Do you have other designers that can mentor him? All the courses are great but actually doing the real work with guidance from an experienced designer is by far the best learning tool.
He's going to need to learn whatever software is being used first off. I'd start him off with maybe doing some real basic red-to-black design, someone else marks up a drawing and let him start to learn the symbology and how to coordinate the layout with the other trades. Reading NFPA 13, is a waste of time. He only needs to digest the parts that deal with the work he's doing. There's just too much text that won't be of any value to him until he encounters the condition. Understand basics like limitations on head spacing, types of sprinklers and when they are applicable for use, the different basic design criteria and how to choose which is applicable. Stuff like that. Craig Prahl | Jacobs | Fire Protection SME - EV, AM, DC, Special Hazards [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> | www.jacobs.com<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.jacobs.com/__;!!KZTdOCjhgt4hgw!-_khxU8gU0_6jc895I7kRbnU8JghRDsWgqOblZ4jr7Qp2IVbR30VYw_hWvNFtphnl0uWpB9KIvbYi1pvZz4$> 1041 East Butler Road Greenville, South Carolina 29606 CONTACT BY: Phone 1-864-676-5252, Email or MS TEAMS UPCOMING PTO: Dec. 19 - Jan. 4 From: Brian Harris <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2026 7:44 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [EXTERNAL] [Sprinklerforum] From Field to Designer We have a young fitter/helper that is interested in transitioning from install to design. He's been studying to take NICET-1 and is looking for "what next" to do. Looking for some input/recommendations on some type of path We have a young fitter/helper that is interested in transitioning from install to design. He's been studying to take NICET-1 and is looking for "what next" to do. Looking for some input/recommendations on some type of path forward to help him along. Thank you, Brian Harris, CET BVS Systems Inc. bvssystemsinc.com<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/bvssystemsinc.com/__;!!B5cixuoO7ltTeg!BnDBnTVxMXx7nO8ClYGp1jDqixNnUgkVUow2OEpMugzIjCpPEteJ2VD39M5O6tdiG4mw5UZugeYKiDSyBAwA6L1X$> Phone: 704.896.9989 Fax: 704.896.1935 ________________________________ NOTICE - This communication may contain confidential and privileged information that is for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any viewing, copying or distribution of, or reliance on this message by unintended recipients is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer.
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