Course Description

AFSA Florida Fire Con Conference 2025

Back to FireCon25

Sprinkler System Plan Review


Type:
Technical
Location:
Sunset
CEUs:
4
Date:
Sep 17th
Time:
10:00am - 3:00pm

This seminar will guide attendees in a discussion of the requirements for plans and calculations contained in NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. It will include an exercise in hands-on review of a sprinkler system plan, including the overall design concept, hydraulic calculations, and the underground supply system. Evaluation of the decisions made on the part of the system designer dealing with hazard and commodity classification, building construction type, positioning of the sprinklers and their spacing, and materials selection will all be among the topics which are a part of the review.

Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this presentation, you should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to accurately read a set of sprinkler plans.
  2. Perform a thorough review to determine compliance, or lack thereof, with the requirements for sprinkler systems in NFPA 13 and their own jurisdiction.
  3. Calculate coverage area for each sprinkler using the S × L = A method from NFPA 13 and identify sprinkler locations exceeding coverage limits of NFPA 13.
  4. Discuss items on the plan in conflict with each other.
  5. Solve equations to develop minimum flow and pressure requirements for each sprinkler.
  6. Identify differences between obstructed and unobstructed construction and how they impact sprinkler system design.
  7. Complete a detailed letter informing the contractor of non-compliance, including descriptions of non-compliant items with standard references and advising of the resubmittal process.
Image
John Denhardt
AFSA

John August Denhardt, P.E., ET, CWBSP, FSFPE, is the vice president of engineering and technical services for the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA). He is responsible for strengthening AFSA’s engineering and technical approaches to meeting member, industry, and operational priorities, with an emphasis on service, quality, and integrity. Denhardt is a registered professional engineer (P.E.) in the District of Columbia and the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. He is NICET Level III certified in water-based systems layout, NICET Level III certified in inspection and testing of water-based systems, and a certified water-based system professional through NFPA. Denhardt is a member of the NFPA 13 technical committee on sprinkler system discharge criteria, a fellow in the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), a member of the SFPE Board of Directors, a member of the Board of Trustees for NFPA’s Fire Protection Research Foundation and sits on the University of Maryland Department of Fire Protection Engineering’s Board of Visitors. A native of Maryland, Denhardt holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland College Park in fire protection engineering. Prior to this role, Denhardt was employed by Strickland Fire Protection in Forestville, Maryland, since 1994, overseeing large-scale projects and assisting with design and installation technical issues.