Greetings...
... and welcome to a new year for the FCIA. For those who
have not met me before, my name is Robert (Bob) LeClair and
I have been involved in the firestopping industry since 1992.
When I started working for AF Underhill, the industry was
just starting to develop in our area of New England. Enforcement
was the driving force in getting work and as history repeats
itself constantly, it is the same challenge we are faced with
each year.
We have many goals this year as an organization, too many
to go into in this short letter of greeting, but of main priority
is enforcement. We are attacking this issue on many fronts
within the organization. Our main vehicle for this is Promotion
of the Specialty Firestop Contractor Concept and the Firestopping
Quality Process FM 4991 program which approves firestopping
contractors plus ASTM E 2174 & ASTM E2393 Inspection Standards.
The detailed program offered by Factory Mutual reviews the
mechanics of quality assurance, means and methods of installing
firestopping for contractors around the country. We as contractors
are finally starting to see the return on our investment in
this program as FM specifications are beginning to appear
around the country. Our challenge as an organization is to
see that these specifications are not broken by general contractors
who sacrifice life safety for monetary rewards.
Through industry relations we have been promoting the Specialty
Firestop Contractor Concept and "The Firestopping Quality
Process" in news articles, press releases and direct
contacts with the specification, architecture and building
owner / manager and code communities. Over the last few years
due to dedicated work of our members, two inspection standards
have been developed through ASTM (ASTM E 2174 & ASTM E
2393) to review installations in the field. FCIA is the first
association to use a standards to build a sub contractor quality
process. Our aim is to bring further credibility to our industry,
help further the education and knowledge about firestopping
and how it contributes to fire and life safety.
These are just a few of the on going activities we have been
involved in to help develop and build our industry. We expect
to have available to the membership many exciting educational
packages at our conferences and on the web site. Our educational
program can be offered for AIA CEU's and our new DVD firestopping
program will be the perfect addition to any contractor or
architect library.
Much of what we do as volunteers in the organization is accomplished
through hard work and perseverance. As any organization we
need funds to complete our work. I personally want to take
a moment and recognize you, the membership, for your support
and dedication to the industry. Without your help through
dues and attendance at our functions, much of what we do each
and every year would not be possible. Thank you.
Bob LeClair, FCIA 2005 President
A.F. Underhill, Inc., 781-828-9760
(c) Copyright FCIA 03/23/05 - Permission is hereby granted
to forward, print, circulate, quote with credit to FCIA. FCIA
is a non profit organization of Firestop Contractors, Contractor
Branch Offices, Manufacturers and Associate Members interested
in furthering life safety through the Professional Specialty
Firestop Contractor Concept. For more information, contact
the FCIA Office:
Bill McHugh
Executive Director
1257 Golf Circle
Wheaton, IL 60187
630.690.0682 Phone
630.690.2871 FAX
Email: info@fcia.org
Website: www.fcia.org
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