Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineer

Also called: Chief Engineer, Consulting Engineer, Engineer, Fire Prevention Research Engineer, Fire Protection Design Engineer

Varies

estimated salary

Fire prevention and protection engineers research causes of fires, determine fire protection methods, and design or recommend materials or equipment such as structural components or fire-detection equipment to assist organizations in safeguarding life and property against fire, explosion, and related hazards.

  • Advise architects, builders, and other construction personnel on fire prevention equipment and techniques and on fire code and standard interpretation and compliance.
  • Inspect buildings or building designs to determine fire protection system requirements and potential problems in areas such as water supplies, exit locations, and construction materials.
  • Design fire detection equipment, alarm systems, and fire extinguishing devices and systems.
  • Prepare and write reports detailing specific fire prevention and protection issues, such as work performed, revised codes or standards, and proposed review schedules.
  • Determine causes of fires and ways in which they could have been prevented.
  • Direct the purchase, modification, installation, maintenance, and operation of fire protection systems.
  • Develop plans for the prevention of destruction by fire, wind, and water.
  • Consult with authorities to discuss safety regulations and to recommend changes as necessary.
  • Study the relationships between ignition sources and materials to determine how fires start.
  • Develop training materials and conduct training sessions on fire protection.
  • Conduct research on fire retardants and the fire safety of materials and devices.
  • Attend workshops, seminars, or conferences to present or obtain information regarding fire prevention and protection.
  • Evaluate fire department performance and the laws and regulations affecting fire prevention or fire safety.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 97% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 86% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 61% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 61% responded "Every day".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 47% responded "Some freedom".
  • Letters and Memos — 50% responded "Once a week or more but not every day".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 43% responded "Extremely important".
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Work Activities
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Prepare technical or operational reports.
  • Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
  • Advise others on health and safety issues.
  • Determine causes of operational problems or failures.
  • Direct installation activities.
  • Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.
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Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Design
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Building and Construction
  • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
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Skills

Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem Solving
  • Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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Abilities

Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Inductive Reasoning
  • The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Deductive Reasoning
  • The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • Computer aided design CAD software Hot Technology
  • Computational Dynamics STAR-CD Hot Technology
  • Bentley Microstation Hot Technology
  • Autodesk Revit Hot Technology
  • Autodesk AutoCAD Hot Technology
Project management software
  • Microsoft Project Hot Technology
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
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