Special Hazards Exam
3

Question

Special Hazards Exam

desnov74 (Electrical)

(OP)

16 Oct 09 14:31

I am an Electrical Engineer gone fire protection.(Long story!)

Anyway, I am going for my NICETII in Special Hazards early next year. I am going to take the CFPS exam, this year. I am taking these exams to:
1) Prepare in-part for the PE a year or so from now.
2) The NICET seems to be more recognized as a credential in our industry.
Two questions from the group:
1) Any tips, I have some time off (laid off) until the end of the year to study. Any strategies? Tips? Books?
2) In the fire industry (Especially industrial fire protection) I have a sense that a PE in electrical with a NICET combination might be more lucrative/rewarding in the long run. It seems like it would be especially useful when interfacing systems,SIS system design or alarms, and systems shut down. Any thoughts?

SprinklerDesigner2 (Mechanical) · Answer 1 · 2009-10-19 13:51:07

While not the case with me it does appear a number of FPE's have NICET as well due to its portability across state lines.

The NICET test isn't that hard but I always tell people to never undestimate it.

I am sure it has happened more often but prior to this downturn I never heard of a certified layout technician getting laid off. In this downturn I've heard of only one certified sprinkler layout technician who was laid off (Indiana) and he found another job in less than a week.

On the sprinkler side many of us are fortunate in that the states we work in require a certificate holder who is NICET certified as level III or IV.

MGXFP (Automotive) · Answer 2 · 2009-10-20 15:34:15

Michael B. Baker has some books that might help you study for the exam.

www.etnews.org

I have a few and found them helpful.

I echo what SprinklerDesigner2 has said, NICET is very portable and legislation is friendly to having it. The exams are not as hard as the PE but you should study for it and spend enough time to be familiar with the unique ways fire protection does things.

I think an electrical PE along with NICET should definitely pay off in the long run for you. Good luck!

desnov74 (Electrical) · Answer 3 · 2009-10-20 17:51:07

RE: Special Hazards Exam

desnov74 (Electrical)

(OP)

20 Oct 09 17:51

Thank you guys, good points.

NJ1 (Mechanical) · Answer 4 · 2010-02-09 23:43:28

If you take a close look at the difference between a P.E. and a NICET certify individual you will appreciate more the value of NICET Certification. Some states wont even recognize a PE in order to obtain a Fire Protection Contractor's License.
I hold NICET certifications in Water Based Systems, Sprinkler Layout and Special Hazards and trust me when I tell you. You must combine NICET with other certifications and degrees. You will certainly move up faster than others.

desnov74 (Electrical) · Answer 5 · 2010-02-12 20:26:44

NJ1,

I agree, its a great certification process. For the fire protection field its the way to go. Thanks for the post.

NJ1 (Mechanical) · Answer 6 · 2010-02-17 20:24:45

Can someone explain to me why NFPA 72-2007 Edition even mention requirements of having NICET certify individulas and why does NFPA 25 does not. That could be a great valuable argument to discuss with the NFPA committee. Also why the requirement to have specific certification from alarm products and not sprinkler products such as Deluge valves, pre-action valves, pumps, D systems, etc.

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Special Hazards Exam
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