As an AHJ and a professional engineer, I have so many people to thank for my education and experiences...many who are/were sprinkler contractors or pipe fitters who were willing to take the time and effort to patiently explain the mysteries of fire sprinklers to me. Those old guys really knew their stuff. Seeing things on the plans and then seeing things during field inspections are totally different aspects of approving an installation.
I agree with the problem issue of having uneducated and inexperienced AHJ's, and I do agree with Steven Smith and I still appreciate learning new stuff from any contractor. The other side of the problem is uneducated and inexperienced contractors. Providing good fire protection should be a partnership between the contractor and the AHJ. For many years, AFSA has worked to provide training classes and seminars to the AHJ's to improve this partnership, and this SprinklerForum is a great tool to educate both sides. The AHJ's and contractors should also take a proactive position to have a good working relationship. This should not be a "my way or highway" issue...unless it's a Friday and I haven't had my coffee. I have to get back to work to reject some stuff. :) Respectfully submitted, rick matsuda city of dallas -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of John O'Connor Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 9:16 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: How would you address this? The problem as I see it, is an inexperienced individual with no knowledge of what he is inspecting, has been put in a position of authority with the power to OK or reject our work. This is and always be unacceptable in the eyes of good sprinkler contractors. Is it our job to educate our overseers? I think not. John O'Connor Nashville -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Smith, Steven D. (CSFD) Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 8:47 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: RE: How would you address this? Quite honestly, I'm a bit disappointed with some of the responses from the "SME's" with this forum. It's easy to poke fun at someone behind closed doors. My guess is that most if not everyone here didn't know much more than this inspector when they first started in the business. I sure didn't. Being an AHJ myself, I would personally appreciate it if a knowledgeable contractor were to approach me with a different way of thinking. This is a prime opportunity to create a relationship with the inspector that may help you out in the future. Showing that the contractor cares about doing the job right and showing how that's done could go a long way. Then maybe a follow up phone call to his supervisor, not to get the inspector in trouble, but to inform the supervisor of what transpired and how it was resolved. Granted, you may have to gauge how the inspector would receive all of this and base your actions on that. As I mentioned, this could be a great opportunity to show how professional you are and the quality of your work. Especially if sprinkler companies and AHJ's alike wish to install more of these systems in homes. Unfortunately there are far too many contractors out there that aren't professional and have poor quality that will make it easy for decision makers to keep sprinklers out of homes. Just my 1/2 cent. Steve Smith Colorado Springs Fire Department -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Travis Mack, SET Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2011 4:44 PM To: [email protected] Subject: How would you address this? This was a first for me to day. During an inspection of a residential system today, the AHJ inspector would put a dot on the floor and run his tape in a circle at the spacing limit of the heads. He would not sign off on the system because the heads were 8' off of each wall, but with the radius, that leaves a "dry" spot in the corner of the room. He did the same thing in rooms with multiple heads. The heads were 16' apart. There were 4 heads in this room. He would draw circles on the floor of an 8' radius. Since there was not overlap of his circles, he would not pass the system today. Has anyone ever encountered this? How did you address it? This is a new inspector and he admits that fire sprinklers are not his specialty, but he has to do this job. -- Please feel free to call if you have any questions or comments. Sincerely, Travis Mack, SET MFP Design, LLC 2508 E Lodgepole Drive Gilbert, AZ 85298 Office (480) 505-9271 Fax (866) 430-6107 _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1411 / Virus Database: 1522/3951 - Release Date: 10/14/11 _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://fireball.firesprinkler.org/mailman/listinfo/sprinklerforum
