The K-Factor Podcast
Welcome to The K-Factor, the podcast that brings you inside the world of fire protection. Hosted by industry experts Josh McDonald, Eric Andresen, & Hayden Stoll. This show dives into all aspects of the fire protection industry—from groundbreaking technologies and best practices to career insights and industry trends. From NFPA codes and standards to helping you build your career.
Join us for engaging discussions, expert interviews, and real-world stories as we explore what it takes to keep people and properties safe. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a newcomer, or just curious about fire protection, The K-Factor is your go-to resource for staying informed and inspired.
Stay connected, stay protected—welcome to The K-Factor.
https://www.firesprinkler.org/podcast/
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Episodes
46 episodes
047 Becoming Successful in Fire Sprinkler Sales
What does it really take to succeed in sales? Devin O’Leary from Johnson Controls joins the K-Factor Podcast to talk about the mindset, personality traits, and people skills behind top-performing sales professionals in the fire protection indus...
046 Circulation Relief Valve Roulette: NFPA 20 Fire Pump Mistakes & Myths
John Denhardt joins the K-Factor Podcast to clear up common misconceptions surrounding NFPA 20 fire pumps. From pump curves and pressure requirements to installation mistakes and standards interpretation, this episode delivers practical fire pr...
045 The NFPA 25 Effect: Keeping Systems Ready and Careers Moving
What does it take to build a successful career in the fire protection industry? In this episode, Emily Biernacki Wrenn of Fire Tech Systems shares her journey into the world of fire protection, the lessons she's learned along the way, and the o...
044 Using AI in Fire Protection Without Burning Your Business
Michael Newell from Belvedere Fire & Safety joins the K-Factor Podcast to discuss entrepreneurship, business growth, and how basic AI tools are transforming the fire protection industry. From using AI for marketing, website development, and...
043 Coordination Station: Meeting our VIP Coordinators for Apprenticeship Training
Get to know Jalyn Hopkins and Shakira Staten, Training Coordinators for AFSA’s VIP Apprenticeship Program (Virtual Instruction Program). In this episode of the K-Factor Podcast, we explore how the program is developing the next generation of fi...
042 Built Different, the NFPA 25 Mindset
Discover the path from field helper to supervisor in the fire protection industry. In this episode of the K-Factor podcast, Quenton Dukes of VSC Fire & Security discusses the critical role of AFSA training, the technical differences between...
041 Gauge Your Accuracy: Fire Pump Testing
Enhance your fire protection expertise in this episode of the K-Factor Podcast 🎙️ featuring Adolfo Wurts from Arbiter. We dive into the science of measurement—metrology 📏—and why it plays a critical role in fire sprinkler systems, inspection, t...
040 New Crew, Same Dang Pressure
Get to know the new voices behind the mic and the future of AFSA on this episode of the KF Factor Podcast 🎙️ We’re welcoming Hayden Stoll, technical Engineer in Training and Technical Programs Specialist, along with Andrew Boyer, th...
039 From Data to Detection: The Rise of Intelligent Fire Protection Systems
Step inside the future of fire protection technology with Potter Electric Signal Company and Andrew Kaempfer, VP of Suppression Sales. In this episode, we explore how manufacturing processes and IoT-connected devices are transforming fire sprin...
038 Check the System- Check Yourself
On this episode of The K-Factor Podcast, we sit down with Bob Caputo to talk about how to stay sharp in the fire sprinkler industry—even after years in inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM). 🔍 🚿Bob dives into breaking legacy habits...
037 Testing, Testing… 1, 2, 3: Codes, Liability & In-Rack Sprinklers with Tracey Bellamy
In this episode of The K-Factor Podcast, Tracey Bellamy, Chief Engineering Officer at Telgian Engineering & Consulting, shares insights on the evolution of fire protection codes and standards, the realities of liability in inspection, testi...
036 Battery Charged: Hangars, Hazards & Fire Protection with Jack Poole, PE
In this episode of The K-Factor Podcast, we’re joined by Jack Poole, PE, FSFPE, Principal at Poole Fire Protection, for a deep, practical, and forward-thinking conversation on some of the most complex challenges in fire pro...
035 Future-Proofing Fire Protection
On this episode of The K-Factor Podcast, we return to the AFSA facility for another behind-the-scenes tour — this time with Hunter Brendle, President of Brendle Sprinkler, and Gene Taylor, Vice President of Field Operations at Brendle Sprinkler...
034 Spot the Dots: The Foundation of Better Fire Sprinkler Design
In this episode of The K-Factor Podcast, we’re joined by Steve Scandaliato, Principal & Managing Director at SDG, LLC, for a deep dive into one of the most fundamental principles in sprinkler design: Spot the Dots.<...
032 From Classroom to Pump Room: A Career Day Inside the AFSA Lab
On this week’s episode of the K-Factor Podcast, we sit down with Hunter Brendle, President of Brendle Sprinkler, for an insightful conversation at the AFSA lab. Hunter brought his son and a few of his friends along to get a firsthand look at th...
031 The Riser Report 2: Fire Sprinkler Advocacy, Training & Leadership at AFSA44
In this second installment of The Riser Report, we bring you fresh conversations straight from the AFSA44 convention floor — highlighting the advocates, educators, champions, and rising leaders shaping the future of the fire sprinkler industry....
030 The Riser Report 1: Viking Group Inc. & EnginZone
In the Riser Report convention-series episode, we catch up with two standout voices from the AFSA44 expo.First, we sit down with Martin Workman, Senior Vice President at Viking, to talk about his journey in fire protection, what he’s lea...
029 The Next Chapter: NFPA 13 (2028) and NFPA 25 (2026)
The future of fire protection codes and standards is taking shape — and the time to prepare is now.In this episode of The K-Factor Podcast, Kevin Hall, Director of Engineering & Technical Services at AFSA, joins us to share insights...
028 In the Pipeline: Growing the Next Generation of Sprinkler Pros
What does the future of fire protection look like — and how do we inspire the next generation to be part of it?In this episode of The K-Factor Podcast, we sit down with Gene Taylor, VP of Field Operations at Brendle Sprinkler, and Hunte...
027 Learning the Ropes, Testing the Systems
In this episode, we talk with Brayden and Aiden, two aspiring ITM technicians breaking into the fire sprinkler industry. They discuss what drew them to fire protection, how they’re learning the ins and outs of inspections, testing, and maintena...
026 Jenny from the Block...to Design
In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Walker, a new fire sprinkler designer at American Fire in California. Jennifer discusses her path into the fire protection industry, challenges that she has had, and her continued learning. She also shares...
025 From Crew to Leader: The Foreman’s Blueprint
Becoming a foreman isn’t just about experience—it’s about mastering the skills that make people want to follow your lead. In this episode of The K-Factor Podcast, we sit down with Bob Caputo, president of the American Fire Sprinkler Association...
024 The Next Chapter in Fire Protection: NFPA 13 Updates
The 2028 edition of NFPA 13 may still be a few years away, but changes are already taking shape — and it’s time to get prepared.In this episode of The K-Factor Podcast, Kevin Hall joins us to share an insider’s perspective on wha...
023 Fire Protection: The Elevator Pitch
In this episode, Victoria Valentine from AFSA shares how to talk about your job in fire protection in ways that connect, educate, and inspire. Whether you're on a jobsite or at a family BBQ, learn to turn “what do you do?” into a powerful momen...
022 Boots and Blueprints
Meet Raul Bustamante, an aspiring fire sprinkler designer at Metro Fire Protection, as he shares his hands-on experience surveying jobs in the field and how it’s shaping his path to design. His journey offers a unique look into the real-world s...