FSSA Members:
We hope everyone is enjoying the start of summer! The FSSA PFAS Task Force has been continuing to meet weekly to provide updates, resources, and webinars for you.
The EPA has issued its Fire Suppressant Recycling Under the HFC Allocation Program Questions and Answers Fact Sheet dated May 2023. It provides guidance regarding when a company is considered an HFC Fire Suppressant Recycler, and its reporting obligations under the AIM Act. This guidance was first requested by FSSA in March 2022. A key provision in the fact sheet:
Who qualifies as an HFC fire suppressant recycler?
Per and polyfluoro alkyl compounds (PFAS) in end use are ubiquitous in society today. PFAS are essential for modern life to which we are accustomed. From semiconductors, computers, smart phones, pharmaceuticals, to BESS systems, refrigerants, fire protection foams and clean agents, pipe thread tape, dental floss, our car engines, to even the planes in which we fly, it is hard to imagine life without PFAS.
But, like good and bad cholesterol, there are good and bad PFAS. Unfortunately, ‘good’ PFAS, comprising the vast majority of the estimated 7,500 to 15,000 materials meeting the PFAS definition depending on the reference, are conflated with the minimal number of ‘bad’ PFAS. Thus, people mistakenly label the good the same as the bad. Most notably in the fire suppression industry, ‘bad’ PFAS are the PFOS and PFOA contained in aqueous film forming foam, or AFFF, heretofore in general use.
Join the FSSA PFAS Task Force for a Zoom chat on Tuesday, May 30 at 2:00 pm Eastern. Members of the PFAS task force will be discussing the task force initiatives that have been happening over the past several months. You'll have a chance to ask questions and share comments on what FSSA can do to help you. If you're interested in attending, RSVP today using the link below.
Please note that ALL participants MUST RSVP in order to receive your personalized Zoom credentials. This meeting is for FSSA Members only.
The FSSA Technical Committee meetings are held three times a year and is a great way to learn and share technical information about the special hazards fire suppression industry. There are nine installer members and nine manufacturer members who are part of the committee. FSSA members and guests are invited and encouraged to attend.
The next technical committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 13 from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm Eastern at BFPE International in Baltimore, MD. The committee will be hosting their meeting both in-person and online via zoom.
Scholarship Opportunities Available for Students Studying Fire Protection
Supported by contributions from the fire suppression industry and other business groups and individuals, the FSSA Educational Foundation awards scholarships each year to candidates who are already or will be participating in fire protection programs at their universities to help them meet the ever-rising cost of a college education.
Brenton Harris, 2023-2024 FSSA President
FSSA Members:
As a Deputy Fire Marshal that has seen the impact of ESS fires and incidents as well as a member of the NFPA 855 committee, Brian will share his perspective on how the code was developed, highlight lessons learned from serious ESS incidents, and how the code should be interpreted and applied.
Brian Scholl, Deputy Fire Marshall, Phoenix Fire Department
Leading Change With the Heart in Mind
Presented By: Vered Kogan
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Delegate Delegate |
3M Company recently issued a release stating the company’s intention to exit per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) manufacturing and work to discontinue the use of PFAS across its product portfolio by the end of 2025. This was a business decision by 3M and will include the manufacturing of its 3M™ Novec™ 1230 Fire Protection Fluid - which is 3M’s trademarked-version of the FK-5-1-12 fire suppression agent.
In the release, 3M states that “PFAS can be safely made and used” and its “products are safe for their intended use.” The company commits to facilitating an orderly transition for customers. The announcement does pledge 3M will fulfill its current contractual obligations.
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Delegate Delegate |
Sponsorship Information
Each of the opportunities will include:
Technical Committee Openings for 2023 - Are You the Right Fit?
To: FSSA Installer and Manufacturer Division Members
FSSA Ambassador Program
We are looking for FSSA members to serve as an ambassador and help us connect with international organizations to promote FSSA. Ambassadors are asked to commit to a 2-year term, with an option to extend for an additional 2-years with approval by the committee and board of directors.
Early bird registration ends today!
Are you planning on attending the 2023 Annual Forum? Register today, December 6, to take advantage of our lowest registration rate before pricing increases.
Early Bird registration deadline is one week away!
Take advantage of our lowest registration rate and register before the deadline on Tuesday, December 6. Join us for FSSA's next Annual Forum on February 23-27, 2023 at the Royal Sonesta in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In addition to the educational sessions where you’ll be able to earn PDHs, the committee has some fun sprinkled in, including optional historic tours, beach Olympics, and a live auction. Connect with hundreds of leading professionals in the industry at the FSSA Annual Forum by registering today.
Footnote 48 Page 66394 (Page 23 in the PDF document):
Generally, an entity that collects used HFC fire suppressants and directly resells those recovered HFCs—with or without any additional reprocessing including testing for purity—to another person for reuse as a fire suppressant would qualify as a fire suppressant recycler (also referred to as a ‘‘recycler for fire suppression’’ in 40 CFR part 84, subpart A).
A person that recovers and aggregates used HFC fire suppressants for distribution to another entity for reprocessing before being sold for reuse as a fire suppressant would not be a fire suppressant recycler.
Take advantage of the opportunity to sponsor educational sessions, receptions, giveaways and more to support the FSSA at the 2023 Annual Forum.
Each of the opportunities will include:
In order to secure an opportunity:
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FAQ-Contact Us
FSSA Headquarters will be closed on Monday, September 2 for Labor Day and will reopen on Tuesday, September 3.
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