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The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) announces the 2010 schedule for both its traditional Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School as well as its new System Layout School for Residential One- & Two-Family Dwellings.

Four 2010 Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning Schools have been scheduled for February 22 - March 5, April 19-30, July 12-23, and October 11-22; in addition, three sessions of AFSA’s new System Layout School for Residential One- & Two-Family Dwellings will be held March 22-26, June 21-25, and August 23-27, 2010.

Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School
Designed to train a beginner to be productive immediately upon returning to work, AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School teaches the essential elements of system layout in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. It is geared toward those with no experience or those who need assistance with design.

By Gary Ludwig, Firehouse Contributing Editor -

Posted: Thu, 12/17/2009 - 12:03
Updated: Thu, 12/17/2009 - 12:29

When I learned in late October that the International Code Council (ICC) voted at its annual conference in Baltimore to keep residential sprinklers on the book despite strong opposition from the National Association of Home Builders, I could not help but think what the leaders of the home builders group were thinking. The conversation inside their cigar-smoke-filled offices at the home builders group might have gone something like this: “Mr. Moneybags, we have bad news from Baltimore. The International Code Council voted 7-4 to keep residential sprinklers in the International Residential Code. This takes effect on Jan. 1, 2011, and requires sprinkler systems in new single-family homes after this date.”

“What? How could this happen, Daddy Warbucks? You know how much money we’ve paid to fight this. We don’t want residential sprinklers in the new building code for 2012. This is going to cut into our profits, deter people from building homes and make the cost of homes out of reach for first-time buyers.”

“But Mr. Moneybags, there was stiff opposition from the fire service. They argued that residential sprinklers will save lives; hold down the loss on fire and might even save firefighters’ lives. They had statistics that showed that about 79% of all people who die in fires die in their homes. The firefighters also have data that about 77% of all structure fires last year occurred in homes. Mr. Moneybags, it gets worse. Statistics demonstrate that there has never been any multiple loss of life in a fully sprinklered building. Property losses are 85% less in homes with fire sprinklers compared to those without sprinklers. The combination of automatic sprinklers and early-warning systems in all buildings and residences could reduce overall injuries, loss of life and property damage by at least 50%.”

‘Welsh law’ to require builders to install sprinkler systems in all new homes in Wales has won the support of MPs after a request by an AM.

The Welsh Affairs Committee said the assembly should be given powers to require builders to install sprinklers.

It followed a request for the legislative competence order (LCO) from Vale of Clwyd AM, Ann Jones.

The move now opens the way for a draft order to be introduced in parliament, which is expected in the new year.

If approved, the powers would be devolved to the assembly, and new legislation could be drawn up over fire sprinklers by politicians in Cardiff Bay.

“This is the best Christmas present I could wish for,” said Ms Jones.