I work for a career fire department is comprised of all male except for one part time firefighter. The issue is the sleeping arrangements. There are four bedrooms; captain’s has one bed, another two have two beds and the fourth has three, but that’s a tight fit. It’s all fine until the female is on shift. We aren’t required to, but we give her one of the two bed rooms for herself forcing a major shift in bedrooms. We work five on shift, but have a night probie which means we are 7 some nights. I wonder if any of your departments have this issue. She’s a great person and pulls her weight on the job, but it’s just very inconvenient.

I am a civil engineer in Texas working full time for a major contractor as a project engineer. I have looked into all requirements extensively and I meet all of them (5 year xp , ect). I am wondering if I should take my nicet exams and invest in designing software I have some contacts that would pay me to design. How time consuming would designing smaller projects be ? And how much $ on average would a designer charge per design or “hourly rate”. I also have hopes of partnering later to install and design. Is this something that is not feasible for me to work on in the evenings and weekends and still turn a profit ?

I’m looking to install what is essentially a chain link ceiling for security reasons (technically, it’s a deer fence). This is an active area with people traversing underneath it fairly regularly - it’s a lined team of 6-10 people though. Fence grid pattern is 1” x 1”. The dimensions of the fencing will be well over 4’ wide (closer to 10’). Current sprinklers are 6-8’ above the proposed fence ceiling. Ceiling height is approx 20’.

Will I need to install sprinklers on the underside of the fencing? All codes and intuition seem to point to “yes” but it’s a semi-temporary installation and looking to keep costs down. Safety and legality first, of course.

So I’m currently in my union apprenticeship in CA and have 2.5 years to go but want to finish it in TX. I was to start my own fire sprinkler division as soon as I finish my apprenticeship and I’m trying to see exactly what I need to be able to install, inspect, test, and service sprinkler systems.

From what I’m seeing all I have to do is get me NICET III by taking the test then applying for liability insurance.

Do I need to have anymore requirements to obtain my fire sprinkler license in TX?

If anyone has insight let me know, thanks.

Fellas I’m trying to see what is the going rate for Sprinkler fitter [ Service Technician ] on the industrial side [ Texas ] ? Also what is the pay difference after obtaining the RME-I [ Inspecting & testing water based systems ]?

We are developing a project to replace the HVAC system (concealed AC units above the gypsum board ceiling) which shall require ceiling cutting to replace the unit and then repair it after finishing the works with the same material matching the existing. The existing villas have no carbon monoxide alarms. The AHJ is asking to apply IRC section 315.2.2 to install carbon monoxide alarms on these villas due to this alternation to issue the permit.

Does this section apply to this scope of work and requires the installation of carbon monoxide alarms on these existing villas?

Hi,

I have a fully detached building 70m2 housing a 750 kw diesel generator with a fuel tank ... does this building requiring any fire Suppression, Fire Detection System or Fire Separation in accordance to IBC/IFC.

I'm based in Texas. I recently got both my RME-I and FEL-B. Already have FAL. Currently working as an Inspector for Fire Alarm and hopefully soon for Fire sprinkler. I really did enjoy reading NFPA 10, NFPA 25, & 72. I'm just curious on what to do from here forward. I will be pursuing K class and FEL-A. Is the next step design portion for each? Ex APS, EPL, RME-G? What can I do career wise with all the licenses? Or should I pursue design? I was offered a design position super entry level in the company i work for. It would be a pay cut right off the bat with potential of being more than what I make now from what I was told. I'm just curious and stuck to see where to go from here. Any advice or opinions is respected. I guess my end goal is to make more money and make a comfortable wage.

Hey everyone,

The company I work for is willing to pay for Bluebeam since it’s very helpful. My question is, is it worth the price difference ($110) between the mid tier and the high tier worth it for all the extra features that it comes with? I am a project manager and only design fire sprinkler systems. I use Bluebeam everyday.

I'm calculating the flow from a hydrant flow test with the following parameters: 50 psi static pressure, 15 psi residual (yes I know that's low), 20 psi pitot pressure, 4" outlet diameter, and a .7 outlet coefficient. Plugging this into equation 4.73a of NFPA 291 (2019) I get a flow of about 1495 gpm. I then multiply that flow by the .83 pumper outlet found in Table 4.8.2 to get a final flow of roughly 1240 gpm. It seems pretty straightforward to me but I was told my calculation was incorrect and I'm not sure where I went wrong. Any ideas?

Hello,

I discovered concerning fire damage in a section of my house that's been closed off for winter (no one had been there for 2-3 months). I'm trying to understand what could have caused this.

Initially it looked to me that inside of the yellow cardboard box was the source. However, I opened it and there is nothing inside there that would cause this, just a bowl made out of clay and some (although flammable) protection hay looking material around it. There was no batteries, wiring, or obvious ignition sources there.

The unusual burn pattern on a timber post nearby is a puzzle to me. Especially the bottom stripe on the timber, its even protected by the folders nearby.

I don't know. There is nothing unusual in the room out of this, nothing burned or anything else i notice, i've been looking around for hours.

I need to find out the cause, otherwise I don't feel safe since the cause is unknown...

pff overwhelming... thanks for the any tips!

Images:

https://preview.redd.it/bqapimzlnb2e1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=725e38c796eed90dfd156ce06f8b16b2f0aa7663

https://preview.redd.it/eo11xmzlnb2e1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=23057beba6bf13a2ae85151ef205baba1733fe12

https://preview.redd.it/739qmmzlnb2e1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=26448aeeeee993bde43888a57f830cfc86650f1f

I'm working with some stubborn site security and fire prevention managers on moving a fire extinguisher out of a fork truck aisleway before somebody collides with it. The extinguisher can stay on the same column it is currently mounted to meet floor space and distance requirements, but the manager is insistent the fire extinguisher has been measured and proven to be not in the designated aisleway, which is true: however, the aisleway takes a dog leg move to account for column placement, so fork trucks and long loads traversing the area pass close to the extinguisher. He seems to think moving it is unncessary and it is on a fork truck operator to maintain spotters if they are unsure of their movement (also true, but missing the point.) I feel he is just being obstinate, but I can't find anything in the NFPA that either supports or undermines my claim it's easier to move the extinguisher ouf of the walkway without violating NFPA requirements. Any professional thoughts before somebody launches the extinguisher into the ceiling?

Hello,

I am a new facilities maintenance engineer and currently doing an annual performance pump test.

During the 100% and 150% flow test my discharge pressure reading is 0 psi. I am trying to troubleshoot the issue but I cannot find the right solution.

I am getting 2000 and 3000 gpm respectively but the discharge pressure is always zero.

Do you have any advice that can lead me to the right direction? thanks.

Hi All - I have a BS in Civil Engineering. 3 years in civil design + 1 year in construction. I've designed fire master and underground plans, designed site fire water utility systems on plan. How easy is the transition going into FPE with my experience? Any advice on where I should start? I was looking into Cal Poly SLO MS or the UCSD FPE Extension certificate. I do eventually want to go into fire investigation and/or work for the government. But open to any advice and opinions. Thank you!

I'm a sprinkler filter, have 2 years in the trade. Did a year and a half in colorado doing dry systems and Vegas doing wet systems.

I want to learn how to design but not sure how to start. School is not an option for me as that cost money I don't have. I have a laptop with a good graphics card and 3 monitors and know how to read blue prints.

Any advice?

Been a designer for 2 1/2 years now, NICET lvl 1 and about to take on jobs with fire pumps. Is this a normal paste? I feel like I’m getting better but also told I’m slow. Is this a normal speed of advancement?

My question is pretty much in the title.

(Now for the longer version!)

I am a senior fire sprinkler designer, and part of my newly assigned duties is to review designs before forwarding them to my boss who has authority to sign before submitting to the AHJ. I've been given a 2 hour block every morning to review drawings, but I find that it often takes me longer.

A lot of my time is spent finding a code to reference in a correction. Such as, "According to <NFPA code>, this thing should be that thing." Other portions of my time are used to look at construction drawings for additional information. I swear some designers just take the RCP and start, and don't take the time to look at anything else!

I do not plot hard copies. I review PDFs and make all comments digitally.

With that said, what should the rough turnaround time be for reviewing sprinkler drawings that had:

*Up to 500 heads
*501-1000 heads
*More than 1000 heads
*Included a standpipe
*Included a fire pump
*Added time for calculations

Thank you!

Edit to add: I appreciate the feedback. I've been feeling a bit incompetent for "failing" to review drawings in an hour or two; but now I can see that it's typically just not enough time, and I can better establish turnaround times/expectations in my office. Thanks again!

Hello all,

I'm considering moving to Wisconsin, does anyone know any good companies to work for in the Madison, WI area (preferred) or the Milwaukee, WI area for Fire Sprinkler Design? Currently a NICET Level II in WBSL with a little more than 2 years experience in the industry.

Madison looks quite pricey to live as far as rent, which is my preferred place to move, so I would hope to make at least 27-28/hr based on my qualifications which looks to be close to what job offers on job boards have.

Hello all,

I’m wondering if any fire protection consultants or fire plan examiners can shed some light on what your day-to-day work looks like. I’m a 23-year-old in California currently doing inspections of fire alarm and sprinkler systems (wet systems only 👎🏻). I have my NICET II in FAS and NICET I in ITWBS, and I’m currently working on earning more certifications. I’m curious about the different paths I can explore in this field.

Here are a few questions I have:

1. Do you enjoy your job? I know it’s a bit of an annoying question, but I’d like to hear the good, bad, and ugly.

2. Are you happy with your pay?

3. How did you get started?

4. What types of certifications or schooling would you recommend?

5. Are you mostly desk-bound all day?

Hi all! I just successfully took the Level 1 WBSL NICET exam, and am looking for a little guidance from others who have taken up to level 2 or level 3. I felt like I was adequately prepared for the Level 1 exam, and am wondering how much more knowledge I need/studying I should do before taking the level 2 exam. I have the job experience requirements to take up to the level 3 exams (5+ years as a fire sprinkler layout tech), however I solely design residential 13D systems. How big of a knowledge gap is there between the Level 1 and 2 exams? Anything I should be prepared for? I am super grateful for any guidance you all may have! I am the first in my company to pursue NICET certs and don’t have anyone around to pick their brain on the process. Thanks!

Hey yall, so I am wanting some career advice because in regards to this field. I graduated tech school and got an associates in engineering technology and was hired by my company through the internship I was doing to become a full time Fire Protection Design Technician. I am currently about to take NICET I for Water Based Systems Layout and was wondering what this career path can take me. I love designing and reading the codes & standards, but also I was thinking about maybe becoming a PE with a focus on Fire Protection. Additionally, I like to become a design manager someday as well. So in a long winded way, here are my questions:

1. What would the different career paths that can happen if I go the route of eventually becoming a design manager vs a PE and would my career be handicapped if I am just a design manager?

2. For my PE guys in here, would it be do-able to both have a regular 9-5 AND go get my Engineering degree at the same time?

Was talking a fire plan with my wife and kid in our two story house. Going to get a fire ladder but one of the boys will not be able to open the window and if there is a reason we can't make it to the room was wondering if there is a fire ladder option of something that can sit outside the window maybe rolled up in weatherproof bag with dangling rope coming down that someone on ground level could pull to release ladder. Google all around and found d several options but nothing capable of ground release. Any ideas?

Wondering if anyone had taken the Fire wise consulting training programs for Fire Inspector lvl 1 and 2 courses in Canada and wondering what you thought of them.

I have a lot of fire related qualifications including my CFPS, and considering a career change. Any advice would be appreciated.

I’m looking for some advice on which steps to take in this career field. I currently work as a sprinkler designer for about a year now, and am pursuing my NICET 1. I also have a CS degree (ABET accredited) from a few years ago, though I’ve never used it professionally.

My goal would be to work on bigger projects, take on more responsibilities in the future and increase income.

Given my CS degree, should I pursue a master’s in FPE, maybe a second bachelors in engineering or focus on NICET certs?

Anyone been in a similar situation or have thoughts on which path offers the best career growth?

Doing a remote project design, not super dialed on Fire hydrant requirements. This photo is from a project on the Grand Cayman Island.

Can anyone confirm what this is, and how it is connected to the system most likely? Just curious.

https://imgur.com/a/23CzvrO

I am relatively new to the industry and have been working the last two years in estimating and PM’ing the jobs I sell over $100k, anything under that amount gets taken care of by our service/day works manager.

My company has been looking for a designer for a while as our current designer is a few years away from retiring and they want to have someone set up to transition.

I am at a point where I feel pretty comfortable estimating/pm’ing but the opportunity to switch to design is there if I want it.

Personally I like estimating/sales and kind of hate project management. I think the things I like about estimating will go well with design.

I am trying to weigh the benefits of both paths, can anyone with more experience weigh in on which may be more advantageous? I know this is highly subjective but I like that design has the flexibility of working remote/hybrid and has the potential for freelance. On the other side I like the people to people interactions and time away from the office that estimating/pm offers but the stress of managing projects is pretty unappealing.

Anyone ever switch one to the other that can weigh in on what you like one vs the other?

Hi all.

I need to develop specs for a Water Mist system. What numbebr would you use? Should I put them into Fire Suppression Sprinkler Systems (21 13 00) or add a new number? Let's say 21 25 00.

We have 6" mains and 1 1/2" lines and need to provide some kind of drain tough under the piping. Does anyone have any suggestions?