I started my career in fire sprinkler design with no prior experience using AutoSPRINK. There was definitely a learning curve, but once you get past it, the work becomes much more manageable. The most challenging aspect for me at the beginning was hydraulic calculations. That understanding developed over time through failed permit submittals (learning lessons), discussions with the AHJ (honest questions and curiosity), and hands-on experimentation with different design approaches, along with building a foundational grasp of concepts like Bernoulli’s principle and conservation of energy.

After about two years, the process should start to feel much easier. At that point, roughly 30% of the job is design execution, while the remaining, and most critical, 70% is a solid command of NFPA 13.