This is a near and dear topic for me. But first, Revit is the future. We are now 8-10 years behind.
Anyway, there is benefit to outside classes. There are plenty of resources out there. But your strongest return will come, if you clear you calendar, and sit down beside them. Yes, I know, easier said than done. But give them a task at the level they are at. Layout this office after explaining S and L. Then, sit down and go over what you see. By seeing their work, it will tell you where to focus. R/ Matt Matthew J. Willis Ferguson Fire Design, LLC D: (602) 337-0721<tel:6023370721> C: (307) 236-8249<tel:3072368249> [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> [cid:f16a4a6b-49e9-4570-a30e-24a5af279140]<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/[email protected]?anonymous&ep=signature> Book time to meet with me<https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/[email protected]?anonymous&ep=signature> ________________________________ From: Welsh, Steve <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2026 7:17 AM To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers <[email protected]> Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: From Field to Designer Caution: This email originated from outside of the organization. DO NOT click links or open attachments unless you recognize and trust the sender. ________________________________ Give them a paper copy of NFPA 13. Make them read it. The electronic versions are good, but it is too easy to just search for what you need or google it. Younger professionals are missing the bigger picture code items. Most of our younger staff are picking up CAD and REVIT easy. Younger people generally have more access to computers. However, taking an online or community college class in REVIT could be beneficial. By just learning in house, you miss bigger picture features of these programs by just copying from job to job. Off topic, but I see REVIT the future of the industry in general. After that, it is getting them into the office to learn the practice of design. They might need to take a temporary pay cut to learn in the office or work part-time nights. Steve Welsh, PE \ Burns & McDonnell Senior Fire Protection Engineer M 410-978-3836 From: Vincent J. Como <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2026 9:01 AM To: Discussion list on issues relating to automatic fire sprinklers <[email protected]> Subject: [Sprinklerforum] Re: From Field to Designer So I am an old field hand turned designer. When I went into design, I was taught by a retired designer that my company paid part time. He started with the very basics of CAD and built up to layout, hydraulics and listing. On his days off, I would be working on any “assignments” he had for me, or shadowing other designers. If you are serious about turning him into a designer, get him a computer and YouTube has amazing videos that can teach him the basics of CAD. For me, the hardest part of the transition was learning CAD. I find that layout is the easiest for field guys to pick up, they should already have a basic understanding of it, but senior designers can teach that. For hydraulics, I recommend The Sprinkler Academy, Cecil and Travis are awesome instructors that helped me through my NICET III. They have classes from the very basics of hydraulics to calculating loops & grids. Thanks, [Proudly Saving Lives since 1978. Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc. Minutes Matter.]<https://www.waynefire.com/> Vinnie Como Commercial Designer [Phone Icon] 813-682-1657 [Phone Icon] 3226 Cherry Palm Dr, Tampa, FL 33619<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wayne+Automatic+Fire+Sprinklers/@27.9731297,-82.3452243,19.11z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x88c2cedf6f61e705:0x68ee7d733b51ea7a!8m2!3d27.9730378!4d-82.3449507?hl=en-US> Locations in: Ocoee /<https://www.waynefire.com/locations/ocoee-florida-orlando> Jacksonville /<https://www.waynefire.com/locations/jacksonville-florida> Deerfield Beach /<https://www.waynefire.com/locations/deerfield-florida>Tampa /<https://www.waynefire.com/locations/tampa-florida> Ft Myers /<https://www.waynefire.com/locations/ft-meyers-florida> Concord, NC /<https://www.waynefire.com/locations/concord-north-carolina-charlotte> Raleigh, NC<https://www.waynefire.com/locations/raleigh-north-carolina/> Minutes Matter ® From: Brian Harris <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2026 7:44 AM To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Subject: [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 forward to help him along. Thank you, Brian Harris, CET BVS Systems Inc. bvssystemsinc.com<http://bvssystemsinc.com/> Phone: 704.896.9989 Fax: 704.896.1935
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