We had 88 responses in our latest state of business survey. Thanks to our participants - here are the results!

1. ​Are you fully open for business?

We want to thank everyone who participated in our April survey. Here is a summary of the responses with 132 responses logged.
1. Is your business OPEN currently? Is your state/municipality under stay-at-home order?

Some specific responses for "other" include:

• Doors to retail area locked.
• Daily Temperature Monitoring, Visitor Tracking/Tracing
• All inside doors are open
• Staggering office people. Encouraging field technicians to self dispatch from their homes, and come to the shop less frequently. Some staggering of shop techs.
• spacing scheduling of jobs to low peak hours
• Face covering, gloves and sanitizers are supplied to all field technicians for use at specific facilities (as required)
• Health screening questionaire prior to each job (temperautre check etc...)
• Calling politicians to get on board
• Curbside pickup/delivery for store front
• Sanitizing tools, keeping gloves, sanitizer, disinfectant on trucks
• Masks if Customer requires
• employees must report temperature prior to heading to office or jobsite
• Open part time. Mostly for emergencies and customers that have to have service.
• Lysol wipes, hand sanitizer in trucks, tech required to sanitize everything they touch in location as well as tools before putting back on trucks currently not sending any service techs out, limited office/shop staff only
• Safety glasses
• Limit customer's access

Additional comments:

• I've been the only one sick, the rest of the staff is currently healthy
• Only one or two out of 230.
• I was just brought into a serum test, thoughts were I had it in January. Rutgers U w/ RWJ St Barnabis is studying and preparing serum antibodies
• 2
• So far, no problems. Because we are a small company, we might have to shut down if someone tests positive.
• quarantining for 14 days would be a big impact for our business; trying to come up with creative ideas for this
• We have one client (nursing home) that has an epidemic in their facility.
• Possibly one employee. Not correct status to get tested. Quarantined by doctor for 1 week our 3 days after no fever witch ever is longer period of time.
• Purchased and gave each employee/relative vitamin C to take as an additive. 3-4000 mg per day to boost immune system and it is effective in combating viruses. (Google it.)
• a few refuse to work because of Covid 19
• I may have been at the end of February, won't know until a antibody test is available.

Comments from those who said "No":

• We were advised to wait before applying for a PPP loan since the money must be used for payroll. Since there was no way of knowing when the restrictions would be lifted in NJ, it made more sense to wait so that the funds could be used to pay our EES at a time when they could actually generate income. At this point, we have no idea what to do other than wait and pray.
• Tried to apply for SBA PPP but they closed up applications because they ran out of money already. Waiting to apply.
• After jumping through multiple hoops for assistance the entire form was changed so new information has to be filled out and submitted
• Did not choose to apply.
• Not yet Canada has not come up with the application yet
• I'm working on a 3 month going forward and I will call customer to see if they are opened and if they will allow me to conduct the service. Some of my accounts I know are closed. I will apply a hold on until they reopened. The reason that I have decided to review my customers 3 months at a time it will not create a backlog when things get back to normal

Comments from those who said "Yes, SBA PPP":

• No money yet
• not approved in time to receive any funds in the first funding of the program
• Program out of money already, bigger bank customers get served first. Oh well there is no such thing as a free lunch. It's our 101st year in business we will move forward.
• Loan was approved today
• Just notified of approval for loan.
• although we have been approved for the PPPL there is uncertainty there will be any money left since a small business is defined as 500 people. That to me is a large company who has recourses available to get the paperwork done. A small company should be defined as 25 employee or less. I don't have an accounting office with several people solely dedicated to that purpose. My office manager does all that and much more. The entire thing is geared to companies that have much deeper pockets that a truly small "mom and pop" operation
• No money has come in yet...
• as of today no answer
• The system was very fast. Had money for both Companies within 10 days.
• no answer yet
• not moving quick enough
• We applied 10 days ago and cannot get an update from the bank on our status of the loan
• Haven't seen the $$ yet...hopefully the process will work.
• Work with your banker to make sure you complete the document completely and correctly. Follow up frequently to make sure the process is moving forward.
• We have applied, but do not know if we will get it at this time.
• Haven't heard anything back on the PPP
• submitted 4/7/20, just had follow-up from the bank today (clarifications & a few other questions) so I'm not sure the money will be available by the time we get approval . . .
• Banks are deferring interest on loans or credit card balance for qualified customers.
• Very Slow! Multiple applications completed.
• DON'T QUALIFY NOT LARGE ENOUGH FOR ASSISTANCE SO MUCH FOR SMALL BUSINESS HELP
• Applied at the earliest possible time and have not yet heard if the application has been approved.
• supposed to sign PPP today 4-15-20
• Received the loan funds on 4/15/2020. Went through a smaller local banker versus a big bank.
• I've been approved for the PPP but it hasn't been funded as of today. I've been told within 10 days.
• Note: we have applied but have not received any funds as of April 15, 2020.
• Small banks helpful---large banks not so helpful

Comments from those who said "Yes, other assistance":

• Canadian loan without payment and interest for 2 years -Canadian sales tax deferral
• Your survey is not adapted for Canadian Business

The largest industry conference, the National Fire Protection Association's Conference & Expo set for June 15-18 in Orlando has officially been canceled.

​Further information directly from the NFPA can be found here.

Some specific responses include:

• We are sanitizing several times a day wiping down all computers, phones, tablets, doors, work stations, vehicles. Washing hands frequently and avoiding medical facilities
• Calling ahead to all customers to see if open and taking any precautions in dealing with any inspections to be performed.
• No in face meetings, we are using Microsoft teams to communicate.
• Walk-in is closed, customers not to touch iPads for invoices, made all employees aware of safeguards
• NONE
• updated sanitation, changes to front counter showroom polices and PPE including tyvek suits if needed
• Scheduling service for when fewest number of people will be around or no one around to minimize contact. Techs can cancel appointment if they feel site is not taking proper precautions.
• twice a week text reminders on hygiene and CDC recommendations, Covid-19 memo with instructions following CDC guidelines
• Curbside service for in shop - customers wait in vehicle for services to be completed & pay by phone
• Very thorough COVID-19 policies. Too many to list. Pandemic Committee formed and meets everyday. (manufacturer)
• Asking techs to remove clothes when home and put them in the washing machine and take a shower before interacting with family. Issuing Ascorbic acid to all who want it to take 2-3X day.
• Material pickups are call ahead and leave on the dock.

Further Comments:

• So far, our public sector accounts, (schools, universities, government offices, etc.) work is business as usual. Our industrial accounts are insisting we perform our services. Our restaurant customers consider this a good time to do service and maintenance, and some updating. Third-party reporting will help us to keep out service schedules on-time. And we have a higher than average number of installations on the calendar which appear to be moving forward.
• We have a small shop. My one tech is taking voluntary time off when shop work is done. He is very unwilling to go out and service customers and I won't force him
• thinking out side the box with how we interact with our customers. They set the extinguishers outside, we do them, wipe them down and they come out and get them after we are gone.
• New installations. Service is very hard to schedule and or get paid.
• Lots of phone calls to schedule, concentrating on multi family living, manufacturing and fast food.
• Serving essential critical industries. Ensuring a clear message that life safety and fire protection are critical to the welfare of the public and community
• We have been moving customers around so that if any cancel or postpone due to COVID 19 we fill the days with the backlog / overflow or new business we gain from promotions to help our city / province. We are contacting NEW customers to offer specials to help them during this time and for the rest of the year as they recover
• We service grocery stores, auto repair shops and farms. So far so good but if we need we can pull such customers from future months to sustain service while giving those customers a discount for early service.
• Focusing on larger factories/businesses not affected by the shutdowns. Pushing future jobs ahead if possible.
• So far we have been able to schedule enough accounts to keep techs busy, focusing on institutions and businesses that need compliance or that are long-standing and we trust them to pay so extend terms to 90 days. Some people are using Paid Time Off days to take a break. Senior tech working on our training outline.
• Keeping busy one day at a time - by looking for all repairs and calling all customers ahead of time. We are not billing what we normally would be we are getting by with enough to cover payroll
• doing national account work and some local businesses that will let them in to do the work. we are still doing lots of work with essential businesses as designated by the government
• pre calls to arrange special times, and procedures to ensure our techs are not exposed. We are also in equipment, and apparatus business so there is plenty to keep busy, and large enough facilities that with split shifts people can maintain cdc discipline.
• We have been defined as "essential" life safety provider for F/A and Sprinklers and Backflows.
• We are front loading all the work that supports essential businesses that are open (i.e. gas stations) to the front of the month.
• Asking facilities permission to perform scheduled inspections and maintenance when they're shut down and facilities are less congested with personnel.
• Not super busy but busy enough. For now. Mostly pre-scheduled jobs at other essential facilities. Changing the schedule. Next week we go to a 32 hour work week to account for the slow down.
• Mixed results. Seems to change day to day. Small businesses and restaurants are the hardest hit and are deferring service.
• We would normally be busier but we are running at about 70% of our normal volume. If we can hold that we will get through this OK.
• So far, it is getting more difficult with each day. Not that we don't have the work, just can't enter so many of the facilities
• very difficult to get any work scheduled. most restaurants are closed. some businesses are not accepting outside vendors.

Responses for "other":

• Possibly if work slows down to a point of not best to stay open.
• Not yet. That will be a week by week call. We are doing everything we can to keep everyone working.
• We choose to temporarily lay off some admin staff and absorb in other roles to prep for a slower April possibly- we expect them all to be called back ASAP
• We had one shop tech working 24 hours while going to school. Laid off due to drop in shop volume and need to keep full time staff working.
• customers denying services is causing some to not work all day, and we are reducing some of the techs hours
• If this continues for very long, yes.
• Temporary furlough for many, but now adding back. Some will remain on furlough for the foreseeable future.
• lay offs and furloughs on a week by week basis
• Part time tech went on lay off, admin asst and sales person as well
• Full pay for 3 weeks. Requiring home study NICET sample tests etc.
• Reduced hours by 8 hours per week
• We have held off on laying off until the Government decides what they are doing for small businesses. The owners will not be paid if necessary to pay our employees
• only person not working was indirectly affected in that he didn't have child care and is the sole guardian
• Soon

Remote services people are using:

• Log me in. (Set up through our IT company that manages our computers) Call forward work phones to cell phones.
• We are using Microsoft Teams and Zoom
• Forwarding phones from office to cell phone
• Cisco Meraki
• SharePoint, Teams, Planner - all Microsoft products
• Team viewer
• Remote PC, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft Teams, various SaaS
• VPN login for office personnel, and call fowarding
• Myself and office manager can login to office computers and quick books
• teramind on all remote computers for monitoring, servicetrade for operations, gmail for communications
• We have remote log-in to our computers. Able to do billing, quotes, and database updates remotely.
• Service Trade, ADP
• Teams, O365
• MS Teams and Office365, Remote Desktop and VPN
• Video conferencing. Remote desktop services for access to internal applications.
• "go to" meeting software for all managers communications among our 7 facilities.
• Prefer working at the shop
• service software is cloud based work from anywhere. Forward phones to where people are working.
• some of our staff can work remotely they have been set up through our IT Company. We use Zoom for meetings.
• Go-To meeting online conferencing and granting access to our terminal server environment.
• firepro365, Microsoft Dynamics, Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft Teams VOIP phones have a online system for desk phones to be used. VPN Cloud based software

Additional comments:

• Getting fewer customers every week
• Official statements from NAFED, NFPA, and local AHJs have helped.
• We have a 2 man force. If I can bring in work, my employee can process it. Fortunately, he is single with little debt. I can see that the revenue stream will be abreviated this month.
• About 4 of 60 construction sites shut down. Some service customers closed, but most willing to utilize this time with vacant buildings for service.
• We are still doing work for some public works jobs, healthcare, schools that maintenance dept remain open and want us to perform service.
• it is day to day, hard to get work scheduled
• In our area we feel 30% of the customers will allow work performed in their facility. Many of our customers are not allowing contractors in their facility -period
• State of Michigan is shut down for all non-essential businesses.
• Yes but very few.
• Case-by-case. Some that you'd expect to keep us away allow us to service their location, while other very low risk attempt to postpone services
• We are not at the 50% mark but did have a noticeable amount choose to move / postpone to next month or "pending" what happens
• less and less as the days go by
• Most likely to say 'no' are small, locally-owned restaurants that are completely closed.
• Most are either not open or don't want to pay for it right now because work is slow for them too.
• recently those who have offices open are now saying they are concerned about cashflow and want to push dates out past July
• Only essential businesses. A lot of business are shutdown.
• Need to call and contact every customer to ensure they are open and will allow technicians into their facility
• Postponing inspections and recheduling jobs with high occupant load & children. Doing some inspections mostly in buildings that have been closed. Concentrating on defielciency service work and emergency work and responding to calls where customers want work performed.
• We are shocked that in the hot spot NY area that we are. Companies still want services provided.
• higher percentage of system inspections than portable inspections
• Down ~10-15%
• Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties are the closest to us and have went to 'stay at home' orders. This drastically reduced the amount of work that could be done.
• We do not want our techs to be exposed to the virus, so we are choosing not to send them out. We also are concerned if we do service and they go out of business or can't afford to pay us.
• Most customers are doing take out and drive through business, it's not paying the overhead not enough volume.
• "Annual" clients and restaurants are tough right now...but we do a lot of "monthly" clients including hospitals, defense contractors, electronics manufacturing which are all open and requiring that services can continue.
• Restaurants are closed but Grocery store chains we are doing as well as other such hotels. hospitals etc.
• Have had a few where we are not allowed in. These have been mainly food processors.
• All scheduled PMs have canceled
• Most restaurants are closed down, bank lobbies closed, doctors offices, etc. closed. I expect that when they open back up hopefully by May, we will be quite busy.
• Restaurants seem to be the bigger challenge, others are mainly open and some have shut down but still some letting us in.

7. Is there anything NAFED can do for you at this time?

• I appreciate what NAFED is doing. Keep communicating, and keeping our industry informed.
• Keep messaging that our work is "essential" and "critical".
• NAFED has done a good job keeping it's members in the loop. Keep up the good work, it's reassuring having an informational pipeline
• Continue has you have been and keep us up on all things Corona...Maybe you could help with understanding the "bail out" as it pertains to business loans forgiven for payroll expenses etc. Most small company's do not have one to help them so they muddle through. It would be nice to not have to muddle through!
• I appreciate the memos regarding fire protection is an essential business and must remain open. Keep them coming. We've passed the memo along to our techs in case they are questioned...
• Yes, encourage all members to look out for each other. Family, friends, employees, neighbors, and the elderly are our biggest assets. PROTECT YOU ASSETS
• send cash
• LOL, I wish
• NAFED IS DOING A GREAT JOB
• Promote that fire safety is still essential even when a virus is affecting the community. Fires can still happen and equipment needs to continued to be mantained.
• Pray and keep keep information coming. Thank You!
• Letter to CISA about fire and life safety being a necessity to support Essential Critical Industries. Open letter to community why our services are critical (e.g. NFPA Guidance for Maintaining Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems Regardless of Occupancy Status)
• You have been excellent. Your email re: NFPA's position on essential services has helped a lot to educate our staff and customers. While our AHJ is stating it can be delayed (for annual inspections) this has been an excellent resources to refer to. Sprouse is a huge supporter of NAFED and while not many Canadian Companies attend each year, we commit to being there every year that we can. Thank you for all you do!
• pray for our industry during this time, it will not come out of this event looking the same!
• Advocate for the government to support and fund the small businesses who are our customers so they are still viable when they are allowed to open again. Also to increase production of safety gear so that we can keep our staff protected.
• Keep us posted on national trends
• Help interpret what the government is doing to help and how to take advantage. Keep communicating that our business is essential.
• Keep providing information on how the industry is getting on and what others are doing to keep their business open and productive.
• Perhaps a "Notice to Businesses" paper that fire protection companies could share with customers stating that fire codes, insurance, OSHA, and other groups have not relaxed requirements due to the coronavirus or state shut downs. It is essential that life safety equipment be properly maintained at all times...
• Yes - share how other FEDs are handling their work and lack of workforce - thanks!
• nothing in particular right now. you have sent out some good information to the membership.
• No thank you! Wishing all good health!
• Just wish us well and to stay healthy!
• Be well...wash you hands...practice social distancing
• No, the notice you sent out was great we incorporated it into a memo for the State to prove we were an essential business. The owners are manning the phones this week and slowly bringing people back next week as long as they are healthy!
• So far NAFED has been great with all the information provided.
• Probably not. This will probably be the death knell for this small company after 30 years.
• I don’t know. Any suggestions are welcome.
• Find a cure for the virus! Just kidding. However, keeping up with the latest news like you have been sending is helpful.
• Keep updating with any/all information regarding our industry and what small business employers can do.
• Nothing short of a cure or vaccine, but thank you.

As more and more states issue stay-at-home orders that require non-essential businesses to shut down, NAFED has received several calls asking if the service and maintenance of life safety and fire protection equipment and systems is considered an essential business.
 
We have reviewed several of the state orders and descriptions regarding essential businesses. We have also had discussions with others in the industry, and our consensus opinion is that YES, the installation, service, and maintenance of life safety and fire protection equipment is an essential business.
 
Although your operations are essential, you must remember that business is not “as usual.” You must take all the safety precautions that are currently required. Some actions that you should consider are:

• Can some of your employees work from home?
• Stagger arrival times for technicians, so they aren’t all in the shop at the same time.
• Can shop and office workers be separated by 6-foot distances?
• Stagger break and lunch times.
• Remind employees to WASH THEIR HANDS PROPERLY (20 seconds of lather before rinse).
• Remind employees to practice safe precautions when they are at customers' facilities.
• Provide disposable gloves and remind employees that they should wear and throw them away whenever they change environments or touch other surfaces.
• Ensure that employees are provided with the proper PPE if they have to go to any facility that treats or may have individuals that have or have been exposed to COVID-19. If you don't have PPE or do not know what is required, make it the responsibility of the customer to provide the required PPE.
• WASH YOUR HANDS.

 
NAFED along with FEMA and the Government Regulations Committee are monitoring the situation and a paper is being prepared for submittal to state and provincial agencies. Mark Conroy of Brooks Equipment is coordinating these efforts.
 
Visit the CDC, NIOSH, and your state's website for additional information.
 
There will be other changes to your operations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is important to remember to be safe.

We also have received additional guidance from industry partners and the Department of Homeland Security regarding essential operations during this time:
Guidance for Maintaining Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems Regardless of Occupancy Status (NFPA)
Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce (DHS - Cyber & Infrastructure Security Agency)

NAFED staff participated in a webinar "Coronavius (COVID-19): What You Need to Know" presented by the National Safety Council in partnership with the CDC. We've been given access to share this webinar with you so you can stay informed on what the World Health Organization is now classifying as a global pandemic and consider what steps may need to be taken for yourself, your business, and your employees, if you haven't already.

View the presentation here.

Other helpful links on COVID-19:
• An infographic from CDC explaining how to keep workplaces, schools, homes and commercial sites safe from coronavirus
• OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
• NIOSH Guidance on coronavirus in workplaces
• CDC guidance on mass gatherings and large events
• CDC tips on what to do if you are sick

Regarding the Conference

NAFED is aware that the progressing situation may impact our future scheduled events. We are in close touch with our event venues in Atlantic City and Chicago and will be monitoring all local advisories. If there are any changes, we will update you as soon as that decision is made. We understand if you need to make changes to your reservation and will be waiving the cancellation fee.
​
Be safe and be well.

New Fire Equipment Industry Benchmark Shows Positive Conditions for Early Summer
 
CHICAGO, Illinois. (July 17, 2019) – The fire equipment industry has a new, innovative industry benchmark, and it shows positive business conditions for the month of June 2019. The benchmark, the “NAFED Gauge,” is an exclusive index from the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED).
 
"This cutting-edge benchmark will help companies in the fire equipment industry make better business decisions,” said Danny Harris, CAE, NAFED Executive Director. “It is one more way that NAFED is contributing to our members' success as they seek to protect the lives and property of others."
 
This first-ever NAFED Gauge was well represented in the number and geographic distribution of responses. A large majority of these June 2019 responses rated current business conditions as positive, with 88% choosing that answer when asked the question, “How would you describe your current business conditions?” This translates to a NAFED Gauge reading of 121, with a number over 100 indicating conditions are positive.
 
"While that number by itself is helpful, NAFED members can also access other important measures for future business expectations, current challenges, and current sources of revenue," said Tim Krulan, NAFED President. "This is a goldmine of information that makes NAFED membership a critical business tool for any company involved in the fire protection services and equipment industry."
 
While this is the first month for the NAFED Gauge, future months will allow the industry benchmark to project trends that can be of ever greater help in planning for the future.

You can view the June benchmark data here.
 
Members will be able to access all future benchmark data by logging in to the member area of the NAFED website at www.nafed.org. Those companies that are not currently members can also find membership information on the NAFED website.
 
For more information about NAFED or the NAFED Gauge, contact Tamara Matthews, Communications Manager, at tamaram@nafed.org.
 
 
About NAFED
The National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (NAFED) is a trade association serving companies that sell, distribute, and service fire equipment. Members sell and service portable fire extinguishers in addition to a full range of fire protection services including the installation and/or maintenance of pre-engineered kitchen systems, industrial systems, fire alarms, security systems, sprinklers, fire hose and standpipes, and emergency and exit lighting. NAFED members work in commercial, industrial, and residential settings making buildings safe and giving individuals the tools they need to fight early-stage fires.

Reason for Recall: 
Honeywell learned of a quality issue affecting certain lot numbers of Fibre Metal E2 Cap and North Peak A79 hard hats that may render them unable to provide the impact protection for which they were designed and certified.

Risk to Health: 
Although Honeywell is not aware of any safety incidents involving the affected hard hats, in cooperation with Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, they have initiated a voluntary product recall of the items involved. The hard hats included in the recall may not provide the level of protection for which they were designed and certified in the case of impact.

Remedy:
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled hard hats and contact Honeywell to receive a product credit or voucher equal to the purchase price of the recalled hard hat.

Consumer Contact:
Honeywell toll-free at 888-212-6903 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.honeywellsafety.com and click on Voluntary Product Recall for more information.

If this is an item you may have purchased from Brooks, those item numbers are:
YHH1
OHH2
WHH1
YHH2

View the CPSC recall here.

Read additional notes from Honeywell here.

​Now Available: Print–on–Demand Wall Certificates
You are now able to print your own wall certificates on myICC for your ICC Certification. Instead of waiting for the mail to get your wall certificate, ICC has added a Print-on-demand option for you to print your own certificate in your home or office. This comes at no additional cost to you.
 
Easily Print Your Certificate Online
When you are logged into myICC, click on the square "Certifications" button. Under "My Certificates" you will find a new column that gives you the option to print your certificate. When you click the print button, a new tab will appear where you will be allowed to download and save your certificate as a PDF or print from your computer.
 
Need to Use a Print Service?
You can send the downloaded PDF of your certificate to a print service, such as Office Depot, Kinko's, or Staples (costs for print services vary, but are generally less than $1.00 per page). Just upload your Certificate PDF and choose the Paper Type and Color on which you wish to print your Certificate. We've found that printing on heavier paper results in a wall certificate that looks great!

​Following the 2018 annual meeting in St. Louis, NAFED instated three new board members who will serve out two-year terms with the option to renew for another two years. Congratulations and welcome to our new board members.
 
Region One Director: Michael Hein, Gordon Fire Equipment, LLC
Region Seven Director: Mary Krinbring, AAA Fire Protection Inc.
Director-at-Large: Daniel C. Laughlin, Pro-Tech Fire Protection, Inc.
 
On the executive committee, Tim Krulan has transitioned to president and George Seymour is now past president. Rodney Lee Lawson has taken on the role of treasurer.
 
Per the new bylaws, directors can roll over their term and serve for another two years. Staying on until 2020 are Charles Sanford, Michael Teeter, Christopher Jones, and Ken May.