Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Get Ready for the 33rd Annual NAC
Empower your apprentices and celebrate your dedication to training by encouraging your apprentices to enter AFSA’s 33rd Annual National Apprentice Competition (NAC)! This competition showcases apprentices’ skills and will be the highlight of AFSA45: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition, to be held September 27-30 in San Antonio, Texas.
COMPETITION COUNTDOWN
Each year, the competition, created in 1994 by the late Robert L. McCullough, continues to attract apprentices from AFSA chapters and member training programs. To enter the NAC, apprentices already enrolled in AFSA’s apprenticeship training series can take the Phase I exam June 1-14, 2026. This exam will be found in Canvas, where their apprenticeship exams are also located. Eligible apprentices of any course level are encouraged to enter! Apprentices not testing in Canvas can scan the QR code on this page to enroll to test in Phase I.
Phase II of the competition will occur during AFSA45 and consists of two portions: a second written test and a live competition practical in the AFSA exhibit hall. During the live competition, seven competitors construct and pressure-test a miniature sprinkler system in front of convention attendees. Each finalist is given a drawing of the system and all the required materials to install it. Finalists then construct the system with five sprinklers onto a 9-ft tall metal frame structure. Competitors must measure, cut, thread, and use fabricated materials for the installations per the drawing they are provided.
After the entire system is installed and allowed to set, it is placed under a static water pressure test of approximately 80 psi, with points deducted for any leaks or pressure drop. During the mini-installation, apprentices are judged in three areas—accuracy, craftsmanship, and safety—to form their practical score, which is combined with their written score to determine the winner.
PLENTY OF PERKS
The top seven finalists from Phase I receive an expense-paid trip to compete at AFSA45 and a complimentary convention registration for their employer. Finalists also receive a commemorative plaque, tools, and cash prizes—$10,000 for first place, $7,500 for second place, $5,000 for third place, and $2,500 for fourth through seventh place!
Raul Larios, winner of last year’s NAC and a fitter with Hiller Companies, recommends the NAC to other apprentices. “I don’t think there’s a reason why not. I think they should. If you really enjoy the trade and you want to better yourself, it’s for sure something that will better you. If you really care about the trade, you have to try your hardest to be a part of it.”
“An AFSA convention is the most valuable thing an apprentice can experience,” says Eric Rieve, SET, Rieve Fire Protection, Bethel, Conn., whose company has a long history with the NAC. Rieve competed in 2007, his brother Connor in 2014, and their Apprentice Stephen Dolan in last year’s competition. “Phase I testing is great practice for state licensing exams. And qualifying for the Phase II competition is the opportunity to test your skills and be inspired and awed by your industry and the people in it.”
AFSA encourages all apprentices enrolled in the Sprinkler Fitting apprentice training series to enter. All apprentices who take the Phase I exam will be entered into a drawing to win one of three $100 Amazon gift cards. Their training coordinators will also win $100 Amazon gift cards. Visit firesprinkler.org/competition.