' 
·=_FIRE 
'PROTECTION 
CONTRACTOR 
. VOLUME 8, NO. 11 FOUNDED 1978 NOVEMBER, 1985 
IN THIS ISSUE: 
THE SPRINKLER INDUSTRY: 
FLORIDA ffA;S forever changing, changing, changing . . . . . .. .  . ..  16 
NFPA: 
ANOTJIER SPRINKLER their report disagrees with Jensen and Schirmer . . 13 
ASSQCIA TION! SPRINKLER INDUSTRY DIRECTORY: 
part III - Independent sprinkler designers directory 37 
UNIONS: 
A new sprinkler association has been organized in a new look at unionism ........................ 42 
the state of Florida. YoU-are probably saying to 
yourself, "This is not true. Ho0v can it be? Florida LETTERS TO THE EDITOR .............. 44 
already has three sprinkler associations operating SPRINKLER CALENDAR ................. 49 
within their itate." JENSEN & SCHIRMER REFUSE TO 
The new �rganization is F.lt.S.T. which stands for PRAISE SPRINKLERS . . . . .. .  . . . . ..  . . . . . ..  . 6 
Florida Automatic Sprinkler Training. It is an INSURANCE: 
association of non-union, merit shop, open shop contractor's guide to the 1986 commercial 
sprinkler contractors who are concerned with the general liability program . . . ..  ..  . . . . .. .  . ..  . ..  . . . 34 
training of field personnel for the installation of MARKETING: 
sprinkler systems. . sprinkler contractors need to know how ......... 19 
Organizers are Joe Wigintoh, President of Wiginton 
Fire Sprinklers, Inc. of Longwood, Fla., and Wayne NFSA: 
Gey, President of Wayne Automatic Sprinklers, Inc.o f board of directors invade AFSA convention ...... 39 
Ococee, Fla. Several sprinklet contractors are NON-UNION & UNION COOPERATE 
involved and many more are �xr.idcted to join because AT FORT LAUDERDALE .................. 4 
! 
of the severe shortage of installat_ion people and the SPRINKLER PEOPLE IN THE NEWS ...... 23 
growing need for more apprentices and fitters in the ESTIMATING: 
state of Forida. new sprinkler estimating software program ....... 20 
Gey and Wiginton both told ti's that it was necessary RESEARCH: 
to form this new association because none of the the national quick response sprinkler 
existing sprinkler associations were·  offering an 
apprentice training program that met their needs. The research program . ..  ..  . .. .  ..  ..  . . . . ..  ..  . ..  .. .  . 32 
need is to produce very rapidly, people who are SPRINKLER ASSOCIATION NEWS ....... 8 
capable of installing the standard wet and dry-pipe THE BULLETIN BOARD: 
systems. They feel that training for all the specialty the classified ad section ....................... 50 
areas such as fire pumps, deluge systems, pre-action COMMUNICATIONS: 
systems, hydraulics, special hazard systems, etc. can sprinkler contractors need to know how ......... 40 
be taught at a later time. They say that if you eliminate 
the specialties and stick to the basics you can train an BUSINESS: 
installation person in 52 weeks. sprinkler contractors are subcontracting 
Wiginton advised they had approached the Florida some internal operations . . . . . . ..  . ..  .. .  . .. . . .  ..  15 
Fire Sprinkler Association about the need for training sprinkler people eliminate paperwork ........... 31 
but the FFSA, which is made up of non-union and how job profitability can be increased ............ 29 trust; a two-sided coin in any sprinkler business ... 28 
union contractors, wanted absolutely nothing to do 
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS ................ 46 
See ASSOCIATION, page 24 
AND MUCH MORE! 
PUBLISHED MONTHLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF FIRE SPRINKLER CONTRACTORS, FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERS, 
SPRINKLER DESIGNERS, SPRINKLER FITTERS AND APPRENTICES, FABRICATORS AND MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS OF 
FIRE PROTECTION PRODUCTS USED IN AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS 
UNIONS 
A NEW LOOK AT UNIONISM 
BY 
Leonard C. Scott 
Some people in the sprinkler industry would haue A recent article in The Wall Street Journal 
you belieue that Fire Protection Contractor is anti­ contained some interesting findings regarding the 
union and that we sometimes 'fabricate" some of the attitudes of U.S. employers and workers toward 
stories to promote an anti-union mouement in side the unionism. Virtually all employers surveyed were anti­
sprinkler industry. Not true! union. This was not surprising. However, a wide 
Some haue said that if we would not publish articles majority of workers polled also were against unions. 
about the non-union mouement we would not haue Yet, these same workers indicated they think unions 
the problem in our industry. In fact, we were asked can bring about higher wages and better working 
three times in 1983 not to write this type of article. conditions. 
We at FPC contend that we should report on any How did this seemingly paradoxical situation arise 
subject that may haue an affect on the sprinkler and what does it mean? 
industry, particularly those things that occur in the First, workers now identify higher wages and 
construction industry and specifically the mechanical benefits with higher prices, as a result of the wage­
trades. price spiral which they experienced in the late 1960's 
Fram time to time, we haue reported on the non­ and throughout the 1970's. Second, workers just don't 
union mouement throughout America - in all sectors want the problems connected with employer-resisted 
of our economy and society - for we Jelt it was wide representation elections, picketing, strikes, lock-outs, 
spread, deep, and would euentually affect us all. grievances, arbitrations, hearings, and other 
A Jew of our readers said these articles were not contentious labor-management activities. Workers 
true .and FPC was promoting the bad side of unionism clearly want to avoid the stress that adversarial labor­
and was polarizing the sprinkler industry on union management relations bring to their workplaces. 
issues. Third, they realize that higher wages and prices often 
The following article was published in 'THE lead to the loss of jobs to other countries. This 
ROTARIAN", August, 1985. The writer refers to knowledge plus the uneasiness generated by 
another article in 'THE WALL STREET JOURNAL". continuing high unemployment reinforces their 
Leonard C. Scott tells the reader what is really attitude of shunning unions. 
happening in America and why. We at FPC could re­ The meaning of this ambivalent attitude toward 
publish a different article about the non-union unions is clear. Workers seem to be ready to team up 
mouement euery month. Euery article would be with bosses to do what needs to be done to increase 
written by a different author but their message would job security and improve wages and working 
be the same. We reuiew approximately 200 conditions. All they need is a little encouragement. 
publications each month and watch many economic, Employers can either revert to the indifference and 
political, business, and labor programs on TV and negativity toward workers that existed in pre-World 
listen to similar programs on radio. War II days or they can view this situation as a golden 
We publish what we think our readers need to opportunity to develop a synergistic relationship with 
know and print only the truth as it is reuealed to us. their employees. If workers now look to employers 
No one in the eight years we haue been publishing more strongly than ever to improve their economic 
FPC has euer disproued an article. We haue on three conditions, why not establish communication and 
occasions published corrections regarding company education programs that build solid employee trust, 
names, ownership, etc. cement labor-management coperation, and tap the 
Please read the article by Leonard C. Scott. If you creative energies of workers and managers for the 
haue a different point of uiew, share it with us in achievement of organization-wide objectives? The 
writing and we will share your thoughts with our time appears to be ripe for employers to take all 
readers. editor workers into the fold and fix in them a pride of 
42 FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACTOR NOVEMBER, 1985 
employment, loyalty to the firm, respect for top doesn't. As more and more employers reach out to 
quality, cost control, high productivity, and a grasp this opportunity, the economy as a whole will 
competitive spirit uis-a-uis both foreign and domestic clearly grow in strength. 
producers in their industry. 
What kind of communication and education About the author -
programs are needed? Leonard C. Scott is the President of his own 
The programs should explain the new market consulting firm based in Dallas, TX. The firm offers 
system that is entrenching itself in the world. consulting services in the areas of: New Plant 
Workers need to be told about benefits and risks Start-ups, Super-visory Training, Wage and Salary 
and how they can minimize these risks as they 
Administration, Executive Recruiting, Policy and 
relate to their jobs. The programs should also 
Procedures, and Union Prevention. 
explain the relationship between wages, prices, and 
profits. For example workers must understand that You may communicate with Mr. Scott by writing 
if wages go up without a corresponding increase in or calling: Leonard Scott & Company, 4405 
productivity, prices must rise or profits and the Seedling Parkway, Mesquite (Dallas), Texas 75150, 
ability to grow must decline. Workers need to be telephone: (214) 686-7656. 
told what foreign competition is all about and how it 
affects their company, their jobs, and the prices they 
pay for products. The general economic concept of 
comparative advantage should be covered. Finally, 
programs should explain terms like market share, ''. .. The new quick reaction 
return on investment, strength of the dollar [and the sprinkler system ... is a 
national currency], foreign trade deficit, prime rate, significant achievement be-
and national debt. cause it will play a major 
In reality all it will take to capture this golden role in reducing loss of life ' ' 
opportunity is a positive attitude toward human and property from fires .... 
resources, a minimum expenditure of time and Ronald Reagan 
money, and a continuing belief that an organization President 
that pulls together is more effective than one that 
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NOVEMBER, 1985 FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACTOR 43