NFSA Calendar

This interactive seminar will provide an introduction to the various types of water-based fire protection systems as well as an in-depth exploration of the codes, standards, and other documents that are used during the inspection and testing process.

24 CEU’s (24 NICET CPD’s)

If you have team members desiring to inspect water-based systems and have not yet obtained certification this class will prepare them to take either NICET exam or *Academy Certification Exam (offered at location on day four)

*Waterbased Inspector Testing to be provided on day FOUR through Academy Certification Exams

You MUST register for the Exam at Academy website: www.academyexams.com

Estimating and Proposals for Fire Sprinkler Installation Projects – Mike Joanis

Approvals: NICET, ICC (PPP# 30489)  

The first step in a successful fire sprinkler installation is building an accurate cost estimate for bid purposes. This course highlights the process of estimating costs associated with a fire sprinkler installation project and ultimately submitting a bid that is competitive and considers all applicable conditions for a specific project.    

Participants will learn to: 

• Outline the process of estimating sprinkler system installation costs. 
• Explore methods of obtaining required information. 
• Deconstruct the general scope of work, including type of system, work, and applicable codes and standards (Appraising Request for Proposal). 
• Analyze and interpret architectural plans.  
• Analyze and interpret civil plans.  
• Organize and define necessary proposal variables.  
• Describe the methods for evaluating water supply and demand.  
• Examine methods for calculating associated costs.  
• Construct a detailed proposal for a sprinkler installation project.  

Michael Joanis, PE - Director of Contractor Services and Chief Engineer at the NFSA. Mike joined the NFSA staff in 2020 with 28 years of experience as consulting engineer and sprinkler contractor. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park and has been a registered professional engineer in several states since 1996. He is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and six NFPA technical committees including Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria, Hanging and Bracing, and Fire Pumps. Michael is also a licensed sprinkler & special hazards contractor and serves as the NFSA staff liaison for the Contractors Council, Quality Assurance Committee, and UL/FM Committee. 

Project Leadership – A Fire Protection Specific Course - Jerry Allen

Approvals: NICET, ICC (PPP# 38863)  

Are you tired of margin erosion, upset customers, and frustrated team members? Improve your desired project outcomes in this three-day immersive single owner project manager course. You will have the opportunity to learn through lectures, table discussions, breakout sessions, and an interactive course book. You can find other courses that teach the fundamentals of project management, but this course offers a Fire Protection Industry specific option.  

Participants will learn to: 

• Take ownership of the success of their projects 
• Develop customer loyalty. 
• Build a successful project team. 
• Learn project financials and how to improve costs. 
• Pre-plan projects for desired project outcomes. 
• Understand the importance of positive cashflow. 
• Identify and successfully manage change orders. 

Jerry Allen is the founder and CEO of Keep it Simple Consulting. Jerry is passionate about providing leadership development and project management training to the Fire Protection Industry. Jerry believes that companies that invest in leadership development create a competitive advantage with customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction. Jerry believes, “People don’t quit companies; they quit bosses.” 

Jerry has over 30 years of experience in the industry. Starting as a design trainee in 1990, Jerry has grown up in fire protection, serving businesses as a designer, project manager, estimator, salesman, department manager, branch manager, and president/CEO. Jerry is a natural storyteller who loves to share his successes and failures to help others along their journey. 

Jerry’s purpose statement, “I will leave a long-lasting legacy through serving and investing in others with passion and grace while continuing to develop and challenge myself.” 

Course Schedule

November 18: ½ day PM - Estimating - Joanis 

November 19 All day - Estimating 

November 20: ½ day AM - Estimating  

November 20 ½ day PM - Project Leadership - Allen  

November 21: All day - Project Leadership  

November 22: ½ day AM - Project Leadership  

Who Should Attend: 

• Project Managers 
• Field Superintendents 
• Designers 
• Sales 
• Field Foreman 
• Department Managers 

• Branch Managers  

   

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 11/14/2024

Member Price: $150 / $200

Non-member Price: $350 / $400

Learn more about NFSA membership

Price:

Registration with NFPA Standard:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 11/21/2024

Member Price: $450 / $500

Non-member Price: $900 / $950

Learn more about NFSA membership

This two-course series is designed for anyone new to the fire protection industry, or anyone who is simply trying to learn more and advance their career, such as designers, estimators, and sales professionals. Purchased as a single transaction, students are enrolled in Layout Technician: Fundamentals, a series of self-paced On Demand Training modules and an upcoming instructor-led Layout Technician: Application course.

Students with basic knowledge of math, physical science, and drafting skills will learn basic sprinkler layout and detailing technician skills. All of the work elements necessary for NICET Level II Certification will be covered by the course including sprinkler selection, sprinkler spacing and location, obstructions to sprinklers, water supplies (public mains, tanks, and pumps), hydraulic calculation of sprinkler systems, and standpipe system layout, and calculation.
 

Layout Technician: Fundamentals (LTF) – A series of On Demand Training modules with instructor office hours, intervention, and support.

• These modules focus on the various core concepts necessary to understand and function as a Layout Technician in the 21st century. Learners explore content as simple as parts of a sprinkler using advanced 3D technology, up through and including carefully instructed hydraulic calculations – all while developing the soft skills necessary to overcome design challenges with the codes and standards in hand.
• The Layout Technician: Fundamentals course is available to enrolled students about 8 weeks in advance of the Layout Technician: Application course.
• Successful completion of Layout Technician: Fundamentals is a prerequisite to attending the Layout Technician: Application course.

Layout Technician: Application (LTA) - The instructor-led course is offered at locations across the US, with virtual options available. The choice is entirely yours!

• A 3-day instructor-led course that applies the content learned in the Layout Technician: Fundamentals course. Using project-based learning, students apply their knowledge of fire sprinkler layout concepts to a legitimate plan, learning through problem solving, research, and simply doing.

Registration closes 4 weeks prior to the start of the in-person session

Schedule:

1/13/25: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

1/14/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

1/15/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

1/16/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 12/27/2024

Member Price: $2,200 / $2,250

Non-member Price: $4,400 / $4,450 

Learn more about NFSA membership

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 1/17/2025

Member Price: $300 / $350

Non-member Price: $400 / $450

Learn more about NFSA membership

Estimating and Proposals for Fire Sprinkler Installation Projects – Mike Joanis

Approvals: NICET, ICC (PPP# 30489)  

The first step in a successful fire sprinkler installation is building an accurate cost estimate for bid purposes. This course highlights the process of estimating costs associated with a fire sprinkler installation project and ultimately submitting a bid that is competitive and considers all applicable conditions for a specific project.    

Participants will learn to: 

• Outline the process of estimating sprinkler system installation costs. 
• Explore methods of obtaining required information. 
• Deconstruct the general scope of work, including type of system, work, and applicable codes and standards (Appraising Request for Proposal). 
• Analyze and interpret architectural plans.  
• Analyze and interpret civil plans.  
• Organize and define necessary proposal variables.  
• Describe the methods for evaluating water supply and demand.  
• Examine methods for calculating associated costs.  
• Construct a detailed proposal for a sprinkler installation project.  

Michael Joanis, PE - Director of Contractor Services and Chief Engineer at the NFSA. Mike joined the NFSA staff in 2020 with 28 years of experience as consulting engineer and sprinkler contractor. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park and has been a registered professional engineer in several states since 1996. He is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and six NFPA technical committees including Sprinkler System Discharge Criteria, Hanging and Bracing, and Fire Pumps. Michael is also a licensed sprinkler & special hazards contractor and serves as the NFSA staff liaison for the Contractors Council, Quality Assurance Committee, and UL/FM Committee. 

Project Leadership – A Fire Protection Specific Course - Jerry Allen

Approvals: NICET, ICC (PPP# 38863)  

Are you tired of margin erosion, upset customers, and frustrated team members? Improve your desired project outcomes in this three-day immersive single owner project manager course. You will have the opportunity to learn through lectures, table discussions, breakout sessions, and an interactive course book. You can find other courses that teach the fundamentals of project management, but this course offers a Fire Protection Industry specific option.  

Participants will learn to: 

• Take ownership of the success of their projects 
• Develop customer loyalty. 
• Build a successful project team. 
• Learn project financials and how to improve costs. 
• Pre-plan projects for desired project outcomes. 
• Understand the importance of positive cashflow. 
• Identify and successfully manage change orders. 

Jerry Allen is the founder and CEO of Keep it Simple Consulting. Jerry is passionate about providing leadership development and project management training to the Fire Protection Industry. Jerry believes that companies that invest in leadership development create a competitive advantage with customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction. Jerry believes, “People don’t quit companies; they quit bosses.” 

Jerry has over 30 years of experience in the industry. Starting as a design trainee in 1990, Jerry has grown up in fire protection, serving businesses as a designer, project manager, estimator, salesman, department manager, branch manager, and president/CEO. Jerry is a natural storyteller who loves to share his successes and failures to help others along their journey. 

Jerry’s purpose statement, “I will leave a long-lasting legacy through serving and investing in others with passion and grace while continuing to develop and challenge myself.” 

Course Schedule:

Day 1: ½ day PM - Estimating - Joanis 

Day 2: All day - Estimating 

Day 3: ½ day AM - Estimating  

Day 4: ½ day PM - Project Leadership - Allen  

Day 5: All day - Project Leadership  

Day 6: ½ day AM - Project Leadership  

Who Should Attend: 

• Project Managers 
• Field Superintendents 
• Designers 
• Sales 
• Field Foreman 
• Department Managers 
• Branch Managers  

Pricing: Bundle Only

Non-member Early Bird: $4,000

Non-member after 1/13/2025: $4,400

Member Early Bird: $2,000

Member after 1/13/2025: $2,200

This two-course series is designed for anyone new to the fire protection industry, or anyone who is simply trying to learn more and advance their career, such as designers, estimators, and sales professionals. Purchased as a single transaction, students are enrolled in Layout Technician: Fundamentals, a series of self-paced On Demand Training modules and an upcoming instructor-led Layout Technician: Application course.

Students with basic knowledge of math, physical science, and drafting skills will learn basic sprinkler layout and detailing technician skills. All of the work elements necessary for NICET Level II Certification will be covered by the course including sprinkler selection, sprinkler spacing and location, obstructions to sprinklers, water supplies (public mains, tanks, and pumps), hydraulic calculation of sprinkler systems, and standpipe system layout, and calculation.
 

Layout Technician: Fundamentals (LTF) – A series of On Demand Training modules with instructor office hours, intervention, and support.

• These modules focus on the various core concepts necessary to understand and function as a Layout Technician in the 21st century. Learners explore content as simple as parts of a sprinkler using advanced 3D technology, up through and including carefully instructed hydraulic calculations – all while developing the soft skills necessary to overcome design challenges with the codes and standards in hand.
• The Layout Technician: Fundamentals course is available to enrolled students about 8 weeks in advance of the Layout Technician: Application course.
• Successful completion of Layout Technician: Fundamentals is a prerequisite to attending the Layout Technician: Application course.

Layout Technician: Application (LTA) - This instructor-led course is offered virtually.

• A 3-day instructor-led course that applies the content learned in the Layout Technician: Fundamentals course. Using project-based learning, students apply their knowledge of fire sprinkler layout concepts to a legitimate plan, learning through problem solving, research, and simply doing.

Pricing:

Early bird / Standard

Member Price: $2,200.00 /$2,250.00

Non-member Price: $4,400.00 / $4,450.00

Learn more about NFSA membership

Registration Closes - 4 weeks prior to the start of the Applications course start

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 3/28/2025

Member Price: $200 / $250

Non-member Price: $400 / $450

Learn more about NFSA membership

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 3/28/2025

Member Price: $150 / $200

Non-member Price: $400 / $350

Learn more about NFSA membership

This two-course series is designed for anyone new to the fire protection industry, or anyone who is simply trying to learn more and advance their career, such as designers, estimators, and sales professionals. Purchased as a single transaction, students are enrolled in Layout Technician: Fundamentals, a series of self-paced On Demand Training modules and an upcoming instructor-led Layout Technician: Application course.

Students with basic knowledge of math, physical science, and drafting skills will learn basic sprinkler layout and detailing technician skills. All of the work elements necessary for NICET Level II Certification will be covered by the course including sprinkler selection, sprinkler spacing and location, obstructions to sprinklers, water supplies (public mains, tanks, and pumps), hydraulic calculation of sprinkler systems, and standpipe system layout, and calculation.
 

Layout Technician: Fundamentals (LTF) – A series of On Demand Training modules with instructor office hours, intervention, and support.

• These modules focus on the various core concepts necessary to understand and function as a Layout Technician in the 21st century. Learners explore content as simple as parts of a sprinkler using advanced 3D technology, up through and including carefully instructed hydraulic calculations – all while developing the soft skills necessary to overcome design challenges with the codes and standards in hand.
• The Layout Technician: Fundamentals course is available to enrolled students about 8 weeks in advance of the Layout Technician: Application course.
• Successful completion of Layout Technician: Fundamentals is a prerequisite to attending the Layout Technician: Application course.

Layout Technician: Application (LTA) - The instructor-led course is offered at locations across the US, with virtual options available. The choice is entirely yours!

• A 3-day instructor-led course that applies the content learned in the Layout Technician: Fundamentals course. Using project-based learning, students apply their knowledge of fire sprinkler layout concepts to a legitimate plan, learning through problem solving, research, and simply doing.

Registration closes 4 weeks prior to the start of the in-person session

Schedule:

5/19/25: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

5/20/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

5/21/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

5/22/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 5/1/2025

Member Price: $2,200 / $2,250

Non-member Price: $4,400 / $4,450 

Learn more about NFSA membership

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 6/26/2025

Member Price: $200 /$250

Non-member Price: $400 / $450

Learn more about NFSA membership

This two-course series is designed for anyone new to the fire protection industry, or anyone who is simply trying to learn more and advance their career, such as designers, estimators, and sales professionals. Purchased as a single transaction, students are enrolled in Layout Technician: Fundamentals, a series of self-paced On Demand Training modules and an upcoming instructor-led Layout Technician: Application course.

Students with basic knowledge of math, physical science, and drafting skills will learn basic sprinkler layout and detailing technician skills. All of the work elements necessary for NICET Level II Certification will be covered by the course including sprinkler selection, sprinkler spacing and location, obstructions to sprinklers, water supplies (public mains, tanks, and pumps), hydraulic calculation of sprinkler systems, and standpipe system layout, and calculation.
 

Layout Technician: Fundamentals (LTF) – A series of On Demand Training modules with instructor office hours, intervention, and support.

• These modules focus on the various core concepts necessary to understand and function as a Layout Technician in the 21st century. Learners explore content as simple as parts of a sprinkler using advanced 3D technology, up through and including carefully instructed hydraulic calculations – all while developing the soft skills necessary to overcome design challenges with the codes and standards in hand.
• The Layout Technician: Fundamentals course is available to enrolled students about 8 weeks in advance of the Layout Technician: Application course.
• Successful completion of Layout Technician: Fundamentals is a prerequisite to attending the Layout Technician: Application course.

Layout Technician: Application (LTA) - The instructor-led course is offered at locations across the US, with virtual options available. The choice is entirely yours!

• A 3-day instructor-led course that applies the content learned in the Layout Technician: Fundamentals course. Using project-based learning, students apply their knowledge of fire sprinkler layout concepts to a legitimate plan, learning through problem solving, research, and simply doing.

Registration closes 4 weeks prior to the start of the in-person session

Schedule:

9/8/25: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

9/9/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

9/10/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

9/11/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 8/21/2025

Member Price: $2,200 / $2,250

Non-member Price: $4,400 / $4,450 

Learn more about NFSA membership

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 9/25/2025

Member Price: $150 / $200

Non-member Price: $300 / $350

Learn more about NFSA membership

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 9/18/2025

Member Price: $200 / $250

Non-member Price: $400 / $450

Learn more about NFSA membership

This two-course series is designed for anyone new to the fire protection industry, or anyone who is simply trying to learn more and advance their career, such as designers, estimators, and sales professionals. Purchased as a single transaction, students are enrolled in Layout Technician: Fundamentals, a series of self-paced On Demand Training modules and an upcoming instructor-led Layout Technician: Application course.

Students with basic knowledge of math, physical science, and drafting skills will learn basic sprinkler layout and detailing technician skills. All of the work elements necessary for NICET Level II Certification will be covered by the course including sprinkler selection, sprinkler spacing and location, obstructions to sprinklers, water supplies (public mains, tanks, and pumps), hydraulic calculation of sprinkler systems, and standpipe system layout, and calculation.
 

Layout Technician: Fundamentals (LTF) – A series of On Demand Training modules with instructor office hours, intervention, and support.

• These modules focus on the various core concepts necessary to understand and function as a Layout Technician in the 21st century. Learners explore content as simple as parts of a sprinkler using advanced 3D technology, up through and including carefully instructed hydraulic calculations – all while developing the soft skills necessary to overcome design challenges with the codes and standards in hand.
• The Layout Technician: Fundamentals course is available to enrolled students about 8 weeks in advance of the Layout Technician: Application course.
• Successful completion of Layout Technician: Fundamentals is a prerequisite to attending the Layout Technician: Application course.

Layout Technician: Application (LTA) - The instructor-led course is offered at locations across the US, with virtual options available. The choice is entirely yours!

• A 3-day instructor-led course that applies the content learned in the Layout Technician: Fundamentals course. Using project-based learning, students apply their knowledge of fire sprinkler layout concepts to a legitimate plan, learning through problem solving, research, and simply doing.

Registration closes 4 weeks prior to the start of the in-person session

Schedule:

11/3/25: 1:00pm - 5:00pm

11/4/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

11/5/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

11/6/25: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Price:

Early Bird / Standard

Early Bird on or before 9/11/2025

Member Price: $2,200 / $2,250

Non-member Price: $4,400 / $4,450 

Learn more about NFSA membership