Tragedy, Testing, & Change: How Data Drives Fire Safety Reform
Description
In this episode of The Fire Protection Podcast, host Drew Slocum sits down with Grant Lobdell, President of Dyne Fire Protection Labs, to discuss one of the most pressing issues facing the fire protection industry today—sprinkler testing and system maintenance.
Grant shares insights on Dyne’s acquisition by NFPA Global Solutions and how this new initiative supports NFPA’s life safety mission. The conversation takes a serious turn as Drew and Grant unpack the tragic Fall River, Massachusetts fire, where recalled O-ring sprinkler heads failed to activate—an incident underscoring the critical importance of regular inspection, testing, and maintenance under NFPA 25.
They also dive into the new partnership between Inspect Point and Dyne, designed to streamline how contractors and building owners identify, test, and replace aging or defective sprinklers. The episode closes with updates from Dyne’s lab on the transition from fluorinated foams to fluorine-free alternatives, and what that means for contractors navigating environmental regulations and system performance.
Timestamps
00:00 Intro and Episode Overview
02:21 Meet Grant Lobdell and Dyne Labs
07:32 O-Ring Recalls and Failure Rates
11:15 NFPA 25 Testing Requirements
18:00 Simplifying Inspections Through Partnerships
21:07 Testing Cycles and Code Changes
23:42 Interpreting Results and Owner Duties
27:21 Foam Systems and Regulatory Updates
34:48 Closing Remarks
United States
