ASSE Northern Ohio chapter

Welcome to the Northern Ohio Chapter of ASSE Web page!

On this site you will find the history of the Chapter, Officers List, and names of Directors.

We also publish associate organization's Newsletter links, copies of presentations from some of our joint training sessions, along with latest Happenings at the Chapter for that month, a complete schedule of upcoming meetings and events, and Links to our advertisers, sponsors, affiliated or interesting organizations.

For your convenience we also archive the last three month Newsletters, the "Connex-It" for easy reference. All "Connex-It" Newsletter are in PDF format and can be downloaded for use.

Please take the time to peruse this Website and contact us if you have any questions. If you wish to join our organization, click here to become a member. Our motto is "Prevention Rather than Cure".

Welcome again, and good reading!

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NORTHERN OHIO CHAPTER HAPPENINGS - October 2009

The year 2008 was a very difficult year for my wife, Sherrie, and me. We were awakened to the sound of the smoke detector going off at the same time a neighbor was pounding on the door yelling “FIRE!” I
stumbled to the door opened it and saw her fright. Leaving her there, I turned around and screamed to Sherrie to get up. “THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE!”, I yelled. “WE MUST GET OUT OF THE HOUSE NOW!”, I shooed the dog out the door, ran barefoot to the garage, hooked up the garden hose and did what I could to water down the flames until the fire department came, stopping only to retrieve the cat and make sure Sherrie was all right.

The fire was contained between the garage and the main house. I’m sorry to say that my efforts were in vain. As the fire raged up the side of our house and connected garage, then across the entire attic, I could see it was completely destroying everything in its path, including the roof and second floor.

The damage was in excess of $200,000! Our concerns shifted to the firefighters who had to fight the fire from the inside of the house. If there had been residential sprinklers in our home, 90% of the damage would not have occurred.
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After nine months, we finally returned to our house.That was last Thanksgiving, so we have had time to reflect on the experience and improve the smoke detectors and other safety device. Everyone got out of the fire safely, but there could have been a tragic ending to this story.

I have related this event in order to bring to your attention that the 2009-2012 International Residential Code Development Cycle is now underway. The Home Builders’ Association has submitted proposals to rescind home sprinkler requirements. Where is the moral commitment here? Are peoples’ lives and property less important than the almighty dollar?

ASSE President Prospal called our membership to action! On Wednesday November 28th, we plan to retain the fire sprinkler requirement in the code. If you are a member of the International Residential Code Development Cycle Group or know anyone who is, please inform him or her as to the importance of Home Sprinklers. Remember, this excludes those in the Home Builders’ Association.We need voting representation at this event in Washington, D.C, because a movement from the floor of this meeting could help derail this effort to scuttle this very important issue.

On another topic, remember that our next joint meeting will be at Harry’s Steak House on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 instead of November 11, 2009, because of a conflict with Veteran’s Day on Wednesday. See you there!

Patrick “Pat” Sugrue
President of the Northern Ohio Chapter of ASSE

2009 Schedule of Events

Newsletter Archives:

• October 2009 "Connex-It"
• September 2009 "Connex-It"
• August 2009 "Connex-It"
• May 2009 "Connex-It"
• April 2009 "Connex-It"
• March 2009 "Connex-It"
• February 2009 "Connex-It"

2008-09 board of directors

Advertisers and Sponsors:

All-City Backflow
Cleveland Plumbing Industry (C.P.I.)
Kerr Marketing Agency, Inc.
Lakeside Supply Company
Libb Company, Inc.

Other Links of Interest:

www.clevelandaspe.org