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Fire pump acceptance tests and commissioning.

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SprinklerDesigner2

Mechanical
Nov 30, 2006
1,251
I posted this in another forum but felt like adding it here to give everyone access.

I tried the link and it works.

One of my best friends, both personally and in the fire sprinkler industry, passed away last April and what he did every couple of years was put on a fire pump acceptance test for local fire marshals and anyone who wanted to attend from the Ohio State Fire Marshals office.

Something to ponder and getting older myself it bothers me. In 2009 there were 5,407 layout technicians of all levels in the NICET registry and as of July 31, 2015 there's 4,648 for a 14% drop in 5 years.

Course were free and would go on for three days covering with one full day in the classroom and two to three days after running around one of the campuses at Ohio State University conducting annual tests of all their fire pumps. They hit everything; electric fire pumps, diesel fire pumps, multi-stage fire pumps, automatic transfer switches and everything in between. Every make and model pump was was tested some being installed the last two or three years and other pumps over 50 years old.

These inspectors saw it all and everything they did was hands on. They learned it all, it was a cram course where it was the students who took all the pitot and electrical voltage readings. As a contractor up there it worked out well for me because all of the inspectors we dealt with knew exactly what they were doing and many would attend these courses year after year. It was nothing to have 20 students and there was enough in the way of pumps they could break into small batches of four or five students per pump so everyone got their turn.

Little things like the first question was always "Where is the paperwork showing your gauges have been calibrated by a certified lab in the past 12 months" and things like that. If you did exactly what you were supposed to do you never had a problem but if you didn't know you were supposed to use calibrated gauges on a fire pump acceptance test you soon discovered you had a big problem and could come back later once you had the proper gauges and certificates.

Ron always gave me the CD he used in the classroom and hopefully it will download.

375 pages so it covers a lot with a lot of photos and you will find some of it referencing Ohio rules and regulations.

 
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The little bar goes all the way across, then it changes to retry. I did a couple of times.
I will do it again when I get home and have time to troubleshoot.

I dropped my NICET because really, it wasn't doing me any good. I had passed all but 4 elements and gained from the experience. I actually had an employer that wanted me to pay for the extra classes or seminars to make the total points. That's when I dropped it.
I am at an excellent company now, and all of the design training is thru NICET as well as the AFSA. I feel it is an important necessary step to achieving a well rounded level of knowledge. If nothing else, it shows you how to open the book and find it.

I am sure the decline is tied to the economy. Overhead cutting is the norm right now. It's a shame because a lot of companies do not realize the money MADE by educating your staff.

Oh well, sorry to turn this into a little rant.

Thanks for the link. I look forward to the information.

R/
Matt
 
Thanks!! It downloaded fine for me with the download button.
 
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