The Value of NICET Certifications in Fire Protection System Services
NICET is a nationally recognized certification for engineering technicians and utilized in the fire protection industry. This shows a technician’s capability to service a particular type of fire protection system including fire alarm, water-based, and special hazards. Facility managers, authorities having jurisdiction, contracting officers, and contractors use NICET to quickly identify a technician’s qualifications. The value of NICET certifications is that they provide proof of a technician’s knowledge and experience.
Knowledge
NICET Certified fire protection system service technicians must understand NFPA code requirements. At each level of certification, I, II, III, IV, the technician’s understanding of the code requirements and familiarity with the specific codebook increases. They prove their knowledge by passing a rigorous test. But their education on fire protection system services and code requirements does not end there. Over the course of a 3-year period, technicians must earn 90 credit hours of continued education to maintain their certification. This includes: attending fire protection-related webinars, courses, conference sessions; joining industry organizations, and participating in code update/creation groups etc. By continuing their education over the course of their career demonstrates certified individuals’ commitment to their craft.
Experience
Obtaining fire alarm, water-based, or special hazard NICET certification in inspection, testing, and maintenance differs in types of experience and capabilities within each area. But each level and fire protection system type require similar years of experience.
- NICET I 6 months
- NICET II 2 years
- NICET III 5 years and a recommendation letter
- NICET IV 10 years, recommendation letter, and description of a complex major project that demonstrates senior responsibility role (excludes water-based)
Those in charge of contracting fire protection system service companies can easily identify the minimum level of experience of technicians. It is also important to note that a technician may hold a NICET II and have 10 years of experience. These levels of certification only provide a baseline of their capability to provide fire protection system services.
NICET fire protection system service certification provides tremendous value to facility managers, authority having jurisdictions, contracting officers, and contractors. It provides peace of mind knowing that the technician performing services understands the code requirements and is familiar with working on the system. Most importantly, NICET certification provides proof of their knowledge and experience in fire protection system services.
Categorized in: Education, Fire Alarms, Fire Pumps, Fire Sprinklers, Fire Suppression, General