Fire Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a fire engineer. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a fire engineer.
Who is a Fire Engineer?
A fire engineer designs and offers recommendations on new structures and ones undergoing renovation regarding fire safety measures. Their job is to ensure that projects adhere to industry standards and legal requirements while also helping protect people, property, and the surrounding environment from the risk of fire.
A fire engineer is knowledgeable about nature, traits, spread, and control of fire. They are also knowledgeable about the causes of combustion and how fires start. Fire engineers also receive education and training in spotting, managing, and putting out fires.
Additionally, detailed knowledge of combustion theory and how to use it in practical settings are requirements for fire engineers. Additionally, they must be able to evaluate potential fire hazards in structures and make recommendations for ways to avoid starting fires.
Buildings must be designed with fire safety in mind by fire engineers. The position is closely related to that of fire investigators, who work to ascertain the origin of a fire, and fire assessors, sometimes known as fire safety consultants, who carry out the legally mandated fire risk assessments on non-private dwellings. Depending on the nature of their organization and its mandate, certain fire engineers may take on some aspects of these tasks.
Typically, fire engineers collaborate closely with building services engineers, architects, and fire risk assessors as part of multidisciplinary project teams.
As their careers advance, fire engineers may specialize in a particular building type (such as commercial, residential, mixed-use, or even more narrowly in retail or high-rise, for example).
Fire engineers normally work regular business hours, although they may put in extra time if working on a project site or traveling there and back.
Fire Engineer Job Description
Below are the fire engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. The employer can use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of the fire engineer include the following:
- Recognize potential fire dangers and minimize or eliminate them.
- Create plans, calculations, rough drafts, and/or diagrams to assist fight fires and stopping their spread.
- Incorporate fire safety measures, such as sprinkler systems, emergency exits, and fire alarms into designs to reduce the danger of injury and fatality in the event of a fire, while also taking into account the structural integrity of the structure and human behavior.
- Make suggestions for the materials to be used in a building’s construction or renovation.
- Stay updated with laws and regulations.
- Advise on the installation or application of the plans by visiting project or construction locations
- Guide decisions regarding safe building occupancy levels, fire evacuation strategies, and other matters
- Prepare fire strategy reports.
- Communicate with local authorities and/or building control experts as necessary.
- Serve as an expert witness in court and throughout legal processes when the need arises.
Qualifications
- A high school certificate, GED, or its equivalent
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in engineering or fire science
- Licensed as a fire engineer
- Experience as a fireman through apprenticeship or volunteer
- Knowledgeable about fire engineering
Essential Skills
Here are the skills you require to excel in your career as a fire engineer:
- Fire Prevention and Safety
- Fire Systems Alarms
- Building Codes
- Emergency Management
- Designing and Engineering
- Critical Analysis
- Decision-making
- Communication and Leadership
- Organization
- Problem-solving
- Time Management
- Project Management
Fire Prevention and Safety
Fire science training is required for fire engineers, and this training frequently covers fire safety, mitigation, and prevention. Additionally, these specialists learn how to use and maintain mechanical devices, high-pressure irrigation systems, and other fire control equipment, including fire engines. Additionally, fire prevention frequently includes the use of fire detection technologies, safety regulations, and emergency response processes.
Fire Systems Alarms
Fire engineers study fire detection and alarm systems that monitor the security of both residential and commercial properties. These skills are required to assess sprinkler systems, detection equipment, and fire protection systems in buildings. Some electrical engineering and security courses can be typical for growing as a fire engineer because your knowledge in constructing and maintaining fire alarm systems and protection devices may be required to achieve certain employment requirements.
Building Codes
Building codes are rules that guarantee people’s safety in buildings, so fire engineers need to be familiar with them. Fire engineers use this skill to inspect buildings and ensure they adhere to construction codes. When creating fire prevention systems for brand-new buildings or renovations, they also use it. This guarantees that the system is set up well and complies with all safety requirements.
Emergency Management
Since they frequently collaborate with other experts in the fire service and medical industry, fire engineers need to possess good emergency management abilities. Knowing how to react in various emergency scenarios, such as fires, natural catastrophes, and medical problems is necessary for this. To properly lead your team, also entails having a solid awareness of standard operating procedures for every scenario.
Designing and Engineering
Your ability to use engineering design and technology skills in practical applications can also help you progress professionally. Fire engineers use this skill to plan, build, create, and manage fire prevention devices. When creating alarm systems and detecting devices for large buildings, some specialists additionally use engineering and design to plan the installation locations for the equipment. Your ability to read and comprehend intricate building plans and blueprints depends on your engineering and design skills.
Critical Analysis
Fire engineers need this skill in this kind of position, where they constantly evaluate and react to crises and medical problems. Your ability to apply solutions, solve problems, and reduce hazards to the public’s health and safety is supported by your critical thought. You may use this skill to examine plans of action, come to difficult conclusions, and handle tricky situations in the workplace. Given that evaluating information and developing strategies based on it are both necessary for assessing emergencies, your attention to detail may also demonstrate your capacity for critical thought.
Decision-making
In an emergency, fire engineers must be ready to make swift choices. When they receive a call, they must know how to respond, evaluate the situation, and ascertain what tools and personnel are required for the work. Making decisions is a talent that fire engineers employ when creating new firefighting methods or strategies.
Communication and Leadership
Fire engineers use communication skills to assist in job performance and career growth. Assessing and reacting to emergency service calls, as well as dealing with coworkers, require effective communication. Many fire engineers use their leadership abilities in training and integrating firefighters into station command units. Working through fire safety training, carrying out emergency response procedures, and creating best practices to support staff and public safety require leadership and communication skills.
Organization
Fire engineers must be well-organized to do their work on schedule and with the proper supplies. At a fire station, your duties could range from instructing new members to maintaining equipment to responding to emergency calls. Knowing where your files are and what materials you need for each work are ensured by being organized.
Problem-solving
In their line of work, fire engineers apply problem-solving techniques to get around obstacles. They could have to come up with fixes for faults with equipment, safety, or other concerns that crop up during a firefighting operation. Fire engineers frequently deal with technical issues when designing and installing new systems at buildings. They must assess the problem, look for potential reasons, and think of workable remedies.
Time Management
To perform all of their responsibilities, fire engineers frequently need to manage their time well. To respond to an emergency, they might need to collaborate with other firemen and emergency medical staff, so they must be able to prioritize their job and stick to deadlines for inspections or training sessions. To be ready for any situations that can arise during the day, fire engineers must schedule their days in advance.
Project Management
Fire engineers use their project management skills to organize and carry out activities such as construction projects, fire safety inspections, and other tasks. To make sure that everyone knows the necessary things to fulfill their job, they may also apply these skills when working with a group of firefighters. Strong project management abilities in fire engineers can help keep projects on schedule and lower the likelihood of errors or accidents occurring while working.
How to Become a Fire Engineer
Below are the steps you need to take to become a fire engineer:
Step One: Volunteer in Fire Service
An in-depth comprehension and knowledge of techniques for putting out flames are necessary for the job of a fire engineer. Consider joining your community’s volunteer fire department to understand the risks and behaviors associated with fire and to investigate this profession. Your first step toward becoming a hired fire engineer can be to volunteer as a firefighter.
Step Two: Obtain a Degree
Obtain a degree or diploma in fire science or engineering to start a career as a fire engineer. You can often enroll in fire science classes to increase your understanding of fire protection if you have a postsecondary engineering degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or civil engineering. For fire engineers with a specific university degree or college diploma, career progression can happen more quickly.
Fire protection technician and technologist degrees are available from colleges. You can learn about cutting-edge fire safety technology from qualified experts through these classes. Additionally, you can learn about computer systems, regulating laws and standards, and training in fire investigation, insurance, and wildland fire suppression.
Step Three: Get your Fire Engineer License
Many professional certificates are related to fire engineering and show that you are interested in developing your career.
To expand your network, you can also collaborate closely with other professionals like risk managers, loss control experts, fire officers, fire marshals, fire inspectors, and safety managers. You might also work with protection consultants, designers, engineers, code enforcers, facility managers, and specialists who work with fire safety technologies while you pursue certification.
Step Four: Learn Relevant Skills
Building codes, fire codes, standards, and their applications are things fire engineers should know. Building rules, codes, and related standards are incorporated into designs for a structure’s fire safety. Your interest in and comprehension of these crucial components of a fire engineer job are demonstrated to employers by your research on these standards and codes.
Examine government fire laws, many of which provide technical requirements governing actions related to the building’s construction, operation, or demolition, as well as the safety precautions for that facility’s planned or current usage.
Step Five: Take Part in Safety Education
Safety for persons and property is a priority for fire engineers. Being a professional in this industry demonstrates a commitment to all fire protection-related safety issues. Your career will be focused on preventing injuries and property damage due to your safety training.
Where to Work as a Fire Engineer
You have a lot of opportunities as a fire engineer at the managerial level in government organizations. You can also find jobs in the private industry. Consulting firms, educational institutions, businesses, and governmental organizations are all in high demand of your service. You could also pursue a career in research and development. Most of your work will be in sophisticated laboratories here.
In big businesses, you can work with fire prevention teams. Additionally, you can work for governments’ fire departments or insurance firms. A few further alternatives are the fields of architecture and building design and aviation.
Although working hours are often set, you should always be ready for emergencies. On occasion, you might also need to make site visits for installations or inspections.
Fire Engineer Salary Scale
The average Fire Engineer pay in the United States is $73,035, although the normal income range is $62,596 to $83,042.
In the UK, a fire engineer makes an average pay of £31,469 per year or £16.14 per hour. Most experienced workers earn up to £40,000 yearly, while entry-level roles start at £28,000.
In Canada, a fire engineer makes an average of CA$85,000 a year, or CA$43.59 an hour. Entry-level salaries for entry-level occupations are CA$79,875, while those with the most experience may earn up to CA$121,415 per year.
The average gross pay for a fire engineer in Germany is €46,640, or €22 per hour. The typical salary for a fire engineer at entry level is €34,305. A senior-level fire engineer makes an average salary of €56,938.
In Australia, a fire engineer makes an average yearly pay of AU$94,733.
A fire engineer makes an average yearly pay of €43,725 in Ireland.
In Nigeria, salaries for fire engineers range from ₦147,000 to ₦493,000 per month.
