A Career in Fire Protection: Fire Sprinkler Design
This article is part three of a three-part series.
- Click here to read part one
- Click here to read part two
Introduction
The role of the fire sprinkler designer is instrumental throughout the process of developing a fire sprinkler system. This makes them invaluable and a much-needed role in the fire protection engineering field.
Benefits of Being a Fire Sprinkler Designer
Choosing fire sprinkler design as a career provides job security for several reasons.
- Fire sprinklers will be necessary in buildings for the foreseeable future.
- The codes requiring fire sprinklers change every few years, necessitating new or updated systems in existing buildings.
- It is a niche field that many aspiring engineers are unaware of.
- The supply of fire sprinkler designers does not meet the current demand. This provides many opportunities for someone entering the field.
- Multiple types of companies utilize fire sprinkler designers, including engineering firms, fire sprinkler contractors, and some insurance companies. So, aspiring designers can start their careers with any of these types of companies.
- In the ever-growing list of jobs that AI will replace, the field of fire sprinkler design appears to be safe. Although fire protection engineers encounter AI use in some aspects, there is still a need for humans who are capable of developing creative solutions to problems in the field.
Fire Suppression Designer Testimonials
“I came into fire sprinkler design as an entry-level CAD operator looking to start a career in drafting. What I didn’t expect was to find a career in fire suppression design. As someone who likes problem-solving, it was a good match as each space, building, flow test, or survey presents a new challenge and opportunity to create a functioning system as efficiently as possible.”
Fraser Wylie, Sr. Fire Suppression Designer
Designer for 27 Years
“In college, I did my internship in a fire sprinkler design/contractor company, and I immediately was amazed by all the engineering behind fire suppression systems. Seeing sprinkler systems designed by you being built and installed gives you a sense of accomplishment and a feeling that what you do matters. Later in my career, I learned that one of the sprinkler systems I designed controlled and suppressed a fire. The feeling of knowing that a system I designed potentially saved a life is one of the most rewarding feelings I’ve ever had.”
Adrian Mondaca, Sr. Fire Suppression Designer
Designer for 18 Years
“I truly enjoy working in the field of fire protection…I enjoy the design process, working through projects, and having the confidence that the systems I design will protect people and property.
Fire protection is a dynamic field that challenges you to keep improving. It offers multiple paths for specialization, and the knowledge you gain is highly transferable and valuable throughout your career…many designers would benefit from starting in fire protection design because it builds strong technical foundations, encourages continuous learning, and provides meaningful opportunities for long-term professional growth.”
Edwin Medina, Sr. Fire Suppression Designer
Designer for 17 Years
Become a Designer at Telgian Engineering & Consulting (TEC)!
If you are interested in becoming a fire suppression designer, you can join our TEC team and develop fire sprinkler systems for various clients across the country.
As a designer at TEC, you will
- Complete the initial setup of CAD backgrounds and file structures, reviewing, analyzing, and understanding fire suppression systems for coordination and design purposes.
- Perform design verification, review of information, basic hydraulic calculations, setup of suppression systems from surveys, as-built drawings, and past CAD designs.
- Revise and edit drawings as needed from QA and AHJ/Client reviews.
- Print, plot, and process drawings for internal and external use.
- Advise Senior Designers of potential issues or scheduling concerns due to changes and revisions.
- Other duties as needed.
About the Author
Jacob Ford, Discipline Team Leader, Fire Suppression Design
Jacob Ford is the Team Lead for Telgian Engineering & Consulting’s Fire Sprinkler Design Team. He started his career as an apprentice pipefitter, then moved into a designer role shortly after college, and has been in the industry for nearly 20 years. Jacob has worked on projects in aircraft hangars, hospitals, gamma knife facilities, clean rooms, large data centers, sports training facilities, and more. He is a demonstrated leader in the fire protection field.