Blog
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Ahern’s experts possess a wide range of knowledge that extends beyond system design, build, and maintenance. Our blog features a number of technical articles written by Ahern employees that range in topics from industry trends, maintenance tools and tips, to service information, and more.
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Celebrate National Water Quality Month
Did you know August is National Water Quality Month? Whether your drinking from a water bottle, swimming, t aking a shower or watering your plants, water plays a vital role in our lives. The history of National Water Quality Month can be dated back to the early 1970s. The Clean Water...
Types of Standpipe Systems
NFPA 14 identifies three classes of standpipe systems: Class I systems are designed for use by fire departments with 2½” hose connections. Class II systems are designed for use by trained personnel or fire departments with 1½” hose connections. Class III systems are designed for use...
Standpipe Systems – What You Need to Know
The standpipe system requirements are contained in the adopted building code and the installation requirements are contained within the referenced edition of NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems. There is often disagreement between the responsible...
AHJ’s: Who has the final say?
When a client needs to install new life safety systems or modify their existing systems, it is important to understand who, besides the client, has input on the system requirements. Everyone can avoid challenges late in their project by addressing all concerned parties early. In...
Four Safety Apps Worth Sharing and Worth Using
Smartphones and tablets are a part of everyday life - both personal and work-related. Safety-focused mobile apps can enhance employee protection by providing instant access to information that could reduce or eliminate a number of hazards we face on the jobsite. Below are a few worth...
Extended-Interval Inspection and Testing Requirements
Did you know that NFPA 25 Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems (2011 edition) includes inspection and testing requirements beyond the more common monthly, quarterly and annual procedures? These extended-interval inspection and...
Two Industry Leaders Partner in Fire Alarms
Ahern is a NOTIFIER Premier Distributor for the state of Wisconsin. NOTIFIER® by Honeywell has been in a leadership position in the fire alarm industry for over 60 years and is the largest manufacturer of engineered fire alarm systems. The Premier program is only offered to NOTIFIER...
How to Ensure Your Air Conditioner is Ready for Summer
Whether you have a small office building, or an expansive logistics facility to cool down in the summertime, don’t make your HVAC system work harder than it should. Performing air conditioner preventive maintenance can help keep your equipment running at maximum efficiency.
Dry Sprinkler Systems: Is It Time to Update?
Dry sprinkler systems are specifically designed to work in areas that are susceptible to freezing (under 40° F). An air or nitrogen compressor maintains pressure in the system until a head activates, causing the system pressure to drop and activate the valve to flow water and suppress...
Storage Sprinklers, is One Size Fit All?
Common to warehouse applications, ESFR sprinklers offer comprehensive fire protection among various applications, making them an ideal choice for storage scenarios. How big of a deal are they? NFPA 13 has a subsection on ESFR sprinklers in 7 of 27 chapters. Early suppression fast...
Fire Sprinkler Requirement to Resume in Multi-Family Dwellings
Beginning April 19, 2021, the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) will resume enforcing a code provision that requires fire sprinkler systems in certain multi-family dwellings.
Ensure Safe Water Quality in Plumbing Fixtures
Our products and services can assist with building readiness while enhancing the performance of your critical systems. The EPA recommends that building owners and managers take a proactive approach to minimize water stagnation and to maintain building water quality prior to reopening.
Differences in Laboratory Design Criteria Between NFPA and FM Global
written by Fire Protection Designer Alex Bielewicz The design requirements of a sprinkler system can become complicated when FM Global sprinkler requirements need to be considered in addition to the typical requirements of NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems .
Owner’s Information Certificate
Every fire protection sprinkler system is unique and is designed to fit the specific occupancy to be protected. When a new sprinkler system is being installed or if there is a change in occupancy or building use, an owner’s information certificate will be asked to be completed.
Is Your Fire Sprinkler System Ready For Winter
Winterizing your fire sprinkler system is critical to keeping it operating effectively. Cold weather will be here before you know it and we want to remind you of some Building Owner requirements of NFPA-25 , 2011 edition for Dry-Pipe and Antifreeze Fire Sprinkler Systems:
The Importance of Staying Connected in the Design World
Welcome to 2020 and staying connected. What does staying connected mean to you? In 2020, we have experienced new levels in daily communication through Zoom Meetings, Microsoft Teams, and Webex to name a few. Receiving countless and ever-changing news from local and national media...
Code Changes to 2016 NFPA 13
On March 31, 2020, the State of Minnesota updated several fire and building code standards. This included adoption of the 2016 version of NFPA 13 which has several changes that could impact your upcoming projects. Here is a summary of changes that could impact the design and overall...
Building Preparedness. Are Your Critical Systems Ready?
The reopening of buildings and facilities demands heightened efforts to ensure occupant health and safety against COVID-19. Our products and services can help with building readiness while enhancing the performance of your building safety systems.
A Clean Approach to Foam-Water System Testing
NFPA 11, 16, 25 and other standards require regular testing of fixed foam-water fire suppression systems . The process of testing these systems most often requires flowing AFFF foam-water solution to test the performance of the systems components in compliance with the codes.
Indoor Air Cleaning Technologies for Your Facility
There are two alternative more cost effective ways to reduce the risk of infectious aerosol pathogen spread in buildings using the existing heating and cooling systems. One being ultraviolet light and the other being bi-polar ionization.