27Mar/19

MCA Thanks Outgoing President Timothy Bowe at Annual Meeting

MCA New York’s Annual Meeting took place on March 26th at the LaGuardia Marriott. The meeting kicked off with MCA Executive VP Anthony Saporito providing the Annual Treasurer’s report for 2018. Additionally, members updated on upcoming seminars and events as well as the ongoing changes related to Local Law 196’s safety training requirements.

Mr. Saporito then thanked the 2019 Nominating Committee and announced that Anthony Bell of Martin Associates, William McMorrow of Phoenix Mechanical, Thomas Mitchell of Sirina Fire Protection, Inc., and Michael Russo of Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corp. have all been nominated and elected to serve on the MCA Board of Directors. Mr. Saporito then thanked Timothy Bowe of ABCO Peerless Sprinkler Corp. for his service and dedication to the industry as the Association President for the last two years and as a Board member for the last six years. Additionally, Mr. Bowe was recognized for his ongoing work in various roles on behalf of the industry, including as an Education Fund trustee and as a leader in negotiating on behalf of sprinkler contractors. A brief tribute video recognized Mr. Bowe’s ongoing involvement and contributions to the MCA.

15Oct/18

MCA’s New York Fire Sprinkler Council Recognized During Fire Prevention Week

On Wednesday, October 10th, members of the Mechanical Contractors Association’s New York Fire Sprinkler Council gathered at City Hall to receive a proclamation from New York City Council Member Joseph Borelli.  The proclamation recognized our Association members’ expertise in installing fire sprinkler systems and our industry’s efforts promoting and educating the public regarding the importance of fire protection and prevention.  Following the ceremony, Council member Borelli, Chair of the City Council Fire and Emergency Services Committee, sat down with those in attendance and listened to our concerns and thoughts about what can be done to better protect New York City residents.  The discussion included conversations regarding the retrofit of existing high rise residential buildings with fire sprinklers, the benefits of union labor, and NYCHA housing.

The MCA also held meetings with several other City Council members and their staffs including Council Members Ampry-Samuels, Brannan, Cabrera, Grodenchik, and Maisel.  Our fire sprinkler lobbying day concluded with a lively meeting discussing fire sprinkler protection and New York City Building Code revisions with staff from the City Council Housing and Buildings Committee Chair Robert Cornegy’s office.

Thank you to all of our participants: Timothy Bowe, ABCO Peerless Sprinkler Corp.; Virginia Hanson, Ashlar Mechanical Corp.; Kevin Gillen, Current Fire Protection, Inc.; Laura Israel, First Women’s Fire Systems Corp.; and Tom Mitchell, Sirina Fire Protection Corp.

If you would like to become involved in our effort to promote fire sprinklers as the best, most effective way to protect lives and property from the ravages of fire, please contact the MCA office at (212) 481-1490.

20Jul/18

MCA Members Raise $60,000 to Support FDNY

On June 11th, MCA members came together for a sun-filled day of golf, dinner, and raffles, all while raising money for charity. Beyond simply taking a day out for contractors and associate members to enjoy one another’s company, the members’ combined efforts helped the 2018 MCA Charity Golf Outing raise $60,000 to support the Lt. Michael Davidson’s Children’s Educational Fund and FDNY Foundation.

FDNY Chief Joseph Woznica and FDNY Foundation Executive Director Jean O’Shea were on hand to accept this impressive contribution. The MCA was pleased to support the Foundation’s mission to promote fire and life safety education and help the FDNY better protect New York. With $50,000 of the contribution earmarked for the Lt. Davidson’s Children’s Fund, your support will go directly to the family of a fallen FDNY firefighter. Lt. Davidson will be remembered for his heroic life in service to New York.

The MCA would like to thank the contractors and associate members that came together to enjoy a great day on the course and support a truly worthy cause.

24May/18

Fire Pump Seminar a Flowing Success!

On June 9th, the New York Fire Sprinkler Council sponsored a sold out one-day seminar on fire pumps at the Chubb Loss Control Training Center located in Warren, New Jersey. Attendees spent the day obtaining a working knowledge of automatic fire pumps.

Fire Pump Training

The seminar included lecture instruction, demonstrations, technical exercises, group discussions and hands-on activities, including identifying fire pump accessories and critical components, activation of electric and diesel fire pumps, performing an annual fire pump test as specified by NFPA 25, verification of fire pump performance using a digital voltmeter and ammeter and evaluating and graphing fire pump test results. Review of the seminar were overwhelmingly positive. The Council will look to hold additional seminars at the Chubb facility in the near future.

Fire Pump Seminar

24May/18

Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office Announces Test Dates

The Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office has released its’ summer and fall 2016 Certificate of Fitness test dates. The test dates are August 23, September 20, October 18, November 22 and December 20. Applicants can register for either the Certificate of Fitness Type 1 Test (for Installing Contractors) or Type 2 (for employees performing inspection, testing and maintenance).

Sprinkler Head

There is limited seating for each test date. Applicants must pre-register to take any of the above tests. To register, send an email to: NCFMTesting@nassaucountyny.gov You must include your name, the date of the test you wish to take and the COF TYPE of test. You will receive confirmation by return email.

Click here for more information on the Sprinkler COF Test Dates 2016.

19Jan/18

Following deadly year, New York continues to underscore its home fire problem. Is your state doing the same?

Published in NFPA

Following deadly year, New York continues to underscore its home fire problem. Is your state doing the same?
By Fred Durso January 19, 2018

We recently published commentary from Jerry DeLuca, a New York safety advocate, about two home fires in two days that killed eight people in his state. Other advocates have been equally vocal about similar tragedies occurring there this month.

A Bronx residential fire killing 13 people in December was deemed the deadliest fire in New York City within the past 27 years. “There has never been a multiple loss of life in any structure protected with a properly installed and maintained fire sprinkler system,” stated John A. Viniello, former president of the National Fire Sprinkler Association, in a recent letter to the editor. “This omission [of fire sprinklers in residences] continues to result in lives lost. The city’s fire department…was on the Bronx fire scene within three minutes, yet people died.

“How much higher does the body count have to get before proactive fire sprinkler legislation is enacted? These deadly fires will continue unless wisdom prevails and the codes are updated.”

Fire fatalities last year in New York City rose 35 percent when compared to fire deaths in 2016, reports the New York Fire Sprinkler Council, an advocacy group that’s a division of the Mechanical Contractors Association of New York. While the city has consistently expanded sprinkler requirements, “it is clear the city still has a long way to go in protecting all residents with fire sprinklers,” says Anthony Saporito, executive vice president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of New York. Per the council, New York City hasn’t passed a law improving fire sprinkler safety in residential buildings since 1999.

Are you and the sprinkler advocates in your state just as vocal about your home fire problem? Help raise awareness–constantly–about these tragedies by writing your own letter to the editor or commentary to your local media outlets. Just a couple paragraphs will suffice. Use NFPA’s data or statewide data (if available) to back your reasoning for home fire sprinkler requirements.

https://community.nfpa.org/community/home-fire-sprinkler-initiative/blog/2018/01/19/new-york-continues-to-underscore-its-home-fire-problem-is-your-state-doing-the-same

26Jun/17

London Fire Worries New York City Residents

In the aftermath of the Grenfell fire in West London, many New Yorkers wonder, could a similar fire happen in New York City?  MCA President Timothy Bowe discusses the importance of fire sprinkler systems with reporters from WPIX channel 11 and NBC News 4.

NBC 4 NY: After-Devastating-London-Fire-Are-NYC-High-Rises-Safe?

https://vimeo.com/223208999

 

WPIX: At least 6 Dead in West London residential tower inferno.

https://vimeo.com/223208984

30Apr/17

New York City Buildings Department Imposes New “Fitness” Requirement for Licensees

As per a DOB Service Notice published April 2017, effective June 5, 2017, all applicants for initial and renewal New York City Master Fire Suppression Piping Contractor, Master Plumber and Oil Burning Equipment Installer license types will be required to provide proof of fitness to the New York City Department of Buildings to perform the work authorized by the relevant license. Original applicants will be required to submit DOB form LIC61 completed by a physician upon submission of background investigation documents and a completed LIC61 application will be required for every subsequent renewal.

Fitness Requirement

The Mechanical Contractors Association of New York along with several other industry trade associations has requested a meeting with the Department and is asking for the Department to repeal this requirement. We will advise you of the outcome of our efforts.

21Mar/17

Home Fires – More Common than You Might Think

Did you know that 1 in 8 people have experienced a home fire? This past February The Hartford conducted an online survey of 1153 adults living in the United States.  Their findings may surprise you!  Ranked by the Hartford Home Fire Index, New York City comes in 14th of the top 100 U.S. cities with the highest home fire risk. Leaving items such as a cell phone charging overnight can put you at risk. The biggest culprit is electrical fires followed by unattended cooking/stovetops and candles.Junior Fire Marshal

Download The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal Infographic PDF

21Mar/17

The Important Legacy of the Triangle and Happy Land Fires

On March 9th, the Commercial Observer published an opinion piece by MCA Executive Vice President Tony Saporito about remembering the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and the Happy Land Social Club fire. As Tony writes in this piece:Triangle Shirtwaist

“As we remember the innocent lives lost, it is crucial that we also remember the lessons learned that have likely helped prevent future tragedies. The Triangle and Happy Land fires forever changed our city’s building codes, as well as its health and safety laws, helping to make our homes, workplaces, and public establishments significantly safer.”

“Landmark labor, building and workplace safety laws were implemented in the decades following the Triangle fire. Among the codes and regulations enacted after that tragedy was the requirement of exit stairwells, fire alarms, extinguishers, hoses and in tall buildings, automatic fire sprinklers.”

Read the The Important Legacy of the Triangle and Happy Land Fires