Cape Fear Community College

Fire Alarm Systems Training

Program Overview

Fire Alarm Systems Training is a program to produce competent and qualified individuals. It is our belief that properly trained and knowledgeable fire alarm system designers and technicians will reduce the amount of false alarms and improve the quality of life in their community.

Fire department budgets that are consumed by false alarm calls can be used for prevention and education outreach programs. Businesses and residents in municipalities that have false alarm ordinances will spend less on fines. The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies or NICET "is a non-profit organization created by the National Society of Professional Engineers to serve the certification needs of the engineering technology community". Fire Alarm Systems Training endorses and encourages NICET certification.

Graduates will be considered “qualified” per NFPA 72, New Hanover County Fire Service and the Wilmington, NC Fire Department.

Course Descriptions

Basic Fire Alarm Systems

This course is designed for those individuals who are new to the fire alarm industry and will focus on fundamentals. Students will learn basic electrical theory and understand resistance, voltage and current. Individuals currently in the fire alarm industry would benefit from the concepts and theories, which will be built upon in the advanced course.
Students will also acquire a basic understanding of the physics involved in the chemical reaction and the by-products of fire. Students will learn basic electrical workmanship and installation methods of fire alarm equipment and devices. The student will gain an understanding the requirements of codes and standards that govern fire alarm systems and installations.0

Students will become familiar with NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm Code, and NFPA 70, the National Electric Code (NEC).

This course is offered Online Only and Hybrid (see Choose Your Path below).

Course Offered

Spring: January – April | Summer: May – August | Fall: September – December

Downloads

Basic Fire Alarm Systems Training Flyer
Fire Alarm Systems Training Pamphlet

Advanced Fire Alarm Systems

This course is designed for individuals who are fire alarm technicians or have intermediate experience in the fire alarm industry and will focus on application and design.
The subject matter will build upon concepts addressing the behavior and generation of smoke, the combustion process and the requirements of codes and standards that govern fire alarm systems and installations.
Students will become familiar with NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 70, the National Electric Code (NEC), and the International Building Code (IBC).
This course is offered Online Only and Hybrid (see Choose Your Path below).

Course Offered
Spring: January – April | Summer: May – August | Fall: September – December

Downloads
Advanced Fire Alarm Systems Training Flyer
Fire Alarm Systems Training Pamphlet

Choose Your Path

Online Only or Hybrid?

Cape Fear Community College offers our Fire Alarm Systems Training courses two ways: Online Only or Hybrid. The Online Only version allows anyone with an internet connection to take the course. You are not required to have US citizenship, but the course is taught only in English. The Hybrid version is similar in that the course is offered online and includes in-person labs at the Safety Training Center located at the North Campus in Castle Hayne, North Carolina. The labs allow the student to acquire hands-on experience in installing, programming and acceptance testing of a fully functional fire alarm system.
The first time you log into the course you will “Choose Your Path”. Indicate to the instructor which path you intend to take prior to taking any lessons.

Hybrid

  • Online with in-person labs at CFCC North Campus (see Curriculum below)
  • Qualified per WFD and NHCFS AHJ’s. Basic Course Only (see Endorsements below)
  • “Certificate of Completion” awarded for successful completion
  • Wallet Card included to provide proof of qualification to AHJ
  • 15.4 CEU’s awarded

Online Only

  • Online only, self-paced
  •  “Certificate of Attendance” awarded for successful completion
  • 13.8 CEU’s awarded

Registration

Register here! And follw the steps below.

  • Click on yellow "Continuing Education" box
  • Click on "Register and Pay for Continuing Education Classes"
  • In the "Coure Code Number" box enter "MNT-3200B-56948" and click "Submit"
  • Click the check box, then "Submit" and continue until the process is complete

Curriculum

Lesson

  • Available online through Distance Learning
  • Course will last 4 months
  • 48 lessons, 3 per week (approximately 1 hour each)

Pre-Test

  • 5 questions, 5 minutes
  • Identifies areas of focus
  • Allowed to take twice (Written Exam review)
  • Non-Graded

Progress Survey

  • 10 questions, 10 minutes
  • Measures progress
  • Graded

Practical Labs (Hybrid Only)

  • In-person at North Campus on Saturdays (tentatively from 8:00am - 12:00pm)
  • 4 (1 per month)
  • 3 hours in duration
  • "Hands-on"

Written Exam

  • 60 questions, 60 minutes
  • Follows practical lab
  • Graded

 

Internship Program

Program designed to allow students with no prior experience in the fire alarm industry, to acquire hands-on skills with participating fire alarm contractors and organizations.

  • Participating fire alarm contractors and firms complete a form listing skills they can provide (rough-in, pull wire, inspections, etc.).
  • Students are provided with an alphabetical list to choose a company with skill sets they desire.
  • Students will perform internship and not receive wages, but acquire hands-on skills desired by potential employers.
  • Companies and firms contribute to the development of future fire alarm industry professionals and get a "first-look" at prospective technicians.

Registration

Program registration information:

CFCC is preparing to open pre-registration to prospective students

  • Student Registration fee - $175.00
  • The first class in each course will be limited to thirty (30) students
  • The frequency of the course offerings will be determined on interest and announced at a later date
  • Registration will be in accordance with CFCC’s Tuition and Fees policy found at http://cfcc.edu/admissions/fees.html.

Donations

Course budget will not accommodate equipment needed to provide a well-rounded graduate of the program

  • Solicit companies and organizations to support FAST with equipment for labs.
  • Placard will be affixed to equipment to recognize donation.
  • Logo on flyers and promotional materials.
  • 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Status:
    • Donor determines value.
  • Donation "Wish" List
  • Lab Station Layout

Donors

Fire Alarm Systems Training and Cape Fear Community College would like to recognize the following companies and organizations who have contributed to the program.

Downloads

Course materials, brochures and forms are available for download using the links below. All documents are in PDF format. Click here for free Adobe PDF viewer if you cannot view files.

Course Materials

Brochures

Forms

Endorsements

The following participating Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ's) will accept FAST Certificate of Completion as "qualified" per NFPA 72:

Please contact pinferrera@cfcc.edu  to add your department or agency.


Related Links

Firefighter Training Center Computer Lab

Next Test Date - Saturday, Mar. 17th

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For more information on fire/rescue training opportunities call 910-362-7799 or email us.