Internship in Fire Sprinkler Technology

Course Description

ETI2949 – Internship in Fire Sprinkler is a 3-credit, work-based learning course within the Engineering Technologies / Industrial Systems Technology taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to practical, work-related applications in the fire sprinkler industry. Students gain supervised field experience with a sponsoring employer while maintaining regular contact with a faculty advisor. Seminars may be a required component, and students must complete assigned projects to earn internship education credits. This course may be repeated based upon the student's academic program requirements.

The internship bridges foundational coursework in fire sprinkler system design, installation, and code compliance with real-world trade practice, preparing students for entry-level and apprentice-level roles in Florida's fire protection industry.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply fire sprinkler system theory and classroom knowledge to supervised, work-related tasks in the field.
• Demonstrate professional workplace behaviors, including punctuality, communication, and adherence to employer policies and safety regulations.
• Identify and describe the components, operation, and types of automatic fire sprinkler systems encountered at the internship site.
• Comply with applicable NFPA 13 (Installation of Sprinkler Systems) standards and Florida Fire Prevention Code requirements in all field activities.
• Document work-based learning activities through logs, progress reports, and a culminating internship project or portfolio.
• Demonstrate safe work practices consistent with OSHA jobsite safety requirements and employer safety protocols.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors, co-workers, and faculty advisors regarding project tasks and learning progress.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on the employer site and program emphasis, students may also:

• Assist in the layout, fabrication, or installation of wet, dry, pre-action, or deluge sprinkler systems.
• Perform or observe hydraulic calculations and water supply analysis for sprinkler system design.
• Participate in the inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) of water-based fire protection systems per NFPA 25.
• Support the design or review of system shop drawings, including sprinkler symbols and hazard classifications.
• Assist with underground fire service line installation or service in accordance with Florida Statutes Chapter 633 and NFPA standards.
• Observe or assist with fire pump installation, testing, and maintenance per NFPA 20.
• Apply standpipe and hose system design fundamentals per NFPA 14 in an observed or assisted capacity.
• Use computer-aided design (CAD) or hydraulic calculation software tools used by the employing contractor.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following areas are addressed in all internship placements and associated seminar components:

• Workplace Professionalism and Safety – OSHA jobsite safety, employer safety policies, personal protective equipment (PPE), and professional conduct in the trade.
• Fire Sprinkler System Fundamentals in the Field – Identification and function of system components (control valves, sprinkler heads, risers, piping) encountered during work assignments.
• NFPA Code Compliance in Practice – Application of NFPA 13 requirements and Florida Fire Prevention Code to field installations and inspections observed during internship hours.
• Work-Based Learning Documentation – Maintaining accurate internship hour logs, employer evaluation forms, progress reports, and completing a required capstone project or reflective journal.
• Faculty-Advisor Seminars – Scheduled meetings or seminars with the assigned faculty advisor to integrate field experience with program coursework and professional development goals.

Optional / Site-Dependent Topics

Topics covered will vary based on the employer site and type of fire sprinkler contractor. Students may be exposed to one or more of the following areas:

• System Installation and Fabrication – Pipe cutting, threading, layout, and assembly of wet-pipe, dry-pipe, pre-action, or deluge systems.
• Hydraulic Design Methods – Observation of or assistance with friction loss calculations, pressure analysis, node calculations, and water supply testing.
• Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (ITM) – Field procedures for inspecting and testing water-based fire protection systems per NFPA 25; documentation of deficiencies and impairments.
• Fire Pump Operations – Fundamentals of fire pump installation, acceptance testing, and annual testing procedures per NFPA 20.
• Underground Fire Service Lines – Installation and testing of private underground fire service piping per applicable NFPA standards and Florida Statutes § 633.
• Standpipe and Hose Systems – Observation of standpipe system layout, design requirements, and testing per NFPA 14.
• Special Extinguishing Systems – Exposure to CO2, foam, dry chemical, or other special suppression systems as encountered at the employer site.
• Shop Drawings and System Design Tools – Use of CAD software, hydraulic calculation programs, or BIM tools as employed by the sponsoring contractor.
• Foreman and Leadership Skills – Crew coordination, productivity, and field supervision fundamentals observed in the workplace.

Resources & Tools

• NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (current adopted edition)
• NFPA 14 – Standard for the Installation of Standpipe and Hose Systems
• NFPA 20 – Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
• NFPA 25 – Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems
• Florida Fire Prevention Code – Adopted by the Florida State Fire Marshal under Chapter 633, Florida Statutes
• Internship Learning Agreement – Tri-party agreement between student, employer/sponsor, and college faculty advisor
• Employer Evaluation Forms – Mid-term and final employer assessments of student performance
• Hydraulic Calculation Software – As used by the sponsoring employer (e.g., HydraCALC, SprinkCAD, or equivalent)
• AFSA (American Fire Sprinkler Association) – Training resources, design schools, and ITM inspector development programs
• NICET – National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies study materials for Water-Based Systems Layout

Career Pathways

Successful completion of ETI2949, combined with the broader Fire Sprinkler System Technology program, prepares students for entry-level and advancing roles in Florida's fire protection industry, including:

• Fire Sprinkler Fitter / Installer – Layout, fabrication, and installation of water-based fire suppression systems for commercial and residential construction projects.
• Fire Sprinkler System Designer / Layout Technician – Preparation of shop drawings, hydraulic calculations, and system layouts for licensed fire sprinkler contractors.
• ITM Inspector / Technician – Inspection, testing, and maintenance of installed water-based fire protection systems per NFPA 25.
• Fire Sprinkler Contractor (Licensed) – With additional experience and licensure, graduates may pursue Florida Fire Protection System Contractor licensing (Contractor I, II, IV, or V) through the State Fire Marshal's office.
• Foreman / Field Supervisor – Crew leadership and project coordination roles as experience and skills develop.

Special Information

Licensure and Certification Preparation

This internship course supports preparation for industry-recognized credentials relevant to Florida's fire sprinkler trade:

• Florida Fire Protection System Contractor License – Issued by the Florida State Fire Marshal under Chapter 633, F.S. License types include Contractor I (full water-based systems), Contractor II (sprinkler systems), Contractor IV (residential), and Contractor V (underground). Internship hours may contribute to the documented work experience required for licensure.
• NICET Certification – Water-Based Systems Layout – The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies offers tiered certification (Levels I–IV) widely recognized by Florida employers. Internship field experience is directly applicable to the work history documentation required for NICET examination.
• ASSE 15010 Certification – Administered by ASSE International and recognized by the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) for individuals demonstrating competency in inspecting, testing, and maintaining water-based fire protection systems beyond minimum NFPA 25 requirements.

Program and Enrollment Requirements

This is a limited-access, employer-sponsored course. Students must be employed or sponsored by a participating fire sprinkler contractor and have approval from the program coordinator or apprenticeship coordinator to register. The course may be repeated as allowed by the student's academic program. Regular contact with the assigned faculty advisor is required throughout the term.