Chapter Home
Welcome to the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers home page!
The chapter serves those people in western South Carolina and eastern Georgia who are currently engaged or have an interest in fire protection and fire protection engineering. The chapter was formed in January 2003 to provide a forum by which to meet others in the profession, to promote exchange of ideas and information and to provide a means of continuous professional development to its members. Our membership currently consists of 30 people representing a broad range of fire protection related professions including government (state and federal), commercial nuclear facilities, fire alarm and passive fire protection product manufacturers, sprinkler system designers and installers, consultants and more.
Regularly scheduled meetings are held eight times each year January through May and September through November. Meetings are generally held in Aiken or North Augusta, South Carolina or in Augusta Georgia. Our newsletters are electronically sent to over 100 people in the area prior to each meeting. Anyone is welcome to attend. Please contact Stephen Schneider, Chapter Secretary or Ralph Foster, President for more information.
President's Postings
Well, as many of you have heard, we won a great victory with getting Residential Sprinklers installed in single family dwellings. Like most fights, we can lose the fight in the next round if we let down our guard. The Home Builder's Association is hard at work in the Legislature trying to stop residential sprinklers. Senator Alexander introduced S1057, which will restrict SC Building Codes Council's ability to adopt codes with requirements for residential sprinklers and allows owners the ability to choose not to install sprinkler in jurisdiction along the coast with sprinkler requirements.
So, what can you do? You can attend committee hearings and speak against the bill; you can write a letter or email to your Senator; you can encourage friends and family to call or write; and you can watch your e-mail for updates. Please act once you receive an e-mail or we will lose our battle for residentail sprinklers. Please thank Bill Farmer and Bernie Till for their efforts so far!
My closing thoughts are for our professional development this Fall. Let your Board know if you have ideas or are willing to help with the seminar. There are lots of little jobs that anyone can help with during your busy schedules.
Be safe and see you at the next meeting!
Respectfully,
Ralph K. Foster, III, P.E.
Fire Protection Engineer
Foster Engineering & Consulting
Mark Your Calendars:
The next Chapter Meeting will be next Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at Ryan's Steakhouse in Lexington, SC (5579 Sunset Blvd.) The speaker will be Stan Maciaszek, SRNS. The topic will be "Changes to NFPA 72, 2010 Ed." Meal cost is $19/members and $21/non-members. Dinner is a buffet.
Current Newsletter:
Please click here to view the latest Chapter newsletter.
Position of the South Carolina DHEC concerning the backflow requirements for "multipurpose" fire sprinkler systems.
Please click here to view a letter from South Carolina DHEC. This letter has national implications and is another step towards building fire safe homes and communities.
New SFPE Resolution
Please click here to see the new resolution supporting a change to the International Residential Code to require fire sprinklers in one- and two-family dwellings and townhomes.
Click here to see upcoming activities
Click here to view information on upcoming seminars and webcasts.
CHAPTER OFFICERS 2008-2009