Water-Based Fire Protection System Plan Review (P137) Pilot Courses Scheduled

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is recruiting students and instructor candidates to attend pilot classes for its new six-day off-campus or State enfranchised course Water-Based Fire Protection System Plan Review. The pilot will be offered August 23 to 28, 2009 in Champaign, Illinois. The pilot delivery is a partnership with the Illinois Fire Service Institute. Students will arrive Saturday August 22 and depart Saturday, August 29.

The course will enable students to perform a plan review to evaluate the suitability of the fire sprinkler, pump and standpipe plans and calculations in accordance with nationally recognized standards for design and installation. Course content covers fire protection standards, plan reading, water supplies, building envelope features, fire protection hydraulics mathematics, fire pumps, sprinkler systems, and standpipe systems.
Pilots are highly participatory among the instructors, course developers and students.Attendees are expected to contribute their ideas and expertise to improve course content and delivery.

Target Audience

The target audience for this course is the student who is responsible for the review and approval of plans for water-based fire protection systems in his/her jurisdiction.

Student Selection Criteria

Note: Priority seating will be given to those persons that applied and were originally accepted to the cancelled pilot course in December 2008. Otherwise, the course is open for application to individuals who have code enforcement responsibilities for the review and approval of plans for water-based fire protection systems in his/her jurisdiction.

Priority selection will be given to those applicants who express interest in and meet minimum qualifications to become course instructors.

Prerequisites

Completed “Testing and Evaluation of Water Supplies for Fire Protection” (Q218) at NFA Online.
Completed “Hydraulic Calculation for Water-based Fire Protection System Plan Review” (Q137) at NFA Online.
Completed “History of Sprinklers (Not for Credit) at NFA Online.

Material Requirements

Students will be required to bring to class:

NFPA Standards 13, 14, and 20
Scientific calculator or access to the Windows® scientific calculator
Architect and engineering scale tools

How to Apply (Students and Instructors)

Students must complete a separate FEMA General Admissions application (Form 75-5).
Completed applications must be postmarked by July 10, 2009 to:

NETC Admissions Office
Building I, Room 216
16825 S. Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD21727

Completed course applications also may be faxed to the Admissions Office at (301) 447-1441.
Applicants should not make plans to attend the pilot course until notified in writing by the Admissions Office.
Stipends ($100) are available for eligible students to attend the off-campus pilot course.Attendance at the pilot course does not prevent an eligible student from obtaining another stipend within the same fiscal year.
Students are responsible for making their own lodging arrangements.A list of area hotels is available on the Illinois Fire Service Institute’s Web site (PDF, 19 Kb).Make sure you ask for government or fire service rates as some give a discount from the advertised price.

For Potential Instructors Only

In addition to the regular course application, students who wish to be considered as potential instructors should submit a letter of interest and provide a summary of their interest and qualifications to become an instructor.

The letter should be addressed to:

Lisa Makar
U.S. Fire Administration
National Fire Academy
16825 S. Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Email: Lisa.Makar@dhs.gov

Minimum instructor qualifications