AGF Manufacturing Celebrates 40 Years of American Innovation in Fire Protection

This year marks a remarkable milestone at AGF Manufacturing: 40 years of unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and domestic manufacturing in the fire sprinkler industry. Since our founding in 1986, we’ve stood tall as one of the few family-owned American manufacturers serving the fire sprinkler industry, and we couldn’t be prouder of the journey we’ve taken.

40th anniversary badgeFrom the very beginning, our mission was clear: simplify life-safety systems, reduce labor burdens for contractors, and give engineers and designers products they could rely on. That vision began with a breakthrough; the original TESTanDRAIN Model 1000 single-handle inspector’s test valve, invented to replace a complex loop of 17 components with one intuitive solution. That spark of innovation didn’t just solve a problem; it started a legacy.

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Beyond Code: How Innovative Fire Protection Products Benefit Building Owners

When it comes to fire protection, codes and standards provide the baseline: reliable systems designed to save lives and protect property. But for building owners, simply meeting minimum code requirements doesn’t always address the everyday challenges of operating and maintaining these systems. Increasingly, the fire protection industry is embracing technologies and product designs that go beyond compliance to deliver added value through convenience, cost savings, and peace of mind.

Building Codes: The Starting Point, Not the Finish Line

Model 5900 FE – FloodEliminator

Codes are essential, but they’re written to ensure safety, not to optimize building operations. They don’t always account for factors like maintenance labor, service costs, or the risk of incidental water damage. Manufacturers and contractors are stepping in to fill that gap by offering products that streamline maintenance, reduce nuisance issues, and provide owners with tools for smarter management of their fire protection systems. For example, AGF’s Flood Eliminator is a product designed to allow condensate water to collect normally in a standard drum drip but then, if presented with the flow that would result from a failed drum drip, automatically trip to cut off that flow, eliminating the flooding and damage that would result from the system’s failure.

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AGF Manufacturing Announces New Canadian Distributor

MALVERN, PA, December 2, 2025 – AGF, a leading manufacturer of innovative fire sprinkler solutions, is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with Wolseley Canada. This agreement strengthens AGF’s presence in the Canadian fire protection market and expands access to its full line of innovative fire sprinkler products.

Wolseley Canada is the country’s largest national distributor of plumbing, HVAC, and fire protection products and supports contractors and engineers through more than 220 locations across Canada. This partnership will ensure improved availability of AGF products, including TESTANDRAIN valves, PURGENVENT Air Vents, COLLECTANDRAIN auxiliary drains, RISERPACK manifolds, and the Flood Eliminator.

Wolseley logo

“Wolseley Canada is an ideal partner for AGF,” said Jim McHugh, President of AGF Manufacturing. “Their national reach and strong reputation for customer service will make it easier for contractors and fire protection professionals across Canada to access our products. We look forward to supporting Wolseley customers with the quality and reliability AGF is known for.”

Through this agreement, Wolseley Canada will distribute AGF’s full product range, offering faster delivery and consistent availability for fire protection contractors nationwide.

AGF Manufacturing Launches AGF Connect

A Smart Monitoring Solution for Auxiliary Drains

Malvern, PA – November 6, 2025 – AGF Manufacturing, the industry leader in fire sprinkler system accessories, announces the launch of AGFConnect, a new remote monitoring solution designed to make auxiliary drain maintenance easier, smarter, and more reliable.

AGFConnect combines a wireless sensor with indoor and outdoor gateway options to deliver real-time monitoring of auxiliary drains on dry and pre-action fire sprinkler systems. The system alerts contractors and facility managers when drains require attention, helping to prevent costly freeze damage, reduce unnecessary site visits, and minimize the risk of accidental system trips.

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Five Essential Steps to Prepare Your Dry Fire Sprinkler System for Winter

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin’s timeless wisdom applies perfectly to the challenges of maintaining dry fire sprinkler systems through the harsh winter months. Every year, building owners and facility managers face frozen drains, damaged piping, system downtime, and costly repairs, all of which are preventable with the right preparation.

The key to avoiding those headaches lies in one word: prevention.

When temperatures drop, water trapped in auxiliary drains, aka low points, can freeze, expand, and crack the drain, releasing pressure from the system and tripping the dry valve. The result? Flooded spaces, impaired fire protection, and expensive emergency service calls. But with a few proactive steps and the right tools from AGF Manufacturing, facility teams can protect their systems and their budgets from winter’s worst effects.

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Test Orifice Requirements in NFPA 13 and NFPA 25

The inspector’s test valve is a vital component of any wet fire sprinkler system. At the heart of this connection is the test orifice. A small but critical feature that certifies the system’s waterflow alarm functions correctly. Both NFPA 13 (Installation of Sprinkler Systems) and NFPA 25 (Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems) provide requirements that govern the size, purpose, and functionality of this orifice.

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Smarter Layouts for Safer Buildings: The Benefits of Corner-Mounted Floor Control Assemblies

In multi-story buildings, floor control assemblies are essential for isolating, draining, and testing individual floors of a sprinkler system. However, finding space to install these assemblies, especially in tight stairwells or shared mechanical areas, can be a challenge. That’s where corner-mounted designs like the AGF Model 8611 Corner Riser offer a practical, code-conscious solution.

Whether used as a floor control assembly or a main riser, the 8611 is engineered to reduce obstructions, support accessibility, and simplify installation.

The Space Challenge in Stairwells and Corridors

Floor control assemblies are often installed in stairwells of hotels, apartment buildings, and high-rises. These spaces are highly trafficked, frequently narrow, and must remain clear for emergency egress. Flat wall-mounted assemblies can protrude significantly, posing hazards and potentially violating ADA and local building codes.

By mounting the assembly in a 90-degree corner, Model 8611 significantly reduces its profile, helping maintain safe, unobstructed walkways.

Alternatively, the corner riser can be mounted horizontally and tucked into the corner between the ceiling and wall. This offers a space-saving solution while being able to access the TESTanDRAIN handle for testing and the 7000L pressure relief valve. AGF’s three-way gauge valve has always been accessible since its redesign, which rotates the handle so it should never need to face the wall or ceiling while having the pressure gauge facing out.

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Understanding Relief Valve Pressure Ratings: What’s New in NFPA 13 (2025)

When it comes to protecting fire sprinkler systems from over-pressurization, pressure relief valves are a key component. But for years, there’s been confusion about what the pressure rating on these valves actually means, especially when it comes to the opening and closing pressures.

With the release of the 2025 edition of NFPA 13, that confusion is finally being addressed. New language in the handbook offers long-awaited clarity, helping system designers, inspectors, and maintenance personnel better understand how relief valves are supposed to perform.

The 2025 edition of NFPA 13 finally adds clarity.

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AGF: A Proud American Manufacturer, Now in Its Third Generation of Family Leadership

For nearly 40 years, AGF Manufacturing has been guided by the same principles it was founded: innovation, integrity, and a commitment to the fire protection industry. But what truly sets AGF apart isn’t just its reputation for quality, it’s

George McHugh III at an early sprinkler industry tradeshow.

the fact that it has remained a proudly family-owned, American manufacturer from the start.

AGF’s story began in 1986, when George J. McHugh III partnered with Alan Gilmore to solve a problem in the fire sprinkler world. Their solution, the original TESTANDRAIN Model 1000, replaced a complex assembly of 17 separate components with a single handle, multi-function valve. It was a simple but powerful innovation that changed the industry. That spirit of problem solving and practical engineering continues to define AGF today.

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