Nearly 1,600 spectators gathered in a crowded exhibit hall to watch the apprentices construct and pressure-test a mini fire sprinkler system.

Nearly 1,600 fire sprinkler professionals gathered in San Antonio for AFSA45, featuring education, networking, a sold-out exhibition and the National Apprentice Competition.

Cold storage warehouses present significant challenges for conventional water-based fire protection systems due to large quantities of combustible commodities, high-bay rack storage and complex storage arrangements. 

When we consider all that’s changed in the transportation world over the last decade, the electric vehicle (EV) boom takes center stage.

Last month, in Part 2 of this series, we covered air gaps, air breaks, atmospheric vacuum breakers, hose thread applied vacuum breakers and pressure vacuum breakers.

While data center fires remain relatively rare, fire-related outages can be costly. According to the 2025 Uptime Institute Report, 54% of respondents noted their most recent significant data center outage cost more than $100,000.

If you’ve spent any time around fire pump submittals or fire pump rooms, chances are you’ve probably run into this scenario. 

Some existing systems were never hydraulically calculated. Some were designed around pipe schedules. Some have little or no remaining safety margin. Add a backflow preventer without understanding the available water supply, system demand and device pressure loss, and a system that once appeared adequate may fail to deliver.

Did you know the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) estimates approximately 650 parking garage fires occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated $8 million in property damage and 15 injuries each year?

AFSA45 will bring fire sprinkler professionals to San Antonio Sept. 27-30 for education, exhibits, networking and the National Apprentice Competition.