On Jan. 9, fire broke out in a third floor apartment at a 17-story high rise in the Bronx. Before long, thick smoke rose through the tower and filled all 17 floors, killing 17 people, including eight children. It was New York City’s deadliest blaze in three decades....
Category
Firestop and Smokeseal
Firestop and the Deadly January New York City Fire
Millions of Americans live and work in buildings where a fire could result in a terrible tragedy. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Protection Handbook, nearly six in 10 people killed in fires are located in a room where the fire did...
Ielmini discusses the importance of firestop safety measures
According to the NFPA Fire Protection Handbook, nearly six in 10 people killed in fires are not in the room where the fire originally started. This disturbing statistic speaks to the importance of firewall safety. If you can stop a fire from spreading, property damage...
Mechanical Insulators LMCT discusses firestopping and smoke seal on labor podcast
Firestopping and smoke seal is one of the important trades that falls under the umbrella of the Insulators Union and, Mechanical Insulators LMCT Trustee Tom Dake II recently discussed firestopping and smoke seal on a national, labor-focused podcast. The America’s Work...
Latest Posts
Mechanical Insulation at PowerGen 2026: A Practical Path to Lower Heat Loss, Safer Plants and Higher Efficiency
The Insulators Labor-Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) participated in PowerGen 2026 (Jan. 20–22) at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, to spotlight a proven but often under-specified lever for power plant performance: Mechanical...
Mechanical Insulation in Action: Association Spotlight – National Union Insulation Contractors Alliance (NUICA)
Mechanical insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency, protect personnel and extend the service life of building and industrial systems. For union contractors and signatory partners, it is also a measurable differentiator on...
Ielmini shares FMIA progress, Firestop market strategy and mental health priorities on AWF Union Podcast
Pete Ielmini, Executive Director of the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT), recently joined Ed “Flash” Ferenc on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to provide timely updates on federal policy, life-safety priorities and member...
Record-Breaking Firestop Market Recovery Program (FMRP) Session held in Philadelphia
The Insulators Labor-Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) recently hit a major milestone in the expansion of life safety services. From Jan. 13 to 15, Insulators Local 14 in Philadelphia hosted the largest Firestop Market Recovery Program (FMRP) session to date,...
Rep. Linda Sanchez discusses FMIA progress on AWF Union Podcast
Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA) recently joined Ed “Flash” Ferenc on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the continued push for the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act (FMIA) and why mechanical insulation remains one of the most practical, proven tools...
Unanimous vote sends Federal Mechanical Insulation Act to full House
The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously voted to advance the Federal Mechanical Insulation Act (H.R. 3474) out of committee, sending it to the full House of Representatives for consideration. The vote was a positive sign for the bipartisan bill, which...



