NORCAL FPO
FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
Novato, CA
April 25, 2003

Attendees:

George Blind- Sunnyvale DPS
Jim Bollier- Sprinkler Fitters 483
David Dewey- Daly City F.D.
Maurice Dong- So. San Francisco F.D.
Jim Feld- Feld Engineering
Steve Hart- NASIP
Sam Husoe- NFSA
David Secoda- Bay Alarm
Jaymae Wentker- Mountain View F.D.
Jim McLaughlin- Lund Pearson McLaughlin
Allen Sill- Sacramento Metro F.D.
Tom Horton- Sacramento Metro F.D.
Terri Leyton- FTI
Darrel Harguth- Brooks Equip. Co.
Tom Wiley- CSG Inc.

Central Station Procedures:

George Blind followed up on last month’s discussion regarding the failure of Simplex Grinnell personnel after the transmission of a first alarm to retransmit an additional alarm from the same address received within five-minutes. In discussions with Simplex Grinnell managers, they stated that the operator did not follow proper company procedure. Their procedure calls for the retransmission of all alarms, regardless of time frame, except for duplicate signals from the same alarm point.

Draft Resolution:

Sam Husoe distributed an amended draft resolution supporting the installation of residential sprinkler systems. Changes had been made at the suggestion of committee members. Additional changes were suggested by attendees and Sam will incorporate them into the draft and return to seek final Committee approval at next month’s San Francisco meeting.

HR 1824:

Sam Husoe passed out copies of HR 1824, the Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act of 2003, which was introduce this month by U.S. Representatives Curt Weldon, R-Pennsylvania, and James Langevin, D-Rhode Island. This proposed legislation will enable a property owner who installs a fire sprinkler system to depreciate its cost over a 5-year period, providing an important financial incentive for possible retrofit applications. Organizations and individuals are requested to contact their respective U.S. Representative and Senator to encourage their support and co-sponsorship for this important bill.

NFPA 25:

Jim Feld discussed how NFPA 25 was to be incorporated into state regulations. It was originally slated to go into Title 19, but that process now appears uncertain. Jim discussed the possibility of it being incorporated into Title 24, but that process is more complicated and time consuming. There is also discussion of producing a California edition of NFPA 25. He said that the advisory committee was to meet on April 28^th to finalize the matrix, and that it would then be posted on the NorCal website.

He also discussed the potential effect of NFPA 25 on State Fire Marshal A Licensees. Currently A Licensees are restricted to testing (and minor repairs not exceeding $500). Jim McLaughlin said there is no enforcement for companies that violate the repair limitations. Jim Feld stated there had been talk of discontinuing A Licenses, but the State Fire Marshal’s Office was opposed, as it is a source of revenue.

NFSA Sprinkler Ordinance Survey:

Steve Hart said that the response to his survey on local sprinkler ordinances was going very well. In less than a month he had already received approximately 180 responses. He encouraged those jurisdictions that had not returned the survey to do so as soon as possible.

WIRSBO:

Tom Wiley asked if any of the attendees had experience with WIRSBO sprinklers systems. Members suggested contacting agencies in Oregon, which have had extensive experience with the system. Steve Hart said that currently these systems are engineered in Minnesota and then are required to be reviewed and wet-stamped by a California Engineer. Attendees mentioned that additions or alterations to existing systems were problematic, as the plans would need to be sent to Minnesota for redesign.

Mid-month Meeting: Members discussed the need for a mid-month meeting. Due to the short time-span before next month’s meeting, it was decided to schedule a mid-month meeting during the first week in June. The time and place will be announced at the May NorCal meeting.

Respectively Submitted,

David Dewey, Co-chair