In late March, leaders from Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 80 and some of the Local’s signatory contractors participated in the Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) Firestop Market Recovery Program.
The program is designed to expand firestop opportunities and strengthen or regain union market share in the firestop and fireproofing industries.
The three-day event focused on practical strategies to help labor and management grow firestopping work, increase work hours and position highly trained Mechanical Insulators as the right choice for this critical life safety trade.
Why Firestop Market Recovery Matters
The Firestop Market Recovery Program is built to help HFIAW Local Unions and their signatory contractors work together to reclaim lost work in the firestop industry.
For more than 35 years, union firestop market participation has experienced both successes and setbacks, often due to misconceptions about jurisdiction and missed business development opportunities. The FMRP is designed to change that.
Unlike introductory firestop classes, this workshop focused on market recovery, contractor development and labor-management strategies.
Participants examined how firestop work often aligns with mechanical insulation, including similar materials, installation techniques and project timing. In many cases, firestop specifications are also found within mechanical insulation bid documents, creating a natural opportunity for trained union Insulators to expand their role on the jobsite.
Well-Attended Event
The LMCT’s Firestop Market Recovery Program for Insulators Local 80 was well-attended by both union leaders and signatory contractors.
Local union leaders in attendance included:
- Ron Piersol, Local 80 Business Manager
- Todd Motz, Local 80 JAC Coordinator
- Scott Bradley, Local 80 Business Agent
- T. Humphreys, President Local 80
- Terry Burke, Business Manager, Local 8, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Participating contractor representatives included:
- American Energy Contractors, LLC: Johnny Johnson
- BrandSafway: Chad Cable, Greg Lloyd, Matthew Riley, Allen Ruth and William Wright
- EPI Insulation: Casey Freed, Cody Vanmeter and Daniel and Ryan Patterson
- George V. Hamilton, Inc.: Casey O’Brien
- IREX Advanced Industrial Services: Roger Ripperger, Brandon Singler and Brandon Williamson
- JT Thorpe: Darin Horn and Cameron Muncy
- Prime Insulation, Inc.: Michael Jackson and Justin Tackett
- Smith Spray Foam & Insulation: Chad Smith
Local 80, Signatory Contractors Build a Unified Strategy
A major strength of the West Virginia session was the joint participation of union leadership and signatory contractors. By working together, both sides were able to assess the current market, compare local conditions with best practices from other regions and develop a strategy tailored to Local 80’s jurisdiction.
Held March 24-26, the workshop covered a wide range of topics, including:
- Basic firestop concepts
- FM and UL contractor qualifications
- Training needs for labor and management
- Building and fire codes
- Approved firestop systems
- QA/QC practices
- Liabilities
- How to identify firestop opportunities in bid specifications
Participants also discussed the importance of building relationships with the fire inspection community and improving salesmanship from both contractors and workers.
Expert Leadership and Industry Insight
The Local 80 FMRP class was led by Superior Insulation Co-Founder Tom Dake Sr., Superior Insulation Director of Fire and Life Safety Adam Carter and LMCT Senior Mechanical Insulation Specialist James Petrides, CEM, CEA, CTII, CIEA.
The workshop also welcomed Bobby Palmer from the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office, who shared the importance of proper firestop installation and inspections. His participation reinforced the value of building strong local relationships with code and inspection officials.
“The Mechanical Insulators LMCT Firestop Market Recovery Class in West Virginia brought together contractors and union officials in a joint effort to grow the firestop market with specialty-trained experts in installation,” said Petrides. “This class, including a hands-on burn of firestop systems, presented information specifically focused on preventing the unnecessary loss of life through the use of specialty contractors and installers.”
A Stronger Future for Firestop in West Virginia
This workshop marks the beginning of a long-term effort to capture more firestop work in Local 80’s jurisdiction. With stronger labor-management cooperation, clearer market strategy, and a continued focus on training, Local 80 is better positioned to grow its presence in the firestop industry and deliver high-quality life safety solutions across West Virginia.