Shelly Brown, Ferguson

Kevin Kane, Viking SupplyNet

Randy Knighton & Roger White, Knight Fire

Mike Balsey, Advanced Fire

Chuck Bamford, Bamford & Assoc.

Bill Cunningham, Plumbco

Ken Sirac, Victaulic

Steve Ike, Talco

Troy Whitbank, Tyco

Mark Hoyt, Lubrizol

Jeff Livaudais, AFSA

Jose Butriago, WSRB

Ron Greenman, Bates TC

Randy opened the meeting at the appointed time. His first comments were about a sprinkler save in Chehalis. The sprinklers were mentioned by the Fire Marshal and he was quoted in the paper. Not particularly news to any of you but there were the obligatory comments about the dismal economy.

There have been three increase in pipe prices since January totaling a rise of 33%. Plastic pipe has also gone up. Other materials have also risen or are projected to soon. Ferguson has an announcement page on their website where they post pending price increase letters from manufacturers as soon as they get them. Randy suggested using these letters as part of your request for change orders for price increases.

Randy posed a question: Why doesn’t the State suspend prevailing wage during the current economic climate?

Jeff Livaudais, National Membership Director from AFSA spoke next about AFSA’s Economic Relief Incentive. Webinairs will continue to be free for AFSA members forth rest of 2010. You will also receive a 10% rebate on your dues that can be applied to any AFSA materials including convention registration. The next convention will be in Providence, Rhode Island. Check with UPS if you’re involved in shipping any freight. They are offering up to 70% off to AFSA members. If you looking at your dues being too big a hit or a single month remember you can spread the cost out by making payments. Talk to Jeff at: jlivaudais@firesprinkler.org

Also available from AFSA is training on how to deal with the union.

Our other speaker was Steve Ike from Talco Fire, the pump guys down in North Oregon. He talked about Talco products and services.

The next meeting of the AFSA/PacNW Chapter will be Tuesday, May 11, 6:30 PM at the 13 Coins in SeaTac. Our speakers will be Mark Mannex from FM Global talking about FM’s new approach to storage, and Scott Siderman from Tegris who will be talking about their NFPA 25 reporting system.