Sprinkler Tech Career Paths

By Fire Tech Productions | May 31, 2024 | Fire Sprinklers • Published on November 12

This post is courtesy of Fire Tech Productions

https://learning.firetech.com/



The need for training in the Fire Sprinkler industry is crucial.

Many issues surround managers when it comes to training their team.   These include where to start, how to monitor progress and lack of time – not just for team members to dedicate to learning but also for the managers to strategize, plan, create, setup, and monitor the training. 

The training begins with basic on-the-job learning, but it’s crucial to ensure that the team understands the fundamentals. Fire Tech offers introductory online courses covering fire protection, fire alarms, sprinklers, pumps, extinguishers, and special hazards. New team members are recommended to complete the appropriate course(s) in their first week, with a refresher around the fourth week to solidify their knowledge.

STEP 1: Build a Solid Foundation: primer courses for anyone

  • GE 102: Basic Principles of Combustion
  • GE 103: Fundamentals of Fire Extinguishment
  • GE 104: Math Fundamentals for Fire Protection
  • GE 105: Math Applications for Fire Protection
  • GE 106: Metric Units and Conversions for Fire Protection
  • GE 107: Physical Science Fundamentals for Fire Protection
  • GE 108: Physical Science Applications for Fire Protection
  • GE 109: Fundamentals of Safety & First Aid
  • FA 101: Introduction to Fire Alarm Systems
  • FP 101: Introduction to Fire Pumps
  • PE 101: Introduction to Portable Fire Extinguishers
  • SH 101: Introduction to Special Hazards
  • SS 101: Introduction to Sprinkler Systems
  • WBL-D 1500: Beginner Fire Sprinkler Design

After learning the foundational concepts of the industry and some of the appropriate jargon, it’s important to begin the learning of the industry requirements.  These courses begin to introduce the learner to the industry requirements.  NFPA standards are brought into the learning so the “why” can begin to infiltrate the learner.  Understanding the importance of the codes and standards is critical and these basic courses begin to feed those requirements to the learner. 

STEP 2: Industry Requirements – Stepping into the Codes and Standards

  • FA 102: Fire Alarms and Detection Equipment
  • FA 103: Household Fire Warning Equipment
  • FP 102 Fire Pumps
  • FP 103 Diesel Fire Pump Technician
  • PE 102 Portable Fire Extinguishers
  • PE 202: Pre-engineered Extinguishing Equipment Other Than Water
  • SS 102 Automatic Sprinkler & Standpipe Systems
  • SS 103 Fire Service Mains

After the basics above, there are a few paths to continue learning.  Techs can continue with a variety of smaller CEU courses, hands-on workshops, or more robust courses that concentrate on the industry codes and standards and help with preparation for some of the industry certifications (NICET, ACE, etc).

STEP 3: Never Stop Learning

When taking a course, it’s important to align with regional compliance.  Compliance is complex, especially for companies operating across multiple states with different regulations. Fire Tech offers courses tailored to various editions of codes and standards to ensure compliance.

Setting a career path for your team and providing them with the training helps the individual and the industry.  The Fire Tech Team believes #neverstoplearning is the key to individual, team, and customer growth, purpose, and knowledge.

We’ve heard from seasoned fire sprinkler professionals that the 101 – Introduction to Fire Alarm course was helpful.  At first look this seemed surprising, but the reality is that most fire sprinkler professionals learned any fire alarm knowledge they had on-the-job.  Sometimes seeing what we have experienced, in black and white, with the proper terms and in an organized fashion, helps cement the knowledge inside of us and brings it together in an organized, easy-to-understand lesson.  These lightbulb moments can happen on the job or in a conversation.  Providing your team members with bite-size, interactive training helps bridge the gap between the information in the codes and standards and the learning that takes place in their day-to-day role.

Listed below are a few sample fire sprinkler career paths.  Note that Learning (Career) Paths are available as built or customizable for your team.

Inspector Learning Path (with goal of NICET Certification): 

  • SS 101: Introduction to Sprinkler Systems*
  • FA 101: Introduction to Fire Alarm Systems*
  • SS 102: Automatic Sprinkler & Standpipe Systems
  • SS 103: Fire Service Mains
  • Inspection & Testing of Sprinkler Systems Workshop
  • ITWB 1000: Inspection and Testing of Water-Based Systems Level I – NFPA 25

Fire Pump Inspector Learning Path: 

  • SS 101: Introduction to Sprinkler Systems*
  • FA 101: Introduction to Fire Alarm Systems*
  • SS 102: Automatic Sprinkler & Standpipe Systems
  • FP 101: Introduction to Fire Pumps
  • FP 102: Fire Pumps
  • FP 103: Diesel Fire Pump Technician – NFPA 20
  • Inspection & Testing of Fire Pumps Workshop

Installation Manager Learning Path: 

  • SS 101: Introduction to Sprinkler Systems
  • SS 102: Automatic Sprinkler & Standpipe Systems
  • WBL 166: Water Supplies Basics
  • WBL 163: Hangers and Bracing Basics
  • SS 103: Fire Service Mains
  • WBL 164: Standpipe Systems
  • FP 101: Introduction to Fire Pumps
  • WBL 268: Sprinkler Location and Spacing
  • WBL 270: Limitations of System Components
  • WBL 266: Water Supplies
  • WBL 255: Types of Sprinkler Systems
  • WBL 264: Standpipe Systems
  • WBL 263: Hangers, Bracing, and Restraints

*Introduction to Fire Alarms and Introduction to Sprinkler Systems are always recommended as basic cross training knowledge.

For beginner Fire sprinkler designers, there are several design courses available.  We’ve heard feedback from many students that these courses are great, but also like, “Drinking from a fire hose”.  Fire Tech recommends the Beginner Fire Sprinkler Design Course (self-paced, online) to jump start their learning and understanding of the fire sprinkler industry, codes, standards, and design, prior to dedicated sprinkler design training.

Repetition and reinforcement are essential for building a strong foundation in fire protection and life safety. Learning never stops, and it’s our collective responsibility to ensure continuous improvement.

For a complete list of courses, visit firetech.com/catalog or request a downloadable list from info@firetech.com– enter “Send Course List” in the subject line.