Author Archives: zalepka

About zalepka

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BIM & Firestop Integration

Posted on April 26, 2016 by zalepka

Introducing a powerful new plugin for AutoDesk Revit®. The FCM (Firestop Clash Management) plugin uses clash detection to find locations where penetrants and/or joints meet fire-rated barriers and automatically selects the appropriate firestop systems. It removes the complexity of designing … Continue reading →

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Spotlight on Perimeter Fire Barrier Protection

Posted on April 11, 2016 by zalepka

I was fortunate enough to receive additional training at STI HQ recently on perimeter fire barrier protection (a/k/a curtainwall firestopping) from Eric Lacroix, our Director of Strategic Accounts and resident Curtain Wall Specialist, a/k/a GURU! Eric hit on EVERYTHING that STI does well when it … Continue reading →

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Spotlight on DIIM for firestopping

Posted on March 29, 2016 by zalepka

Life Safety Digest (LSD) is a big part of the FCIA’s strategy to educate about the importance of the ‘DIIM’ for firestopping and effective compartmentation. I was happy to be able to contribute an article to the most recent edition of LSD. Click … Continue reading →

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Spotlight on STI BIM Resources

Posted on March 21, 2016 by zalepka

A quick and effective method to integrate firestop into your complex building design. Specified Technologies Inc. offers BIM objects for architects and engineers to import into building models. Developed using Autodesk® Revit®, specialized software developed for building information modeling, these … Continue reading →

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Spotlight on firestopping conduit risers

Posted on March 18, 2016 by zalepka

Firestopping conduit risers has always been a challenge for electrical contractors on high-rise construction projects. Typically anywhere from 8-20, 4″ conduits rise through the building, originating in the basement and continuing up the building through fire-rated floors.  There are a … Continue reading →

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Know when to say when: friends don’t let friends overfill sleeves

Posted on March 4, 2016 by zalepka

Recently I was at a cocktail party making some new connections when someone asked me the good old question, “So, what do you do?” As a sales rep in the firestop industry, whenever I get this question, I have to … Continue reading →

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Spotlight on Solutions: Composite Sheet

Posted on January 8, 2016 by zalepka

If there were one thing (and there were many) that Mark Nunn taught me, it is to sell solutions, not products. One of our last jobs together was at one of the new NYC Sanitation buildings. It was toward the … Continue reading →

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Spotlight on pipe insulation

Posted on December 30, 2015 by zalepka

All insulation is NOT created equal… and neither are their firestop systems.  Sharron Halpert, of HLS Consulting, has almost 15 years of experience in the construction industry. She has focused primarily on passive fire protection; dealing with firestop, proper design of … Continue reading →

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Spotlight on Volunteerism

Posted on December 10, 2015 by zalepka

Volunteerism (n) – the policy or practice of volunteering one’s time or talents for charitable, educational, or other worthwhile activities, especially in one’s community. People volunteer for a wide variety of reasons, especially wanting to help others. But it’s also OK … Continue reading →

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Spotlight on “Standardize with STI”

Posted on November 23, 2015 by zalepka

When you standardize with STI, you will reap the benefits by exclusively using STI products on all of your projects. Compatibility issues with caulks, sealants, & sprays exist between different manufacturers that compromise performance because of the various chemical compounds … Continue reading →

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