniently located in our 6 stocking facilities, John can help secure for you the best pricing and availability on premiere pipe such as Wheatland A53, Northwest Tube and Casing, and Bull Moose Tube schedule 40 and schedule 10 products.
