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Sign up for the 7th Annual Fire Safety Conference – March 14-16, 2011

Registration is now open for the 7th Annual Fire Safety Conference sponsored by SFPE Greater Atlanta Chapter. This year’s conference has been expanded with more sessions, pre-conference events and sponsorship opportunities.

This year’s conference includes a two-day training course titled, “AFAA Intermediate Fire Alarm Seminar (NICET Leval I & II )” provided in partnership with the Georgia Automatic Fire Alarm Association (GAFAA)

https://sfpeatlanta.org/events_conference.htm

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Automatic Fire Alarm Association, Inc.
Phone 678-454-3473 Fax 678-454-3474
www.afaa.org – fire-alarm@afaa.org

Basic Fire Alarm
January 25, 2011

Understanding IBC Fire Alarm Requirements
January 26, 2011

Fire Alarm Plan Review
January 27, 2011

Sheraton North Houston
15700 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Houston, TX 77039

AHJ’s and Government call for special seminar pricing
All AFAA courses are recognized by ICC for continuing education for certificate renewal
For registration information, go to www.afaa.org or call 678-454-3473

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Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT) released the following statement this afternoon:

WASHINGTON – Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., has accepted the nomination to become a co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Fire Services Caucus, a group of more than 320 members dedicated to supporting firefighters and fire services legislation. The Senator Friday issued the following statement:

“I am honored and delighted to be nominated to co-chair the Congressional Fire Services Caucus,” Lieberman said. “Firefighters are among those first responders who risk their lives on a daily basis in order to keep the rest of us safe where we work, live, and recreate. In the age of terrorism, their responsibilities have increased, and the dangers they face have multiplied. These brave men and women deserve every ounce of support we in Congress can provide to them so that they can perform their jobs with the best possible equipment and training. I look forward to continuing to advocate for them with my Fire Services Caucus colleagues.”

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Simple Software Application Helps Fire Alarm Dealers Customize Bill of Materials

NORTHFORD, Conn., December 17, 2010 - Silent Knight by Honeywell (NYSE: HON)  introduces the SKST (Silent Knight Selection Tool) software application designed for fire alarm dealers to easily configure a bill of materials for any IntelliKnight™  addressable or conventional fire alarm system Silent Knight currently offers through wholesale distributors.

Using the SKST software, dealers can create professional proposals containing part numbers and product information, which can be printed or exported into MS Excel or Access for easy customization with pricing, logos and more.  Users select from a comprehensive group of parts, including control panels, detectors, input and A/V (audio/visual) devices, power supplies and other accessories to create complete packages. Preliminary user feedback suggests the SKST’s most favored feature is its automatic retrieval of the latest data sheets from the Silent Knight website, providing the most up-to-date product information for print or email. The tool will even determine the appropriate battery size for the system by creating a battery calculation sheet based on the fire alarm system’s configuration.

The SKST is designed to be a straightforward and user-friendly software program. To download the SKST program free-of-charge, visit www.silentknight.com.

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Half-Day Seminars Educate Architects, Engineers and Facility Managers on Life Safety Codes, Trends and Solutions

NORTHFORD, Conn, December 16, 2010 - NOTIFIER by Honeywell (NYSE: HON) will host a series of free educational seminars in 13 major cities throughout the U.S. Industry experts from NOTIFIER and guest speakers such as Consulting Engineer Jack Poole P.E. and former New York City Fire Commissioner (1996-2002) Thomas Von Essen will cover the latest codes, trends and solutions in fire protection and emergency communications (a.k.a. mass notification) systems relative to the needs of today’s architects, engineers and facility managers. Four CPD (Continuing Professional Development) credits will be given to each attendee.

The four-hour sessions will be packed with information on emergency communications planning, risk analysis and intelligibility; BIM (Building Information Modeling); communications such as IP (Internet Protocol) and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications); International Building Code seismic requirements; and advanced detection. A comprehensive collection of supporting documentation and research will be given to all attendees in electronic form on flash drives. A continental breakfast and full lunch will also be provided.

Visit www.notifier.com to register for NOTIFIER’s upcoming Life Safety Educational Seminars in one of these cities: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York, Oakland, Orlando, Minneapolis, Phoenix and San Antonio. Space is limited. Those registered first will be given priority.

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WEBINAR December 13th.

11:00 am EST – 12:30 pm EST

UNDERSTANDING AUDIBILITY AND INTELLIGIBILITY

Presented by Mike Knoras of Aon Engineering (formerly Schirmer Engineering)

Purchase here:

http://www.afaa.org/OrderOnline/ViewAllProducts/tabid/68/List/1/CategoryID/15/Level/1/Default.aspx

December 13, 2010 – “Understanding Audibility and Intelligibility”, Discover the differences between audibility and intelligibility. Learn how to determine audibility requirements BEFORE you install your fire alarm horns. What is intelligibility and how do you design for it? How do you test for it in accordance with NFPA 72-2010? Presented by Mike Knoras, Aon Engineering (formerly Schirmer Engineering).

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Fire Alarm/Mass Notification Systems Available to Local, National Entities through GSA

NORTHFORD, CT, November 29, 2010 – Gamewell-FCI by Honeywell (NYSE: HON)  is now a GSA (General Services Administration) Schedule No. 84 supplier of advanced fire alarm and mass notification (a.k.a. emergency communications) systems. Under GSA Contract No. GS-07F-0087X, Gamewell-FCI can supply government entities with state-of-the-art fire protection products, supported by its nationwide network of Platinum Associate Engineered Systems Distributors.

According to Gamewell-FCI’s VP of Sales, Steve Birdsall, the recently signed Local Preparedness Acquisition Act paved the way for more state and local government agencies to take advantage of the GSA Schedule. “This could not have come at a better time, considering our challenging economy,” states Birdsall. “Many government facilities are either in need of a new system that’s code-compliant or a required addition such as a mass notification system.”

The breadth of Gamewell-FCI commercial fire alarm and mass notification products offered through the GSA Schedule fit virtually any size application, including small to high-rise buildings and large campuses such as military posts. Its E3 Series^® Expandable Emergency Evacuation system’s module design provides each job a custom fit with easy expansion, reconfiguration and networking capabilities.

For retrofit installations requiring updated fire alarm capabilities, the Gamewell-FCI E3 Series can often repurpose existing fire alarm components, such as wiring, notification appliances, speakers and more. With the ability to integrate all system components using only one-pair of unshielded, twisted copper wires or fiber optic cable, installation of an E3 Series system is both economical and non-evasive.

Mass notification systems have become a major requirement for many large-scale government properties. The DOD (Department of Defense) outlines requirements for mass notification systems throughout US military installations in its UFC (Unified Facilities Criteria) document 4-021-01. A combined fire alarm/mass notification system is described in the UFC as “the simplest and most economical approach”.

Many DOD engineers and facility managers have already partnered with local Gamewell-FCI distributors to design and install combined fire alarm/mass notification systems. According to the UFC, “Fire protection engineering personnel are needed for the successful implementation of this UFC because they bring a special expertise in life safety evaluations, building evacuation systems, and the design of public notification systems.”

“Becoming a GSA supplier was a very intricate process, but I think it will benefit both local and federal agencies,” says Birdsall. “Our ESDs are life safety experts who are familiar with all the applicable codes and have the support of the entire Gamewell-FCI company behind them.”

More detailed product information from Gamewell-FCI is available online atwww.gamewell-fci.com. Contact your local Gamewell-FCI representative to discuss specific fire alarm and life safety applications or to request a one-on-one product demonstration.

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Schirmer Engineering Corporation recently became Aon Fire Protection Engineering. This name change came about in an effort to fully align the company and brand with that of their parent company, Aon Corporation.  This long planned evolution positions the company to move forward as one, united global company with a shared vision.

In 2001, Schirmer Engineering was acquired by Aon Corporation, a leading global provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human capital consulting.  With an employee base of 47,000 people working in 600 offices in more than 120 countries, Aon is recognized for delivering distinctive client value via innovative and effective solutions.  A publically traded company, Aon is listed on the NYSE under the symbol AON.  Additional information is available at www.aon.com.

As Aon Fire Protection Engineering, their mission and commitment to excellence, focus on innovation and support for client relationships remain unchanged.  For more information on the global offerings of Aon Fire Protection Engineering, please visit their new website at www.AonFPE.com.

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Relationship Brings Federal Government Customers the Combined Strength

of Service Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business and Leading Fire and Life-Safety Provider

BOCA RATON, Fla. (November 02, 2010) – SimplexGrinnell, a leader in fire and life-safety systems, has entered into an agreement under the U.S. General Services Administration’s Mentor-Protégé Program with American Pride General Engineering, Inc., a CVE Verified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Native American-owned Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), and Small Business general contractor that specializes in design/build of horizontal and vertical military and public works projects.

The General Services Administration (GSA) recently accepted the mentor-protégé agreement for American Pride General Engineering (protégé), and SimplexGrinnell (mentor). SimplexGrinnell and American Pride are highlighting the relationship at today’s Society of American Military Engineers’ (SAME) Federal Business Opportunities Symposium in Orange County, California.

The Mentor-Protégé Program enhances the capability of Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) participants to compete successfully for federal government contracts. Mentors provide technical and management assistance, financial assistance, subcontract support, and assistance in performing prime contracts by working with Native American-owned and Disabled Veteran Business firms.

From an overall perspective, the program is designed to:

• Improve the performance of contracts and subcontracts
• Facilitate the establishment of long-term business relationships between large prime contractors and small business subcontractors
• Strengthen subcontracting opportunities and foster complementary capabilities to meet increasing government demands for quality, cost-effective solutions

“As a longtime leader in the fire and life-safety industry, SimplexGrinnell supports the goals and objectives of the Mentor-Protégé Program,” said Tom Staves, National Business Development Manager for Government Programs at SimplexGrinnell. “In our mentor role, we are committed to helping American Pride, a highly skilled general contractor, compete for federal government contracts. By working together under the auspices of this important GSA program, American Pride and SimplexGrinnell can provide best-in-class, turnkey solutions for fire alarm, sprinkler, suppression, emergency communications and integrated security.”

“American Pride is very excited to have the opportunity to enter into a mentor-protégé relationship with SimplexGrinnell,” said Jim Hatter, President/CEO of American Pride General Engineering, Inc. “This agreement allows American Pride to leverage the many successes of our current business relationship and focus on greater opportunities in the future. American Pride and SimplexGrinnell have teamed on multiple government contract opportunities, and have done an excellent job in joining forces with an array of complementary capabilities spanning horizontal and vertical general contracting and turnkey fire and life-safety solutions. American Pride looks forward to continued success as we strengthen our relationship with SimplexGrinnell.”

About SimplexGrinnell
SimplexGrinnell, a Tyco International company, provides a comprehensive array of fire alarm, fire sprinkler, fire suppression, integrated security, communications and nurse call systems and services. With one million customers, 150 local offices, and over 200 years of combined history in the fire business, SimplexGrinnell is the leader in fire and life safety. For additional information or to locate the nearest SimplexGrinnell district office, visit www.simplexgrinnell.com.

About American Pride General Engineering, Inc.

American Pride General Engineering, Inc. (American Pride) is a CVE Verified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Native American-owned Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), and Small Business (SB) general contractor that specializes in design/build of horizontal and vertical military and public works projects. Skilled in construction management American Pride uses computerized estimating, job costing and 3D models to support their key competencies in Earthworks projects involving GPS and laser-controlled grading, paving, surveying, and structural excavation.  Also, American Pride specializes in environmental and remediation services, including demolition, Hazmat and asbestos remediation, storm water and air-dust operations, and habitat mitigation. Based in Escondido, California, American Pride is a CCR registered U.S. government contractor.

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The New England Chapter of SFPE has recently improved their Authorities Having Jurisdiction program to streamline the registration process for eligible individuals.  This program will continue to be open to current municipal building and fire officials throughout New England.  They will also continue to provide SFPE dinner meetings free of charge to AHJ’s as funds are available.  Additional information on The SFPE New England AHJ program is available on our website. www.sfpe-newengland.org

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