Need practical advice from an FPE 1

[SprinklerDesigner2]

I know this should go elsewhere but since it specifically has to do with fire protection I thought I would ask here.

For 10 years I have toyed with the idea of going back to college and getting a degree in fire protection engineering.

Daunting step but the children have all gone to college, received their dgrees and a little voice in my head keeps whispering it is my turn now.

I've always worked as a tech slave (I hold NICET IV in sprinkler design) and, seeing how I was good enough to send over six figures to different colleges for my children's education, why can't it be my turn now?

Has anyone ever encountered an older (50's) doing something like this?

Would I get any work credit say at Oklahoma or Maryland? I wouldn't expect a lot seeing how sprinklers is but a small facet of fire protection engineering but every little bit would help.

 

[cdafd]

Here is a contact for maryland

Glenn P. Corbett, P.E.
Technical Editor
gcorbet1@ix.netcom.com

 

[stookeyfpe]

SD2

I appreciate your experience and understanding of NFPA 13 compliant automatic sprinkler system. I also know Glenn Corbett and what I am about to tell you will probably not be pleasant. But you will have a better understanding of the fire protection engineering discipline.

Neither Oklahoma State University [OSU] (my alumni), the University of Maryland, or Worcester Polytechnic Institute will give you on the job credit for an engineering degree. At OSU, you can get your CAD experience as credit hours. But for fire protection fluid dynamics and the two fire protection system design classes, you must attend the classes and laboratories. By the way, you are not done yet.

To be a fire protection engineer (FPE) you must graduate from a university that has a ABET (American Board of Engineering and Engineering Technology) certified program. OSU, UofM and WPI all have these programs. If you do not graduate from one of these programs, you cannot test for The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) examination for Engineer in Training. If your school is not certified by ABET, you will have major issues attempting to satisfy the NCEES tests.

All three schools are difficult but are not insurmountable. Your best solution is to attend a community college in your state and take and pass the basic courses for engineers:
? Calculus I, II and III
? Statics, Strength and Dynamics
? Thermodynamics I and II
? Communications I and II
? Fluid Dynamics I and II
? Chemistry I and II

So if is the path you want to take, do it. You appear to be a very bright person. Enjoy learning the discipline.

 

[stookeyfpe]

Exceptions to the rule exist. If you graduate from an ABET school and can demonstrate enough experience, the state of Texas will allow you to be licensed as a PE. I've heard that Wisconsin has a similar rule.

But you must be a graduate of an ABET program.

Sorry for missing this in my post. Good luck.

 

[SprinklerDesigner2]

Thank you Stookey but after some investigation I don't think I could handle the cut in pay.

This totally floors me. Here I was thinking PE's would easily command double my current income so imagine my surprise when I ran across this.

According to this chart

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/5574/eng1gd2.jpg

typical earnings, and I think I am pretty typical for my experience level, are higher then a PE with a BS degree at the 30 year experience level. For the US Southeast it appears designers with my experience level have salaries between $500 and $1,000 a month more then what a PE makes with the same years of experience.

This just doesn't seem fair and I got a feeling there are a number of PE's that would agree with me.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6664/eng3sn8.jpg

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/9355/eng4rc5.jpg

Fire sprinklers. You got to admit it is an amazing field.

 

[stookeyfpe]

I guess I should get a NICET IV certification and go to Devery to be an AutoCad guru. This statement is not negative to anyone - I just find SD2s data interesting and inconsistent with the earning of my own and my peers.

I suggest it all comes down to what makes you happy. I like my salary, I like educating the US fire service on technically challenging issues and I like where I live.

So, what are we doing about health care for old folks?

 

[TravisMack]

SD2,

It all depends where you are in life. Education is something that can NEVER be taken away from you - unless you get brain damaged from a pipe falling on you

As far as pay goes, I have not seen a position yet where a layout tech would get paid more than an FPE. I work for myself doing fire sprinkler system layout for contractors across the country, and I am very happy with my compensation. However, I know that I could receive more for it, if only so that I could seal my own work when needed.

In companies where I have worked, when one of the guys finally went on to get their PE, they received typically a 20% jump in pay. So, I think it just depends on where you are at in life and what you want to do.

IMO - if it is something you are passionate about, go for it.

Travis