Sprinkler Fitter Apprentice Training
Live Virtual Instruction Program

Member Pricing

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

$2,425

$425 enrollment fee plus $2,000 tuition
per level

On or before August 4, 2023

Nonmember Price $3,225

REGULAR REGISTRATION

$2,475

$475 enrollment fee plus $2,000 tuition
per level

August 5- September 8, 2023

Nonmember Price $3,275

LATE REGISTRATION

$2,550

$550 enrollment fee plus $2,000 tuition
per level

September 9 –  October 16, 2023

Nonmember Price $3,350

Non-Member tuition is $2,800 per course. The enrollment Fee Includes all materials and proctored online testing.

Overview

AFSA now offers a virtual instruction program (VIP) for the apprentice curriculum. The Sprinkler Fitting curriculum is now in its 4th edition. This version correlates with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 2019 edition. These textbook materials are produced through a partnership between AFSA and NCCER.

Each level provides ten months of education to accompany the On-The-Job Learning (OJL) conducted by the employer. The education includes the Sprinkler Fitting textbooks, two live monthly sessions, performance tasks to reinforce the modules, self-study components, and assessments.

The live lessons are instructed by AFSA staff and subject matter experts. Each session will run for 2 hours and includes time for discussion. Lessons will be delivered twice each scheduled day to accommodate multiple time zones. A calendar will be provided with registration that contains specific dates. Participants are required to attend the live sessions.

Fitter Hanging Pipe

Performance tasks are the execution of items that correspond to the lesson. This reinforcement increases the learning and retention of participants. The tasks are verified by the supervisor (employer) designated during VIP registration. These tasks must be finished to complete the level.

During the self-study portion, the apprentice is expected to read the accompanying sections that support the lesson and review any add-on resources, such as videos or articles that have been provided. The text provides questions with each module to help guide the apprentice and ensure key concepts are absorbed.

Also included are assessments via the learning management system. For Level 1 and Level 2, there will be one exam per module. For Levels 3 and 4, the number of assessments will be reduced from those corresponding to the 3rd edition of the textbooks, but for subjects that warrant it, there may be more than one exam per module. In addition, the testing will be virtually proctored, which adds strength to the quality of the education program.

VIP Live Training Schedule Level 1 - 2023

LessonDateRelated
Module#
SubjectsPerformance TasksTime (min)
109/19/2300100
18101
00101
Course Introduction and Basic Safety:
• Future with construction industry
• Introduction to the fire sprinkler industry
• Benefits of safety and reducing hazards
Course Introduction:
No task for this lesson

120
210/3/2300101Basic Safety:
• Importance of safety
• Common construction hazards
• Best practices for safety
Basic Safety:
• Properly set up and climb/descend an extension ladder
• Inspect PPE items and determine if they are safe to use
• Properly don, fit, and remove PPE items
• Inspect a typical power cord and GFCI to ensure their serviceability
120
310/17/2300102Construction Math:
• Whole and fractional numbers
• Tools for measuring lengths
• Units
Construction Math:
• Using a measuring tape in both English and metric units:
o Measure lumber pieces
o Measure a room-sized space
o Determine a short inside measurement
• Add English measurements that include fractions
120
411/7/2300103Hand Tools:
• Introduction to common manual construction tools
• Review of manual tools most common for sprinkler fitters
Hand Tools:
• Inspect and demonstrate safe and proper use of the following hand tools:
o Hammers, demolition tools, chisels and punches, screwdrivers, adjustable wrenches, non-adjustable wrenches, etc.
120
511/21/2300104Power Tools:
• Drills, wrenches, and saws
• Tools best suited for different tasks
Power Tools:
• Demonstrate the use of the following tools:
o Electric drill, hammer drill, circular saw, jigsaw, reciprocating saw, portable band saw, etc.
120
12/3/23Supervisor Confirmation Form Due Lessons 1-5
612/5/2300105Construction Drawings:
• Different types of drawings
• Scales, symbols, and elements
Construction Drawings:
• Using the provided plans:
o Locate the noted items
o Measure the specific rooms and features
o Use an architect’s scale
120
712/19/2300106Rigging and Material Handling:
• Use of rigging equipment
• Safety precautions for material handling
• Review equipment for material handling
Basic Rigging:
• Demonstrate the proper ASME Emergency Stop hand signal.
• Demonstrate the ability to report the load capacity of a sling, and if the sling is too damaged to use.
120
801/09/2400107
00108
Communication and Employability Skills
• Improve communication skills
• Using critical thinking
Communication and Employability Skills
• Perform a given task following oral instructions.
• Fill out a work-related form provided by the instructor.
• Read and interpret a set of instructions for properly donning a safety harness and then instruct another person on how to don the harness.
120
901/23/2418109Material Handling:
• Safety precautions for material handling
• Review equipment for material handling
Material Handling:
• Demonstrate safe manual lifting techniques.
• Demonstrate how to tie two of the following common knots: square, bowline, half hitch, or clove hitch.
120
1002/6/2418101The Sprinkler Industry
• Occupational overview
• Begin identification of sprinklers and systems
• Apprenticeship requirements
The Sprinkler Industry
No tasks for this lesson.
120
02/18/24Supervisor Confirmation Form Due – Lessons 6-10
1102/20/2418102Components and Systems
• Valves for fire sprinkler systems
• Introduction to fire pumps
Components and Systems
No tasks for this lesson.
120
1203/5/2418102Components and Systems
• Valves for fire sprinkler systems
• Introduction to fire pumps
Components and Systems
No tasks for this lesson.
120
1303/19/2418103Steel Pipe
• Identify different steel pipes and their standards
• Methods of joining
Steel Pipe
• Identify different steel pipes and applications
• Cut and ream pipe.
• Groove pipe and install grooved fittings.
120
1404/2/2418103Steel Pipe
• Details of flanged and plain-end fittings
• Reviewing applications
Steel Pipe
• Thread pipe and install threaded fittings.
• Install flanged fittings.
120
1504/16/2418104CPVC Pipe
• Characteristics of CPVC
• Joining methods
CPVC Pipe
• Characteristics of CPVC
• Joining methods
120
5/5/24Supervisor Confirmation Form Due – Lessons 11-15
1605/7/2418105Copper Tube
• Identify different copper tubes and their standards
• Methods of joining
Copper Tube
• Identify different copper tubes and their standards
• Methods of joining
120
175/21/2418103
18104
18105
Piping
• Reinforcement and comparison of piping materials
• Uses for different materials
Piping
• Reinforcement and comparison of piping materials
• Uses for different materials
120
186/4/2418102
00105
Components and Drawings
• Reinforcement and connection for system components and drawing
Components and Drawings
• Reinforcement and connection for system components and drawing
120
196/18/2418106Underground Pipe
• Safety guidelines
• Piping and components
Underground Pipe
• Safety guidelines
• Piping and components
120
207/2/2418106Underground Pipe
• Support and restraining systems
• Trenches
• Testing requirements
Underground Pipe
• Support and restraining systems
• Trenches
• Testing requirements
120
7/15/24Supervisor Confirmation Form Due – Lessons 16-20

Curriculum