Fire Fighting System Design & Drafting Course

Join our Fire Fighting System Design & Drafting Course

MEP Academy

Noblesville, IN 46060, USA

About the Course

About This Course

The Building Fire Fighting System Design & Drafting Course is a professional training program that prepares engineers, technicians, and MEP professionals to design, draft, and implement fire protection systems in compliance with international standards and local authority requirements.

This course covers the complete life cycle of fire safety systems in buildings — from water storage and distribution, sprinklers, hydrants, and pumps to advanced control systems integrated with fire alarm and building management systems (BMS). Learners will not only master the fundamentals of system design and hydraulic calculations but also gain hands-on drafting skills using AutoCAD and Revit to prepare industry-standard layouts and shop drawings.

With a strong focus on practical applications, this course equips participants to work on residential, commercial, industrial, and high-rise projects, ensuring safety, efficiency, and code compliance.

By the end of the course, participants will have the confidence and technical expertise to contribute effectively to MEP contracting, consulting, and facility management roles in the fire protection domain.

Key Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Understand Fire Protection Fundamentals
- Explain the importance of fire safety in building design.
- Interpret fire codes, standards (NFPA, NBC, IBC, BS), and local authority requirements.
Design Fire Fighting Systems
- Perform water demand calculations for fire hydrants, sprinklers, and hose reels.
- Size fire pumps, jockey pumps, and water storage tanks.
- Design piping networks for hydrant and sprinkler systems.
Apply Hydraulic Calculations
- Use the Hazen-Williams equation to calculate pressure drops and friction losses.
- Carry out hydraulic balancing for efficient system performance.
- Verify compliance of design through manual and software-based calculations.
Draft Fire Fighting Layouts
- Develop detailed AutoCAD/Revit layouts for hydrants, sprinklers, pump rooms, and tanks.
- Apply correct drafting symbols and standards.
- Coordinate layouts with HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Integrate Control & Monitoring Systems
- Understand fire alarm and fire pump control panel operations.
- Integrate fire fighting systems with Building Management Systems (BMS).
- Configure supervisory devices (flow switches, pressure switches, sensors).
Implement Installation & Commissioning Practices
- Outline proper installation guidelines for fire pumps, sprinklers, and piping.
- Conduct system testing (hydrostatic, flow, and acceptance tests).
- Manage commissioning and approval processes with authorities.
Maintain & Operate Fire Fighting Systems
- Develop preventive maintenance schedules for pumps, sprinklers, and hydrants.
- Ensure ongoing compliance through inspections and drills.
- Apply troubleshooting techniques for common system failures.

Who Should Enroll

Mechanical & MEP Engineers.
HVAC Technicians & Supervisors.
Facilities Managers & Maintenance Engineers.
Project Managers in Construction & Building Services.
Students and professionals seeking a career in HVAC & Sustainable Building Design.

Why Take This Course?

Fire protection is one of the most critical disciplines in MEP design and construction, directly linked to safety, compliance, and building approvals. Skilled firefighting system designers and drafters are in high demand across consulting firms, contractors, and facility management companies.
This course is designed to:
- ✅ Boost Your Career – Equip yourself with specialized fire protection skills that set you apart in the MEP industry.
- ✅ Gain Practical Expertise – Learn real-world design methods, hydraulic calculations, and drafting techniques used in live projects.
- ✅ Ensure Code Compliance – Master NFPA, NBC, IBC, BS, and local authority standards, ensuring your designs meet approval requirements.
- ✅ Work on Diverse Projects – Apply your knowledge to high-rise towers, hospitals, industrial plants, commercial complexes, and residential buildings.
- ✅ Enhance Employability – Certification adds value to your resume and opens opportunities with top consultants, contractors, and facility managers.
- ✅ Future-Proof Your Skills – Understand the integration of fire systems with modern technologies like Building Management Systems (BMS), IoT, and automation.
By taking this course, you’ll gain the confidence, technical depth, and drafting proficiency to design and deliver safe, compliant, and efficient fire protection systems.

Course Overview

The Building Fire Fighting System Design & Drafting Course is a comprehensive training program that blends theory, codes, and hands-on drafting practice. It takes learners through the complete process of fire protection system design — from understanding safety requirements and selecting equipment to performing hydraulic calculations and preparing professional layouts.

The course begins with fundamentals of fire safety, codes, and standards (NFPA, NBC, IBC, BS, and local regulations). Participants then dive into system components such as sprinklers, hydrants, hose reels, pumps, and tanks. Step-by-step modules cover water demand estimation, pump sizing, pipe sizing, and hydraulic calculations using both manual methods and software tools.

In addition, learners will gain drafting and modeling skills using AutoCAD and Revit, enabling them to create detailed firefighting layouts, pump room drawings, and coordinated MEP shop drawings. Advanced topics include fire-fighting control systems, integration with Fire Alarm Control Panels (FACP), and Building Management Systems (BMS) for monitoring and automation.

The course also covers installation guidelines, testing, commissioning, and maintenance practices, ensuring learners understand the entire project lifecycle from design to operation.

By combining design principles, drafting techniques, case studies, and real-world project applications, this course prepares participants for careers in MEP design firms, contracting companies, consulting practices, and facility management organizations.

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Fire Fighting Systems

Importance of fire safety in buildings
Overview of active and passive fire protection
Fire risk analysis and building classification
Applicable codes & standards (NFPA, NBC, IBC, BS, local authority guidelines)

Module 2: Fire Fighting System Components

Fire pumps and pump rooms
Fire water storage tanks (underground & overhead)
Sprinkler systems and nozzles
Hydrants (internal and external)
Hose reels and extinguishers
Fire detection and alarm integration

Module 3: System Types & Applications

Wet pipe, dry pipe, pre-action, deluge sprinkler systems
Standpipe systems (Class I, II, III)
Foam systems and clean agent suppression systems
Special applications: data centers, hospitals, high-rise towers, industrial facilities

Module 4: Fire Water Supply & Storage

Water demand calculation methods (as per NFPA 13, NFPA 20, NFPA 22)
Sizing fire water storage tanks
Pump capacity selection (diesel, electric, jockey pumps)
Piping network design

Module 5: Hydraulic Calculations

Basic hydraulic principles in firefighting design
Pressure loss, friction loss, and velocity limits
Hazen-Williams equation for fire-fighting pipe sizing
Hydraulic calculation examples for hydrants and sprinklers
Software tools for hydraulic calculations (e.g., Elite Fire, AutoSPRINK, Revit add-ons)

Module 6: Drafting & Layout Preparation

Symbols and drafting standards for firefighting systems
AutoCAD/Revit basics for fire system drawings
Preparing firefighting layouts:
- Sprinkler layouts
- Hydrant layouts
- Pump room layouts
- Tank details
Coordination with other MEP services

Module 7: Installation, Testing & Commissioning

Installation practices for pipes, pumps, and sprinklers
Testing procedures: hydrostatic test, pump testing, flow test
Commissioning requirements
Documentation & approval process

Module 8: Operation & Maintenance

Routine inspection and maintenance schedules
Fire drills and safety training requirements

Integration with Building Management Systems (BMS)

Module 9: Fire Fighting Control & Monitoring Systems

1. Introduction to Control Systems in Fire Protection

Role of automation and monitoring in fire safety
Interface between fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems
Importance of centralized control and real-time monitoring

2. Fire Alarm & Control Panels (FACP)

Conventional vs. Addressable systems
Control panel functions (alarm, supervisory, trouble signals)
Integration with suppression and smoke control systems
Emergency shutdowns (HVAC, elevators, electrical)

3. Supervisory Devices & Sensors

Flow switches and pressure switches in sprinkler systems
Water level sensors in tanks
Pump status monitoring (start/stop, failure, power supply)
Valve tamper switches for hydrants/standpipes

4. Fire Pump Control Systems

Fire pump controllers (electric, diesel, jockey pump controllers)
Automatic start/stop sequences
Manual override and remote monitoring
NFPA 20 requirements for pump controllers

5. Integration with Building Management System (BMS)

Protocols: BACnet, Modbus, LonWorks
BMS dashboards for fire protection monitoring
Alarm notification via BMS (SMS/email alerts)
Case study: Fire alarm integration with HVAC smoke control

6. Emergency Lighting & Exit Systems

Automatic activation via control panels
Central battery vs. self-contained units
Pathway illumination and signage control

7. Testing, Commissioning & Maintenance

Acceptance testing for control systems
Periodic inspection of sensors, alarms, and controllers
Troubleshooting common failures
Documentation for compliance and authority approvals

Submit detailed drawings, calculations, and a commissioning plan.

How long is the course?

The course duration is a Total of 40 to 60 hours and it varies, typically spanning several weeks with flexible scheduling options.

Is certification provided?

Yes, participants receive certification upon successful completion of the course.

Certification & Benefits

Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a Professional Certificate in Building Fire Fighting System Design & Drafting. This certificate validates your expertise in fire protection system design, drafting, and compliance with international and local codes (NFPA, NBC, IBC, BS, and authority requirements). It demonstrates your ability to contribute effectively to MEP projects and enhances your professional credibility.

Benefits of the Course

🎓 Industry-Recognized Credential – Gain certification that strengthens your professional profile and career prospects in MEP design, contracting, and facility management.
🔧 Practical Skill Development – Acquire hands-on knowledge of hydraulic calculations, system design, drafting, and equipment selection.
📐 Drafting Proficiency – Learn AutoCAD and Revit workflows to prepare fire fighting layouts, pump room drawings, and coordinated shop drawings.
📘 Code Compliance Mastery – Understand and apply international and local fire safety codes for authority approvals.
🏗 Project-Ready Expertise – Develop the ability to design systems for high-rise buildings, hospitals, commercial complexes, and industrial facilities.
💼 Enhanced Employability – Stand out in job markets with specialized skills highly sought by consultants, contractors, and government authorities.
🔒 Complete System Knowledge – Cover the full project cycle: design → drafting → installation → testing → commissioning → maintenance.
🌍 Future-Focused Learning – Gain insight into smart fire fighting systems, IoT integration, and BMS connectivity.