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Accreditation Committee |
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CharterThe Accreditation Committee's mission is to develop programs for credentialing firms adding levels of quality to this fire and life safety service of Firestopping. FCIA's Accreditation Committee developed in partnership with FM Research, FM 4991, the Firestop Contractors' Approval Standard; and in partnership with Underwriters Laboratories, the UL Qualified Firestop Contractor Program. This committee is working with FCIA members to increase the number of "FM Approved Contractors" and "UL Qualified Firestop Contractors" worldwide, while performing ongoing maintenance to both credentialing programs for specialty firestop contractors. Plus, FCIA's Accreditation Committee has also communicated these programs to other Effective Compartmentation Industries such as Fire Doors, Fire Dampers, Fire Rated Glazing, Masonry & Concrete, Drywall/Plastering trades and others to bring the Quality Management Process to all fire resistance rated construction systems. The Accreditation Committee is also working on credential programs for independent 3rd party inspection agencies that perform firestop and compartmentation project reviews as well. Information Updated on February 14, 2008FCIA's Accreditation Committee continues to meet, email, video conference and talk with both FM & UL about the Specialty Firestop Contractor Programs at both organizations. FM - 4991, Standard for the Approval of Firestop ContractorsFCIA’s Accreditation Committee continues meetings and communication with FM to help them to promote the program in the marketplace while maintaining a credible program for Specialty Firestop Contractors thorughout the world. FCIA's Accreditation Committee to meet with FM in Boston in March and again in Seattle in April, 2008. UL Qualified Firestop Contractor ProgramFCIA’s Accreditation Committee continues to work with UL to help the program gain acceptance in the marketplace. Most importantly, the first audit is complete, and Gleeson-Powers, Inc., Franklin, MA is the first UL Qualified Firestop Contractor. The Accreditation Committee presented a new Quality Management System (QMS) Education Program July and November, 2007 at the UL DRI Test, then at the FCIA Educationand Committee Action Conference. In the future, FCIA will need Additional Educated FCIA Member, UL Qualified Presenters to educate on behalf of FCIA at various events. FCIA is planning a 'train the trainer' program at the Seattle Education and Committee Action Conference, Seattle, WA. The FCIA UL Qualified Firestop Contractor program DRI test prep course and testing scheduled for four sites in 2008:
FCIA's Accreditation Committee also formed a partnership with UL to educate building officials, fire marshals, architects, specifiers and others. The UL Total Fire Protection Systems Symposium aims to educate about all types of fire protection, including fire and smoke resistance rated effective compartmentation, sprinklers, alarms and detection systems.
FCIA looks forward to a very productive 2008 with the Accreditation Committee. Feel free to contact the Chair, Aedan Gleeson, should you want to get invovled. Information updated on Nov 25, 2007Accreditation Committee – Aedan Gleeson, Chair The Accreditation Committee maintains relationships with the accreditation organizations that work with Firestopping Contractors. There are currently two major firms in the quality auditing business, verifying the quality process of Firestop Contractors, FM Global's Approvals Division, and Underwriters Laboratories. FM 4991 is the first Construction Subcontractor Quality Audit Program FM Globals’ Research Division manages FM 4991 – Standard for the Approval of Firestop Contractors. This program, an ISO 9000 type quality management system for the firestopping contractor, was specially built for the construction subcontracting community and has been in service since 2001. To become FM 4991 Approved, the Firestop Specialty Firestop Contracting firm must have a quality manual, appoint a Designated Responsible Individual who passed an industry test adminstered by FM, then pass initial and ongoing audits of their quality procedures. The FCIA Accreditation Committee has had a very productive two years in 2005 and 2006. FM is very proactive about continual improvement. In 2006, FM offered its’ staff webinar firestopping industry education, and tips about how to audit a firestopping contractor firm. FCIA staff continues to provide educational resources to FM Approvals for training of the auditors that review firestopping firms. Additionally, Aedan Gleeson, FCIA Accreditation chair, was appointed to the FM North American Industry Advisory Board. FCIA Develops Specifications & Promotes to Code Organizations FCIA worked with various architectural groups to place the FM 4991 qualification into specifications, presented the concept to the International Code Council (ICC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for Building and Fire Code consideration, while promoting the “Firestopping Quality Process” internationally. About one third of FCIA Members are FM Approved, with consistent growth yearly. FCIA continues to work with Architectural, Specification, building code and fire marshal communities to educate about the importance to fire and life safety by using a specialty firestop contractor. UL Announces new Construction Subcontractor Quality Audit Program In 2006, FCIA’s Accreditation Committee also worked with Underwriters Laboratories, (UL) to develop the "UL Qualified Firestop Contractor Program". This new program adds another credible name in addition to FM to fire and life safety protection through the broad reach of UL throughout the world. UL recently announced an education partnership with FCIA bringing learning venues for architects, fire marshals, building officials and firestopping contractors about Effective Compartmentatation and Firestopping. These programs, the FCIA DRI Education Program and Total Fire Protection Systems Symposium, have been well received by audiences throughout North America. Watch the FCIA Events page for more information and specific dates. For Independent Inspection Agencies, FCIA offers the opportunity to be tested to either the FM or UL DRI Exam. Watch for further details about an inspector credential program as they unfold on this website. To learn more about how to get involved in the FCIA Accreditation Committee, contact the Chair, Aedan Gleeson. Contractor, manufacturer and associate members from throughout the world are welcome to participate. Accreditation Committee Goals for 2007 FCIA’s Accreditation Committee Goals for 2007 include the following: - Relationships – Maintain and build upon relationships with FM & UL. - Promotion – Continue promotion of the Firestopping Quality Management Process and Installation Protocol in the specification, building official and fire marshal communities. - Codes - Promote the concept to the International Code Council, (ICC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). - Specifications - Promote the concept to Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), American Institute of Architects (AIA), Association of Licensed Architects (ALA), Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP). - Building Owners & Managers, General Contractors - FCIA presented this concept to the Building Owners and Managers Association, and the Association of General Contractors National Headquarters in Washington DC. - Internationalization – FCIA is promoting the use of the FM & UL Quality management programs throughout the world by working with architectural firms who specify for projects in outside the US. ------------------------------------------------FCIA Accreditation Committee 2005 Results - Aedan Gleeson, FCIA 2005 Accreditation Committee ChairFCIA's Accreditation Committee in 2005 had several successes. Working with FM Approvals, FCIA Accreditation Chair Aedan Gleeson, Bob LeClair & Bill McHugh were able to provide an education program to FM's personnel involved in the FM 4991 Standard implimentation. Below is a summary of other important happenings from FCIA's Accreditation Committee: - FCIA Member / FM Approved Contractors Cover the US - Approved Contractors are available nationwide, with some interest developing in Canada from FCIA Member Contractors. Look for new FM Approved Contractors to supply Canada's specifications requirements. - FM 4991 in Specifications - FCIA's Accreditation & Marketing Committee's work with Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), Specification Consultants in Independent Practice(SCIP), Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) ARCOM & BSD Master Specification Programs, and leading specifiers has resulted in "FCIA Member, FM 4991 Approved, ASTM E 2174 & ASTM E 2393 Inspection Protocol" appearing in Specs. FCIA Member Contractors, FM 4991 Approved, inspected to ASTM E 2174 & ASTM E 2393, is the "Firestopping Quality Process". See Presentations for full description of this new construction industry trend. - FM DRI Certificates Awarded at FCIA Conference - FM Approvals' Jeff Gould and Vice President, George Smith distribute Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) Certificates at FCIA's Firestop Industry Conference & Trade Show, November 11, 2005. Contractors can use these as further proof of their commitment to the quality process. - New UL Firestop Contractor Qualification Program - At FCIA's Firestop Industry Conference & Trade Show, November, 2005, FCIA heard from Dan Kaiser, UL's Business Development Manager about the new Contractor Qualification Program at UL for Firestopping Contractors. This new program will add value to existing programs as it adds more credibility to an already strong name in the marketplace. UL has planned to introduce the new program at FCIA's Education and Committee Action Conference, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, April 26 - 28, 2006. Visit FCIA's Events page for more info. - Articles - There were several magazine articles co-authored by the Accreditation, Standards & Marketing Committee to promote the quality process. FCIA's Marketing Committee provided several opportunities for exposure in the new construction and maintenance markets. See FCIA's Marketing Committee Pages for more info about where these articles appeared. FCIA's Accreditation Committee also worked with FM Approvals to maintain the integrity of the program. Plus, cooperation with FCIA's Marketing Committee to grow awareness about the program meant excellent exposure. Interested in joining this active group? Email info@fcia.org with your interest. -Accreditation Committee Promoting FCIA Member, FM 4991 Contractors in 2004 & 2005 FCIA's Accreditation Committee, in conjunction with the Marketing Committee, formed relationships with the National Association of State Fire Marshals, FM Approvals personnel, and presented The Firestopping Quality Process Powerpoint Presentation at the ASTM Symposium on Firestopping. The Firestopping Quality Process consists of Tested and Listed Firestop Systems supplied by FCIA Member Manufacturers, installed by FCIA Member, FM 4991 Approved Contractors, Inspected to ASTM E 2174 / ASTM E 2393 Inspection Standards, and Maintained by FCIA Member Contractors. FCIA also visited with ARCOM's MasterSpec as well. The Inspector Qualification Standard discussions are also underway. The Accreditation Committee will be active in 2006 maintaining relationships begun the past 5 years, and looks forward to a great year. FCIA Accreditation Committee News - March 4, 2003Listed below are topics we discussed:- ASTM "INSPECTOR STANDARD" - This new Committee was formed and is to be headed by Randy Bosscawen, MultiCon Construction, Fire Containment Division. Don Sabrsula joined the teleconference and offerred assistance to Randy based on his experience with the ASTM E 2174. Don reported that on 4/8/03, 8:00-11:00 am a meeting will take place re: ASTM E 2174 for penetrations, and the new standard for joints. Info can be found at www.astm.org, meeting notices. The ASTM site provides info on hotel, etc. At 2:00, the Inspection Standard will be introduced by FCIA to the E6 Servicablity committee where we would participate as chair, if elected. The ASTM Program is at the Westin Crown Hotel, Kansas City, 816.474.4400 - $134/nite. Randy requested that Bill McHugh work with him developing the standard, at the KC meeting and working with the process. Don Sabrsula mentioned he'd help Randy as well. - FM DRI TESTING UPDATES - New FM 4991 DRI Test questions are being developed by FCIA and FM, with Blase Reardon as FCIA's contact. Questions come through the FCIA Board, architects, fire marshal's, code officials and other interested industry participants. There will be a few test questions that will be added to the Las Vegas FM Test, with a totally new test for the 3 year "DRI Renewal Test", which takes place in Orlando, November, 2003. The MOP may need updating to reflect the test questions as well. - FM 4991 PROMOTION - MasterSpec, CMD SpecLink now have FM 4991, and ASTM E 2174 included in their "Master Specifications". These specs are bought as templates by over 10,000 architect/engineering firms nationwide. This is resulting in more specifications for FM 4991around the country. Aedan suggested we find a way to keep track of FM 4991/ASTM E2174 Specs that appear in the market. Currently, the FCIA Office is "listening" for contractors who see the specs, or architects who ask us questions about it...and tracking on a spreadsheet. FCIA Accreditation Committee News - June 10, 2002FM 4991 Firestop Contractor Approval is catching on with contractors and architects. Currently, we have 16 members who have become FM Approved nationwide, with many more in the process. FM 4991 Contractor Approval offers specialty firestop contractors value through U.S. & Worldwide Promotion - Approved Contractors are listed in the worldwide "FM Global Approvals Manual". This manual was recently sent to thousands of building owners and architects. If your firm is FM 4991 Approved, the firm's name & address listing promotes FM 4991 approval to key contacts, worldwide. FCIA will promote FM 4991 at the Specification Consultants in Independent Practice Meeting in Las Vegas at "The CSI Show", June 25 & 26, 2002. Major specification consultants, nationwide are expected to be at our introduction.
"We've seen specs where architects and FM, nationwide are recommending to their clients/insured's, "approved contractors" and "FM 4991 Approved Contractors", in contractor qualification sections of specifications", according to Rachelle Dover, Wall Systems of Southwest Florida, Aedan Gleeson, Gleeson Powers, Inc., Franklin MA, and Breck Spain, Performance Contracting, Inc., Sacramento, CA. FM 4991 provides the documented "Approved" status for your firm. FCIA has worked hard to make FM 4991a reality and has promoted it . Now we need you to help make it a success. It's coming to you soon through specifications. As Aedan Gleeson states, "let's get dressed up and go to the party by getting FM 4991 Approved".
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