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
The Beginning Design School presents a comprehensive, practical approach to preparing fire sprinkler system drawings. Over a three-week period, students will attend six live webinars studying and reviewing the installation and design approach requirements of NFPA 13 (2022) while completing self-paced exercises and module assessments. Q&A sessions and open discussions will also be included as part of the online instruction. The second part of the class will be a week of in-person training, preparing fire sprinkler system layout, shop drawings, and hydraulic calculations by hand. The course concludes with a comprehensive exam of the class content including the installation requirements and hydraulics. There is no CAD or third-party software taught in this class.
Learning Objectives:
The school will prepare the student to:
- Accelerate the comprehension of plans and various types of building construction for proper sprinkler spacing applications.
- Determine the proper sprinkler system layout and installation requirements and methods.
- Interpret sprinkler specifications, plans (shop drawings), manufacturer’s technical data sheets, and flow tests.
- Identify sprinkler types, system types, pipe types, hangers, fittings, system components, etc.
- Explain the coordination with other trades — plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and structural.
- Prepare hand sprinkler drawings and hydraulic calculations and identify the hydraulic inputs to explain computer outputs.
Prerequisites:
This class is designed for trainees and entry-level technicians with at least six months experience as well as those with experience in the sprinkler trade looking to make the transition to system layout.
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
Traditional Schedule:
Day 1:
- Introduction
- Knowledge Assessment
- Properties of Fire
- Codes and Standards
- Hazard Classification
- Water Supplies
Day 2:
- Underground
- Characteristics of a Sprinkler
- System Components
- System Types
Day 3:
- Types of Construction
- Sprinkler Installation – General
- Sprinkler Installation – SSU/SSP
- Sprinkler Installation – Sidewall
Day 4:
- Sprinkler Installation – EC P/U
- Sprinkler Installation – EC Sidewall
- Sprinkler Installation – Residential
- Installation of System Components
- Hangers
Day 5:
- Design Approaches
Day 6:
- Hydraulic Calculations (Principles)
- Hydraulic Calculations (Remote Area, Nodes, and Flow Paths)
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 experience as well as those with experience in the sprinkler trade looking to make the transition to system layout.
Pricing
Member Price:
Early Bird $2,560; Regular $2,800
Nonmember Price:
Early Bird $3,660; Regular $3,900
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Scholarship Program
Prerequisites
This class is designed for trainees and entry-level technicians with at least six months experience as well as those with experience in the sprinkler trade looking to make the transition to system layout.
Schedule / Enroll
Course Offering 2: 2025 Closed
| Virtual Sessions Week 1 | Virtual Sessions Week 2 | Virtual Sessions Week 3 | In-Person Classroom Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 22, 24 | April 29, May 1 | May 6, May 8 | May 12 – May 16 |
| Virtual Sessions are 11:00am – 1:30pm CT In-person classes are 8:00am – 4:30pm | |||
| Early Bird Price: Register on or before 2/21/25 Regular Price: Register on or before 4/11/25 | |||
Course Offering 3: 2025 Enroll
| Virtual Sessions Week 1 | Virtual Sessions Week 2 | Virtual Sessions Week 3 | In-Person Classroom Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 24, June 26 | July 1, July 3 | July 8, July 10 | July 14-18 |
| Virtual Sessions are 11:00am – 1:30pm CT In-person classes are 8:00am – 4:30pm | |||
| Early Bird Price: Register on or before 4/24/25 Regular Price: Register on or before 6/9/25 |
Course Offering 4: 2025 Enroll
| Virtual Sessions Week 1 | Virtual Sessions Week 2 | Virtual Sessions Week 3 | In-Person Classroom Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 9, 11 | September 16, 18 | September 23, 25 | Sept. 29 – Oct. 3 |
| Virtual Sessions are 11:00am – 1:30pm CT In-person classes are 8:00am – 4:30pm | |||
| Early Bird Price: Register on or before 7/9/25 Regular Price: Register on or before 8/25/25 |
Course Offering 5: 2025 Enroll
| Virtual Sessions Week 1 | Virtual Sessions Week 2 | In-Person Classroom Week |
|---|---|---|
| November 17, 19, 21 | December 1, 3, 5 | December 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 |