Format: Instant Access Recorded Webinars
CEUs: Based on 10 contact hours of training (see CEUs tab for details)
Course Description: This 10-hour course is based on the California adopted edition of NFPA 13 ‘Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems’ and covers evaluating the water supply available for the fire sprinkler system and hydraulic calculations. This includes discussing the common formulas for hydraulics and how they are applied to tree, loop and grid systems. Ceiling pockets and sloped ceiling will also be discussed along with the use of full-scale fire testing for performance-based fire sprinkler systems.
Course Modules:
Module 1 - Fire Hydrant Flow Testing and Evaluating Water Supply – 1.5hrs
A key step in fire sprinkler design is to evaluate the available water supply needed to complete hydraulic calculations of water-based fire protection systems. This module will provide in-depth coverage of conducting hydrant flow testing based on NFPA 291 ‘Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants’. Specific emphasis will be given to the need of assessing the reliability of flow test data relative to the potential operating variations in the public utility along with a discussion on the common variables which should be considered. An evaluation process of the collected flow test data will be presented to demonstrate how to assess the need for the installation of a fire pump, water storage tank, break tank, etc.
Module 2 - Hydraulic Calculations Basic Formulas – 1.5hrs
This module will begin with a brief review of the two most common design approaches—area/density and specific application. The formulas associated with each approach will be covered including those for determining sprinkler flow, pressure, and K-factors. The interaction between the formulas will be demonstrated along with how to determine the most efficient system performance including sprinkler type, area of coverage, and orifice size (K-factor). Participants will learn how to use the Hazen-Williams formula along with the impact on hydraulics from pipe type, size, and layout. Formulas for determining equivalent lengths for pipe fittings will also be examined.
Module 3 - Hydraulic Calculations for Tree Systems – 1.5hrs
This module builds upon the Hydraulic Calculations Basic Formulas module to demonstrate conducting hydraulic calculations for a simple tree system. The exercise will include the determination of the required end head pressure, calculation of friction loss using the Hazen Williams formula, inclusion of appropriate fitting equivalent lengths, and the use of equivalent K factors and balancing pressure for a combination of sprinklers and piping. The proper use of hydraulic calculation forms for conducting such calculations will be presented. Finally, a comparison of the calculated demand will be made with the available water supply to demonstrate adequacy of the design.
Module 4 - Hydraulic Calculations for Looped Systems – 1.5hrs
This module builds upon the ‘Hydraulic Calculations Basic Formulas’ and ‘Hydraulic Calculations for Tree Systems’ modules to cover more advanced calculation methods used for looped and gridded systems. This presentation will also discuss velocity pressure calculations and the Darcy-Weisbach formula for friction loss calculation using the Moody diagram. Participants will go through an exercise to demonstrate the concepts involved in these calculation methods and to provide a high-level understanding of their appropriate use in fire sprinkler design.
Module 5 - Sprinkler Protection for Ceiling Pockets, Clouds and Skylights – 1.5hrs
The use of ceiling pockets, ceiling clouds and skylights are increasingly seen in architectural design for commercial facilities. This module focuses on fire sprinkler system design considerations for protecting these elements using standard spray sprinklers. Based on NFPA 13 ‘Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems’, the presenter will discuss where fire sprinkler protection is required as well as sprinkler layout spacing rules for properly protecting these building elements.
Module 6 - Sprinkler Layout and Positioning Under Flat and Sloped Ceilings – 1.5hrs
This module discusses the rules for layout and positioning of fire sprinklers under both flat and sloped ceilings based on NFPA 13 ‘Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems’. Participants will learn the method of calculation for the coverage area per sprinkler along with discussion on how to apply this with maximum allowable coverage area and hydraulic design calculations. A review of the criteria for the allowable coverage area based on the specific occupancy, ceiling construction configuration and type of sprinkler utilized will be presented. Finally, the presenter will discuss the required position and orientation of the sprinkler deflector with respect to the deck above and storage.
Module 7 - Full-Scale Fire Testing for Performance-Based Fire Protection – 1hr
While most fire sprinkler systems are designed using the prescribed requirements found in NFPA 13, the standard allows for alternative arrangements as long as the level of safety is not lowered. Performance-Based is an option that can provide superior performance with a more desirable design. This module provides an overview of utilizing full-scale fire testing consistent with the NFPA standards for Performance-Based fire sprinkler design. Participants will review factors that should be considered and evaluated prior to starting a fire test program. The impact of selected criteria on fire testing will be covered along with the benefits of Performance-Based options. The presentation will also discuss the AHJ approval process and important considerations when using Performance-Based design.
Russ Leavitt, SET, CFPS
Russ Leavitt is the Executive Chairman of Telgian Corporation. With over 36 years of experience, he holds a Level IV certification from NICET in Fire Sprinkler Layout and Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) designation. He is a Board Member and 1st Vice-Chair of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and is the chair of the NFPA 13 Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria technical committee. He also serves on the NFPA 13 Installation committee as well as the NFPA 3, NFPA 4 and NFPA 25 technical committees. Russ conducts seminars internationally on a variety of fire and life safety related subjects and has authored a number of articles and training materials.
Ralph Bless, P.E., SET, CFPS
Ralph Bless has more than 30 years experience in fire protection including a broad range of water based and special hazard system design, code consulting and fire protection engineering services. He has provided services to government, hospitality, warehouse/distribution center, retail, convenience, multi-unit development, multifamily housing, industrial, restaurant, and medical accounts. He is licensed as a Professional Engineer in six states, is a Level IV NICET senior fire sprinkler layout technician and holds several state and national certifications including that of Certified Fire Protection Specialist. Ralph chairs the NFPA technical committee for Record Storage, NFPA 232, and serves as a primary member of the NFPA technical committees for Water Spray Systems, NFPA 15 as well as an alternate member of the NFPA 13 Correlating Committee.
Tracey Bellamy, P.E., CFPS
Tracey Bellamy has more than 25 years’ experience in the fire protection community including all areas of the fire sprinkler industry. He has extensive experience with fire suppression system design, fire hazard analysis and fire protection system inspection and testing. He is licensed as a Professional Engineer in 49 U.S. states, District of Columbia and Guam and a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS). He serves on several NFPA technical and correlating committees including NFPA 13, 15, 16, 25, 30, 30B, 101 and 5000 (building code). Tracey is a member of ASCE, NFPA, and SFPE.
Continuing Education (see details under Certificate section below)
- CAL FIRE - CEU Approved for 1.0 CEU
- International Code Council - ICC Approved for 1.0 CEU
- NICET Continuing Professional Development
- Pennsylvania UCC Approved Continuing Education Provider
- Texas Commission on Fire Protection Continuing Education
Certificate of Completion:
- Each participant registered, attending the full live training webinar or viewing the post-live recorded on-demand webinar will receive a Certificate of Completion (you must be registered under your name to receive a certificate, one certificate per registered participant). This certificate will include the participants name, training subject, date, number of training hours completed and the Fire Smarts name, address and phone number.
- Certificates will comply with CAL FIRE CEU requirements for CAL FIRE approved training courses per Title 19. Fire Smarts is a CAL FIRE approved provider for this training course which may be used towards California certified sprinkler fitter continuing education requirements that include completing 30 hours every three years to maintain the state certification (Section 946). CAL FIRE CEU’s are assigned based on 0.1 CEU per training contact hour. Learn more about CAL FIRE licenses and registration at https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/govmotus-fire
- Certificates will comply with International Code Council (ICC) CEU requirements for ICC approved training courses. Fire Smarts is an approved training provider of the ICC. ICC CEU’s are assigned based on 0.1 CEU per training contact hour.
- Certificates can be used as supporting documentation for CPD points required for NICET certification. This applies to the “Additional Education” section of NICET Policy #30 on Continuing Professional Development that allows for CPD points for education to advance, broaden and enhance technical knowledge and job skills.
- Certificates can be used as supporting documentation for credit hours required for re-certification as part of the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) program. Continuing education credit is determined as one credit per training contact hour.
- Certificates can be used as supporting documentation for continuing education (CE) hours for Texas Commission on Fire Protection certifications. Fire Smarts is a continuing education source under "Nationally Recognized Training Providers”. Continuing education hours are determined as one CE hour per training contact hour.
Webinar Training
This webinar is presented online in a directing and discussion style of teaching. A clear and detailed presentation of the content is given with the aid of PowerPoint presentation slides. Participant questions are encouraged to facilitate understanding and practical application exercises will be given where applicable to the content.
