Beginning Design School

  • Hybrid (Virtual and In-Person) – AFSA’s Beginning Design School is re-designed for a hybrid approach with (6) live webinars offered first, followed by (1) week of in-person instruction.
  • Traditional (In-Person Only) – This learning approach includes ten days of in-person training over the course of two weeks.

Details

Immerse yourself in NFPA 13 (2022 edition) and build a strong foundation in fire sprinkler system design. The Beginning Design School provides a comprehensive, hands-on approach to preparing fire sprinkler drawings from start to finish.

Over the course of three weeks, students participate in six live webinars, complete self-paced modules, and work through exercises focused on installation and design requirements. Q&A and open-discussion sessions support deeper understanding.
A week of in-person instruction reinforces these concepts as students prepare fire sprinkler layouts, shop drawings, and hydraulic calculations by hand—without the use of CAD or third-party software. This manual approach ensures that future designers thoroughly understand the inputs required by software programs and how to interpret their outputs, strengthening both technical accuracy and professional judgment.
The course concludes with a comprehensive exam covering NFPA 13 installation rules, layout concepts, and hydraulic calculations.
These foundational design skills prepare participants for the NICET Water-Based Systems Layout certification exams, provide prep for the NFPA Certified Water-Based Systems Professional (CWBSP) credential, and strengthen readiness for other industry credentialing tests.

Learning Objectives:

The school will prepare the student to:

  • Interpret building plans and construction types to apply proper sprinkler spacing requirements.
  • Determine proper system layouts and installation methods.
  • Analyze sprinkler specifications, shop drawings, technical data sheets, and flow test results.
  • Identify sprinkler types, system types, pipe types, hangers, fittings, & system components.
  • Explain coordination requirements with plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and structural trades.
  • Perform hand-drawn system layouts and hydraulic calculations, and evaluate hydraulic inputs to understand computer-generated outputs.
  • Navigate NFPA 13 effectively to locate and apply design and installation requirements.

 

Hybrid Schedule:

Day 1 Webinar:

  • Introduction
  • Knowledge Assessment
  • Industry Terminology
  • Math Review

Day 2 Webinar:

  • Properties of Fire
  • Codes and Standards
  • Hazard Classification
  • Water Supplies

Day 3 Webinar:

  • Underground
  • Characteristics of a Sprinkler
  • System Components
  • System Types

Day 4 Webinar:

  • Types of Construction
  • Sprinkler Installation – Standard Spray
  • Beam and Soffit Rules
  • Sprinkler Installation – Extended Coverage & Residential
  • Residential Sprinklers

Day 5 Webinar:

  • Installation of System Components
  • Installation of Piping, Valves, Appurtenances
  • Hangers
  • Trapeze Hangers
  • Hanging and Support

Day 6 Webinar:

  • Design Approaches
  • Hydraulic Detailed Worksheet
  • Hydraulic Graph Sheet
  • Sprinkler Hydraulics Quick-Reference Sheet
  • Detailed Worksheet Notes

Day 7:

  • Contract Drawing Review
  • Layout Wet System
  • Calculate Wet System

Day 8:

  • System Acceptance
  • Layout Dry System
  • Calculate Dry System

Day 9:

  • 13/13R/13D
  • Layout Residential System
  • Calculate Residential System

Day 10:

  • Exam

Credits & Approvals

  • 7.6 CEUs; 76 CPDs
  • 76 Contact Hours

This class is designed for trainees and entry-level technicians with at least six months of experience, as well as those with experience in the sprinkler trade looking to make the transition to system layout.

Pricing

Member Price: 

Early Bird $2,637; Regular $2,884

Nonmember Price:

Early Bird $3,769; Regular $4,017

Need Assistance?
Scholarship Program

Prerequisites

This class is designed for trainees and entry-level technicians with at least six months of experience, as well as those with experience in the sprinkler trade looking to make the transition to system layout.

Schedule / Enroll

Course Offering 5: 2025   Closed

Virtual Sessions Week 1Virtual Sessions Week 2In-Person Classroom Week
November 17, 19, 21December 1, 3, 5December 8 – 12
Virtual Sessions are 11:00am – 1:30pm CT
In-person classes are 8:00am – 4:30 pm
Early Bird Price: Register on or before 9/17/25
Regular Price: Register on or before 10/31/25

 

Course Offering 1: 2026  Register & More Info

Virtual Sessions Week 1Virtual Sessions Week 2Virtual Sessions Week 3In-Person Classroom Week
Feb. 10, Feb. 12Feb. 17, Feb. 19Feb. 24, Feb. 26Mar. 2 – 6
Virtual Sessions are 11:00am – 1:30pm CT
In-person classes are 8:00am – 4:30pm		 Dallas, TX
Early Bird Price: Register on or before 12/10/25
Regular Price: Register on or before 1/26/26

 

Course Offering 2: 2026  Register & More Info

Virtual Sessions Week 1Virtual Sessions Week 2Virtual Sessions Week 3In-Person Classroom Week
April 21, 23April 28, 30May 5, May 7May 11 – May 15
Virtual Sessions are 11:00am – 1:30pm CT
In-person classes are 8:00am – 4:30pm		Dallas, TX
Early Bird Price: Register on or before 2/20/26
Regular Price: Register on or before 4/6/26

 

Course Offering 3: 2026  Register & More Info

Virtual Sessions Week 1Virtual Sessions Week 2Virtual Sessions Week 3In-Person Classroom Week
May 26, 28June 2, 4June 9, 11June 15-19
Virtual Sessions are 11:00am – 1:30pm CT
In-person classes are 8:00am – 4:30pm		Exton, PA
Early Bird Price: Register on or before 3/26/26
Regular Price: Register on or before 5/11/26

 

Course Offering 4: 2026  Register & More Info

Virtual Sessions Week 1Virtual Sessions Week 2Virtual Sessions Week 3In-Person Classroom Week
June 30, July 2July 7, 9July 14, 16July 20 – 24
Virtual Sessions are 11:00am – 1:30pm CT
In-person classes are 8:00am – 4:30pm		Dallas, TX
Early Bird Price: Register on or before 4/30/26
Regular Price: Register on or before 6/15/26

 

 

 

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