Kind of off topic but NICET for fitters?
Kind of off topic but NICET for fitters?
(OP)
Heard from a fire chief friend that NICET is preparing some sort of certification for sprinkler installation fitters that is supposed to debut 2010.
Anyone else hear anything or am I being fed hogwash?
Hard enough to find a competent fitter these days who is off drugs and not an alcoholic but now they got to pass a test too?
Anyone else hear anything or am I being fed hogwash?
Hard enough to find a competent fitter these days who is off drugs and not an alcoholic but now they got to pass a test too?





RE: Kind of off topic but NICET for fitters?
I had lunch today with one of my fire protection contractor friends who I offered some free FPE consulting. He didn't mention it. He did mention he had to fire a fitter last week who failed his whiz quiz over meth. It's sad how narcotics destroy people.
As much as I love Texas, I would sure hate to see this. I can see the SFM jumping on this like stink on sh*t because it creates another funding mechanism.
RE: Kind of off topic but NICET for fitters?
Regards
Dave
RE: Kind of off topic but NICET for fitters?
Dave, I worked in the field for 8 years before I started doing design work. I passed enough elements for Nicet level 3 in two sittings but Nicet refused to certify me because my experience was "not design related". Personally, I think this is ridiculous. I argued to no avail that field experience was priceless as far as designers are concerned. That said, I think a certification for fitters is a great idea, as long as it is tailored to the installation rules. We have been pushing for a fitter certification at the state level here in Kentucky for some time. Maybe they will adopt the Nicet requirements when they become available.
RE: Kind of off topic but NICET for fitters?
Well isn't that a fun play on words. If the installation isn't design related, I'll eat my shorts. It sounds like a type of professional protectionism.
In fact they are as closely related as you can get. One is of little value without the other. I'm always impressed when I see the engineer out in the field visualizing how the install should go before hand, and then checking to see how it's going as the job comes along. This seems to happen less and less.
But I have to disagree with you about having Nicet "taylored" for fitters. This will merely lead to a two tier system, even if only in appearance, where one system will be seen as being of less value than the other. No. Other than relaxing the rules to allow those in related fields to try and attain certification, the same high standards must be met by all.
Regards
Dave
RE: Kind of off topic but NICET for fitters?