National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED)

NAFED Distributor Membership
For companies engaged in selling, distributing, and servicing fire equipment.

Benefits
Criteria
Application

Distributor members also have the option of adding branch locations to their membership. Download branch membership application.

Benefits of Distributor Membership
We have designed member benefits that speak to the needs of fire equipment distributor companies like yours. By joining, you’ll have access to technical support, regulatory and industry news alerts, and a helpful community of other companies like yours.

If you have any questions about the list of distributor member benefits below, please don't hesitate to contact our membership manager.

Technical Assistance

Members have access to NAFED’s full-time technical director, who answers technical questions and provides information on current codes and regulations, as well as regulatory and legislative issues.

Conferences & Expos

Every year, we work hard to put on regional conferences that provide sessions addressing the vital technical issues and trends affecting portables and systems, current code and regulatory concerns, and business management topics that matter. In addition, the expo at each conference location gives members an opportunity to meet face-to-face with key industry suppliers, and network with industry and association peers. Many members consider these industry-specific events to be one of the best ways to get the most out of NAFED membership. Members qualify for significant discounts. Visit our Calendar page for information on upcoming events.

Training

We offer portable extinguisher training seminars and videos, obligatory DOT and HazMat training seminars, and certification training seminars. To give guidance and information to fire equipment distributor company owners and managers, the association hosts executive retreats. Members qualify for significant discounts. Visit our Calendar page for information on upcoming events.

Technical Assistance

A national certification program for portable and pre-engineered kitchen system technicians is continually evolving. Gaining NAFED certification definitively measures a technician’s knowledge of and familiarity with relevant NFPA codes, which encourages competence and professionalism, and communicates it to customers. Certification is an invaluable tool for any company. Training seminars are offered to prepare for certification exams at a significant discount to members. Visit our Calendar page for information on upcoming events.

Logo

Members may use the association’s logo on marketing pieces, letterhead, business cards, company websites, tags, labels, and anywhere else to demonstrate the commitment to professionalism and competence for which NAFED stands. Log in to our Members Only section and click on "Logo" for access to downloadable logo files.

Chem-Tel

Chem-Tel's 24-hour Emergency Response Telecommunication & MSDS Management Services afford members compliance with both DOT and OSHA requirements. Through a special partnership with Chem-Tel, we've secured special savings on these services for members—members can save over 30%* on first-year subscriptions and more than 60%* on subsequent-year renewal rates for the compliance, protection, and peace of mind offered by this service. This markdown alone could cover the cost of membership.
* as compared to regular Chem-Tel subscription prices

Paymentech

NAFED’s partnership with Paymentech helps member companies save money through preferred MasterCard and Visa rates; no transaction fees on MasterCard and Visa sales; no application, set-up, or conversion fees; reduction in accounts receivable and time saved on billing; and technical support twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It is possible to increase customer loyalty through expanded payment options and boost revenue opportunities with competitive rates; accurate billing; and secure fraud protection. Members can get information on how to subscribe on our Products & Services page.

Publications & Literature

NAFED members receive the association’s quarterly magazine Firewatch!, the definitive source for fire equipment distributors, which provides pertinent and timely product, industry, business, and technical information. Through this publication and other newsletters, members are able to stay on top of constantly changing DOT and HazMat requirements, glean information on both new technology and that which goes by the wayside, read up on significant business trends, stay tuned into the association’s events and offerings, and more.

All members receive a Member Directory when published, providing a complete listing of all members and their contact information; current officers, directors, committees, and staff; and other helpful information. The directory is available to members only.

The annual Products & Services Buyer’s Guide is a handy resource that catalogs the valuable products and services offered by NAFED supplier members, and is available to members only.

Tag & Label Sales

During annual and interim sales programs, NAFED uses the buying power of a large number of fire equipment distributors to offer competitive pricing on blank or custom tags and labels, including Maintenance/Recharge Tags, Six-Year Maintenance Labels, Combination Tags, Hydrostatic Test Labels, Verification-of-Service Collars, HazMat Labels, and more. Members get special discounts on many items. Visit our Products & Services page to download current order forms.

Products & Services

In addition to tags and labels, we offer technical literature and videos/DVDs intended for end-user educational and marketing purposes, training videos/DVDs, and much more. Member discounts are offered on many items! Visit our Products & Services page to download current order forms.

Members Only Website

After logging in to the password-protected, Members Only part of our website, NAFED members have access to selected articles and association publications, complete membership directory information, downloadable logo artwork to use on marketing materials, and technical FAQs. Members can also change their contact information here.

Affiliation With Peer Organizations

To keep members abreast of changes that may affect their businesses, we maintain affiliations with the following organizations:

FEMA (Fire Equipment Manufacturers' Association)
HARC (Halon Alternatives Research Organization)
NFPA (National Fire Protection Association)
NSC (National Safety Council)
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
UL (Underwriters Laboratories)
U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation)

If you would like more membership info, please contact our membership & special projects manager.

*To use PDF files, you will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free from http://www.adobe.com. Once installed, you will need to either save these files on your computer or some browsers may view them automatically.

Criteria for Distributor Membership
To be eligible for distributor membership in the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors, the applicant must satisfy all of the following criteria:

Applicants (firms or companies) must be actively engaged in the selling, distribution, and servicing of portable extinguishers or fire suppression systems other than water.

They shall not be owned or controlled by, or have as their principal manager or operator, any full or part time member or employee of a regulatory agency whose responsibility is in code enforcement.

They shall have personnel technically qualified as well as the necessary equipment to distribute and service fire extinguishers, safety equipment, fire protection systems, and related equipment. The appropriate personnel of their firm or company shall be licensed by any governmental agency within whose jurisdiction the applicant operates if such licensing is required.

Distributor members affiliated through common ownership or control with other distributor members (an "affiliated group") are limited to one vote per affiliated group on all measures and matters submitted to a vote of the members.

Companies applying for membership in NAFED who have been found guilty of civil or criminal violations arising out of that applicant's activities as a fire equipment distributor may not be accepted as a member until a period of five years has elapsed from the time of the decision without any further violations being documented and substantiated.

If at any time you are unsure if you are eligible for membership or have questions concerning the application, please do not hesitate to contact NAFED’s membership department.