Blog
What's Trendingat Ahern?
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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Contractors Gravitating to Prefabrication
Installation of sheet metal and HVAC systems can require meticulous attention to detail and precise coordination with multiple trades. The prefabrication of multi-trade racking systems allows multiple mechanical components to be constructed in an offsite temperature controlled...

Speaking Sprinkler
The 2019 edition of NFPA 13 “Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems” was recently revised. Each new edition is intended to create a document that is easier to use than the previous. Inherently, this document can often be interpreted in many differing opinions and create...

Utilizing Nitrogen in Dry Pipe Sprinkler Systems
Corrosion has become the bane of the fire sprinkler market. It can lead to numerous problems that include leaks and faulty valves and heads. This, in turn, can lead to loss of property, money, and even life if the problem goes unnoticed. Corrosion in sprinkler systems can happen in as...

Ahern to Exhibit at POWER-GEN International
Ahern will once again exhibit at the POWER-GEN International conference, coming up on Dec. 4 through Dec. 6 in Orlando, FL. Check us out at booth #2235!

National Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week Recognition
Nearly all of us has experienced what can be a very traumatic experience; entering a hospital or healthcare facility to be there for a loved one or as a patient our self. During that time of uncertainty, there is anxiety, worry, potential pain, or if you are lucky, excitement (over...

What is Industrial Services?
Industrial Services provides heavier welded component products ranging from dust collection and structural platforms to catwalks and machine setting, but can also include HVAC, piping, and sheet metal services to provide customers with the total package.

What is Cross Connection Control?
The idea of cross connection control is to stop water that may be contaminated from flowing backward into a water system you wish to protect. This is done by having a backflow preventer installed.

Myths vs. Facts: Sprinkler Systems
Over the last 100 years, fire sprinkler systems have been a proven method of providing life and property saving protection. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions when it comes to these systems. Keep reading to see some common misunderstandings about the operation...

AutoCAD Plant 3D
Faced with the challenge of an outdated and no longer supported software and after much testing of different modeling software options, Ahern's pipe groups (Piping Design and Pipe Fab Drafting) decided to switch to AutoCAD Plant 3D. The old modeling software company was moving in a...

Fire Alarm System Expertise at Your Service
Ahern is a NOTIFIER® Premier Distributor for the state of Wisconsin and northern Illinois. NOTIFIER® by Honeywell is the largest manufacturer of engineered fire alarm systems. The Premier program is only offered to NOTIFIER distributors who heavily invest in employees’ technical...

HVAC Maintenance is Vital to the Environment and Operation of all Facilities
Believe it or not, summer months are right around the corner and it will be cooling season once again. Before the cooling gets started, a cleaning and inspection is very important to increase and sustain your cooling equipment’s efficiency.

Electric Fire Pump Assemblies & Controllers - Alarms and Signals Remote from Controller
The fire pump controller monitors several alarms and devices specific to the fire pump operation.

NFPA 13 Versus 13R
When planning a new construction project, it’s important to understand the fire sprinkler code requirements. Learn the difference between NFPA 13 and NFPA 13R in relation to fire sprinkler system design requirements from the experts.

2018 Tax Reform Sprinkler System Incentives for your Business
Now is the time to invest in your fire protection systems or retrofit your building with lifesaving and property conserving protection. New tax reform policy changes will allow businesses and other establishments to better protect their employees and customers through money-saving...

Considering Changes in Occupancy, Use, Process, or Materials in Your Facility? Re-evaluate Your Fire Protection
Did you know that anytime you change the layout, occupancy, use or process of an area or storage in your facility you need to evaluate the fire protection system’s capacity? As a property owner or designated representative, it becomes your responsibility to evaluate the below factors...

3D Laser Scanning Quickens Retrofit Projects
Faced with the task of renovating an existing pump area of a waste water treatment plant with limited on-site personnel available to verify existing conditions, Ahern turned to 3D laser scanning as an alternative method to quickly and accurately digitally document the existing...

Understanding Fire Sprinkler Systems and the Need for Maintenance
We have all read about fire deaths too many times during any given calendar year. Witnessing this unnecessary pain and suffering in person or through the news media is truly heartbreaking. Most often these fires originate in mobile or permanent homes causing a large number of deaths...

Steam Traps Explained
Steam traps are a type of automatic valve that filter out condensate and non-condensable gases (such as air) without letting steam escape. They open, close or modulate automatically, discharging condensate as soon as it is formed in an energy efficient manner.

CPVC Pipe and Chemical Compatibility
The use of CPVC pipe materials for sprinkler fire protection systems is often the material of choice for several building occupancy types when installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s listings. Recently, Ahern Fire Protection invited a CPVC industry representatives inside our...

IBC Egress in Stairwell Requirements
As cities grow and/or become more landlocked, the only place to go is up. That is why we are seeing more high-rise and multi-story buildings being constructed to account for the limited space. Larger buildings imply more occupants, so it is critical that residential and commercial...