Spotlight on Groundhog Day

Posted on February 2, 2015 by zalepka

Ever since I first saw the movie Groundhog Day in 1993, any unpleasant situation that seems to repeat itself makes me think of this movie. If you are unfamiliar, Phil Connors, an Groundhog-Day-T-Shirtarrogant Pittsburgh TV weatherman (played by Bill Murray) finds himself in a time loop during an assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, repeating the same day again and again. Every day, he wakes up only to find that he experiences basically the same thing as every day before.… you know kind of like the New England Patriots winning the Super Bowl, AGAIN… I mean it almost feels like they are cheating or something.

Being that today is February 2nd, it got me thinking about this concept along with a recent conversation that I had with a contractor about his unpleasant experiences with a competitive firestop manufacturer over the years. He explained that it seems like the same problems keep repeating themselves on his projects over and over again. We diEinsteinscussed Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity, had a good laugh about it and agreed that it was time to try something new… STI Firestop!

Sound familiar? When it comes to firestopping on your projects, are you another Phil Connors – trapped doing the same thing day after day, project after project, but not really making any progress? Do you find yourself repeating experiences time and again – with inspectors, with subcontractors, with suppliers – while things never seems to get much better?

Well then, now it’s time for you to see the (firestop spot) light… Here are just a few ways that STI can add value to your next project:

  • Firestop Specification Review: We will help you identify whose responsibility is whose by reviewing (or if you are an architect, helping you to update) specification sections 078413 and 078443.
  • Submittal Paperwork: Trying to figure out which system goes with which application can be time consuming. Get me involved and I will do this for you, always giving you the GAAS (Guaranteed Architect Approved Submittal) you need for each and every project .
  • Training, training, training: We provide all types of complimentary training; for architects, for engineers, for general contractors, and especially for subcontractors, specific to their applications. Proper firestop certification training, jobsite walk-throughs and product mock-ups are just some of the ways that we will help you make sure that the proper product is applied the proper way for the sake of life safety and code compliance.

So don’t feel Gilti… break those old firestopping habits. The same thing that helped Phil Connors finally break his time loop (a dedication to improving himself) can help you with the firestopping plan on your next project… otherwise you may very well go insane.

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Spotlight on Sharpening your Ax – AIA / CES Continuing Education

Posted on January 16, 2015 by zalepka

Recently I have found myself giving more presentations and trainings about the key points in firestopping. Yesterday I received an email after one of my presentations that I had given at an architectural firm which read, “Thank you for the nice presentation yesterday. Everybody was very interested in the topic, it was one of the best presentations we’ve ever had.”

IMG_0594

Obviously it made me feel very good to hear such a compliment from someone who has been an architect their entire professional career. However, it was also a testament to the training and hard work that I have put in over the past 6 years at Toastmasters, where I have been empowered to become a more effective communicator and leader.

My company, Specified Technologies Inc., is a registered AIA/CES passport provider, where architects can earn AIA Learning Units (LUs) by attending our presentations.

The AIA recognizes that continuing education in architecture is crucial to advancing and improving the profession. Architects need continuing education to maintain competency, to prepare for the future, to fulfill the continuing education requirements for AIA membership, and frequently to renew state licensure.

World renowned author Stephen Covey also recognizes how important this concept of sharpening the saw (or ax) is in his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Essentially he says that you increase your capacity to produce and handle the challenges around you by doing so. Without this renewal, the body becomes weak, the mind mechanical, the emotions raw, the spirit insensitive, and the person selfish.

The importance of staying sharp is illustrated quite nicely in the following story…

Once upon a time there were two lumberjacks who decided to have a contest chopping wood. The first man who was in his early 20’s was in great physical shape and very muscular. The second man who was pushing 40, was in decent shape, but was much smaller in statute and wiry. They would chop wood all day and at the end of the day compare to see who had chopped the most wood. 

lumberjack-treeThe first man laughed to himself that there was no way this wiry little man would beat him and so they began the contest.  Every 45 minutes the second smaller man would take a break and seemed to just wonder off somewhere.  The first man laughed repeatedly to himself saying “Yep there’s no way this wiry little man is going to beat me.” This happened several times during the day. 

At the end of the day the two men compared their piles of chopped wood and unbelievably enough, the wiry older man has chopped twice as much wood as the more physically fit, younger man. He said “I don’t understand.  I’m younger, in better shape, I’m twice your size and twice your strength! On top of that every 45 minutes or so I heard you stop chopping to take a break, what were napping or something? You must have cheated!”

The older, smaller, yet wiser man said “I don’t ever cheat. It was easy to beat you because every 45 minutes when you thought I was taking a break, I was actually out back resting and sharpening my ax. Why didn’t you stop to take a break and sharpen your ax?” The younger man, looking sheepish at this point could only reply, “Because I was too busy chopping wood.”

Our lives are very much like that. Sometimes we get so busy that we don’t take time to “sharpen the ax.” In today’s world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy than ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay sharp?

If you have read this far, you clearly understand the importance of staying sharp and so I would like to offer to help you in any way I can. At STI, we offer all types of training for every different trade (general contractors, mechanical, electrical, plumbers, drywaller, masons, curtain wall contractors, etc.) along with the following AIA certified training courses:

1 LU – Key Points in Firestopping (FS070), LEED and Firestop Products (LFSP01), Firestop Overview (FS0906)

2 LUs – Curtainwall Basics (CW101), Through Penetration Firestopping (WB599), Managing Firestop Compliance (FSC411),

3 LUs – Firestop Instructional Training – Level 1 (FL1)

15 LUs – Firestop Instructional Training – Level 2 (FL2)

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Spotlight on the No Fly Zone

Posted on January 7, 2015 by zalepka

Lately, there has been great concern regarding the number of penetrating items near fire-restrictive construction joints. This presents a problem because penetrating items that pass through joints can inhibit the ability of the joint to allow for movement. Construction joints allow for the various building movements that can occur due to live or dead-load deflection, thermal cycling, wind sway, or even seismic activity. Some examples of construction joints include the top-of-wall between a fire-rated gypsum wall and a concrete floor slab or steel deck or an expansion joint between concrete floor slabs or walls.

In order to allow for movement, most fire-resistant joint systems feature highly flexible, elastomeric firestop sealants or sprays. Some other systems such as STI’s Track Top Gasket (TTG) do not use sealants or sprays at all, but rather feature a more mechanical approach to provide the required movement. Regardless of which method is being employed, penetrating items routed through the void areas will either prevent expansion and contraction of the joint or create a stress point that can lead to joint system failure.

Building codes are very specific to the installation of fire-resistant joint systems.

For example, the 2009 IBC (the basis for NJ’s Building Code) details the requirements for fire-resistant joint systems in Section 714. One of the most important areas is Section 714.2, which states the following: Fire-resistant joint systems shall be securely installed in or on the joint for its entire length so as not to dislodge, loosen or otherwise impair its ability to accommodate expected building movements and to resist the passage of fire and hot gases.

The next important code reference is Section 714.3, which outlines the test criteria for fire-resistant joint systems. It states the following: Fire-resistant joint systems shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of either ASTM E1966 or UL 2079.The ASTM E1966 and UL2079 standards place very strict temperature limitations on fire-resistant joint systems. Quite often, a metallic pipe or conduit or a bundle of copper conductor cables can conduct heat through the joint system that would exceed those limitations. Therefore, one will find very few fire-resistant joint systems that include penetrating items in the description. Penetrating items through fire-rated construction are evaluated to different fire test standards (i.e. ASTM E814 or UL1479).

The fact is that joints and penetrations, generally speaking, require completely different firestop products and tested UL systems. So when a pipe is run through a joint, the life-safety assurance that a tested UL system affords is compromised. Often the protection of these conditions will necessitate engineering judgments (EJs) since they have not been tested and do not comply with a published design listing.

That’s why we recommend instituting a No Fly Zone (NFZ) for all of your construction joints…simply a rule that states: Penetrations may not come within 6” of any construction joint.

At Specified Technologies, Inc. (STI), Firestop is all we do. We have the ability to take your CAD files, assign specific UL systems, and drop them directly onto your drawings. This way there will be no mistaking your new No Fly Zone (NFZ). We have developed many barrier management program options, including our state-of-the-art eBMP where you can digitally map all of your firestop systems… ensuring a smooth firestop landing on your next project.

I invite you to contact me to set up a “Key Points in Firestop Systems” presentation. This is a one-hour course (AIA/CES accredited course#FS070) and in this seminar, I teach the basics of life safety design and how to design a code compliant firestopping installation into you project. Further, this course covers major issues in design such as coordination for the trades, data cabling, plastic pipes, “simple” through penetrations, construction joints and curtain walls. What you learn in this course will save you time, money and quite possibly, someone’s life.

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Spotlight on New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on December 30, 2014 by zalepka

I did a quick Google search this morning and found the top 10 New Year’s Resolution that people make are as follows:

  • Lose Weight and Get Fit
  • Quit Smoking
  • Learn Something New
  • Eat Healthier and Diet
  • Get Out of Debt and Save Money
  • Spend More Time with Family
  • Travel to New Places
  • Be Less Stressed
  • Drink Less
  • Volunteer to help others

Of the 10 items listed above, the first 9 are very much about one’s self… which actually makes us less likely to follow through on them. The reason is because it is easy to trick ourselves into why we can’t keep them up past January 15. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that very often we do not have anyone holding us accountable. So we often resort back to our old habits, only to revisit the broken resolutions next year. The 10th item however, is very different, it is about volunteering our time to help others.

Personally I find it much easier to follow through on something when others will be the beneficiary of my actions. It is easier for me to justify in my head buying a $5 latte instead of investing that money for my retirement. However, when someone is counting on me, the last thing I want to do is to let them down.

Recently I have been volunteering for a few causes that, believe it or not, have actually helped me check off some of the top resolutions. For me, I find volunteering exposes me to things, people, places and activities that I wouldn’t otherwise be doing during my day-to-day firestop territory managerial duties. When I volunteer, I am constantly “learning something new” and “traveling to new places”. Most of my volunteering (at this point in my life) centers around my children’s education, so it has actually helped me in “spending more time with my family”. And even though some may view it as unpaid work, volunteering has helped me to “be less stressed”, as it becomes clear when helping others in need that, ‘Hey, maybe “my own problems” aren’t that bad after all’.

QUICK TIP: So my advice to you is simple… if you want to feel better about yourself, start by helping others to feel better about themselves. The New Year is the perfect time to get started, but remember that it is never too late to get involved and volunteer… somebody somewhere needs your help… and since you cannot deny the Law of Reciprocity, just remember… WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES BACK AROUND.

Here is some volunteering that I’ve been up to:

West Freehold School Golf Classic  – article

Freehold Township Education Foundation

Happy New Year!

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Product spotlight on FastTack All-Weather Firestop Spray

Posted on December 30, 2014 by zalepka

SpecSeal® FastTack® Firestop Spray dries rapidly and cures in the presence of atmospheric moisture to form a durable, flexible, water-resistant shield against the propagation of fire, smoke and combustion byproducts.

Check out this video highlighting one of the key benefits…. As you will see, the water-resistant properties of our product make it the ideal product when firestopping the slab edge. 

SpecSeal® FastTack® Firestop Spray is engineered to adhere to common construction substrates and may be applied using airless spray equipment or with a brush (for small applications or touch ups). As an option, SpecSeal Fast Tack Firestop Spray may also be used as a self-leveling sealant and poured into the linear opening to the required thickness as specified in the individual UL System design.

For more information, please check out this “official” video… 

Get some here… CONSTRUCTION DISTRIBUTORS

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Spotlight on safety

Posted on December 20, 2014 by zalepka

I was called in for a job site walk-through the other day to look at the firestop, or should I say lack-thereof, at building that was built around World War II. First we met in the warm, safe confines of an office to go over some UL Systems prior to going on site. Upon leaving the office, I asked if I would need my hardhat from the car… I was told “no, don’t worry about it”. So, against my better judgment I went in hat-less. Not only did I almost fall through a hole twice (always look down), but there were no fewer than a half-a-dozen times that I almost hit my head on something that was hanging or dangling.

I started to think about the OSHA 10 course that I recently completed. If you are unaware, the OSHA 10-Hour General Industry is an OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)-Authorized online training course that provides relevant safety material to help workers stay safe on the job. Truth be told, it took me about 18 hours to complete (rookies!), but I learned a ton.

One of the major topics of discussion in the OSHA 10 course is how to recognize requirements for wearing personal protective equipment. A common theme from the OSHA 10 course kept ringing in my ear that “Anyone who comes to work, has a right to go home safely to their family”.

PPE

After I was safely in my car, I couldn’t help but to count my blessings that nothing happened to me or anyone that I was with. I was upset with myself that I didn’t trust my intuition or follow the instructions for the OSHA 10 course I just completed. It also made me think about the gentleman who was killed recently while standing next to his semi-tractor trailer when he was struck by a tape measure that fell 50-stories on a construction site here in New Jersey. The construction site safety rules required all personnel on-site to utilize hardhats, among other safety equipment. The gentleman was not wearing the required hardhat and it’s likely that had he been wearing a hardhat he could have survived the accident.

Sadly, this is a common occurrence on construction sites throughout the country, as many delivery drivers fail to observe and comply with the requirement to wear hardhats. Another common risk on construction sites is falling objects from heights. Occupational Health & Safety standards require equipment and materials susceptible to falling to be secured or tethered to prevent such an accident. Additionally, all personnel on construction sites are required to comply with all established safety rules and requirements, such as wearing a hardhat. Especially where the potential of falling objects exists. OSHA is currently investigating the accident.

These types of accidents are more common than most people think. Scores of construction workers and the public are struck by falling objects every year. This is yet another example of why it is important to follow established safety rules and requirements. Protect yourself and your co-workers.

So please remember when you are out in the field; Safety is your right. Participate and save a life… because it could very well be your own!

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Spotlight on LEED

Posted on December 9, 2014 by zalepka

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. Prerequisites and credits differ for each rating system, and teams choose the best fit for their project.

LEED-Logo

LEED stands for green building leadership. LEED is transforming the way we think about how buildings and communities are designed, constructed, maintained and operated across the globe.

LEED certified buildings save money and resources and have a positive impact on the health of occupants, while promoting renewable, clean energy.

Specified Technologies Inc. (STI) manufactures the SpecSeal® and BlazeStop™ line of firestopping products as well as EZ-Path® Fire-Rated Pathways.

STI firestop materials and pathway devices are high quality firestop products designed
with the environment in mind. Wherever possible, formulations include material obtained
from recycled sources. STI takes steps to minimize or eliminate volatile organic
compounds (VOC’s). For all products, VOC content is far below the nationally recognized
standards set forth by the South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule #1168 and
Bay Area Air Quality Management District Regulation 8, Rule #51. Further, these products
are nontoxic and do not contain asbestos or halogens.

Our attention to the environment does not end with the product. Strict and effective
methods are employed to reduce packaging and promote the use of packaging with
recycled material content. Packaging is also recyclable. Additionally, our manufacturing
plants, warehouses and network of stocking distributers are strategically located to reduce
environmental impact through reduction of transportation distances.

For more information on STI LEED product information, please click here.

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Product Spotlight on SPEEDFLEX Top Track Gasket (TTG) for construction joints

Posted on December 5, 2014 by zalepka

In sub-freezing temperatures, caulk sometimes becomes very difficult to work with. So the innovators back at the STI lab came up with the coolest product for construction joints at the head or bottom of the wall, no matter the weather, but especially great for these cold temps.

Start saving on labor while eliminating bad caulk jobs forever:

Laborers/applicators don’t always understand the importance of life-safety and code-compliant head-of-wall firestop applications. Because of this, you get caulk jobs like what you see below. Your men are going to have to go back and fix situations like this… and that will cost you money!

HWD bad 1

Say goodbye to caulk… just shoot it and walk!

TTG

INTRODUCING
SpeedFlex – Top Track Gasket (TTG) an intumescent cover for the ceiling track providing Fire, Smoke, and Acoustical ratings for head-of-wall joints between gypsum walls and concrete floor slabs. TTG is compatible with all ceiling track and provides an economical method of providing the required seal in rated and non-rated wall construction.

• No caulk, no hassle, one-step solution. Improves productivity. Controls cost.
• Fits all common track sizes. Lightweight, easy to handle rolls.
• Eliminates estimating and installation guesswork. Inspect at any time.
• Simple peel, stick, and shoot installation. Water resistant, no shelf life.
• Up to 100% Movement.

TTG can be purchased at any of our fine distributors… CONSTRUCTION DISTRIBUTORS

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Product Spotlight on Self Leveling Silicone Firestop Sealant

Posted on December 4, 2014 by zalepka

Check out this video that Mark Nunn and I made (I will admit, it needs some editing… for a quick reference check out 1:25 and 2:45) installing UL System CAJ8022 using STI’s SpecSeal Self Leveling SIL Silicone Firestop Sealant.

STI’s self-leveling product is great because there is no tooling required… it will find the low spot so make sure to pack that mineral wool tight… this means that you will never have to remove another riser clamp or risk getting your hand caught trying to caulk in the back corner.

Some of the benefits to using silicone:

  • Low modulus – allows up to ± 50% movement capability.
  • Auto-bonding – allows fresh sealant to adhere to cured sealant.
  • Excellent water-resistance – for water-tight sealing.
  • Ozone and UV-resistant – for excellent weathering ability and long service life.
  • Excellent chemical resistance – best choice in polluted or corrosive atmospheres.
  • Excellent adhesion to most building substrates (primerless adhesion).
  • UL tested for W ratings.
  • Acoustically tested – reduces noise transmission

Some typical applications:

  • Through penetrations and joints.
  • High temperatures or movement.
  • Electrical, data, or telephone cables.
  • Slab Edge/Curtain wall, safing and construction gaps.
  • Seismic and expansion joints.
  • Top-of-wall joints.
  • Single or multiple metallic pipes, conduits & tubing.
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Spotlight on Thanksgiving

Posted on November 26, 2014 by zalepka

The holiday season is my favorite time of year, and for me, Thanksgiving has always been the “kick off” of that season (although I suspect that some people and retailers have pushed it back to Halloween).

With all of the lights draining the power grid, you can literally feel the electricity in the air. There is something very special about that electricity, and it is something we as Americans should all give thanks for as we move further into the holiday season.

Personally, I would like to take this opportunity to give thanks publicly as I reflect back on my first 377 days on the job here at Specified Technologies Inc. (STI).

First of all, I am thankful for my beautiful wife Courtney and two wonderful children Jacy Kate & Jaxon John.

Without Courtney’s love, devotion, encouragement and understanding, I would not be half the man I am.  I am thankful for her keeping me on track, having a great sense of humor and not letting me take myself too seriously.

Without the love of my children, my world would not nearly be as bright. They are the inspiration and motivation behind everything I do. I am eternally thankful for them and they are my driving force, as I attempt to build and leave them a legacy that they can be proud of.

FAMILY

I am thankful for my STI family.

A little over a year ago, I had no idea how important firestop was to code compliance and in particular to life safety. That is until I met the STI family… Within 5 minutes of my first interview, I knew that I had to join STI to help deliver that message.  I am extremely thankful that Jim Stahl, Sr. and Charbel Tagher had the foresight to start a company solely dedicated to firestopping. This well focused effort has elevated us to a position of technological and market pre-eminence in a relatively short span of time.

I am thankful for everyone at STI (customer service, engineering, HR ‘Hi Diana’, marketing, finance, etc.) They say “it takes a village”, and so I “thank you” for being that village for me. In particular I am thankful to my manager (Northeast Regional) David Augello and my “Outer Boro Brother” (Territory Manager) Mark Nunn for their invaluable teachings this past year. My development would not nearly be at the level it is without you gentlemen… Thank You!

Three Brothers

I am thankful to our distributor customers, our contractor partners, and even our competition.

While it is easy to realize why I am thankful for our distributor customers (they pay us money) and our contractor partners (they buy our stuff from our distributor customers), you may be wondering why I am thankful for our competition.

I believe that competition drives innovation across all business channels. From an engineering standpoint, we are always developing new, innovative products to stay ahead. From a customer service standpoint, we are always striving to do our best for those we intend to serve. And from an in-the-trenches sales standpoint, we are always looking for ways to add value where the competition is not. Whether it’s on the job(site) firestop certification training, product mockups, job site walk-throughs, engineering judgements, submittal paperwork, etc. We work tirelessly in the fight against the likes of Hilti, 3M, Rectorseal/Metacaulk, Tremco, etc. These companies keep us on our toes… so I am thankful because we will never become stale and we will continually look for ways to better serve the market.

Finally, I am thankful for every one of you who have taken the time to read my words here.

I hope you all have a bountiful Thanksgiving, a happy holiday season, and a healthy prosperous New Year.

~ John Zalepka

 

 

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