Friday, September 16; 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Review of automatic fire sprinkler system plans has become very complex as NFPA 13 has expanded to cover more issues. The seminar will take attendees through a hands-on review of a fire sprinkler system plan, including the overall design concept, hydraulic calculations, seismic bracing, and the underground supply system. Decisions on the part of the system designer dealing with hazard and commodity classification, sprinkler selection and spacing, and materials selection will all be among the topics which are a part of the review. This seminar will rely heavily on attendee participation, and will generate a list of items which require further clarification or revisions. A question and answer session will follow the completion of the plan review. Plan reviewers and field inspectors should find this seminar helpful, and will most likely find areas where their own review checklist can be modified or improved. An architect's scale and a copy of the 2010 edition of NFPA 13 are strongly recommended for attendees.

Upon completion of this session, you should be able to demonstrate the ability to accurately read a set of fire sprinkler plans, perform a thorough review to determine compliance with requirements for fire sprinkler systems in NFPA 13, and calculate the coverage area for each sprinkler, using the S x L = A method, including identification of sprinkler locations which exceed the coverage limits. You will also recognize conflicting items on the plans, solve equations to develop minimum flow and pressure requirements for each sprinkler, and interpret which portion of the system is most hydraulically remote. You will also be able to complete a detailed letter informing the contractor of non-compliance and advising of re-submittal process.

Speaker:

KENNETH WAGONER, SET
Ken is a 1977 graduate of Bethany College (KS), and owner of Parsley Consulting, located in Escondido, CA. He has 29 years of experience in automatic sprinkler system and fire alarm system design, plan review, and construction management. Wagoner has achieved NICET certification in the subfields of automatic sprinkler system layout (IV), fire alarm systems (III) and inspection & testing (III). He has earned NFPA certification as a Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), and Fire Examiner (CFPE). He is an AFSA-designated alternate representative on the NFPA 1031 Committee and the Hanging and Bracing Committee of NFPA 13. He is also chairman and a principal member of both the NFPA 24 and the NFPA 291 Committees, and a non-voting member of the NFPA 13 Technical Correlating Committee. He has published numerous articles on seismic bracing, hydraulic calculations, system design and the plan review process, has presented online virtual seminars, and teaches classes sponsored by the San Diego Fire Protection Association and the American Fire Sprinkler Association. He is an active member of NFPA, AFSA, SCAFSA, UFCI, and SDFPA.

Friday, September 16; Noon - 2:00 PM
After the plan review, the next step for an AHJ is inspecting a sprinkler system during the construction process. Typically, the AHJ conducts at least 2 inspections of a sprinkler system during construction: the “Above Ceiling” and the “Final” inspections. So, what is required for each inspection? How much time is required? What are requirements in the International Fire Code and NFPA 13? The class is written for AHJs with a working knowledge of sprinkler systems and basic inspection techniques. Students will review the requirements in the 2009 IFC, NFPA 13 (2010 Ed.), and NFPA 25 (2011 Ed.) for inspection and testing a new or renovated sprinkler system. Upon completion of this seminar, students should be able to identify items on a shop drawing in the building under construction (or where to look to find something), recognize photos of installation problems one could anticipate during the construction process, and discuss how to handle field changes to approved shop drawings.

Speaker: Ralph Foster, III, P.E.
Ralph Foster is the principal of Foster Engineering and Consulting and is a licensed Fire Protection Engineer in multiple states. He earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina and is an NPFA Certified Fire Inspector I and Certified Fire Plans Examiner. He worked for over 20 years in the public sector conducting inspections and life safety code analysis of buildings; analyzing active and passive fire suppression and detection systems; has extensive experience with Performance Based Design. He worked for the SC State Fire Marshal's Office for over 18 years where he served as a Staff Engineer, Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal, Manager of Engineering Services, and taught both state and national certification courses. He is a member of SFPE, NFPA, ICC, and AFSA. He is a member of SFPE, NFPA, ICC, and AFSA. He is active in the SC Fire Marshals Association, the Central Savannah River Chapter of the SFPE and the SC Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association. He retired from the SC Army National Guard after serving for 28 years; is an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 10; and resides in Columbia with his family.

The Center for Life Safety Education offers many convenient online training seminars for Authorities Having Jurisdiction. Visit the "Education" page at the CLSE website for more training opportunities.