This article is a continuation of Raising the Bar with AB 2288 – Part 1
As there are a significant number of municipal fire prevention bureaus in this state that are not only small but have a two to three year “revolving door policy” for the fire inspector position, it is difficult to maintain a high level of expertise in the fire prevention division. I know this because I’ve supervised a fire prevention bureau and it was next to impossible to get a two year commitment from our personnel and even harder to get a third year from those who are nearing the end of their two year term. So essentially, as soon as they becoming truly effective as an inspector they’re gone. Sad, but true.
Of course there are exceptions to the rule and there are few good men and women who’ve endured their first two to three years and decide to make the bureau their “career” and have acquired the training and skills necessary to insure that sprinkler fitters are “towing the line”. In fact, I’ve heard from a number of contractors that this caliber of inspector is not only rare but “welcome” in the industry as they truly understand the sprinkler industry and know how to conduct a thorough and professional inspection.
But what about those newly appointed inspectors who are waiting to enroll in their first Fire Prevention course. These poor individuals are sometimes shoved out the door with their clipboard in hand after a couple of weeks of “field training” and are given the green light to inspect and approve fire sprinkler systems installations. Is that fair to the contractors? Is it fair to the inspectors? How do we look as fire professionals when a system we inspected is found deficient by trained and qualified sprinkler contractor or installer? If we don’t have a system in place to insure that fire sprinkler systems are installed correctly the first time by those who are qualified and properly trained, who will?
Knowing that this proposed legislation is not a new concept, I made contact with and engaged in a somewhat lengthy discussion with a long time member of the Minnesota State Fire Marshals Office. It was made very clear that Minnesota’s sprinkler fitter licensing program, which has been in effect for several years now, is alive and well.
Other than the expected adjustments associated with the implementation of any new program, there were no problems with either the implementation or enforcement and every sprinkler fitter and/or contractor affected by the program both union and non-union have adapted.
Did some fire sprinkler fitters and contractors get their feathers ruffled when they realized they didn’t meet the minimum standards of this new program? Of course they did, but they met the requirements set forth by the state fire marshals office and are complying with the program requirements. In short, those who decided to get serious about meeting the challenge did so and are conducting business as usual.
So my question is, as fire professionals, why wouldn’t we want those who are installing fire sprinkler systems to meet the provisions set forth in AB 2288? Isn’t the fire service held to a high standard of training and education to protect life and property? Should EMT’s and Paramedics be exempted from qualifying tests and continuing education? Should code officials not be required to be examined and certified in their profession? Why wouldn’t we require each and every person “turning a wrench” on a fire sprinkler system to meet a higher standard of care?
As every good attorney would ask, “What facts are you basing your opinion on?” I’ve seen deficient sprinkler installations first hand. We have all seen it one time or another in our careers. So to those who say “Show me where the problem is?” I say, you’ve already seen it. Fire Officials and Sprinkler Contractors alike, there is a good chance that during your career you’ve had an installer either make corrections prior to your approval or have them take it out altogether and do it again.
So to my fire service colleagues, please carefully read the bill and understand it for yourselves. Develop your own professional opinion as to the intent of the bill and draw from your own personal experiences as fire officials.
Do not be swayed by either my opinions or those who are concerned about the affect it may have on their business or those who think AB 2288 lacks enforcement capabilities and focus on how it will help you and your staff in the field.
I truly believe AB 2288 levels the playing field for fire officials, sprinkler fitters and contractors alike. If this bill would have been in affect during my career, things would have been a whole lot easier for me and my staff!
And finally to those who have the required training and experience described in AB 2288, you don’t have a thing to worry about. For those who don’t, the bar is being raised and it’s time to get on board
Robert L. Rowe is a Retired Deputy Fire Marshal for the City of Downey Fire Department, Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) and Licensed Private Investigator in the State of California. Robert, is the current Director of the Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board of Southern California and is President of Pyrocop, Inc, a fire and life safety consulting firm located in Southern California. Robert holds a California State Certification as a Fire Investigator, Fire Prevention Officer and Hazardous Materials Specialist and currently serves chair of the Fire Code Development and Interpretation Committee for the National Code Services Association and the Western Fire Chiefs Association. Robert has served over 27 years in the fire service and is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, International Association of Fire Marshals, International Association of Arson Investigators, California Conference of Fire Investigators, International Code Council, National Association of Fire Investigators and the National Code Services Association. Robert is also a member and Programs Co-Chair of the Forensic Expert Witness Association’s Orange County Chapter.
Thomas McKinnon
Thomas McKinnon July 7, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Mr. Rowe,
I have been in the business of training fire sprinkler fitters and installing fire sprinkler systems for the better part of 25 years (in California). Inasmuch, I have installed residential, commercial and industrial fire sprinkler systems in the vast majority of jurisdictions in California and in so donig have personally whitnessed the severe lack of knowledge and competency on the part of fire inpectors. With all due respect, I think we’d do more for our industry by training and licensing the fire inspectors.
Thomas McKinnon
AEGIS Fire Systems, Inc.
AFSA – Director
AFSA – Co-Chair Apprenticeship & Education
CAFSA UAC – Director (Treasurer)
California Apprenticeship Standards Committee
Cal. Building Code/NFPA 13 Corr. Work Group
and so on.
Robert Rowe
Robert Rowe July 7, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Tom,
I have no argument whatsoever that there is a need to train fire inspectors. In fact, I believe that I’ve acknowledged that shortfall in my article in that there are a “significant number (or in your terms “vast majority”) of municipal fire prevention bureaus in this state that are not only small but have a two to three year “revolving door policy” for the fire inspector position.”
My article further reads “it is difficult to maintain a high level of expertise in the fire prevention division due to the turnover rate, however there are knowledgeable men and women who have acquired the required training and skills necessary to insure that sprinkler fitters are “towing the line”.
I understand, but disagree with your point that we could “do more for our industry by training and licensing fire inspectors”. You seemed to have failed to recognize that there are those within the fire sprinkler industry, not necessarily those you have trained, who are self taught and/or “field trained” without some form of “quality control” through and approved apprenticeship program.
True, more training is needed for fire “inspectors”. However, fire inspectors are not fire sprinkler system installers. It is the function of a fire inspector to inspect the work of an installer, not to install the system.
Unfortunately, there aren’t enough “qualified” fire inspectors in the fire service to constantly “watch over” each and every fire sprinkler fitters as they install a fire sprinkler system.
This is why there needs to be a reasonable minimum standard of care for training in California for those untrained individuals in the fire sprinkler industry who are “turning wrenches”.
By requiring a minimum level of training and a license to prove it, there is an assurance that fire each sprinkler fitters in California is not only being properly trained but more importantly being held accountable for their installations in both residences and businesses.
If the fire sprinkler industry is relying solely on the direction of the fire service to show fitters how to install each and every fire sprinkler system in their jurisdiction, then this is definitely a problem for everyone.
I truly appreciate your comments.
Robert Rowe
Robert Rowe
Robert Rowe July 7, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Correction…By requiring a minimum level of training and a license to prove it, there is an assurance that each sprinkler fitter in California is not only being properly trained but more importantly being held accountable for their installations in both residences and businesses…(sorry)
Robert Rowe
Randy D. Roxson
Randy D. Roxson July 7, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Mr. McKinnon,
According to your credentials, you have a great deal of qualification and years of experience in the fire sprinkler industry and in the many facets of the business, including installation and training. So, I don’t need to tell you that installing fire sprinklers is not such an easy task that can be done by just anyone.
California, as you know has two state-approved sprinkler fitter apprenticeship programs, one being that of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). Both are 5-years in length, and for good reason. Thus, I think it is safe to say that it requires a bit of training and education to install a fire sprinkler system.
Fire inspectors are required, not only to know about fire sprinklers, but also fire alarm systems, building construction, hazardous materials, flammable and combustible liquid storage, and much more. The qualification and expertise of fire inspectors in California vary from jurisdiction, but the level of knowledge and expertise required is the same.
Having been the Chief of State Fire Marshal Operations in California, I know the challenge fire departments across the state have with keeping fire inspectors trained and educated in every aspect of their job. Fire inspectors must know a myriad of codes and standards, not to mention keeping current with the frequent changes to our laws and regulations.
The typical fire department, like the State Fire Marshal’s Office has a training budget, which is often inadequate. All staff, including fire inspectors, fire officers, firefighters, and administrators are required to be trained from the same inadequate budget. Thus, there is little to go around, making the in-depth study of one subject matter, like fire sprinkler systems a rarity amongst most jurisdictions.
You obviously know, at least in California that there is little money these days going to state and local fire jurisdictions. In light of this, we need private industry to assist our state and local fire jurisdictions by ensuring that those who do such work, like install fire sprinklers do so with measured expertise. You as a trainer can appreciate, that in order to obtain expertise, you must first acquire training and experience. That is what California’s AB 2288 is all about. It merely establishes a reasonable minimum training standard for sprinkler fitters in California.
Mr. Rowe’s article provides a very accurate account of the real world in the fire inspection business. While I thoroughly agree that we need to better train those that inspect fire sprinklers, the reality is that there is little money to adequately train our fire inspectors given the vast knowledge required of them these days.
It is the sprinkler fitter that needs to have the expertise to reduce the risk that a fire sprinkler system is installed improperly. As you know, fire sprinkler systems can be installed incorrectly; yet still pass an inspection. An inadequately installed fire sprinkler system will prove not to be so good for the building occupant, first responder, or the fire sprinkler industry.
Randy D. Roxson, Attorney at Law
Retired, California State Fire Marshal’s Office