AMERICAN FIRE SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION
9696 Skillman St. #300 Dallas, TX 75243
(214)345-5965 (214)343-8898
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TECH TALK
NOVEMBER 2006
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NICET CLARIFIES POSITION ON NICET III
Responding to a letter from AFSA President, Steve Muncy and AFSA VP
of Engineering, Roland Huggins, NICET has issued a clarification and
response to AFSA concerns that NICET was "apparently undergoing a
radical and detrimental change in philosophy regarding who is
qualified to independently layout sprinkler systems." In a recent
letter to the Illinois State Fire Marshal's office, NICET stated; "It
is NICET's position that these documents should only be prepared by a
NICET Level III certificate holder if they are being prepared under
the direct supervision and control of a NICET IV certificate holder,
a licensed professional engineer, or a registered architect." Muncy
and Huggins registered strong opposition to what appeared to be a
major sift in NICET philosophy. On November 1, AFSA received a
written response and clarification of NICET's position stating that
they "publicly affirm... that NICET Level III and/or NICET Level IV
certifications have the qualifications to independently prepare
layout drawings on behalf of fire sprinkler contractors." A copy of
the NICET Official Statement can be downloaded below: http://
www.firesprinkler.org/pastnews/2006/NICETstatement.pdf
SPRINKLERS FOR EXTERIOR BALCONIES
The building code unfortunately did not provide us with a very good
definition of a Balcony. The definition provided in 2006 edition of
the IBC, section 1602 states, "BALCONY, EXTERIORS - An exterior floor
projecting from and supported by a structure without additional
independent supports." This definition has caused confusion when
trying to apply the requirements of the IBC Section 903.3.1.2.1 that
states, "Balconies and decks. Sprinkler protection shall be provided
for exterior balconies, decks and ground floor patios of dwelling
units where the building is of Type V construction. Sidewall
sprinklers that are used to protect such areas shall be permitted to
be located such that their deflectors are within 1-inch to 6-inches
below the structural members and a maximum distance of 14-inches
below the deck of the exterior balconies and decks that are
constructed of open wood joist construction." This confusion
fortunately is being cleared up where sprinklers should be applied.
Proposal F96-06/07 (IBC) 903.3.1.2.1 was submitted and accepted at
the ICC 2006 Code Development Hearings. This proposal will change
903.3.1.2.1 Balconies and decks to read "Sprinkler protection shall
be provided for exterior balconies, decks and ground floor patios of
dwelling units where the building is of Type V construction, provided
there is a roof or deck above." NFPA 13 section 8.14.7.1 will require
protection only when the roof/ceiling over the balcony is of
combustible construction and exceeds 4 feet in width.
2007 EDITION OF NFPA 25 - DELAY IN RELEASE
NFPA was expected to release the 2007 edition of NFPA 25 in the
spring of 2007. However, the technical committee received several
notices of intent to make a motion (aka NITNAM). This will cause a
delay in the release of the document. The NITNAMs will be addressed
during the NFPA annual meeting from June 3 - 7, 2007. The document
will be tentatively released in September 2007 and designated as the
2008 edition according to NFPA.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR AFSA UPCOMING VIRTUAL SEMINAR
Contractor Management & the 21-Century
December 7, 2006
12:00 PM Eastern
11:00 AM Central
10:00 AM Mountain
9:00 AM Pacific
Earn: 0.15 CEU's / 1.5 CPD's.
To Register:
Event ID: 11664
By Phone: Call KRM Information Services, Inc. at 800-775-7654,
please have your credit card information ready.
By Fax: 800-676-0734
Online: www.firesprinkler.org
2007 AFSA DESIGN SCHOOLS
Beginning System Planning School Enroll Early!
January 29-February 9, 2007 Sold Out!
February 19-March 2, 2007 Sold Out!
April 30-May 11, 2007
June 18-29, 2007
August 6-17, 2007
October 8-19, 2007
November 5-16, 2007
December 3-14, 2007
Registration Prices:
Member $1200
Non-Member $1700
2007 Intermediate Design School
March 26-30, 2007 Enroll Early
Registration Prices:
Member $ 800
Non-Member $ 1000
SEMINARS/CONVENTIONS
GFSA NICET Testing
Augusta, GA
December 16, 2006
Oklahoma State University & AFSA Fire Sprinkler Inspection, Training
& Certificate Course
December 7-9, 2006
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TechTalk is prepared by the Technical Services Department of the
American Fire Sprinkler Association: Vice President of Engineering
and Technical Services, Roland Huggins, a PE registered in fire
protection engineering; Phill Brown, a CFPS and a NICET IV certified
automatic sprinkler technician, and Tom Wellen, a degreed Fire
Protection Engineering Technologist. Opinions are provided with the
understanding that AFSA assumes no liability for the opinions or
actions taken on them and they are not to be considered the official
interpretation of the NFPA or that of its technical committees.
Copyright (c) 2006, American Fire Sprinkler Association, 9696
Skillman St., Suite 300, Dallas, TX 75243. Voice (214) 349-5965 ext
124 or Fax (214) 343-8898. All rights reserved.
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