Membership

Become a Member

Please accept our invitation to join the FIRESTOP CONTRACTORS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION (FCIA), a not-for-profit association of building construction contractors with a specific interest in the installation of firestop systems and the features of Effective Compartmentation.

FCIA leads the way advocating for the Specialty Firestop Contractors' voice at buildng and fire code hearings, architectural specification development sessions, and through important liaisons with other associations that influence the industry.  Through education programs, resources such as this Website, Enewsletters, Symposiums, Articles, the Life Safety Digest Magazine, FCIA gets the word out to the industry to generate interest and answer questions important to members and those who want to use the products and services of FCIA Members.  

FCIA members contribute to the advancement of the industry through participation in FCIA Committees, presenting FCIA programs at industry education programs and working to grow the professionalism of the Specialty Firestop Contractor. 

Qualifications

Voting contractor members are specialty building construction contractors with a specific interest in the installation of firestop materials and systems. All Specialty Firestop Contractors based in North America are considered voting members.  Contractors based and operating outside North America are considered International Associate Contractor Members.  Members must agree to abide by the FCIA By-laws and Code of Ethics. (Please let us know who referred you on the application, if applicable.)

Manufacturer Members are those firms who produce, market private label products for the firestopping industry.

Associate members are distributors, consultants, designers, inspectors, that have an interest in fire and life safety systems, safety education, and promote the correct installation of firestop and effective compartmentation products and systems. The manufacturer they represent must also be a paid member of FCIA.

Benefits

FCIA Membership provides benefits that show immediate and long tern returns to Members. Here's a listing of why Firestop Specialty Contractor Firms and Manufacturers Join FCIA:

• FCIA's Firestop Industry Manual of Practice at a $600 discount vs. non members.
  
  
• FCIA Conference discounts of $100 per person vs. non members.
  
  
• FCIA Website Listing - A Google Search for Firestopping brings up FCIA 1st on the list.  With approx. 4,000 visits per month from General Contractors, Architects, Code Officials, FCIA Members have received project contracts as a result of this membership benefit.
  
• FCIA E-Newsletter - Published 9 times per year, FCIA keeps you informed about industry issues and perspectives.
  
• Life Safety Digest - 'The Magazine of Effective Compartmentation', a quarterly publication.
  
• Additional Benefits - FCIA's Office and Members promote the Specialty Firestop Contractor Concept to the Industry as its highest priority. Here are some key ongoing activities of FCIA that benefit membership.
  
  
  • Liaison - FCIA works with NFPA, National Association of State Fire Marshals, Construction Specifications Institute, Construction Specifications Canada, American Institute Of Architects, Association of Licensed Architects, Owner and other influential groups to promote the Specialty Firestop Contractor Concept as the best way to protect fire and life safety in buildings.
  • Presentations - FCIA Members and Staff have presented "The Firestopping Quality Process" to CSI, AIA, ASTM and many other industry groups. FCIA's AIA CES Architectural Presentation Programs can be delivered by qualified FCIA Contractors for AIA Credit, saving the member over $500/year.
  • Trade Shows - FCIA's Trade Show Booth has been used by many contractor members at their own shows because it is very generic. Look like your marketing budget is huge! Pay the freight one way, and use the FCIA Booth for your local trade show.
  • Code Promotion of the Specialty Firestop Contractor Concept - FCIA has a seat on the NFPA Technical Committee on Fire Protection Features, where we work with other industry leaders to improve fire and life safety in buildings. Additionally, FCIA is active in International Building Code Process by attending National Code Hearings.

In addition to the industry promotion, FCIA Members benefit from their own participation in FCIA activities and using FCIA's Industry Resources:

• FCIA Conferences -
• Education and Committee Action Conference allows members to attend seminars on firestopping and related issues, plus meet in committees to get things done.
• Firestop Industry Conference and Trade Show features industry leading seminars, an industry awards banquet, a display of the firestopping industry while forming relationships with contractors and manufacturers worldwide. Plus, Conferences provide an opportunity to address issues/concerns relating to the building codes, applications, materials, testing, equipment, legal and information about how to be a more successful firestop contractor. FCIA Members actively participate in demonstrations, technical sessions and open discussions with industry peers.
  
  
• FCIA Committees -
• FCIA's Accreditation and Technical Committees developed "The Firestoppng Quality Process " . The process consists of "Tested and Listed Systems from FCIA Member Manufacturers, installed by FCIA Member, FM 4991 Approved Contractors, Inspected by ASTM E 2174/2393 Inspection Process, Maintained by FCIA Member, FM 4991 Contractors".
• FCIA Code Committee develops strategy for code development proposals that add fire and life safety to the code. 
• FCIA Standards Committee works with UL and ASTM to advocate that testing standards reflect real world conditions.
• FCIA Technical Committee maintains the FCIA Manual of Practice.
• FCIA Education Committee develops presentations used by members to educate their workforce, staff, fire marshals, code officials, architects and others.
• FCIA Apprenticeship Committee has developed Standards for workforce devleopment.  Watch for more on this in 2008.
• FCIA Program Committee chooses sites and recommends agenda contet and speakers.
  
  
• FCIA's Manual of Practice - FCIA's Firestop Manual of Practice is the knowledge book for you and your staff.  A requirment for taking the FM and UL Designated Responsible Individual (DRI) Exam, the MOP is available to members at $295, vs. non members at $895...a $600 savings.
• FCIA's Website - FCIA is the FCIA Member Contractor, Architect/Engineer and Code Official/Fire Marshal's Technical Resource with documents for contractors to use in submittals, information about new programs in the industry, Powerpoint Presentations for use virtually anywhere, all promoting the Specialty Firestop Contractor Concept.
  
• FCIA's PR Campaign has been successful getting the word out about Specialty Firestop Contractors, and the work we've done to improve our industry.

For the chance to be a part of a collective voice in the growing fire stop industry, join FCIA Now ....

Become an FCIA member today. Fill out the form for your membership type and mail or FAX to FCIA with payment to officially join the association. For an email with membership benefits information, fill out the online information form.

2008 Dues

Voting members are the Firestop Contractors.  Any corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or specialty building construction contractor with a specific interest in the installation of firestop materials and systems. Voting members are entitled to hold office and participate in FCIA activities subject to the by-laws and Code of Ethics of the Association.

Contractor Branch Member - $300.00

Any additional branch location of a voting member may join as an associate member. Branch members of voting members are entitled to all rights of a voting member, except the right to vote.

International Contractor Member - $300.00

The International Affiliate Contractor / Other category encompasses Firestop Contractors outside North America, from overseas. This is meant for firms from Europe, UK, Ireland, Australia or Central and South America, China, or other areas who are not immediate beneficiaries of FCIA efforts in North America. Any associate member with its base outside of North America such as Ireland, UK, Asia, South America or Australia. International Contractor Members of voting members are entitled to all rights of a voting member, except the right to vote.

Manufacturer Member - $3,000.00

Any corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship that manufactures or sells, under its own label, materials, systems or devices for fire containment for passive fire protection use. Manufacturer Members, however, are not entitled to vote on Association matters and are not eligible for election as Officers or Directors of the Association.

There are especially attractive sponsorship options available for manufacturers.

Associate Member - $300.00

Any corporation, partnership, agency, or individual not qualifying as a specialty contractor or manufacturer may become an Associate Member. (Manufacturer's Representative*, Distributor*, Firestop, Compartmentation Consultant, Lawyer, or other entity.) Associate Members however, are not entitled to vote on Association matters and are not eligible for election as Officers or Directors of the Association. *Manufacturer's Representatives and Distributors are eligible if they represent a manufacturer member.

Invitation
Qualification
Benefits
Dues
Application