Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
School Curriculum Updated to NFPA 13, 2019 Edition
The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has set its 2021 dates for its popular Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School, with several schools coming to a city near you! AFSA’s team of technical experts will teach schools across the United States, including stops in California, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Classes available for 2021 include:
- February 22 – March 5 in Dallas, Texas – 10-percent discount on registrations!
- April 12-23 in San Diego, California;
- May 17-28 in Baltimore, Maryland;
- July 19-30 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
- August 16-27 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana;
- September 27 – October 8 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and
- November 8-19 in Sacramento area, California.
AFSA is offering a 10-percent discount to those who register for the February school. “This school is being held at our training center in Dallas, which is easily accessible from most parts of the country,” comments AFSA’s Senior Director of Meetings & Education Services Marlene Garrett, CMP. “With two airports in our area – DFW and Love Field – most airlines are available and currently offering discounted flights.”
AFSA’s Beginning Fire Sprinkler System Planning School teaches the essential elements of system layout in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. Recent upgrades have been made to the school’s content, updating it from the 2016 edition to the 2019 edition of the standard.
The school is designed to train a beginner to be productive immediately upon returning to work. This class is designed for trainees and entry-level technicians with at least six months’ experience and those with experience in the sprinkler trade looking to make the transition to design. The school presents a comprehensive, practical approach to preparing fire sprinkler system drawings. Students receive two full weeks of instruction: 60 percent is the study and review of NFPA 13, and 40 percent is the preparation of fire sprinkler system layout, shop drawings, and hydraulic calculations.
Attendees are given the tools to:
- Accelerate the comprehension of plans and various types of building construction for proper sprinkler spacing applications;
- Determine the proper and economic planning of fire sprinkler system layout and installation methods;
- Know the importance of sprinkler specifications, types of pipe, hangers, fittings, flow tests, etc.;
- Learn to develop shop drawings from start to finish;
- Learn to coordinate with other trades such as plumbing, mechanical, structural, and electrical;
- Perform manual hydraulic calculations, preparing the student for an easier decision-making process when using a computer to perform hydraulics; and
- Prepare shop drawings in class for projects with different applications.
The school is taught by AFSA’s expert technical services staff, including Technical Programs Specialist Tom Noble, CET, CFPS, CWBSP; Coordinator of Engineering & Technical Services Kevin Hall, M.Eng, P.E., CWBSP, MSFPE; and Vice President of Engineering & Technical Services John August Denhardt, P.E., FSFPE.
AFSA takes the current health situation seriously and works hard to ensure students’ safety. “We are following all of the CDC recommendations – wearing masks, maintaining social distance, checking temperatures, using Plexiglas dividers, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces,” comments Garrett. “The need for training hasn’t stopped, and AFSA has taken the necessary precautions to meet that demand safely.”
Classes are kept small, and enrollment is open exclusively to AFSA contractor members until six weeks before each school. Early registration is highly encouraged! For more information and to register, visit firesprinkler.org/design.
