Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Expert-Led Blended Instruction, Hands-On Experience Make the Difference
As the fire protection industry continues to evolve and expectations for compliance and performance increase, properly trained professionals are more essential than ever. The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) has designed education and training programs specifically developed for contractor members. Covering every aspect of the industry, these programs will ensure a well-trained workforce and set companies on the path to success!
VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PATH
Through AFSA’s Virtual Instruction Path (VIP), apprentices gain structured training that combines expert-led instruction, self-study, and performance-based tasks to reinforce real-world skills. With the VIP program, students like Alexandro Granados of American Fire Systems are advancing their careers while applying what they learn directly in the field.
“I’d recommend VIP to someone who is serious about their career. What intrigues me is that I just keep learning. Some of the challenges are really hard, but after a couple of those experiences, you get used to doing things like that, and it becomes more natural,” Granados says.
AFSA offers the VIP option for the Sprinkler Fitting apprentice training curriculum, now in its 4th edition. Each level 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 webinar classes a month, performance tasks to reinforce the modules, self-study components, and assessments. The live lessons are instructed by AFSA staff and subject matter experts (SMEs).
“The live sessions really enhance the program. Each session will run for two hours and include time for discussion. Lessons are delivered twice each scheduled day to accommodate multiple time zones and work schedules,” comments Victoria Valentine, P.E., FSFPE, AFSA’s director of special projects. “We then assign performance tasks, which are the execution of items that correspond to the lesson and completed with their supervisors. This reinforcement increases the learning and retention of participants.”
During the self-study portion, the apprentice is expected to read the accompanying sections that support the lesson and review any add-on resources, such as videos or articles that have been provided. The text provides questions with each module to help guide the apprentice and ensure key concepts are absorbed.
Included with VIP are practice quizzes and module exams via the learning management system. VIP students are given an opportunity to test their knowledge using the practice quizzes before attempting module exams. Additionally, all module exams are virtually proctored, ensuring the integrity of the apprenticeship training.
Granados has the opportunity to further establish himself while applying what he’s learned in VIP. “I really like it because I know that the stuff that I’m learning is going to help me out and further my career. When I’m out in the field, I’m going to be more confident.”
AFSA’s VIP equips apprentices with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the fire sprinkler industry. By combining structured lessons, hands-on performance tasks, and expert instruction, VIP, along with the employer’s support, ensures that every apprentice develops into a properly trained, confident professional. Visit firesprinkler.org/vip to learn more and take the next step in your apprentices’ fire sprinkler career.
ITM INSPECTOR DEVELOPMENT
Inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) of water-based fire protection systems requires fundamental knowledge and technical accuracy. AFSA’s hands-on ITM trainings provide a clear understanding of industry standards. Inspectors and technicians at every stage of their careers can look to AFSA’s ITM Inspector Development Program for proper training and walk away a safer and more confident technician.
The ITM Inspector Development Program provides a structured, 20-month blended-learning pathway for ITM technicians and fire sprinkler inspectors desiring comprehensive training in the inspection, testing, and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems. The program integrates on-demand lessons, instructor-led webinars, in-person instruction, and robustly structured on-the-job training (OJT) with mentoring support. This combination reinforces a practical understanding of NFPA 25 system operation, field inspection techniques, documentation practices, and the roles and responsibilities involved in ITM work.
Participants develop hands-on skills in inspecting and testing wet, dry, standpipe, and other water-based system configurations. The curriculum emphasizes identifying deficiencies and impairments, verifying system conditions, interpreting NFPA 25 requirements accurately, documenting inspection results, and customer service skills.
With its comprehensive design and extended training timeline, the program also provides strong preparation for the NICET Inspection & Testing of Water-Based Systems Levels I & II certification.
Ace Champion with VSC Fire & Security learned a great deal throughout the course and believes the experience will make a lasting impact on his work. “I’m going to be better at my job for coming through it. The pace of the course is quick, and there’s a lot of work involved, but the instructors and everyone at AFSA have been great!”
The next session for the ITM Inspector Development program will begin this summer on June 8. For more information or to register, visit firesprinkler.org/ITM.
NFPA 25 FIRE PUMP WORKSHOP
AFSA’s NFPA 25 Fire Pump Workshop provides ITM technicians, facility managers, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) with a practical understanding of fire pump installations and associated ITM requirements. Students explore the differences between diesel and electric fire pumps, perform no-flow and full-flow pump tests, and review NFPA 25 tank requirements.
Hands-on activities include data acquisition, supply graphing, energy diffuser selection, and performance interpretation. Learning these NFPA 25 ITM fundamentals support participants as they prepare for professional certifications, such as those from NICET, NFPA, or ACE. The course equips participants with the practical skills and industry knowledge needed to excel in fire pump inspection and testing.
One evaluation form comment received from a recent student was very complimentary. “This workshop was successful because it provided clear, well-structured lessons on pump operation and safety. The instructor explained complex topics in a simple and practical way. Hands-on training allowed participants to confidently operate and troubleshoot fire pumps, and the course materials were detailed, up to date, and easy to understand. Overall, the course improved everyone’s knowledge and skills, making it highly effective.”
Are you preparing for certifications such as NFPA or NICET? AFSA’s ITM courses provide an effective way to build knowledge and assist in preparation. Designed to support professionals at every stage of their careers, these programs offer a clear path forward, whether you’re investing in yourself or your team. Develop well-rounded ITM technicians and inspectors who contribute to safer, more reliable operations while reducing risk and liability for individuals and businesses.
The next classes will be held March 5-6 and May 6-7. For more information or to register, visit firesprinkler.org/firepump.
DESIGNER TRAINING
Accuracy and code knowledge are critical in the fire protection industry. Confident design skills are built through hands-on training and a deep understanding of fundamentals. AFSA has long been recognized for its Beginning and Intermediate Design Schools, whether a designer is new to the job or looking to advance his or her skills to the next level. Both courses help prepare participants for certification exams and other industry credentialing tests.
A recent Beginning Design School participant from AFP Systems, Inc., said, “Everything was done exceptionally well. The pacing of the class, the structure, the in-person demonstrations, and the interactive components all made for a great learning experience. This is a course I would gladly recommend to anyone seeking to advance their career in the design field.”
AFSA’s Beginning Design School provides a comprehensive, hands-on approach to preparing fire sprinkler drawings from start to finish. Within the course of three weeks, students participate in six live webinars, complete self-paced modules, and work through exercises focused on installation and design requirements. A week of in-person instruction reinforces these concepts as students prepare fire sprinkler layouts, shop drawings, and hydraulic calculations by hand—without the use of CAD or third-party software. This manual approach ensures that future designers thoroughly understand the inputs required by software programs and how to interpret their outputs, strengthening both technical accuracy and professional judgment.
Four Beginning Design Schools are currently scheduled: Feb. 10 – Mar. 6, Apr. 21 – May 16, May 26 –June 19, and Jun. 30 –Jul. 24. For more details and to register, visit firesprinkler.org/
design.
A recent participant from Aegis Fire Systems was pleased with his experience in a recent Intermediate Design School. “I was extremely happy with the course. It was evenly paced between the lab, the instruction, and then following up with being able to apply what we just learned in Revit® design. As a designer, we don’t get to see the actual spray patterns develop. It was awesome.”
AFSA’s Intermediate Design School enables students to refine their design skills by developing a deeper understanding of standpipe systems, fire pumps, seismic protection, and general storage design, utilizing Autodesk Revit® and key NFPA standards. This blended-learning course helps experienced layout technicians strengthen the tools they use daily while expanding their technical knowledge of NFPA 13, NFPA 14, and NFPA 20. Students participate in five days of in-person instruction focused on applying design and installation requirements for general storage, laying out and calculating seismic protection, designing and calculating standpipe systems, and selecting and sizing fire pumps. The course also covers detailed seismic protection and sway bracing requirements.
The next Intermediate Design School will be held April 27 – May 8. To learn more, visit firesprinkler.org/nextlevel.
BUILD HYDRAULIC SKILLS
Hydraulic Calculations Workshops are designed to strengthen foundational knowledge and advance established skills to the next level. Whether you’re learning the fundamentals of hand calculations or tackling complex hydraulic scenarios involving pumps, standpipes, and storage tanks, these workshops equip participants with the skills needed to evaluate results, make informed decisions, and communicate effectively with AHJs, contractors, and suppliers.
“The instructors have been absolutely wonderful and patient. They took the time to walk us through how hand hydraulic calculations work. The camaraderie and enthusiasm we all have for being in the fire protection industry were awesome. The class gets you ready for NICET Level III,” Christopher Coker says, describing his experience in the Sprinkler Hydraulic Calculations Workshop.
The workshop enables students to strengthen hydraulic calculation skills through three days of hands-on exercises. Students explore hydraulic principles in depth, including pressure types, elevation changes, friction loss, equivalent length adjustments, and node analysis, before applying these concepts to real-world sprinkler system scenarios.
Participants perform hand calculations for tree systems, remote area selection, water supply analysis, and simple loops. This manual process builds the foundational understanding designers need to confidently enter data into hydraulic calculation software and verify whether the program’s outputs are accurate and reasonable. These foundational hydraulic skills are required when pursuing higher-level industry certifications.
The next Sprinkler Hydraulic Calculations Workshop is scheduled for April 13-15. To learn more or to register, visit firesprinkler.org/calculations.
The Advanced Hydraulics Calculations Workshop provides students with an in-depth, calculation-based study of advanced hydraulic principles as they apply to fire pumps, standpipe systems, and water storage tanks. The two-day course emphasizes practical application of NFPA standards and hydraulic fundamentals used in the design of water-based fire protection systems.
“Kevin’s instruction of the class was excellent. Questions I had were answered, and I feel that the course will help me greatly in my career,” notes one evaluation form from a workshop participant. “The transportation, accommodations, and provided lunches were great.”
Another comment received from a student: “I thought Kevin did a great job explaining the course materials. Additionally, he took the time to help individuals when they were struggling to understand some of the material. He was very willing to go above and beyond to help everyone; it made the course very enjoyable and beneficial.”
Students will learn how to size and select fire pumps, analyze standpipe system demands, identify vertical pressure zones, and determine the most suitable water storage solutions. Through guided examples and hands-on exercises, attendees will acquire the skills necessary to confidently analyze complex hydraulic scenarios, support informed design decisions, and effectively communicate with AHJs, contractors, and equipment suppliers.
Visit firesprinkler.org and click on “Education & Training” to learn more and enroll in the next workshop taking place April 17-18. Hit the ground running with your hydraulic calculations career, overcome anxiety, and build confidence towards your next certification!
SECURE THE TRAINING YOU NEED TO SUCCEED
Take the next step in your career with AFSA! Whether you’re building a strong foundation or advancing your expertise, AFSA has the right program to provide the hands-on training and industry knowledge needed to design with confidence.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Xavier Fraire is a communications intern with the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA).