Fire Sprinkler Designer Salary

Fire sprinklers serve as vital safety features in large buildings by activating immediately when unusual fire or heat are sensed. They are so ubiquitous that most people don't notice them, nor do they comprehend how much work goes into their design and installation. Fire sprinkler designers are responsible for the implementation of these systems in both commercial and residential environments.

Those in this position begin by visiting a building or construction site to examine the blueprints and tour the facility to create an estimation of its required fire sprinkler infrastructure. They also identify areas which may be particularly vulnerable to fire danger and ensure that enough resources are allocated accordingly. Next, they use tools such as AutoCAD to design the actual layout of the fire sprinkler system and produce a draft. Using this, they work with an installation team to ensure the system is implemented and also work to maintain and improve existing systems. There are various tiers of designers, and higher tiers often manage subordinate designers and oversee their projects.

Educational requirements for fire sprinkler designers may vary by employer. Typically, a high school diploma is a minimum requirement, and experience with drafting tools such as AutoCAD and SprinkCAD is very important. The National Institute for Certification in Engineering issues certifications for fire sprinkler design, and most employers prefer applicants who possess this certification. (Copyright 2017 PayScale.com)

Fire Sprinkler Designer Tasks

• Design fire protection sprinkler systems with accuracy and detail to enable field installation with few design errors.
• Submit design plans to proper department leadership for approval and obtain permits as required.
• Calculate figures to convert design dimensions to resizing dimensions specified for subsequent production.
• Design fire protection sprinkler systems within allocated hours for each job.
• Review work order and procedural manuals to determine critical dimensions of design.

Surpassing the national average by 44 percent, Fire Sprinkler Designers in Indianapolis receive some of the highest pay in the country. Fire Sprinkler Designers can also look forward to large paychecks in cities like Atlanta (+42 percent), Denver (+27 percent), Dallas (+24 percent), and Portland (+21 percent). Falling short of the national average by 8 percent, the area with the worst salaries is Tampa.