Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Enter the 32nd Annual National Apprentice Competition
AFSA’s 32nd Annual National Apprentice Competition (NAC) opens soon! Celebrating apprentice training for over three decades, the competition will showcase apprentices’ skills during AFSA44: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition October 15-18 in Washington, D.C.
Competition Details
Each year, the competition, created in 1994 by the late Robert L. McCullough, continues to attract apprentices from AFSA chapters and member training programs. The Phase I exam must be taken between May 12 – June 30, 2025. There is no cost to enter the competition. Employers may enter as many qualified apprentices as they want. Apprentices already testing in Canvas will find the Phase I exam available in their Canvas courses on May 12, 2025. 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 AFSA44 and consists of two portions: a second written test and a live competition practical in the AFSA exhibition hall. During the live competition, seven competitors construct and pressure-test a miniature sprinkler system in front of a packed exhibit hall. 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. This exercise requires pipe threading, math, and pipe make-up skills to complete the mini-system within the four-hour time limit. The CPVC section of the system is joined using one-step solvent cement. 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.
“I Felt Like a Celebrity!”
Last year, Dylan Whitaker, fire sprinkler technician for Summit Fire & Security, Sanford, Fla., won the 31st NAC. “Being selected as a competitor at AFSA43 was truly a surreal experience, from networking with industry partners to attending seminars. “I’ve never experienced anything like that. I have never had my picture taken so many times. I felt like a celebrity!”
Daniel Buchanan, fire sprinkler operations manager at Summit Fire & Security in Sanford, was proud to see Whitaker win. “Dylan’s growth and accomplishments speak volumes about his dedication, passion for the industry, and his unwavering motivation to be the best. Dylan’s achievements bring immense pride and motivation to our entire team, serving as a powerful reminder that hard work and dedication to training truly pay off.”
“It’s a Win-Win!”
Marc Haug, S.E.T., president of Allied Fire Protection, Fargo, N.D., has been active with AFSA’s apprenticeship program since 2014. He has been promoting AFSA’s NAC and encouraging his apprentices to take the Phase I exam for years. “It’s important for them to understand that taking the exam helps them understand how much they know or don’t know. It’s humbling for our apprentices but also a great motivator. It’s also a great precursor to the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s exam, which apprentices must pass.”
Haug notes that the state exam has a 53-percent pass ratio for first-time apprentices who take the test. Allied has had three apprentices complete the AFSA curriculum and pass the state exam on their first attempt.
Now that AFSA offers the Phase I NAC exam online with a virtual proctor via the apprentices’ Canvas account, Haug says entering is a “no-brainer.” “The competition test is similar to our state exam, and the test questions for both are derived from the NFPA code and NCCER books. It’s a win-win for the apprentice and the contractor—it’s a good self-evaluation for the apprentices—and they just might advance to Phase II! Encourage your apprentices to compete, be prepared, and strive for excellence. The payoff for both employer and apprentice is well worth it.”
Do You Have What It Takes?
AFSA encourages all apprentices enrolled in its apprenticeship training program 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. Besides an expense-paid trip to compete at AFSA44, each finalist receives a commemorative plaque, tools, cash prizes, and a complimentary convention registration for their employer. Click here to learn more.
