HOME FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM DISPLAYED IN SHOW VILLAGE HOME AT INTERNATIONAL BUILDERS’ SHOW

(February 2002)—Viking and BlazeMaster Fire Sprinkler Systems are partnering with the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) to feature fire sprinkler systems at the 2002 International Builders’ Show in Atlanta. Members of the building industry will have the opportunity to learn about automatic home fire sprinkler systems at the HFSC booth (#900) inside the convention and at the "Show Village Home" built outside the main entrance to the Atlanta Convention Center.

This is the third year fire sprinkler systems are showcased in the "Show Village Home", an unfinished demonstration home built to illustrate construction details, "hidden" products and installation guidelines. During the show, builders tour the house. Representatives from BlazeMaster, Viking and HFSC will be inside the house to discuss the details of the system and the life- and property-saving benefits they offer.
"This is really a great opportunity for us to answer builder’s questions," said Matthew Kuwatch, BlazeMaster marketing manager. Every year, we meet a handful of builders who have never seen a system installed in a home. They are usually intrigued when they see the CPVC pipe and realize the system is similar to the plumbing system," Kuwatch said.

For the second year, Affordable Fire Protection, a Georgia-based fire sprinkler company is installing the system in the "Show Village Home" and will also be available in the house during the show.

Alden Spencer of Affordable said he enjoys talking with builders and answering their questions. "So many builders take a closer look at the system and are amazed when they find out one sprinkler can protect an average size bedroom. They also like the idea of concealed sprinklers," he said.

Spencer said he also talks about his personal experience working with builders who are installing fire sprinklers in entire developments for trade-up benefits.

Builders who visit the booth inside the convention can view a fire sprinkler demonstration display. Using BlazeMaster pipe and Viking sprinklers, water is circulated in the display to show how sprinklers activate.

The HFSC display will include the Ron Hazelton fire sprinkler segment that aired on ABC’s Good Morning America last September. Hazelton, ABC’s Home Improvement Editor, is HFSC’s spokesperson. HFSC’s new builder brochure Building for Life will also be distributed. Representatives from BlazeMaster and Viking will be available with product information and to answer questions in the booth.

"The partnership between BlazeMaster, Viking and HFSC allows us to have a strong presence inside and outside the show," Kuwatch added. "Every builder who walks into the "Show House" is approached by at least two of us while touring the home. By the end of the show, we feel pretty good knowing we’ve talked to thousands of builders."