Shelly Brown-Ferguson, Kevin Kane-Viking SupplyNet, Randy Knighton-Knight Fire, Bill McKay-Advanced Fire, Ashton Wolfe-Wolfe Heating & Fire, Chris Russell, Security Solutions NW, Steve Wilson-Vanport Fire, Joe Wilson-Vanport Fire, Chuck Bamford-Bamford & Assoc., Mike Balsey-Advanced Fire, Steve Muncy-AFSA, Mark Hoyt-Lubrizol, Richard Mack-Riverside Fire Authority, Chuck Duffy-State Fire Marshal’s Office, Roger White-Knight Fire, Ron Greenman-Bates Technical College

Randy opened the meeting at the appointed time although we all thought he was going to be late. Fooled us. The first topic of discussion as might be imagined was the state of the economy. At the moment Washington is doing better than other parts of the country but we’re starting to slip. This isn’t unusual since we always tend to be behind the curve of the economic ups and downs. Noticed by everyone is the high number of generals bidding every job. Bill mentioned that Federal recovery money is starting to become available in the construction sector. Joe Wilson reported that the only thing going on in the Portland area was a few apartment complexes. Several members noted seeing an increasing amount of out of state GCs bidding in Washington.

I had brought several administrative issues to the table. I suggested a separate Executive Board meeting each year apart from the general membership meetings to discuss strategies and issues that might be taken to the membership at large. Since the dinner meetings are mostly information exchanges there isn’t a lot of time for any real new business. The idea was approved. These will be open meetings and the entire membership will be notified of date, time and location. All members are welcome, but remember that these meetings may be irregular and ad hoc in nature so notification might be on short notice and they are for the purpose of better conducting the business of the chapter.

I brought up our current treasury (I don’t want to publish this information but if you’re a member and are interested you may call me and I’ll be happy to let you know) and noted we have returned from the abyss. I suggested that we might want to reconsider our dues structure. The members present unanimously voted to keep the current structure in place. The idea here is that we may now be able to get back into scholarships or the baseball tournament or what have you. Speaking of which, if you have an activity you’d like to see happen let me know and I’ll take it to the Executive Board meeting.

I brought up we were required by AFSA to have a membership chairman to meet our obligations as a chapter. I also suggested that the job fall on the immediate past president/chairman. Everybody liked that except Bill who made a big phony commotion and then graciously accepted.

We voted positively on accepting the “New Incentives for Chapter Staffing” and the responsibilities that that will incur. Since most of the latter falls on me, and I’ve been doing most of these things already, it’s pretty much a wash.

Prior to the meeting the Executive Committee (Randy, Ashton & Kevin) agreed to make the meeting fee for AHJs a flat $25.00. This should make it easier for AHJs to attend since they will know the cost ahead of time. The rest of us are still on a sliding scale.

The members attending voted to sponsor my trip to the AFSA Convention in San Diego this coming October. The last one I attended was in 2000 when I took on the Executive Director job for the Chapter. Thanks to all the PacNW Chaopter members.

The wage surveys are not out yet. If any of you get one please let me know so I can notify the other members. This is important and as fitter licensing in Washington kicks in it may end up being of great benefit to open shops. There was a long discussion about licensing. There may be a silver lining.

The Washington Sprinkler Coalition (Ashton is our rep) participated in a couple of side by side burns in a quadraplex slated for demolition. The demonstration was a huge success, turning the opinion of at least one elected city official completely around from a flat “they just cost too much even if they’re free” attitude to a “we gotta have these” change of heart. The main participants included South Kitsap Fire, Bremerton Fire, the Kitsap County Fire Marshal’s Office, Bremerton Housing Authority and Sprinx Fire. A film crew from Bates Technical College recorded the event and a short DVD is in post production. What I’ve seen so far is pretty good. It will be ready by our next meeting and I’ll try to have 25 or so copies to distribute to the members.

Steve Muncy, President of AFSA, was up next and he talked about the national economy, the state of AFSA,  and the state of the industry. 2008 was very good for AFSA, as were previous years. 2009 is not so good but because of judicious policies during the good times the health of AFSA as an organization is good. The industry itself, due to projects already funded, is behind the economic situation of the rest of the country by about six to eight months. California, Florida, Nevada and Michigan are hurting badly.

The homebuilders are doing their damnedest to make sure residential sprinklers do not become mandatory. To that end they are mounting an effort to overthrow the last ICC floor vote at this years ICC convention in Baltimore. Something new from ICC though. You now only need be a member, not an official also, to vote. If you can get to Baltimore and are an ICC member do so and vote. If you can get to Baltimore and aren’t an ICC member then join, go, and vote. If you can imagine North Dakota and Texas have adopted laws that make it illegal for a local jurisdiction to require residential sprinklers even if the state adopts the 2009 IRC with the residential provisions intact. I believe these are both home rule states!

AFSA has some pretty spectacular deals running as well as a lot of information you need. Go to their website at www.firesprinkler.org or to ours, www.afsanw.org, and click on the AFSA link.

I urge you to not let your AFSA membership lapse. It’s in hard times when solidarity of purpose and the ability to share ideas are most important and beneficial. While you’re cost cutting and streamlining consider AFSA membership as necessary to your business as insurance, fleet maintenance and fuel. You want the best prices and value but you you know you need to them all.

So everybody was well fed and the meeting broke up. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the AFSA Pacific Northwest Chapter will be held at the 13 Coins in SeaTac at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, 10 November 2009.

Shelly Brown-Ferguson, Kevin Kane-Viking SupplyNet, Randy Knighton-Knight Fire, Bill McKay-Advanced Fire, Ashton Wolfe-Wolfe Heating & Fire, Chris Russell, Security Solutions NW, Steve Wilson-Vanport Fire, Joe Wilson-Vanport Fire, Chuck Bamford-Bamford & Assoc., Mike Balsey-Advanced Fire, Steve Muncy-AFSA, Mark Hoyt-Lubrizol, Richard Mack-Riverside Fire Authority, Chuck Duffy-State Fire Marshal’s Office, Roger White-Knight Fire, Ron Greenman-Bates Technical College

Randy opened the meeting at the appointed time although we all thought he was going to be late. Fooled us. The first topic of discussion as might be imagined was the state of the economy. At the moment Washington is doing better than other parts of the country but we’re starting to slip. This isn’t unusual since we always tend to be behind the curve of the economic ups and downs. Noticed by everyone is the high number of generals bidding every job. Bill mentioned that Federal recovery money is starting to become available in the construction sector. Joe Wilson reported that the only thing going on in the Portland area was a few apartment complexes. Several members noted seeing an increasing amount of out of state GCs bidding in Washington.

I had brought several administrative issues to the table. I suggested a separate Executive Board meeting each year apart from the general membership meetings to discuss strategies and issues that might be taken to the membership at large. Since the dinner meetings are mostly information exchanges there isn’t a lot of time for any real new business. The idea was approved. These will be open meetings and the entire membership will be notified of date, time and location. All members are welcome, but remember that these meetings may be irregular and ad hoc in nature so notification might be on short notice and they are for the purpose of better conducting the business of the chapter.

I brought up our current treasury (I don’t want to publish this information but if you’re a member and are interested you may call me and I’ll be happy to let you know) and noted we have returned from the abyss. I suggested that we might want to reconsider our dues structure. The members present unanimously voted to keep the current structure in place. The idea here is that we may now be able to get back into scholarships or the baseball tournament or what have you. Speaking of which, if you have an activity you’d like to see happen let me know and I’ll take it to the Executive Board meeting.

I brought up we were required by AFSA to have a membership chairman to meet our obligations as a chapter. I also suggested that the job fall on the immediate past president/chairman. Everybody liked that except Bill who made a big phony commotion and then graciously accepted.

We voted positively on accepting the “New Incentives for Chapter Staffing” and the responsibilities that that will incur. Since most of the latter falls on me, and I’ve been doing most of these things already, it’s pretty much a wash.

Prior to the meeting the Executive Committee (Randy, Ashton & Kevin) agreed to make the meeting fee for AHJs a flat $25.00. This should make it easier for AHJs to attend since they will know the cost ahead of time. The rest of us are still on a sliding scale.

The members attending voted to sponsor my trip to the AFSA Convention in San Diego this coming October. The last one I attended was in 2000 when I took on the Executive Director job for the Chapter. Thanks to all the PacNW Chaopter members.

The wage surveys are not out yet. If any of you get one please let me know so I can notify the other members. This is important and as fitter licensing in Washington kicks in it may end up being of great benefit to open shops. There was a long discussion about licensing. There may be a silver lining.

The Washington Sprinkler Coalition (Ashton is our rep) participated in a couple of side by side burns in a quadraplex slated for demolition. The demonstration was a huge success, turning the opinion of at least one elected city official completely around from a flat “they just cost too much even if they’re free” attitude to a “we gotta have these” change of heart. The main participants included South Kitsap Fire, Bremerton Fire, the Kitsap County Fire Marshal’s Office, Bremerton Housing Authority and Sprinx Fire. A film crew from Bates Technical College recorded the event and a short DVD is in post production. What I’ve seen so far is pretty good. It will be ready by our next meeting and I’ll try to have 25 or so copies to distribute to the members.

Steve Muncy, President of AFSA, was up next and he talked about the national economy, the state of AFSA,  and the state of the industry. 2008 was very good for AFSA, as were previous years. 2009 is not so good but because of judicious policies during the good times the health of AFSA as an organization is good. The industry itself, due to projects already funded, is behind the economic situation of the rest of the country by about six to eight months. California, Florida, Nevada and Michigan are hurting badly.

The homebuilders are doing their damnedest to make sure residential sprinklers do not become mandatory. To that end they are mounting an effort to overthrow the last ICC floor vote at this years ICC convention in Baltimore. Something new from ICC though. You now only need be a member, not an official also, to vote. If you can get to Baltimore and are an ICC member do so and vote. If you can get to Baltimore and aren’t an ICC member then join, go, and vote. If you can imagine North Dakota and Texas have adopted laws that make it illegal for a local jurisdiction to require residential sprinklers even if the state adopts the 2009 IRC with the residential provisions intact. I believe these are both home rule states!

AFSA has some pretty spectacular deals running as well as a lot of information you need. Go to their website at www.firesprinkler.org or to ours, www.afsanw.org, and click on the AFSA link.

I urge you to not let your AFSA membership lapse. It’s in hard times when solidarity of purpose and the ability to share ideas are most important and beneficial. While you’re cost cutting and streamlining consider AFSA membership as necessary to your business as insurance, fleet maintenance and fuel. You want the best prices and value but you you know you need to them all.

So everybody was well fed and the meeting broke up. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the AFSA Pacific Northwest Chapter will be held at the 13 Coins in SeaTac at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, 10 November 2009.

Bill McKay-Advanced Fire, Roger White-Knight Fire, Randy Knighton-Knight Fire, Ken Sirak-Victaulic,  Joe Faulkner-Sprinx,  Chuck Paradis-Sprinx,  Kevin Kane-Viking Supply Net, Ron Greenman-Bates Technical College, Chuck Bamford-Bamford & associates

Randy opened the meeting promptly at 6:30. The obvious big topic was the economy. Everyone noted that competition was beyond fierce with cut-to-the-bone bids and underbidding going to  20-40% below costs, and not just due to target money infusions on the union side of the industry. Apparently some contractors must think paying to do the work is better than not having the work. Here we go again. What kind of bar will this set this time when the economy recovers?

The low turn-out to this meeting was disappointing and commented upon. This is not the time to try to be frugal by skipping an expensive meal once a quarter. Probably won’t have much effect on your bottom line and those that regularly attend can vouch that this newsletter only touches on the highlights of the useful information that gets shared at our meetings. I think that many will agree, and that I can say unequivocally that when times are good these meetings are a lot of fun–have a few drinks, a good meal and yuk it up with your friends–but when times are tough they’re essential. Off the soapbox!

The Employee Free Choice Act was discussed and, at least in this industry and probably most, this legislation is opposed by both union and non-union employers. The point was made that the unions do not provide employment, contractors do.

Several of the members noted that they were hanging in there and lay-offs had been kept to a minimum but they also noted that things looked like they’d be getting worse before they got better. Ken Sirak said that Victaulic had laid off about 300 people internationally. Randy said that there was a good management article in Sprinkler Age (Mea culpa–I didn’t note which issue but I seem to recall either April or May so you’ll have to look through both). 

Fitter licensing in this state is up an running. We all hope you’ve done the necessary to have your workers papered. Testing will start for new guys in September but that may be mute in the current economy.

The Level 1 Certificate of Competency for design is no longer available for testing for the time being. The State test has been compromised and so the SFM has temporarily closed that door pending a decision on how to proceed. NICET seems to be where we’re headed.

The March edition of Sprinkler Age has an article on changes to NFPA 13 for the 2010 edition.

Watch your specs very carefully. Knight Fire had a job where, due to the light construction methods employed for the structure, no lifts were allowed on the second floor. This type of construction is increasing in popularity so be aware and add appropriate wording to your standard proposals.

Compatibility issues with plastic continue to be a concern. Kevin noted that the manufacturers are getting closer to a solution regarding the plastic/steel problems. Jobsite issues are still a big problem so make sure that you post your “Be Careful” notices in your documentation  and to the owners/owner reps and GCs.

NAHB/BIA has been successful in several states in getting their latest strategy to thwart residential sprinklers into law. Rather than try to have the two paragraphs in the IRC that mandate residential sprinklers removed at the State level they are instead having laws enacted that prohibit local jurisdictions from adopting laws mandating sprinklers. If they get these enacted before the states adopt the IRC then the prohibitive law becomes the precedent law due to age (a day seems to be enough) and then any local adoption of the code must excise the residential sprinkler requirement. Lawyers, lawyers, lawyers.

For about a year and a half I’ve been trying to get us recognized with the IRS as a non-profit in our own right. We used to be under the umbrella of the national organization’s status but due to some new reporting legislation that was no longer possible. I’m happy to say that we were finally granted that status and that the IRS accepted our returns, basically punctuating the decision. 

The meting adjourned and we all went home. The next meeting will be held at the SeaTac 133 Coins at 6:30 PM, as usual, on Tuesday, 11 August 2009. Steve Muncy, president of AFSA, will be our guest.

Randy opened the meeting promptly at 6:30.

The obvious big topic was the economy. Everyone noted that competition was beyond fierce with cut-to-the-bone bids and underbidding going to 20-40% below costs, and not just due to target money infusions on the union side of the industry. Apparently some contractors must think paying to do the work is better than not having the work. Here we go again. What kind of bar will this set this time when the economy recovers?

The low turn-out to this meeting was disappointing and commented upon. This is not the time to try to be frugal by skipping an expensive meal once a quarter. Probably won’t have much effect on your bottom line and those that regularly attend can vouch that this newsletter only touches on the highlights of the useful information that gets shared at our meetings. I think that many will agree, and that I can say unequivocally that when times are good these meetings are a lot of fun–have a few drinks, a good meal and yuk it up with your friends–but when times are tough they’re essential. Off the soapbox!

The Employee Free Choice Act was discussed and, at least in this industry and probably most, this legislation is opposed by both union and non-union employers. The point was made that the unions do not provide employment, contractors do.

Several of the members noted that they were hanging in there and lay-offs had been kept to a minimum but they also noted that things looked like they’d be getting worse before they got better. Ken Sirak said that Victaulic had laid off about 300 people internationally. Randy said that there was a good management article in Sprinkler Age (Mea culpa–I didn’t note which issue but I seem to recall either April or May so you’ll have to look through both).

Fitter licensing in this state is up an running. We all hope you’ve done the necessary to have your workers papered. Testing will start for new guys in September but that may be mute in the current economy. The Level 1 Certificate of Competency for design is no longer available for testing for the time being. The State test has been compromised and so the SFM has temporarily closed that door pending a decision on how to proceed. NICET seems to be where we’re headed.

The March edition of Sprinkler Age has an article on changes to NFPA 13 for the 2010 edition.

Watch your specs very carefully. Knight Fire had a job where, due to the light construction methods employed for the structure, no lifts were allowed on the second floor. This type of construction is increasing in popularity so be aware and add appropriate wording to your standard proposals.

Compatibility issues with plastic continue to be a concern. Kevin noted that the manufacturers are getting closer to a solution regarding the plastic/steel problems. Jobsite issues are still a big problem so make sure that you post your “Be Careful” notices in your documentation and to the owners/owner reps and GCs.

NAHB/BIA has been successful in several states in getting their latest strategy to thwart residential sprinklers into law. Rather than try to have the two paragraphs in the IRC that mandate residential sprinklers removed at the State level they are instead having laws enacted that prohibit local jurisdictions from adopting laws mandating sprinklers. If they get these enacted before the states adopt the IRC then the prohibitive law becomes the precedent law due to age (a day seems to be enough) and then any local adoption of the code must excise the residential sprinkler requirement. Lawyers, lawyers, lawyers.

For about a year and a half I’ve been trying to get us recognized with the IRS as a non-profit in our own right. We used to be under the umbrella of the national organization’s status but due to some new reporting legislation that was no longer possible. I’m happy to say that we were finally granted that status and that the IRS accepted our returns, basically punctuating the decision.

The meting adjourned and we all went home.

The next meeting will be held at the SeaTac 133 Coins at 6:30 PM, as usual, on Tuesday, 11 August 2009. Steve Muncy, president of AFSA, will be our guest.

Ken Sirac Victaulic
Steve Hobart Simplex/Grinnell
Roger White Knight Fire
Randy Knighton Knight Fire
Bill McKay Advanced Fire
Michael Fitz MDE
Dave Suchy Wolfe Fire
Ashton Wolfe Wolfe Fire
Kevin Kane Viking Supplynet
Joe Faulkner Sprinx
Mark Hoyt Lubrizol
Ron Greenman Bates Technical College

The meeting started at 6:30 PM as scheduled.

Bill went over the minutes from last meeting. Bill and Ashton then discussed the ongoing Jurisdiction Database. This will be a centralized location where our members can go to get the latest info about jurisdictions in our area. The idea will be similar to Wikipedia where members can upgrade info like permit fee increases, new local ordinances, etc. as they are encountered. By doing this we can help each other avoid surprises.

Bill then reported that the State Fire Marshal was starting to mail out the new installer/trainee cards. He then introduced our new officers, Randy Knighton, Chair, Ashton Wolfe, Vice Chair, and Kevin Kane, Secretary/Teasurer and turned the meeting over to Randy. Following a round of applause for Bill Randy took the chair.

A report on the recent Fire Marshal’s Forum was given. Topics at the Forum included licensing, pumps underground and residential issues.

The installer/trainee issue came up again and everyone was reminded to get the applications for their people into the State Fire Marshal’s office before the end of March.

The “Employee Free Choice Act” was the next topic and the consensus was that everyone needed to get educated on this issue. Information can be found of the AFSA website.

Another consensus topic was that in these recessionary times it was more important than ever to keep up with collections. Cash flow is what keeps the wheels of your company turning. Bill also brought up that as painful as it might be to lay employees off if it’s necessary to keep your company healthy than it will be better to do so.

The members present then voted to support the Washington Residential Fire Sprinkler Coalition with a donation of $1250.00 augmented by an application for a matching grant from the AFSA National organization. (The grant was approved and the money is in our possession.) The Coalition’s goal is to monitor and stop any attempts by the NAHB/BIA to excise the new residential sprinkler requirements from the 2009 IRC when it’s adopted by the State. The money supplied by us and the local NFSA chapter will be used to defray any expenses incurred in this effort.

There was a reminder that it’s important to get information regarding chemical compatibility with plastic pipe to owners and GCs. Forewarning them that some construction chemicals can damage plastic pipe will hopefully forestall later problems and lower your liability if plastic does come in contact with incompatible products.

The meeting was then adjourned.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 12th.

Call to order at 6:30 by Bill McKay.

The first order of business was membership. As anyone getting this newsletter already knows the active members of the Pacific NW Chapter of the AFSA have assessed themselves an annual dues of $250.00. You should have all received a notification and invoice for your 2009 dues by now. Remember that you need to be a member of the AFSA national organization to be a member of this chapter. Remember that you are responsible for dues to both organizations. Remember that the dues amount is per company and not per individual. Remember that the dues for this chapter must be made out to AFSA/PacNW Chapter and mailed to me (the address is on your invoice) with the invoice by the last working day of 2008. The membership at the fall meeting, held on 11 November, voted a $50.00 late fee to anyone submitting their membership dues after 1 January 2009so that deadline has some meaning. This of course does not apply to new members but only to current members that are late. Remember that this is the last newsletter you will receive if you are not a member in good standing for 2009. Remember that AHJs can receive the newsletter just by asking but if you don’t ask…. Current members in good standing for 2009 are:

Advanced Fire

Commercial Fire

Fire Protection Systems

Inland Empire Fire

Inland Fire

Knight Fire

Plumbco

Simplex/Grinnell

Sprinx Fire

Wolfe Heat and Fire

AHJs are:

Diane Hansen–Seattle FD

Chuck Koval–GSA

Bob Lovett–Redmond FD

Brian Nixon– US Navy NAVFAC and too many other letters to list

Anybody else  out there–you have a little more than a month.

Next we’re having elections. We have openings for Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary/Trreasurer.  Each position will serve for two years. Current candidates are as follows:

Chair–Randy Knighton

Vice Chair–Ashton Wolfe

Sec/Treas–Jim Stewart, Mike Frazione & Kevin Kane

Nominations are open until the end of the year so if you’d like to run or nominate someone you have about 30 days to let me know. Sometime in January I’ll send out a special balloting mailing to the members.

Bill says the L&I wage survey will be coming soon-maybe January or February. We’ll keep you informed.

There should also be a statement soon from the AG relating to the use of union dues from prevailing wage jobs for subsidizing non-public work.

The “co-op” insurance program is nearing completion.

The mission statement for our chapter has been voted on and reads: Members helping members improve.

The “Permit Book” is being compiled by Ashton and he will be getting in touch with folks for help.

Discussion of the scholarship initiative was tabled until the winter meeting.

Discussion of the baseball tournament was tabled until the winter meeting.

If you haven’t heard the 2009 IRC will have a requirement that all single family dwellings, duplexes and townhouses will be required to have sprinklers beginning in January of 2011. Now the war to make sure it’s adopted in our NW states begins. Already the NAHB/BIA has its proxy agents fighting against it. See the attached letter from WABO to the ICC.

Everybody that went agreed that the AFSA convention was a smashing success.

Lots more about CPVC. Keep up with dos and don’ts. There’s apparently a new problem with a certain type of CPVC made in Canada. There’s also a potential problem with the chemicals used to mitigate against MIC attacking the CPVC in steel/plastic systems.

There’s a lot of confusion regarding the new installer/trainee certification at the State level. The one sure thing though is that you need to get your installers and trainees registered by the first of the year. If you’re unsure of what you need to do contact the State Fire Marshal’s office. Don’t procrastinate on this one.

Bill reported that the new NICET testing protocol will be starting the first of the year.

Lloyd Ivy was our guest and as usual he gave us insight into AFSA membership. There are nationwide 826 AFSA contractor members and 207 associate members. He also mentioned that AFSA was working on more streamlined communication strategies that should make exchanging information between AFSA and contractors quicker. Finally Lloyd announced he’d be retiring at the end of the year. I’ll certainly miss his annual visits. He’s been a great asset to AFSA and our chapter.

And last but not least Randy Siegmund announced his retirement from Kennedy. I can’t remember when I didn’t know Randy. I’ll be missing him to.

Members present:

Ashton Wolfe WHF

Bill Mckay Advanced

Jim Stewart Advanced

Mike Balsey Advanced

Roger White Knight

Randy Knighton Knight

Herb Canon Knight

Bill Cunnungham Plumbco

Dennis Skinner FPS

Mike Fragione FPS

Kevin Kane Viking Supply Net

Randy Siegmund Kennedy Valve

Jim Akers Kennedy Valve

Chuck Bamford Bamford Inc.

Steve Hobart Simplex/Grinnell

Herb Schairbaum Bluewater

Chris Johnson Bluewater

Chris Russell Security Solutions

Ken Sirak Victaulic

Lloyd Ivy AFSA

Ron Greenman Bates Technical College

Happy Thanksgiving–See you all next year.

The discussion started about the installers licensing bill and the requirements for 8000 hours of experience for installers working to NFPA 13 and 4000 hours for installers on 13R jobs. According to attorney Judd Lees interpretation of the bill he thinks that installers that currently have enough hours in their respective areas will issued a temporary certificate and that if they apply for a permanent one within 90 days after the first year no written test will be required.

Bill has submitted an application for a matching grant to AFSA to help cover legal fees associated with getting the installers licensing bill administered in a way that works for us.

The next item was a revisiting of the chapter dues. The group once again agreed that this is a good idea for us. Many have already paid and I intend to be sending out a second billing in the next few days. I have been swamped and am a little behind.

There was a review of AFSA Chapter requirements and all we lack at the moment is a mission statement.

The good news on the insurance front is that costs are dropping. In fact Travelers is actively courting companies with over twenty employees, been in business at least three years and have demonstrated a low loss rate.

Pex systems were discussed and the general consensus is that there will be more of these in the future.

Permit fees are very high in Bellingham, King County, Seattle and Issaquah so check if bidding in any city or county you haven’t worked in.

Randy Siegmund with Kennedy Valves showed their new valve which is one third lighter and can be fixed in the field by removing the stem and not the whole valve body and tamper switch. As an aside Randy will soon be, or maybe has by now, retired. Thanks for all you’ve done for the industry and congratulations.

Barry with Ferguson reported 10% to 12% increases in May for pipe and expects up to 25% to 30% in June and again in August. Make sure you have a increase clause in your contract or at least buy pipe as soon as you get the job.

Business in the Northwest still is strong but….

Our next meeting is scheduled for August 12 and our guest will be Steve Muncy, President of AFSA. See you there.

And finally, thanks to Bill McKay for taking notes. This meeting fell on my wife’s birthday and I couldn’t convince her that a great meal at 13 Coins was a good idea.

Members present:

Bill Mckay Advanced Fire
Herb Canon Knight Fire
Randy Knighton Knight Fire
Roger White Knight Fire
Randy Siegmund Kennedy Valve
Chuck Paradis Sprinx
Kevin Kane Viking Supply Net
John Abel Crown Fire
Jim Kramp Crown Fire
Shelly Brown Ferguson Fire & Fab
Barry Felkner Ferguson Fire & Fab
Scott Haynes Bates Technical College