Coordinated Fire Protection Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Systems

In modern building projects, fire protection systems are often designed and installed by separate disciplines, leading to costly misalignments and inefficiencies. This course bridges that gap by providing a unified understanding of fire alarm and sprinkler systems, including their interaction, code compliance, and commissioning. Engineers will gain practical insights into system coordination, recent code updates, and special applications like gas suppression and early detection in high-risk environments.

Learning Outcomes:

Design and coordinate compliant fire alarm and sprinkler systems using NFPA 13, NFPA 72, and IBC references.
Understand system interactions, including supervisory signals, elevator recall, and emergency communication.
Apply best practices for special occupancies and suppression technologies, including pre-action, mist, and clean agent systems.

Who Should Attend:

Fire protection, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical engineers involved in system design
Construction managers, contractors, and code officials overseeing fire/life safety compliance
Architects, facility managers, and owner’s representatives responsible for integrated building systems

Course Details: RA01547-D758

Course Outline

Day One

Welcome and Introduction

Basic Fire Safety Concepts

Fire safety goals
NFPA 550

Major Codes and Standards

Fire protection system design
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
Model codes
Referenced publications
Building code tradeoffs

HVAC System Requirements

Applicable codes and standards
Duct smoke detection
Smoke management systems
Smoke containment systems
Some and fire dampers

Fire Sprinkler Systems

Introduction and overview
System types
Components
General requirements
Commodities and occupancies
Design approach
Pipe support and hangers

Day Two

Standpipe System

Introduction and overview
System types
Components
Design

Overview of Hydraulics and Fire Pumps

Introduction
Pressure loss formulas
Design process
Hydraulic calculations
Fire pump selection
Hydraulics worksheet

Fire Alarm System Features

Smoke and heat detection planning
Common spacing rules
Heat detector types
Heat detector layout
Smoke detectors

ionization
photoelectric
projected beam
air sampling
duct smoke detectors

Zoned initiating devices
Addressable initiating devices

Coordinated System Operation

Sprinkler water flow alarms
Other extinguishing systems
Supervisory signals and devices
Elevator recall and controls
Emergency communication
Commissioning and integrated testing

Day Three

Alternate Suppression Systems

High pressure mist

droplet size and surface area
cooling and oxygen displacement
pump and piping distribution

Automatic gas suppression
- principle of operation
- clean agent options
- tank storage

Special Facility Considerations

Assembly occupancies
Industrial / Storage
Hospitals - NFPA 99
Labs - NFPA 45
Data centers - NFPA 75
Cultural resources - NFPA 909

Course Schedule

Location and Lodging

Course Location

Pyle Center

702 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706

Map

866-301-1753

608-262-1122

Lodging

DoubleTree by Hilton Madison Downtown

525 West Johnson Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Room: rates start at $144

Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi and Local/Airport Shuttle. Parking available $15/night.

Online Reservations

800-222-8733

608-251-5511

Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club

One West Dayton Street
Madison, WI 53703

Map

Room: rates start at $160

Accommodations include: Complimentary WiFi, Local/Airport Shuttle, Pool, and Fitness Center.

Fluno Center

601 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706

Map

Accommodations include: Your stay includes hot breakfast buffet, fitness center, business center, convenient on-site parking. Guest rooms are complete with Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, complimentary high-speed Internet, and 40-inch, flat screen, high-def TVs.

Online Reservations

608-441-7117

877-773-5866

More Madison Lodging Options

Course Notes

Instructors and Program Director

Instructors
William (Bill) Sullivan
Fire Marshal
Bill Sullivan is the Fire Marshal for the City of Madison Fire Department (MFD). Bill oversees the Fire Prevention Division which applies state and local codes as well as multiple national standards covering everything from fire protection systems, hazardous material storage, emergency responder features, elevators, public education, emergency management and everything in between. Sullivan has worked for a fire sprinkler contractor, was the first fire suppression/fire alarm system plan reviewer for the State of WI, and worked for a world renowned fire protection engineering firm. Sullivan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire & Safety Engineering from Eastern Kentucky University, is a licensed WI Commercial Building and Fire Protection Systems Inspector, chairs the Wisconsin Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, and a chief fire officer with his local combination fire department.
William Koffel
Senior Director, Special Projects
William Koffel, P.E., FSFPE is President of Koffel Associates, a fire protection and life safety engineering design and consulting firm, and is recognized as an expert in the fire protection and life safety aspects of codes and standards. Headquartered in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area and with New England and Southeast regional offices, the firm provides consulting; engineering design and construction administration; codes and standards development; seminar development and training; product testing and evaluation / representation; and litigation support to public and private clients worldwide. He remains active in the development process of the industry’s governing codes, standards and design guidelines including International Code Council (ICC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and Underwriters Laboratory (UL). He is a member of many NFPA Technical Committees including the NFPA Correlating Committee on Signaling Systems, and is the Chair of the NFPA Technical Committee on Emergency Communication Systems and the Committee responsible for NFPA 25. He is the immediate past Chair of the NFPA Life Safety Correlating Committee. A former code official with the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, he is a Past President of the SFPE.
Program Director
Mark Malkin

Total Credits:

CEU 1.9,

PDH 19,

LU/HSW 19,

Course Administration

Fee Information

Fee covers morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, course materials.

Payment Options

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
Provide the registrations representative with:
- the course name, dates, and/or course number.
- the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

Request Purchase Order information from registration@cerc.wisc.edu
- If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email registration@cerc.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.

"I'm in HVAC and I've been around sprinklers/fire protection, but this course really got me up to speed in all of the parts of the puzzle! The instructors really know their business!"
–Gregory, Gabrilson, Bettendorf, IA

“As an AHJ/inspector, it is valuable to have a general idea of sprinkler and alarm system design. The knowledge gained in this class will help me understand plans and provide a knowledge base of how and why in the field...Wonderful course – very happy I was able to attend. I plan on budgeting for these courses in the future. Very knowledgeable speakers – incredibly intelligent!”
—Pete Fletty, Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department, Marshfield, Wisconsin
"For anyone that is involved in plan review, designs, and inspections, this course was well worth the time. Especially if you're the successor of a bureau. Also, information can be shared with dept. members...Overall one of the best classes I've taken."
—Michael, Lieutenant, Fire Prevention, West Allis Fire Department, West Allis, Wisconsin
"A lot of great information and insight. I liked that the fire departments were involved. The presenters were both very engaging and good. I really enjoyed that this class gave me a little different perspective than a typical design class. I found it very beneficial."
—Jessica, Mechanical Engineer, GRAEF, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"It was exactly what I was hoping for when signing up for the class. A basic overview of the fire protection / alarm system."
—Carlos, JDR Engineering, Madison, Wisconsin

Coordinated Fire Protection Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Systems

Learning Outcomes:

Who Should Attend:

Stay Connected

Course Details: RA01547-D758

Course Outline

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

Course Schedule

Location and Lodging

Course Notes

Instructors and Program Director

Course Administration

Fee Information

Payment Options

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

Pay by Purchase Order

Military

Event Cancellation

Cancellation Policy

Related Courses

Past Courses

Coordinated Fire Protection Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Systems

Coordinated Fire Protection Sprinkler and Fire Alarm Systems