The Sprinkler Fitters Association of California (SFAC) is an Unincorporated California Non-Profit Association. Its memberships consist of the leadership of California Sprinkler Fitters Local 483, which represents the nine counties considered the San Francisco Bay Area; Local 709, representing the City of Los Angeles and areas extending 25 miles out from its city limits; and Local 669, which represents all other areas of Northern, Central, and Southern California. The Sprinkler Fitters are associated with the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipe Fitting, and Sprinkler Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA).
The Sprinkler Fitters Association of California’s mission is three-fold; the promotion of fire sprinklers, fire sprinkler training, and promoting the use of qualified sprinkler fitters to install fire suppression life safety systems. Statistics have proven that properly installed fire sprinklers save lives. SFAC strongly supports and advocates for the adoption of local ordinances, regulations, and state laws that require fire sprinklers, and that require only qualified sprinkler fitters to install these life safety systems.
Fire sprinkler systems have one purpose, and a very important purpose. It is these life safety systems that will protect the lives of those whom occupy our buildings, as well as those first-responders who must respond in the event of a catastrophic fire. The public and our first-responders expect that these life safety systems will operate properly at the time of need. Permitting unqualified fire sprinkler fitters to install such life saving systems is irresponsible, and could have disastrous results.
Sprinkler Fitters Local 483, 709, and 669 all have comprehensive sprinkler fitter apprenticeship training programs that extend over a 5-year period. It is during this 5-year training program that an apprentice sprinkler fitter receives both academic and on-the-job training. Upon the completion of this 5-year apprenticeship training program, the sprinkler fitter can only then install fire sprinkler systems without supervision. The Sprinkler Fitters Association of California believes that it requires at least 5-years of training and experience under the supervision of a journey-level sprinkler fitter to be considered “qualified” to install these important life-saving systems.
Fortunately, as a result of efforts made by the California Sprinkler Fitter Union Locals and the California fire service organizations, California now requires Sprinkler Fitters working on a water-based fire sprinkler system be certified by the State Fire Marshal, and Apprentices be registered as being enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship training program. This relatively new regulation for using certified sprinkler fitters will likely have a significant impact in reducing the risk that a fire sprinkler system will fail during its time of need.
The Sprinkler Fitters Association of California advocates for fire sprinklers, training, and the use of qualified sprinkler fitters. We look forward to hearing from you, and with demonstrating our commitment to fire sprinklers, training, and fire safety in general. We are committed to doing what’s right for our industry, the first-responders, and those who rely on quality fire protection.