FCIA Member Resources – COVID-19
UPDATED 6/17/20
As the COVID-19 situation continues to develop and change on a daily basis, the FCIA Member Resources – COVID-19 has been updated with newly available resources and information. The information here is not meant to be comprehensive or authoritative. It is simply a consolidated list of resources and information related to COVID-19 that may be helpful to you and your business.
The FCIA Board of Directors and FCIA Staff hope that all our friends around the world are staying safe and healthy during this unprecedented time.
New FCIA Initiative
At FCIA’s Virtual ECA ’20 Conference, FCIA launched a new initiative to get fire and life safety improvements using the FCIA’s ‘DIIM’ for Existing Buildings.
FCIA’s 2020 President Ben Urcavich stated, “The world pays attention to sprinklers and alarms, what about effective compartmentation and its many benefits? FCIA Members provide the services needed – with knowledge enough to be responsible individuals in firestopping and effective compartmentation – helping keep buildings safe for all.
“If everyone at FCIA educates someone about what firestopping and effective compartmentation is – and the importance of our industry – we’ll make a difference in the demand for safe buildings delivered by FCIA Members,” said Ben.
ECA ’20 Goes Virtual
On April 21-24, FCIA Members and some non-members tuned in for the first-ever Virtual ECA ’20, four days of two-hour webinars on various aspects of firestop education. Read more in the May issue of the FCIA Newsletter, including a highlight of sessions:
- Economics with Anirban Basu (Sage Policy Group)
- Air and Smoke Movement with Chris Kusel (HILTI)
- Fire-Resistance and Existing Buildings with Bill McHugh & Rich Walke (FCIA)
- Expansion Joints with Steve Cooper (CSW-Balco/Rectorseal)
- Barrier Management Symposium: Test Standards with Rich Walke (FCIA)
- Endothermic Technology with Samantha Peterson (3M)
- Barrier Management Symposium: Codes with Bill Koffel (Koffel Associates)
- Firestopping Health Care Facilities with Kelly Mason & Doug Erickson (STI)
- FCIA New Initiative with Ben Urcavich (2020 FCIA Board President)
FCIA Doha & Dubai Events Postponed Until Later Date
Due to travel restrictions still in place due to the global coronavirus outbreak, FCIA events in Doha, Qatar and Dubai, UAE have been postponed again.
The events, originally scheduled for February, were previously postponed to late-May/early-June. Unfortunately, concerns surrounding COVID-19 continue to persist globally, so FCIA has made the decision to postpone the events a second time to keep FCIA members, delegate attendees, and staff safe during the pandemic.
To accommodate for the loss of education and testing opportunities so far this year, FCIA will be posting a schedule of VIRTUAL FCIA Education and FM & UL-ULC Firestop Exam opportunities in the near future. These virtual opportunities are meant to supplement the FCIA Middle East events, which FCIA plans to reschedule for later in the year after concerns over COVID-19 have subsided.
Stay tuned to FCIA.org for updates on these and other FCIA events around the world.
FCIA Releases Updated FCIA Member Resources – COVID-19
Today, FCIA published an updated FCIA Member Resources – COVID-19 document. The list is a collection of important links and information that Members and others can reference to find information related to COVID-19, including several resources related to small businesses.
20th Anniversary FIC ’19 – A Success
FCIA celebrated our 20th Anniversary at a hugely successful FIC ’19, the FCIA Firestop Industry Conference & Trade Show. The event, held at the Trump National Doral Miami in Miami, FL, welcomed a dynamic lineup of Speakers, Exhibitors, Attendees, and Honorees for our highest attended event ever. Attendees were treated to a multitude of surprises over the four-day event, including stand-up comic Greg Hahn and a private fireworks show!
Lots of exciting things in store as we look forward to the future and another 20+ years. Members can view Conference Presentations in the Members Only section.
Life Safety Digest, The Magazine of Effective Compartmentation
The newest issue of Life Safety Digest, The Magazine of Effective Compartmentation, has arrived! Check out the Education issue, and don’t miss articles like:
- ‘Effective Compartmentation in Educational Occupancies’;
- ‘Fire-Resistance and Fireproofing’;
- ‘Archaic Assemblies & Fire-Resistance”;
- and more!
FCIA Offers FREE FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice
As a service to selected professionals in the industry, FCIA offers a FREE electronic copy of the FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice. To see if you qualify, review the eligible individuals here.
NOTE: Special Inspection Agencies, Specialty Firestop Installation Contractors, and others who conduct business in the firestop industry are not included in this offer. FCIA Members save $600 on the FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice. Learn how to save
Advertise with FCIA
Explore a variety of advertising opportunities with FCIA to promote your brand. Advertise on FCIA.org to get your message out to an audience of professionals from around the globe, all interested in the fire- and life-safety industry.
ASHE 2020 Annual Conference & Exhibition Moves to October 2020
Recognizing the ongoing efforts of hospital and health systems fighting COVID-19 in their communities, the ASHE 2020 Annual Conference & Technical Exhibition will now be held October 4–7, 2020, at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, both as an in-person and an exciting new virtual event.
FCIA leadership will be on-site and ready to spread the word of the ‘DIIM’ of firestop, so be sure to stop by the FCIA booth while there!
FCIA Partners with Virtual BOMA Conference
This July 7-9, step into the Future of CRE with BOMA 2.0, connecting the industry via 3 days of real world virtual learning as the 2020 BOMA International Conference & Expo moves to a virtual format.
FCIA and Life Safety Digest proudly continue to partner with this exciting event in what is sure to be a groundbreaking BOMA 2.0 experience.
FCIA & Life Safety Digest Partner with CONSTRUCT
This September 30 – October 2, FCIA and Life Safety Digest partner head to Grapevine, TX to once-again partner with CONSTRUCT.
CONSTRUCT is the only dedicated national AEC educational program and exhibition specifically designed to provide the commercial building team with real-world, practical solutions they can implement immediately.
Barrier Management Video Series Available Online
The Barrier Management Symposium is a one- or two-day Symposium hosted around North America by ASHE regions and chapters, APPA chapters, ICC chapters, and others that features technical education from industry experts on the various elements of Barrier Management.
Developed to educate and increase awareness about how various barriers are ‘D’esigned, ‘I’nstalled, ‘I’nspected, and ‘M’aintained for long-term fire and life safety, the Symposium is perfect for:
- Health Care Facility Engineers, Directors, and their Staff;
- Educational Facility Engineers, Directors, and their Staff;
- Code Officials and Fire Marshals;
- and More.
Learn more about the Barrier Management Symposium and upcoming events year you.
Professional Liability Insurance for FCIA Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor and Special Inspection Agency Members
Specialty Firestop Installation Contractors and Special Inspection Agencies can now take advantage of a new FCIA endorsed Professional Liability Insurance program with The Norman Spencer Insurance Group.
FCIA’s leadership worked with The Norman Spencer Insurance Group to assemble a program that closes the gap between General Liability Insurance and Professional Liability Insurance that understands your business, your operations, your risk management needs. This program offers a unique Professional Liability insurance coverage designed specifically for Firestop Contractors and Special Inspection Agencies. It is administered by the Norman Spencer Insurance Group, and is underwritten by Lloyds of London.
This program gives you, the Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor, the opportunity to leverage relationships and experience, for a better insurance value.
Hot News
07/29/20
What responsibility does the building owner and manager have to maintain the fire-resistance-rated and smoke-resistant building elements and assemblies? And, what are the required elements of an inventory of fire-resistance?
This article from Life Safety Digest takes a look at these very questions and outlines the code requirements for the maintenance of fire-resistance.
07/22/20
Thank you to all who attended today’s webinar, ‘The History of Standards – Firestopping & More’, with Rich Walke (FCIA).
Missed it? That’s ok. Find the presentation here.
07/22/20
Register today for ‘Firestopping and Existing Buildings’, the August session in the FCIA Educational Webinar Series.
When: Wednesday, August 19
Time: 10:00 am CDT
07/14/20
ASHE announced today that their ASHE Annual Conference & Expo will be a Virtual event this year. The event will be October 5-7 and will feature the same top-notch education sessions and dynamic trade show floor attendees have come to expect from the in-person event.
07/09/20
Gimme an F!
Gimme an I!
Gimme a C!
What’s that spell?
Save the Date for FIC ’20!
October 27-30, 2020
Stay tuned to www.FCIA.org for updates!
07/07/20
As the world continues to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, several industry events have had to make the difficult decision to either cancel or modify their event in some way. Some of the most recent to announce event changes are CONSTRUCT, which has transitioned to a Virtual Event October 7-8, 2020, and IFMA World Workplace, which has moved both the date and location of their event.
FCIA continues to support both of these events and will be participating in the re-imagined events later this year.
07/01/20
Looking to join FCIA? Want to spotlight your company to building owners and managers looking for a Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor?
Now’s the time to join! First-time members join now for only $690 USD*!
Contact Cathy Burns to learn more about member benefits, including the $600 discount on the FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice.
06/29/20
The FCIA Standards Committee is working at ASTM to build a standard for labeling firestop products that have been installed next to the firestop system assembly. This initiative will bring heightened importance to firestopping in buildings. The first ballot goes out late-summer. Stay tuned for more information later this year.
06/25/20
Check out the Manufacturer Spotlight section in the latest issue of Life Safety Digest! Each Manufacturer highlighted brings a different voice to the firestop and effective compartmentation conversation.
Hear what each has to say today!
And thank you to each for your continued commitment to improved fire- and life-safety in the built environment!
06/25/20
FCIA recently announced the 2020 recipients of the FCIA President’s Memorial Scholarship. Congratulations to Kelliann Lee and Rebekah Schrader, both students at University of Maryland – College Park, for your academic excellence! We look forward to seeing all the big things they’ll do with the firestop and effective compartmentation industry.
06/24/20
Register today for ‘The History of Standards – Firestopping & More’ with Rich Walke, the July session in the FCIA Educational Webinar Series.
When: Wednesday, July 22
Time: 10:00 am CDT
06/16/20
FCIA Contractor and Special Inspection Agency Members: One day left to register for ‘FCIA Education for the Firestop Exams’.
When: Wednesday, June 17
Time: 10:00 am CDT – 2:00 pm CDT
06/15/20
As COVID-19 continues to affect the world on a global scale, FCIA has decided to cancel the FCIA Firestop & Effective Compartmentation ‘DIIM’ Symposium Canada, originally planned for Halifax, NS this September. Look for more information on the 2021 event at www.fcia.org/fcia-conferences-symposiums/.
We look forward to seeing our friends at this wonderful event in 2021.
06/09/20
FCIA Members: Did you hear about the new FCIA initiative announced during Virtual ECA ’20?
“If everyone at FCIA educates someone about what firestopping and effective compartmentation is – and the importance of our industry – we’ll make a difference in the demand for safe buildings delivered by FCIA Members,” said FCIA Board President Ben Urcavich.
06/04/20
Register today for ‘The FM 4991 Approval Process for Firestop Contractors’, presented by Joseph Nunes (FM Approvals), the June session in the FCIA Educational Webinar Series.
When: Tuesday, June 23
Time: 10:00 am CDT
06/02/20
Specialty Firestop Installation Contractors and Firestop Special Inspection Agencies: Looking for info on the FCIA Professional Liability Insurance program (through the Norman Spencer Insurance Company)? Find the information under the Resources tab.
05/27/20
Thank you to all who attended today’s webinar, ‘FCIA & COVID-19: Information for Contractors’ with the attorneys of Hendrick Phillips Salzman & Siegel, PC. The session covered a wealth of information, including the Families First Coronavirus Act, contract issues, economic assistance available for contractors, and so much more.
05/21/20
Containing hot gasses, smoke, and fire to the point of origin is a key component in life safety. For a list of Specialty Firestop Installation Contractors and Barrier Management Service Providers near you, check the FCIA Member Lists!
05/20/20
With many states in the US starting to ‘open up’, there are still many questions surrounding employer and employee responsibility, best practices for reducing exposure, social distancing, and more. Check out the guidelines from the USA Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the USA Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Consult local resources, rules, and regulations for guidance on how to deal with these issues by you.
05/14/20
We’re putting together the next issue of Life Safety Digest. Look for the health care focused issue to land in your inbox in the next several weeks.
05/05/20
Due to travel restrictions still in place and continued concern due to the global coronavirus outbreak, FCIA events in Doha, Qatar and Dubai, UAE have been postponed again. FCIA made the decision to postpone the events a second time to keep FCIA members, delegate attendees, and staff safe during the pandemic. Stay tuned to FCIA.org for updates on these and other FCIA events around the world.
05/05/20
Effective compartmentation starts with a fire-resistance-rated assembly – possibly built from gypsum wallboard. Properly patching fire-resistance-rated gypsum wallboard maintains fire-resistance.
Check out the Gypsum Association’s new video for patching fire-resistance-rated assemblies protected with gypsum wallboard. https://lnkd.in/egBU8ns
05/04/20
Due to continued concerns over COVID-19, the BOMA International Annual Conference & Expo has moved to an all-virtual platform. The 2020 event will be July 7-9, and will be live and online.
04/30/20
FCIA and Life Safety Digest are proud to partner with CONSTRUCT again this September 30-October 2 in Grapevine, TX. Be sure to stop by the FCIA booth and pick-up your copy of Life Safety Digest! Learn more
04/29/20
Registration is Now Open for ‘COVID-19: Information for Contractors’, the May session in the FCIA Educational Webinar Series.
When: Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Time: 10:00 am CDT
04/27/20
FCIA Committee meetings started today. Can’t wait to see all the good work FCIA Committee members collaborate on in the next few weeks!
Thank you to all the FCIA Members who volunteer their time and talents serving on FCIA Committees. Want to get involved? Inquire today!
04/24/20
The first-ever Virtual ECA ’20 wrapped today, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Every session was phenomenal, and the interaction with attendees was inspiring.
Thanks to Bill Koffel, Doug Erickson, and Kelly Mason for their presentations today. FCIA Members, check them out in the Members Only section!
04/23/20
Mark Day 3 of Virtual ECA ’20 in the books! Thanks to all who participated and attended to make today another successful session.
Thanks to Rich Walke (FCIA) and Samantha Peterson (3M) for their dynamic presentations today. Both brought great interaction and feedback from attendees. FCIA Members: Find today’s presentations in the Members Only section.
Tune-in tomorrow, Friday, April 24, for the final sessions in the Virtual ECA ’20 lineup!
04/22/20
Another stellar day for Virtual ECA ’20, the Virtual FCIA Education & Committee Action Conference!
Thanks to all who attended. Thanks to all who presented. Tune in for Day 3 tomorrow (Thursday, April 23) at 10:00 am CDT! Register Now
FCIA Members: Find today’s sessions in the Members Only section.
04/21/20
Thanks to the FCIA Members who attended the first day of the Virtual ECA ’20! Attendance was stellar. Sessions were phenomenal. Can’t wait to see what Day 2 brings!
Missed it? That’s ok. FCIA Members can check out the presentations in the Members Only section.
Plus, there’s still three days left!
Register once. Attend one, two, or three days! And, oh by the way, Virtual ECA ’20 is totally FREE!
04/21/20
Virtual ECA ’20 starts today! Four days (April 21-24) filled with various one-hour webinar sessions all focused on firestop and industry education. It’s open to FCIA Members and their employees and is totally free to attend!
Register once. Attend one, two, three, or four days.
04/17/20
Registration is now open for Virtual ECA ’20, the first-ever FCIA virtual conference. Learn more
When: April 21-24
Time: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm CDT, daily
Hot News Archives
Want to see what you may have missed? Check out FCIA’s Hot News Archives.
Why Use A Specialty Firestop Contractor?
Cables, pipes of all types, expansion, and building perimeter joints all make breaches in fire-resistance-rated and smoke-resistant assemblies. When breaches that allow penetrations to pass through and joints that allow for movement are required, FCIA Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor Members are the “go to” companies to look for. FCIA Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor Member companies specialize in this highly technical service that protects people, property, and continuity of building operations. They understand how to analyze conditions, correctly select listed firestop SYSTEMS, then install the firestop systems with the utmost attention to detail.
Why Use A Special Inspection Agency?
FCIA Firestop Special Inspection Agency Members strive to be the best at inspecting highly technical firestop systems. These FCIA Member Inspection Agencies assess the installation of the Specialty Firestop Installation Contractor against the tested and listed system listing that was used to build the firestop system. Competent, third-party independent inspection by FCIA Firestop Special Inspection Agency Members with the proper equipment, competent personnel, and practical industry experience adds an integral quality check on the firestop installation process. Insist on FCIA Firestop Special Inspection Agencies that know when the installation is right or wrong.
Join an Elite Group of Firestop Professionals
FCIA members span the globe provided services and materials that uphold the highest level of standards.
Need Barrier Management Services?
Building Owners and Managers are required by the International Fire Code, NFPA 101, NFPA 1, the National Fire Code of Canada, UAE Fire and Life Safety Code, and other codes to maintain all types of fire-resistance rated and smoke resistant assemblies for the life of the building.
Find a Barrier Management Contractor
Watch the Barrier Management Symposium Video Series
Members who offer these specialized services can register for inclusion in these lists.