NICET Training and Prep

NICET Fire Alarm Systems certification requires a thorough understanding of the concepts, codes, and skills required to work in the fire alarm industry. Level I is focused primarily on field work. Level II starts getting into a lot more of the design side. NICET III covers many of the topics in I and II, but at a more advanced level. Level III also focuses more on project management and people supervision. Along the path from I-IV, NICET also covers various levels of project management expertise, although I don’t think you probably need as much help with that.

 

Field Sim Approach

We use a mix of 1:1 video chats/phone calls, online training, and directed study. Following is an outline of the standard training path. As we go, we’ll adapt the path to your needs and experience.

Training Approach – Level I

• Level I knowledge assessment
• Assignment of online on-demand courses for Level I, which may include:
  • Introduction to Fire Alarm
  • Tools for Techs
  • Construction Basics
  • Reading Architectural Drawings
  • Installing Electrical Boxes
  • Intro to Wire
  • Terminating Wire
  • Installing Smoke and Heat Detectors
  • Installing Sprinkler Devices
  • Installing Modules and Pull Stations
  • Installing Notification Appliances
  • Installing Surge Suppressors
• 1:1 discussion and review of Level I topics
  • Electrical box requirements
  • Wire pulling and termination requirements
  • Device installation requirements
  • Safety
  • Inspection and testing
  • Drawings
• Introduction to NICET testing: what to expect and how to succeed
• Assignment of Level I practice test
  • You’ll need to pay NICET directly for this; at last check, the cost was $50
• Review of Level I practice test results and address gaps
• Assignment of NICET I test
  • You’ll need to pay NICET directly for this; at last check, the cost was $230
• Review NICET I test results and address gaps

Training Approach – Level II

• Level II knowledge assessment
• Assignment of online on-demand courses for Level II, which may include:
  • Field Drafting and As-Builts
• 1:1 discussion and review of Level II topics
  • Circuit and survivability classification and rules
  • Installation
  • Commissioning
  • Inspection and testing
  • Documentation requirements
  • Plan requirements
  • Voltage drop and battery calcs
  • Project management
• Assignment of Level II practice test
  • You’ll need to pay NICET directly for this; at last check, the cost was $55
• Review of Level II practice test results and address gaps
• Assignment of NICET II test
  • You’ll need to pay NICET directly for this; at last check, the cost was $315)
• Review NICET II test results and address gaps

Training Approach – Level III

• Level III knowledge assessment
• 1:1 discussion and review of Level III topics
  • Advanced project management topics
  • Advanced documentation topics
  • Advanced commissioning topics
  • Advanced inspection and testing topics
  • Contracts and change orders
• Assignment of Level III practice test
  • You’ll need to pay NICET directly for this; at last check, the cost was $60
• Review of Level III practice test results and address gaps
• Assignment of NICET III test
  • You’ll need to pay NICET directly for this; at last check, the cost was $370
• Review NICET III test results and address gaps

 

How Many Hours of Coaching Will This Take?

You have a lot of control over how much time we need to spend together. The more work you put in between sessions, the fewer sessions we’ll need to have.

Here are some rough estimates that are probably on the high side for most people:

• NICET I: 20 hours
• NICET II: 30 hours
• NICETIII: 30 hours

 

Additional Costs Not Included in the Bucket of Training Hours

Depending on the results from the initial knowledge assessment, you may be required you to complete training from our online catalog. The cost of that training is separate from your 1:1 sessions. We offer discounted pricing for the full Fire Alarm 101 library, to our NICET students. After purchasing a bucket of hours, you will be able to access Fire Alarm 101 for only $750. You have the option purchase it separately or use 3 hours from the 20-hour bucket.

You will also be required to have a subscription to NFPA LINK and a Base or higher subscription to the ICC Digital Codes.