NFSA Course Catalog

NFPA 13 suggests adjusting water supply data used in sprinkler demand calculations as appropriate but making too large an adjustment can ultimately create just as many problems as making one that is too small.  This presentation summarizes some of the factors that should be considered for assessing adjustments as well as potential negative consequences of adjusting water supply data too aggressively.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org. 

Fixed Water Spray Systems is specialized water-based fire protection systems that is very different then the more familiar NFPA 13 type fire sprinkler systems. NFPA 15, The Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection, provides the minimum requirements for the design, installation and acceptance testing of this important tool in the active fire protection arsenal. Along with NFPA 25, this standard also outlines the ITM requirements of these systems.  NFPA 15 is not a new standard and was first adopted in 1940, however many of us in the industry do not have more than a cursory understanding of these systems.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org.

A new standard is being developed to provide design and installation requirements for hanging, bracing and anchorage of fire suppression systems. The webinar will identify why the standard is being developed, how it will incorporate requirements for sprinklers systems, and the intended inter-relationship with NFPA 13 and related documents. This webinar will discuss the proposed structure for the document, and the proposed process. 

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org. 

Water-based fire protection systems need a reliable source of water. Stored water is a common and acceptable type of water supply for these systems. NFPA 22 is the Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection. This document describes the minimum requirements of the various types of tanks used for fire protection including gravity tanks, suction tanks, pressure tanks and break tanks. This seminar will highlight the requirements of this standard and will include valuable information on the various aspects of water tanks design and installation including: tank capacity, acceptable tank material, tank heating, pipe connections and fitting as well as acceptance test requirements and inspection testing and maintenance of water tanks.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org. 

There have been many recent large wood frame building fires in buildings under construction. In response, NFPA provided a research report in 2020 on the topic and changed NFPA 241 from a 6-year to a 3-year cycle. The NFSA Engineering & Standards committee worked directly with the NFPA 241 committee on many revisions for the 2022 edition to address the concerns of the sprinkler industry, and this webinar will explore all of the updates to appear in the 2022 edition, being released in the fall 2021. Participants should enter with a basic understanding of building codes and NFPA installation standards    

Learning Outcomes: By the end of the program, the participant will be able to:  

1. Identify the common causes and loss history of construction fires.  

1. Understand the concerns for relative to temporary systems during construction.  

1. Interpret the new sprinkler, standpipe, and fire pump requirements of the 2022 edition of NFPA 241.  

1. Identify how temporary sprinkler, standpipe, and fire pumps can be used during construction as outlined by the 2022 edition 

If you purchase this class within 24 hours of the class start time, the class will not be available for the LIVE presentation. The recorded version will be available in your account following the processing period.

Water-based fire protection systems rely on a reliable source of water and the municipal water system is a common source of this water. The characteristics of a municipal water supply is typically determined through hydrant flow tests. NFPA 291, Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants, highlights the proper procedures, equipment and data collection for these vital tests. This seminar will highlight the requirements of this recommended practice and will include valuable information on the various aspects of hydrant flow testing including: Procedures, Test Layout, Equipment and Determination of Discharge as well as proper data collection and limitations of the tested data.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org

While NFPA 13-2019 extracts several sprinkler requirements for the protection of information technology equipment in section 26.14, it is important to understand the context of the standard where it came from.  NFPA 75, Standard for the Fire Protection of Information Technology Equipment, provides the full scope and requirements to protect ITE equipment from damage from the various byproducts of fire and discharge from the sprinkler system.  From a fire risk assessment to prescriptive requirements, this course will outline the unique requirements and applications of this standard as it pertains to the fire sprinkler industry.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org. 

Seeing fires at the Notre Dame, Brazil’s National Museum and other historical/culturally significant properties is devastating to say the least. NFPA 909 provides protection requirements for museums, libraries and other cultural properties in a wholistic manner. The document requires fire prevention, active fire protection systems, passive fire protection features, and considerations for resiliency and salvage planning. When applied, it imposes additional requirements for water-based fire protection systems beyond what is typically required by building and fire codes which impact cost and schedule. Fire protection contractors need to function as part of the team assembled by the facility operators. Understanding roles and responsibilities is necessary to manage expectations. Communicating effectively will ensure successful projects in these facilities. This webinar will discuss issues effecting fire protection contractors working in these types of facilities.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org. 

Buildings under construction pose special challenges for fire protection. This presentation will examine the requirements of NFPA 241 Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations and IBC Chapter 33 Safeguards During Construction.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org. 

Information on insulation practices for sprinkler system installations is very limited in the three NFPA sprinkler standards (13, 13R, and 13D). This Tech Tuesday will review the content of a white paper under development by the NFSA’s Insulation Task Group, which has representatives of the sprinkler industry as well as the insulation industry. Specifically, the different types and methods of insulation used, design criteria developed through mathematical models and historical data will be explained. Common shortfalls encountered during installation along with common failures will be illustrated, along with possible recommendations on how to avoid them. In addition, alternative methods, such as use of antifreeze, dry pipe sprinkler systems, heat tracing, or combinations of options will be highlighted.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org.

This hour-long webinar will be a crash course on seismic design.  This brief overview will touch on all of the basic requirements for seismic and its general application.  Participants are encouraged to take “Seismic Protection of Fire Sprinkler Systems” offered by NFSA’s Training Department which contains in depth lecture, videos, and in-class exercises.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org

As part of the 2018 NFPA code cycle, two documents are changing in ways that will impact the way you do business. First, NFPA 3, Recommended Practice for Commissioning of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems will become a standard. Both NFPA 3 and NFPA 4, Standard for Integrated Fire Protection and Life Safety System Testing are being incorporated through reference into the International Building Code, NPFA 101, Life Safety Code and NFPA 5000, the Building Construction and Safety Code. The important changes impacting how sprinkler systems are commissioned will be discussed as NFPA 3 becomes a standard. What will you need to do that you aren’t doing now? How will this impact cost and time? The important changes impacting integrated testing will be discussed as NFPA 4 becomes more widely used. Will every sprinkler system supervised by a fire alarm system require integrated testing plans and written procedures? These important topics will be discussed.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org. 

Department of Defense (DoD) projects can be challenging by their very nature. Having to apply Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) concurrent with NFPA requirements can complicate matters if not properly implemented. The UFC imposes many requirements that are more restrictive than those found in NFPA standards. However, locating the requirements is not always simple. Understanding where and how to find UFC requirements, and how to integrate these requirements with those of NFPA standards is paramount for a successful project. The impact of not knowing these things can be costly in terms of time, money and reputation. This presentation will explain how the UFC and NFPA requirements can be used effectively to maintain profit and complete fire protection system projects on time without surprises.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org. 

Building codes reference installation standards and while layout technicians and contractors know the installation standards well, there are numerous building code rules that affect layout and system design. This course highlights changes to the 2015 and 2018 International Building Code, International Fire Code and NFPA’s Life Safety Code as it relates to the fire sprinkler contractor.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org.

Many times NFPA model codes borrow or extract text from an installation standard and insert into a model code. Extracted text allows rules to be enforced uniformly in a code from the standard.  Users of NFPA 1 or NFPA 101 will often see extracted text from NFPA 13, NFPA 14 or NFPA 25. A user of NFPA 13 will also notice extracts from other codes and standards. This course will highlight where the NFPA model codes (NFPA 1, NFPA 101, NFPA 5000) extract fire sprinkler installation or maintenance requirements (NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, NFPA 25, etc) and where potential conflicts or differences exist.

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process.  To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org. 

The 2018 edition of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, is adopted worldwide. This seminar will update the fire sprinkler industry on changes that affect how the NFPA 101 is interpreted and applied. Automatic fire sprinkler systems provide material, egress and economic benefits in the model life safety and building codes. When codes change, it impacts how design, bidding, installation and management is applied to every project. This seminar will present the code changes that are important to the fire sprinkler industry with detailed discussion on the reasons for the updates. 

Online classes take approximately 24 hours to process. To access your online training classes, following the processing period, log in to your NFSA account and select "Online Training" from the top menu options.  If you have any questions regarding online training, please contact onlinetraining@nfsa.org. 

Designing and installing sprinkler systems requires review and compliance with both the International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA installation standards.  We will review the sprinkler, fire department connection, and fire pump installation requirements located in chapter 9 of the 2021 edition of the IBC and compare them to the requirements found in the applicable NFPA installation standards including 13, 14, and 20.  It is important to understand the regulatory matrix and hierarchy of codes and standards when evaluating additional and/or conflicting installation requirements.  There are differences between the building code and installation standard requirements that must be understood to ensure compliance with both documents.    

This seminar is important for the fire sprinkler industry, architectural community, and for code officials as they