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.

Fire Protection Podcast

[email protected] (Drew Slocum, Grant Lobdell)

Tragedy, Testing, & Change: How Data Drives Fire Safety Reform

OCT 23, 202535 MIN
Fire Protection Podcast

Tragedy, Testing, & Change: How Data Drives Fire Safety Reform

OCT 23, 202535 MIN

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. Timestamps00:00 Intro and Episode Overview02:21 Meet Grant Lobdell and Dyne Labs07:32 O-Ring Recalls and Failure Rates11:15 NFPA 25 Testing Requirements18:00 Simplifying Inspections Through Partnerships21:07 Testing Cycles and Code Changes23:42 Interpreting Results and Owner Duties27:21 Foam Systems and Regulatory Updates34:48 Closing Remarks