Tag: National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA)
New York fire sprinkler laws to help public, industry
September 10, 2014Tess Nacelewicz
PATTERSON, N.Y.—New fire sprinkler legislation signed into law this summer in New York state will not only protect the public but could lead to increased business and perhaps state licensing for sprinkler contractors, according to a National Fire Sprinkler Association spokesman.“It's a step forward,” Dominick Kasmauskas, New York regional manager for the NFSA, which is based here, said regarding the two new laws signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in August.One requires landlords to include...
Fight to require home sprinklers ongoing in Massachusetts
July 22, 2014Tess Nacelewicz
HOLYOKE, Mass.—A fatal rooming house fire 30 years ago on July 4 led the Massachusetts Legislature to quickly pass legislation allowing local communities in the Commonwealth to require sprinklers in boarding houses. But today's lawmakers recently killed a similar bill that would have let communities require sprinklers in new homes.David LaFond, New England regional manager for the New York-based National Fire Sprinkler Association observed to Security Systems, “If we look at our history...
Illinois enacts new law on dorm sprinklers
September 24, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
ORLAND PARK, Ill.—Parents of college students should be able to rest easier as the result of a new law requiring fire sprinklers in on-campus dormitories at public and private colleges and universities in Illinois by September 2014, according to the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board.“The last thing on students' minds is what to do if there's a fire,” Tom Lia, executive director of the advisory board, which advocated for the new law, told Security Systems News.He said...
Fire sprinkler expo to make history
July 27, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
PATTERSON, N.Y.—The National Fire Sprinkler Association, the Canadian Automatic Sprinkler Association and the new Mexican Fire Sprinkler Association plan to make history next year by partnering to host what is being billed as “the first-ever North American Fire Sprinkler Expo.”The event will be held next April in Las Vegas in conjunction with the NFSA Annual Seminar.“We want to highlight the three countries coming together,” Russ Fleming, the new president of NFSA, told...
Illinois home fire sprinkler initiatives under way
July 11, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
ORLAND PARK, Ill.—Whether it's through a town-by-town adoption of new residential fire sprinkler requirements or via a new effort to require sprinklers in homes statewide, Illinois is making progress toward mandating the life safety devices in more and more homes, according to Tom Lia, executive director of the Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB).In June, Lia said, the village of Gurnee, Ill., joined a growing number of communities in the state that have adopted residential...
Maryland mandates residential fire sprinklers
May 21, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
PATTERSON, N.Y.—New homes built in Maryland will be required to have fire sprinklers beginning this fall, the result of new legislation signed into law by that state's governor May 2.The National Fire Sprinkler Association, based here, was part of a years-long effort to get such a requirement approved. The NFSA recently announced the development on its website, saying, “Congratulations to all who worked so hard to get this legislation passed. Our hats are off to Gov. [Martin] O'Malley...
NFSA gets new president
April 2, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
PATTERSON, N.Y.—Russ Fleming is the new president of the National Fire Sprinkler Association. The NFSA board of directors voted March 2 to select Fleming, formerly NFSA executive VP and a 37-year veteran of the organization, for the post. “I am, of course, honored to be selected and entrusted with the position,” Fleming told Security Systems News.Fleming replaced John Viniello, who retired effective March 1 after 28 years on the job. A special NFSA committee formed after Viniello...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
NFSA gets new president
March 5, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
Russ Fleming is the new president of the National Fire Sprinkler Association, following a vote by the organization's board. Fleming replaces John Viniello, who retired effective the first of this month after 28 years on the job.
The board voted March 2 to select Fleming, the organization's former executive VP, for the president's post. A special NFSA committee met Jan. 25 to nominate him, Fleming told me at that time.
I'm trying to reach Fleming to learn more about his goals for the NFSA. I'd also...
This Blog's on Fire (And Other Stuff)
Viniello leaving NFSA, but still passionate about the cause
January 18, 2012Tess Nacelewicz
John Viniello, president of the National Fire Sprinkler Association, is stepping down after 28 years on the job.
In announcement on the Patterson, N.Y.-based organization's website today, Viniello writes that he'll retire as of March 1. “I will turn 70 years of age at the end of February and it's time step down. It's been a great run.”
He said that Russ Fleming, NFSA's executive vice president will handle day-to-day association matters until a new president is elected. “I will work...
Incentivizing fire sprinklers in new homes
December 7, 2011Tess Nacelewicz
CAPE CORAL, Fla.—A proposed ordinance in this city would give homebuilders a break on city impact fees if they install fire sprinklers in new homes, saving lives and also saving money for taxpayers in the long run, according to the city councilor behind the proposal and the National Fire Sprinkler Association (NFSA).Similar laws offering incentives for the installation of home fire sprinklers have been enacted around the country by communities and even by the state of Washington, according...