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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AGF Welcomes George “Joe” McHugh as Director of Operations

Marking the Third Generation of Family Leadership

Joe McHugh, AGF's new Director of OperationsMalvern, PA — June 11, 2025 — AGF Manufacturing, a leading innovator in the fire sprinkler industry, is proud to announce the hiring of George “Joe” McHugh as Director of Operations. This milestone marks the continuation of a proud family tradition, as Joe becomes the third generation of the McHugh family to help lead the company.
Joe brings over a decade of operations and logistics leadership from Amazon, where he most recently served as a Senior Program Manager for Amazon Logistics ACES. Throughout his 11-year tenure, he led large-scale process improvement initiatives, launched and optimized logistics delivery stations across North America, and implemented lean principles to enhance efficiency and performance.

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Save Space Without Compromising Performance: AGF’s Model 8611 Corner Riser

As building designs become more compact and mechanical spaces become more congested, fire protection systems must adapt to fit tighter footprints without sacrificing reliability or code compliance. AGF’s Model 8611 Corner Riser is designed with this challenge in mind—offering a smarter, more space-efficient solution for floor control assemblies.

AGF's 8611 corner riser options with left or right drain

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Steve Tajer Joins AGF Manufacturing as Regional Sales Manager – South

AGF Manufacturing proudly welcomes Steve Tajer as our new Regional Sales Manager for the Southern U.S.

Steve Tajer
Steve Tajer- Regional Sales Manager- South

With a territory covering Texas to the top of North Carolina, Steve will work closely with fire protection contractors, distributors, and industry partners to support AGF’s mission of delivering innovative, reliable solutions for the fire protection industry. He’ll focus on providing product knowledge, technical support, and strengthening relationships across the region.

Steve brings over a decade of experience in commercial construction, including nearly five years in fire protection sales. His hands-on industry knowledge and commitment to customer service make him a strong addition to the AGF team.

We’re excited to have Steve on board—please join us in welcoming him to AGF!

AGF Manufacturing Launches PURGENVENT™ Model 7940 BLE

A BABAA-Compliant Automatic Air Vent Assembly for Wet Fire Sprinkler Systems

Malvern, PA – April 14, 2025 — AGF Manufacturing proudly announces the release of the PURGENVENT™ Model 7940 BLE (Branch Line Extension), a Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) compliant automatic air venting valve assembly designed to increase the longevity and reliability of wet pipe fire sprinkler systems. With integrated features for streamlined installation, system protection, and NFPA 13 compliance, the 7940 BLE sets a new standard for air management in fire protection.

AGF new air vent

“The 7940 BLE is a comprehensive solution to help contractors meet NFPA 13 code requirements while simplifying installation and improving long-term system performance,” said Jim McHugh, President of AGF Manufacturing. “It’s everything you need for compliant venting in one factory-assembled, American-made package.”

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AGF Welcomes George Stewart to the Engineering Team

Industry Veteran Brings Engineering Expertise to Support Product Innovation and Customer Solutions

George StewartMalvern, PA — April 9, 2025 – AGF Manufacturing is pleased to announce the addition of George Stewart to its growing engineering team. George brings with him a wealth of engineering experience across a diverse range of industries and a strong track record of developing specialized equipment and systems.

George began his career at Gamajet/Alfa Laval, where he worked his way up through the engineering department. There, he focused on designing advanced tank cleaning machines and systems used in a wide range of industrial applications. His career then took him to National Foam, where he specialized in high-flow and high-expansion foam firefighting systems, deepening his expertise in fire protection technologies.

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Built in America: How AGF Supports U.S. Manufacturing and BABAA Compliance

AGF Manufacturing is a family-owned American manufacturer. It isn’t just a tagline—it’s a core part of who we are. Manufactures in USA

For over 35 years, we’ve proudly engineered, manufactured, assembled, and shipped innovative fire sprinkler products all over the World, supporting American workers and delivering reliable solutions to contractors, engineers, and facility owners. Today, with growing emphasis on sourcing transparency and compliance with federal procurement rules, domestic manufacturing matters more than ever.

Navigating BABAA and Buy American Requirements

The Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA)—introduced as part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—places stricter requirements on federally funded infrastructure projects. Specifically, BABAA mandates that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in these projects must be produced in the U.S.

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AGF Manufacturing Welcomes Michael DiRezzie as National Sales Manager of Canada

Michael DiRezze
Michael DiRezze – National Salaes Manage Canada

AGF Manufacturing is excited to announce Michael DiRezzie’s addition as our new National Sales Manager of Canada. With over 20 years of sales management experience, Michael will be pivotal in expanding AGF’s presence across Canada.

Michael’s responsibilities will include educating contractors and distributors about AGF’s innovative product line and enhancing relationships throughout the industry. His extensive expertise and dedication to customer success make him an excellent fit for this role.

You can meet Michael at several upcoming events, including the Canadian Fire Safety Conference and Expo, CASA Annual Conference, and SFPE Annual Conference and Expo.

Please join us in welcoming Michael to the AGF team!

Why a Remote Inspector’s Test Valve is Not a Good Air Vent

Proper air venting is essential when designing and installing a wet pipe fire sprinkler system to reduce corrosion risks and ensure system performance. While NFPA 13 allows for different methods of venting air from a sprinkler system, including a manual valve, an automatic air vent, or a remote inspector’s test valve, it is crucial to understand why a remote inspector’s test valve is not an effective air venting solution.

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Air Vents for Wet Fire Sprinkler Systems: Understanding NFPA 13 Requirements

Air management is critical in wet fire sprinkler system design that utilizes Model 7930 end cap automatic air ventmetallic pipe. Trapped air can contribute to corrosion, leading to costly maintenance and potential system failure. NFPA 13 recognizes this and mandates at least a single air vent on wet pipe fire sprinkler systems, but the code allows the system designer to determine if additional vents are necessary.

8.1.5.1 NFPA 13 (2019) – “Venting from multiple points on each system shall not be required.”

The NFPA 13 Code Requirement

NFPA 13 requires at least one air vent near a high point in the system to help exhaust air. However, the code does not specify a maximum number of vents, leaving it up to designers to assess whether additional vents are needed to remove air that causes corrosion. While some manufacturers design vents with redundant air vents or drip pans as a necessity, AGF Manufacturing provides a smarter solution with its innovative automatic air vent design.

Why Choose an Automatic Air Vent?

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