People don’t realize how often fluid seals are used in their everyday lives. For many of us, the first thing we do in the morning is brush our teeth. Water flows out of the faucet, which is controlled by a fluid seal. Today, the Fluid Sealing Association (FSA) acts as the international trade association responsible for informing and educating the fluid sealing industry and its users.
Founded in 1933, FSA’s member companies are involved in the production and marketing of a wide range of fluid sealing devices primarily targeted to the industrial market. The association’s members account for a majority of the manufacturing capacity when it comes to fluid sealing devices in the Americas market.
Henri Azibert has been serving as FSA’s technical director for three years. With more than 30 years of sealing engineering experience, Azibert is focused on maintaining an association that is productive and vibrant, conducts numerous activities and involves all its members.
“With any association, the more you participate, the more you get out of it,” Azibert explained. “Our mission at the FSA is to be recognized as the primary source for technical information and to provide education in the fluid sealing area.”
According to Azibert, a main function of the FSA is to inform the customers of its members.
“FSA helps customers make the right decisions when they purchase products from members,” he said. “It’s important for customers to really understand what the products do and how they should be used. In industry, the consequences of equipment failure are very, very significant. Therefore, having an informed customer that decides on the right product is crucial to FSA members.”
FSA also releases numerous materials to educate and inform the industry. For example, all divisions have new or updated handbooks.
“The FSA has just released a complete update of its Expansion Joints — Piping Technical Handbook,” Azibert said. “Edition 8.0 is based on the latest experience in research, design and application of piping expansion joints by engineers associated with the Expansion Joint — Piping Division member companies in FSA.”
FSA has also been conducting webinars and seminars at various locations and events. On June 19, FSA will conduct two training courses in conjunction with Valve World Americas, which will be held in Houston.
According to Azibert, FSA has been very successful at coordinating joint projects and research with other industry associations such as the Hydraulic Institute, the Valve Manufacturers Association and the European Sealing Association. Fluid sealing is also essential for reducing emissions, so FSA has maintained contact with the EPA.
“We’re getting our message across that seals are essential to the environment, and people are listening,” Azibert said. “FSA promotes having a safe, clean environment for society and a safe workplace for its members. We are also monitoring the economic, environmental and social changes that may impact our membership’s businesses.”
Azibert wants its members to enjoy the work they’re completing in the FSA, and he wants to see the association continue to grow.
“I predict more globalization when it comes to the fluid sealing industry, and that will affect the association,” he stated. “I can see a worldwide fluid sealing association emerging in the future, and this would be great for the industry.”
For more information, visit www.flu idsealing.com or call (610) 971-4850. •