By: The NFSA ’26 Interns: Jeremiah Allen, Wiley Hensley, Brooke Marshall, and Brookelynn Weinberg

During the course of week seven, we attended the Layout Technician Application class, which was taught by Roland Asp, Director of Codes and Standards at NFSA. First, we became familiar with NFPA 13 by reviewing the most visited sections and the scope of the standard. We also discussed how NFPA 13 adopts other materials, such as NFPA 291, Recommended Practice for Fire Flow Testing and Marking of Hydrants. Using this information, we then mapped sprinklers by hand on a drawing plan and designed the layout of a tree-style wet pipe system in accordance with NFPA 13.

Additionally, we manually completed hydraulic calculations for a wet pipe sprinkler system by hand accounting for pressure and flowrate changes due to elevation and friction loss. Throughout the training, we learned about various special situations and the many nuances involved in applying NFPA 13 to real-world system designs. It was valuable to learn the ins and outs of NFPA 13 from a technical expert and current NFPA 13 technical committee member. The language can sometimes be confusing and understanding how the standard operates was valuable. This class was great for industry veterans and newcomers alike who want to transition into design and pursue their NICET Water-Based Systems Layout certifications.

Starting off week eight, we visited the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Chesapeake Bay Detachment, to assist and witness fire testing of Fluorine Free Foam Concentrates mixed with salt water. We investigated the expansion ratios, extinguishment and burn back time, performance on multiple fuel types (Jet-A and Gasoline), as well as different strength solutions.

It was interesting to see the actual applications of research and what products go through to be put on the DoD Qualified Products List. Our biggest takeaway was that fluorine-free foams are rapidly becoming safe, well-performing alternatives to fluorinated foams.

We then took the Layout Technician Intermediate level course. During this class we designed the layout of a sprinkler system in a fictional motel building. The building also had a new addition, and the addition and original building were of varying construction types.

We learned about specific rules like what to do on extended projections, fireplaces, lithium-ion batteries, obstructions, small temporarily occupied spaces, residential rooms, closets, and bathrooms. We got to look at project specifications and building codes to understand how they influence the design of a fire protection system. In the different rooms we got to decide the hazard classification and what type of fire sprinklers we would be using in our building.

There were also parts of the residential building where we had to focus on just using pendent or sidewall sprinklers because of various different requirements. This was great practice for understanding the advantages and weaknesses of different types of fire sprinklers and when they would be utilized best. We also learned about what new regulations were implemented in NFPA13, 2025. From this presentation we were able to understand the process of how new codes and standards are implemented and how they are developed.

Code of the Week!

NFPA 25 (2026)

11.2.13.2 At least annually, foam concentrates shall be inspected for evidence of excessive sludging or deterioration.

This connects to our visit to NRL because we learned about foam systems and how important the condition of the foam concentrate is for the system to work properly. If the foam concentrate has sludge or has started to deteriorate, it may not mix or perform correctly during a fire, which shows why regular inspection and maintenance are essential.