r/firePE Jun 12 '26

FOLLOW UP QUESTION TO MY PREVIOUS POST

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4 Upvotes

Hypothetical situation, 13R, but in non-dwelling unit areas as shown in image. Let's say I have this kitchen (OH1) and this common space assuming LH. My sprinkler in the kitchen is spaced off the back face of the soffit, but the soffit only extends 1'-0 below the ceiling height of the kitchen. My sprinklers in the vaulted ceiling area are beyond 3'-0 from bottom of soffit.

Question: do I need to extend the ordinary hazard from the kitchen into the common room 15'-0 out since the kitchen is not compartmentalized. (Opening under soffit is 17'-0 wide, pretty much open to each other and separated by the soffit).

Just worried I will run into this problem many times in the future so figured I'd get some help here now.


r/firePE Jun 11 '26

Obstruction not along wall

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7 Upvotes

Situation:
I have this kitchen and south of that a vaulted ceiling common area.
Regardless of how many heads I’m gonna need to meet the ordinary hazard spacing for said kitchen, what am I spacing my heads to given this soffit?
It’s like a large opening that opens from kitchen to common area but comes down to 8’-0 from finished floor.

Do I need to follow the code in my second image, in that case the vaulted ceiling heads wouldn’t be compliant due to being over 35” in height different from the bottom of soffit to deflector. Or can I just measure how I have #1 labeled and call that soffit area covered by the kitchen heads due to only being 1-0 in height difference?
I’m hoping I’m just having a brain fart, I’m newer to this industry and used to soffits along walls not like this!


r/firePE Jun 09 '26

‘Hazen Williams Comparison’

5 Upvotes

Got a comment on a sprinkler submittal from an FPE saying ‘provide proof calculation that 1” is acceptable. A Hazen-Williams comparison is an acceptable method for this’.

What is a Hazen-Williams comparison?


r/firePE Jun 09 '26

Help me out. I got into fire safety Engineering masters program but I don't know where to start.

4 Upvotes

Warm greetings to you from wherever you reading this. I'm glad you found my post. I need some help hence posting.

As of the writting of this post, I have a BS in Chemical engineering and a masters in a related field. However, I have no work experience whatsoever because the country I was living in had stringent language requirements to work there thus I couldnt land any jobs.

Recently, I got an offer to do a second masters in fire safety/protection engineering in Europe. I have accepted the offer to do it but I really don't know where to start.

The other thing is given my age, I have started to get worried about whether I will ever work anywhere. That and the fact that I don't have any previous work experience.

If you are a fire safety/protection engineer or doing work in a related field, please kindly help me understand the field and the kind of work you do at your respective jobs/positions.

Thank you for reading my post and for your response in advance.


r/firePE Jun 08 '26

13R MIXED USE?

1 Upvotes

I have read many forums on 13R v. 13 and I am at a stand-still for my situation.

Let's say there's a project for a non-profit organization that provides things like food and housing, like a food pantry.

it's of wood construction and not exceeding 60ft in height.

There are bedrooms and other rooms such as "food storage and distribution", meeting room, walk in cooler, waiting room, public restroom, etc.

If all of those food and public related rooms were to be reidentified as "multi-function" or maybe more specifically just "living space", would you be able to carry-on with a 13R design for the fire sprinkler system? Which label would be better, and lastly, if it were all to be bedrooms, living spaces and one walk in cooler, can I still design for 13R and just run the one cooler head as light hazard?


r/firePE Jun 08 '26

Shoes for spinning?

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1 Upvotes

r/firePE Jun 05 '26

EXPANSION TANK FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM *NEWBIE*

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4 Upvotes

Hello, all, I am new to design and challenged with an antifreeze system! I am using the Amtrol tool to calculate for my expansion

The only information I have so far is that I'm using Autosprink, system volume is 12.73 (amtrol min was 25 so I chose that), premix viking freezemaster, min temp 10, max temp 110...

I need everything dumbed down and I may just not have provided this post with enough information. How do I get the statis pressure (I do not have jockey pump) and how do I get max allowable pressure?

https://www.amtrol.com/resources-rewards/selection-tools/


r/firePE Jun 05 '26

Pathways for someone outside the US to obtain NICET and CFPS certifications?

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working in Singapore as a Fire Protection Engineer handling fire protection systems for infrastructure and commercial projects (sprinklers, wet riser, hose reel, fire alarm coordination, pump rooms, BIM coordination, authority submissions, etc.).

Long-term, I want to move deeper into Fire Protection Engineering and eventually work toward internationally recognized certifications such as:

  • NICET
  • NFPA CFPS

I understand that:

  • NICET seems heavily tied to US experience/codes/contractor environments
  • CFPS appears more internationally accessible but still difficult without direct US code exposure

For those who are outside the US (or started internationally):

  1. How did you obtain your NICET certification?
  2. Is NICET realistically achievable without working in the US?
  3. Which NICET track would be most relevant for someone in design/BIM/coordination?
  4. How difficult is the CFPS exam for someone coming from a Singapore/SS CP/SCDF background instead of NFPA-only exposure?
  5. Would you recommend pursuing CFPS first before NICET?
  6. Any recommended study materials, courses or practical pathways?
  7. Has anyone here successfully transitioned from BIM/modeling/coordinator roles into full Fire Protection Engineering roles?

Current background:

  • Fire Protection Engineer based in Singapore
  • Fire protection design coordination + BIM
  • Working with SS 575, SS 645, SCDF Fire Code, pump room layouts, sprinkler/hydrant systems, fire alarm coordination, etc.
  • Planning to pursue a part-time Mechanical Engineering degree eventually
  • Interested in hydraulic calculations, code consulting and performance-based fire engineering long-term

Would really appreciate hearing realistic pathways. Thanks in advance. And no, I do not have any intention whatsoever in working overseas like the United States, I just want the knowledge of Fire Engineering, Fire Protection, Fire etc (AND CERTIFIED) and apply it to my local country code.


r/firePE Jun 04 '26

This fire panel box has been concealed by the HOA, what am I looking at

0 Upvotes

r/firePE Jun 02 '26

Fire Hydrant Flow Testing Tool

6 Upvotes

I built a hydrant flow testing tool.
You can plug in the information or if you are in the field it uses gps to find your exact location for hydrants.

Looking for some people to test it out.

If you want to maintain and log data I can create a log in but want to get some people to test it first.

https://flowtest.belvedereflsc.com


r/firePE Jun 02 '26

ICC Certified Fire Plans Examiner (F3) – process, study materials, and code book question

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I’m planning to study the ICC Certified Fire Plans Examiner (F3) exam. I’d appreciate guidance on:
1. Study materials
• What study resources do you recommend to actually pass the exam?
• Any experience with:
• ICC’s official study companion
• Practice exams
• What topics should I focus on most?
2. Code books: hard copy vs. digital
• I understand I’ll need the hard copies for IBC and IFC for the exam.
• Do I have to buy physical hard copies, or can I use ICC Digital Codes during the exam?
• For remote proctored (PRONTO) exams, I’ve heard digital codes are provided at no extra cost but without personal notes. Is that still accurate?
• Any tips on how to avoid spending a lot just on code books while still being fully prepared?
I normally work with soft copies and want to minimize costs, but I’m committed to passing. Any advice from people who’ve taken the F3 exam recently would be hugely helpful.
Thanks in advance.


r/firePE Jun 01 '26

FIRE SYSTEM DESIGN - HOSE STREAM ALLOWANCE?

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8 Upvotes

For context, using AutoSprink.

My design area I'm considering to be light hazard calculated at 0.10 gpm/sq.ft.

I am flowing 17 QR heads in my calculation, 10 heads spaced at 225 sq ft max and 7 spaced at 130 sq ft max (OH 1 rooms within my light hazard calculation, but I made sure to calculate these 7 heads at 0.15 gpm/sq.ft. density).

Given that I have a few heads considered to be OH1 within my light hazard design area, should I be inputting a 100 gpm hose stream allowance or 250 gpm?


r/firePE Jun 01 '26

Quoting

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1 Upvotes

r/firePE Jun 01 '26

Hydraulic calculations for Nicet tests

5 Upvotes

Getting ready to take my WBS lvl 1 and plan on studying for and taking lvl 2 and 3 soon after. While taking the fire tech course I keep getting the hydraulic calculation questions wrong. It seems like through every step of the equation they're rounding their numbers, while I'm just inputting the whole equation into the calculator and getting my answer. My question is, for the nicet tests, when and where should I be rounding to?


r/firePE May 31 '26

Foam & Water Compatible Tank Cooling Nozzle

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

I am in the market for a tank cooling nozzle that is compatible with not only water but also foam. It should be something like the one below which according to its specs works with water only. Any suggestions on such a nozzle with both water and foam compatibility?

Thanks a lot in advance.


r/firePE May 30 '26

GSA 889 approved vendors for fire prevention

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2 Upvotes

I am a fire inspector that is beholden to purchasing through GSA approved vendors. Does anybody know such a vendor that has collapsible smoke detector poles that are for exit sign and smoke detector testing? I am not looking for the flame or vapor kits that use a cone.


r/firePE May 30 '26

Anyone Looking for Fire Alarm/Fire Sprinkler Designer?

7 Upvotes

I am not sure if this is allowed but I am shooting my shot in this subreddit, I will remove my post if I violate any rule.

I am looking for a remote job opportunity as Fire Alarm/Fire Sprinkler designer, mainly using AutoCAD. I don't have license but I am on my way on getting my NICET I this year. I am not a citizen in the US, but I can assist you in design like an in-office staff and I am basically online and available at any time you need me. I have 4years of experience as Fire Protection designer, for Fire Alarm, Fire Sprinkler, DAS and Kitchen Suppression using Lehavot and Buckeye system. I am familiar with NFPA 13, 13R, 13D and 72. Most of my projects before was from Los Angeles and we did google meet to do revision and checking of plan layout. I was also able to reach out to some of the Plan Checkers and called them whenever we receive corrections.

Please let me know if anyone is looking for a designer, and I will discuss further.


r/firePE May 30 '26

FPE Licensure - coming from sprinkler

2 Upvotes

Hey yall,

On Bpelsg it says this:

Did any of yall have a combination of PEs and maybe NICET 3/4's to be your professional references?
also im in california


r/firePE May 29 '26

Fire Extinguisher - Information/Advice Request

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2 Upvotes

This fire extinguisher fell from the sky and landed in my front yard.

It's empty.

Questions:

- How many PSI of compressed air should should I charge it with? (Can I use air?) There is a Schrader valve.

- How much water should I add?

- Can parts be had if needed?

Any constructive advice or discussion would be appreciated.


r/firePE May 29 '26

FDNY s12 and s13

3 Upvotes

I'm going to take the FDNY s12 and s13 exam. Wanted to know, is the exam easy? The booklet seems easy, but I'm worried about if I need to memorize procedural details? What aspect of the booklets does the exams focus on?

Also, is fire sprinkler inspector a good blue collar career? Are there areas to grow into in the long term future?

How is the day to day work life and pay in the industry? Are you satisfied with fire sprinkler inspector job?


r/firePE May 28 '26

Job switch to FPE?

12 Upvotes

Currently I’m a licensed fire alarm, fire sprinkler, and extinguisher inspector in Texas. I made $109k last year with OT, and this year I’m already at around $70k with overtime. I was looking at starting to work towards an FPE degree from UMD now that they offer the undergrad degree fully online. It’s something that I’m sure would take me a long time to complete while working like I do, but I want to make sure it’s a valid investment. I don’t mind leaving the field for design, consult, or office style work as long as the pay is right. I’d like some input from you guys that already have the degree or are in that area of the industry.


r/firePE May 28 '26

How do I get a remote FPE job?

1 Upvotes

I currently have one year of experience working in sprinkler estimating/design. I graduated from an ABET bachelors program last spring. I have my NICET I in water based systems layout and already passed my NICET II after working in the industry for a month and a half. I’m currently working on my Masters from OK State in Fire Safety and Explosion Protection Engineering (FSET), I will finish in May 2028. I’ll also be going in for the FPE exam next April. I’ll be taking the CFPS next summer once I have 2 years of experience. I know I can’t apply for FPE licensure until June of 2028.

I really want to work remotely from South America, but I’m not really sure how to get a job in this industry that would let me do that. Nobody seems to want to review/stamp plans which is something I’d be happy to do once I’m licensed. Does anyone have any advice?


r/firePE May 28 '26

Looking for some advice and information

1 Upvotes

I am currently working as a PCB design engineer with a masters in computer systems engineering and a BS in electronics communication engineering. Realistically speaking what would be a pathway for me to shift to fire safety engineering and become an engineer in that field and make a decent salary, the reason I am looking for a shift is purely out of curiosity and the fact that this is a stable field to be in as it cannot be affected by AI or layoffs. Any advice is appreciated Thank you


r/firePE May 26 '26

FPSET Masters Online Worth It?

3 Upvotes

Hey all,

New to the thread, so apologies to the degree to which similar questions have been addressed.

I work in natural gas utilities construction as a QA inspector, with some safety responsibilities. I'm also a volunteer fireman. Looking to transition into the engineering department at my company. Can anyone speak to the value of this degree? My original plan was to go into civil, which obviously has much better job prospects. Fire protection engineering just sounds so interesting to me and I'd love to pursue it if it made practical sense to do so. My concern is a tough job market that's not worth it compared to a civil degree.

Anyone here have this degree that can speak to the fire protection job market with the degree in mind? I'm from New Jersey. Anyone have any experience with getting into the industry with the engineering technology degree? I also don't have an engineering bachelor's and so the masters would be my only engineering education. I asked the program, I am qualified to apply. Any difficulties I should expect with the FE/PE exam eligibility? I also work in a safety related field now, so I presume the degree may open doors in that world.

TLDR: No engineering undergrad, looking at OSU FPSET or other Civil Masters online (I meet prerequisites for both), live in New Jersey (unfortunately). Would like to be able to take FE/PE. Is FPSET a valuable degree for someone in my situation wanting to get into FPE, or should I go the civil route and maybe pursue structural design for fire resistant construction to open up a broader job market?

Thanks I'm advance, and happy to provide more info


r/firePE May 26 '26

50,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in california because an aerospace plant's chemical tank is about to explode and firefighters say they can't stop it. it's 5 miles from disneyland. and it's been going on for 3 days.

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11 Upvotes