Fire Sprinkler Construction Foreman

Job Description

Job Description

Field Leadership and Crew Management

• Direct and supervise sprinkler fitters, apprentices, helpers, and other assigned field personnel.

• Establish daily work assignments and clearly communicate production expectations to the crew.

• Plan manpower requirements based on upcoming work and project schedule.

• Monitor employee productivity and workmanship.

• Hold crew members accountable for safety, attendance, productivity, quality, and company expectations.

• Train and mentor apprentices and developing field personnel.

• Promote teamwork, professionalism, and accountability on the jobsite.

• Identify employee performance issues and communicate concerns to the Project Manager or appropriate supervisor.

Planning and Production

• Develop and execute daily and weekly work plans.

• Understand project schedules, milestones, sequencing, and required completion dates.

• Monitor labor hours and production against project budgets and expectations.

• Identify potential labor overruns and notify the Project Manager before significant overruns occur.

• Plan material, equipment, lift, and tool requirements in advance.

• Minimize downtime caused by inadequate planning, missing materials, incomplete predecessor work, or coordination

problems.

• Coordinate work to support testing, inspections, ceiling closures, and project turnover.

Fire Protection Installation

• Supervise and participate in the installation of fire sprinkler and related fire protection systems.

• Read and interpret approved fire sprinkler shop drawings and coordinate with architectural and trade drawings.

• Lay out mains, branch lines, drops, arm overs, risers, standpipes, drains, fire department connections, and related

components.

• Verify pipe elevations, sprinkler locations, hanger locations, and system routing.

• Supervise installation of threaded, grooved, welded, CPVC, and other approved piping systems as applicable.

• Ensure proper installation of sprinklers, valves, backflow preventers, risers, standpipes, hangers, seismic bracing, FDCs, drains, and related equipment.

• Ensure installation complies with approved drawings, specifications, applicable codes, manufacturer requirements, and company standards.

Plan Review and Field Coordination

• Maintain a current set of approved fire sprinkler shop drawings in the field.

• Identify discrepancies between field conditions and approved drawings.

• Recognize conditions requiring clarification, redesign, or an RFI.

• Do not make unauthorized design changes when engineering or design approval is required.

• Coordinate fire protection piping with ductwork, electrical systems, plumbing, structural components, ceilings, equipment, and other building systems.

• Participate in coordination meetings when required.

• Maintain accurate field dimensions and provide sketches or information required for fabrication and design revisions.

Material and Equipment Management

• Review material requirements before scheduled installation.

• Prepare material lists and field takeoffs as required.

• Coordinate material needs with the Project Manager, purchasing department, fabrication shop, or designated company personnel.

• Verify material deliveries for quantity, condition, and accuracy.

• Maintain reasonable control over company materials and minimize waste.

• Maintain accountability for company tools, equipment, lifts, and rental equipment assigned to the project.

Quality Control

• Ensure installations meet company workmanship standards.

• Verify work against approved drawings before ceilings or walls are closed.

• Inspect sprinkler locations, pipe routing, elevations, hanger spacing, bracing, valves, drains, and other system components.

• Identify and correct deficiencies before requesting inspection.

• Minimize leaks, punch-list items, rework, and callbacks.

• Perform or supervise hydrostatic testing, flushing, and system testing as required.

• Prepare systems for inspections by the General Contractor, owner, engineer, fire marshal, or other Authority Having

Jurisdiction.

• Maintain accurate as-built documentation throughout construction.

Safety Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe work environment for all assigned personnel.

• Enforce company safety policies and applicable OSHA requirements.

• Conduct required pre-task plans, Job Hazard Analyses, Job Safety Analyses, or similar safety documentation.

• Conduct toolbox talks and safety meetings as required.

• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment and fall protection.

• Ensure ladders, scaffolds, aerial lifts, power tools, threading machines, and other equipment are used properly.

• Identify unsafe conditions and take immediate corrective action when necessary.

• Exercise stop-work authority when an imminent safety hazard exists.

• Immediately report injuries, property damage, near misses, or significant safety incidents according to company procedures.

Testing, Inspection, and Turnover

• Coordinate testing and inspection activities with the Project Manager and General Contractor.

• Ensure systems are complete and internally reviewed before requesting an inspection.

• Supervise hydrostatic tests and other required system tests.

• Coordinate flushing and system startup procedures.

• Maintain documentation of testing and inspection results.

• Complete punch-list work promptly and assist with final system turnover and project closeout.

Documentation and Reporting

• Complete accurate daily reports and document manpower and labor hours.

• Record work performed and areas completed.

• Document delays, disruptions, access restrictions, and conditions affecting productivity.

• Document significant coordination conflicts and changed conditions.

• Complete time-and-material tickets accurately and obtain required signatures.

• Maintain accurate redlines and as-built information.

• Submit documentation to the Project Manager according to company procedures.

Change Management

• Recognize work that may be outside the original subcontract scope.

• Notify the Project Manager before performing significant additional or changed work whenever possible.

• Do not authorize substantial extra work without appropriate approval.

• Track labor, material, equipment, and other costs associated with changed work.

• Maintain supporting documentation, including photographs and T&M tickets.

Communication and Coordination

• Serve as the primary field representative for the fire protection contractor on assigned projects.

• Maintain regular communication with the Project Manager.

• Communicate manpower requirements, material needs, schedule concerns, coordination conflicts, safety issues, and

potential cost impacts promptly.

• Coordinate professionally with the General Contractor's Superintendent and other subcontractors.

• Escalate issues that cannot be resolved at the field level.

• Protect the company's contractual and financial interests by accurately documenting conditions affecting the work.

Minimum Qualifications

• Previous experience installing commercial fire sprinkler systems.

• Previous leadership experience as a Foreman, Lead Fitter, or comparable field position preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to independently read and understand fire sprinkler shop drawings.

• Working knowledge of applicable NFPA standards, particularly NFPA 13.

• Knowledge of construction safety practices and OSHA requirements.

• Ability to supervise and develop field personnel.

• Ability to plan work several days or weeks in advance and accurately document project conditions.

• Valid driver's license when required for the position.

• Applicable state licenses, registrations, certifications, or endorsements must be maintained where required by jurisdiction.

Preferred Qualifications

• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification.

• Aerial lift certification.

• First Aid/CPR certification.

• Manufacturer training for specialty fire protection systems.

• Experience with fire pumps, standpipes, seismic bracing, and specialty suppression systems.

• Experience managing multiple crews or large commercial projects.

• Familiarity with electronic construction drawings, tablets, and construction management software.

Physical Requirements

·         Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; climb ladders and stairs; work from aerial lifts and elevated platforms; bend, kneel, reach, and work overhead; handle pipe, fittings, tools, and construction materials; and work in typical indoor and outdoor construction environments.

·         Employees must be able to safely perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Performance Expectations

• Safety: Work is planned and executed without preventable injuries, unsafe practices, or repeated safety violations.

• Quality: Systems are installed correctly with minimal leaks, deficiencies, rework, or punch-list items.

• Production: Crews meet reasonable productivity expectations and labor is managed against the project budget.

• Schedule: Work is planned sufficiently in advance to support project milestones and avoid preventable delays.

• Planning: Manpower, materials, tools, equipment, and access requirements are anticipated before they are needed.

• Leadership: Employees receive clear direction, accountability, training, and professional supervision.

• Documentation: Daily reports, as-builts, T&M tickets, photographs, delays, and changed conditions are documented

accurately and promptly.

• Communication: Project management is informed of significant issues before they become major schedule or cost problems.

Kauffman Co. is a licensed fire protection contractor: fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, inspections, maintenance, and compliance documentation—under one roof with one point of contact and a team you can count on.

Company Description

Kauffman Co. is a licensed fire protection contractor: fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, inspections, maintenance, and compliance documentation—under one roof with one point of contact and a team you can count on.