Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
KICK START 2025 WITH TOP-TIER TRAINING
APPRENTICES, INSPECTORS, FACILITY MANAGERS, AND DESIGNERS
CAN ELEVATE THEIR SKILLS
The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has released its 2025 course offerings and schedules. Are you looking to grow your fire sprinkler business or opportunities to advance your career? AFSA will have the right option for you! With its popular educational webinars, training workshops, and maintenance programs, AFSA is a well-known training expert within the fire sprinkler industry.
This year is a game changer for AFSA’s training programs. “2025 promises to be an exciting year for the fire sprinkler industry! This marks AFSA’s first full calendar year with a fully functional training lab, offering cutting-edge programs and the most skilled training staff in the industry,” explains AFSA’s Director of Operations and Training, Engineering and Technical Services, Josh McDonald. “Our programs are truly game-changing for professionals at every experience level.”
TRAIN THE VIP WAY
The Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) is live virtual apprentice instruction with expert trainers. The Sprinkler Fitting curriculum, now in its 4th edition, correlates with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2019 and 2022 editions. These textbooks and supporting instructor resources are produced through AFSA and NCCER. Each of the three VIP levels now available provides ten months of education to accompany the On-The-Job Learning (OJL) conducted by the employer. The education includes the Sprinkler Fitting textbooks, two live monthly webinars, performance tasks to reinforce the modules, self-study components, and assessments. VIP Level 3 debuts in February, joining VIP Levels 1 (January launch) and 2 (March launch).
“We’re partnering with contractors of all sizes to emphasize that the return on investment from live training goes far beyond numbers. The confidence employees gain, the elevated level of customer service they provide, the litigation risks they help mitigate, and the improved quality of the contractor’s work are immediately apparent,” says McDonald.
LEARN THE INS AND OUTS OF ITM
Three ITM courses will be offered in 2025. The Beginning ITM Workshop focuses on essential procedures and best practices for properly functioning and reliability of sprinkler systems based on NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems. Participants gain further knowledge of codes and standards and all parties involved in inspections and testing. In this training, participants will detect potential issues, conduct inspections and tests, complete routine maintenance tasks, and compare components of various water-based fire protection systems.
The Intermediate ITM Workshop performs water flow tests on service mains and standpipes, collects and analyzes results, and perfects participants’ knowledge in determining frequencies and procedures for inspection and testing. This training explores component differentiation, sequence of operations, and specific considerations for deluge and pre-action systems. In-depth knowledge of 3- and 5-year ITM and hands-on troubleshooting exercises will also be conducted.
The Fire Pump ITM Workshop develops knowledge of fire pump installations and essential ITM processes. This workshop discusses key differences between diesel and electric-driven fire pumps and presents various water flow tests. AFSA provides hands-on performances of no-flow and full-flow fire pump tests and educates on ITM requirements for water storage tanks. Participants also interact with energy diffuser selection, data acquisition, supply graphing, and data interpretation to provide an understanding of stationary fire pumps.
ENHANCE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
AFSA’s Beginning Design School presents a comprehensive, practical approach to preparing fire sprinkler system drawings. It’s popular for its hybrid approach, with six live webinars followed by one week of in-person instruction. Students will study the installation and design approach requirements of NFPA 13 (2022 edition), prepare system layout drawings, and perform hydraulic calculations by hand.
Experienced layout technicians will find the Intermediate Design School helpful in understanding layouts for standpipe systems, fire pumps, seismic protection, and the design requirements for general storage in depth. In addition to mastering requirements in NFPA 13, NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of, Stnadpipe and Hose Systems, and NFPA 20, Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps Fire Protection, students will utilize computer modeling software to apply design requirements learned throughout the course, becoming familiar with the BIM process.
CALCULATE SPRINKLER HYDRAULICS
The Sprinkler Hydraulic Calculations Workshop is a three-day, in-person workshop that provides a deep dive into the principles of hydraulics, including the different types of pressure, calculating changes in pressure (elevation and friction loss), and node analysis.
The Advanced Sprinkler Hydraulic Workshop is also three days long and focuses on advanced hydraulic principles for standpipe systems, fire pump assemblies, and water storage tanks. Students will receive classroom instruction, work through examples, and complete practice exercises.
DEVELOP YOUR ITM INSPECTOR
Due to high demand, AFSA adds a third cycle to the 2025 lineup (spring, summer, and fall launches). Utilizing nearly every learning approach, this program aims to truly develop a new trainee into an efficient NICET Level II-equivalent inspector. Combining on-demand, live webinar, classroom, hands-on lab, and simulated field instruction, students will learn code-compliant inspections, customer relations, preparing reports, and test-taking tips, which have resulted in a 92% pass rate on NICET Level I and II exams for students in this program, compared to the national average of 60%.
LEARN THROUGH WEBINARS
AFSA hosts live webinars throughout the year on relevant topics within the fire sprinkler industry. These industry-led events provide participants with an opportunity to earn CEUs and/or CPDs. Details about upcoming webinars can be found on AFSA’s website.
AFSA’s On-Demand recorded webinars feature experts in fire protection in a convenient and user-friendly format. Members benefit from access to AFSA’s extensive library of content and the ability to earn CEUs and CPDs online. Visit AFSA’s website for more details.
ENROLL EARLY TO SAVE
Training is essential for any industry, and proper training is indispensable. AFSA’s programs ensure industry players are well-equipped to perform their jobs safely and efficiently. “It’s the difference between simply having a logo and establishing a strong, reputable brand,” states McDonald. “Being recognized as the best-trained in the industry sets contractors apart, helps them build lasting success, and is a competitive advantage.”
Interested in registering yourself or a team member for one of AFSA’s training opportunities? Save money while advancing your skills! Register soon to take advantage of any early-bird sales for a discount on regular registration pricing. Visit firesprinkler.org/events for more information and to register.
