Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

17-2111.02

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• 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.
• Consult with authorities to discuss safety regulations and to recommend changes as necessary.
• Direct the purchase, modification, installation, testing, maintenance, and operation of fire prevention and protection systems.
• Determine causes of fires and ways in which they could have been prevented.
• Develop plans for the prevention of destruction by fire, wind, and water.
• Develop training materials and conduct training sessions on fire protection.
• 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.
• Study the relationships between ignition sources and materials to determine how fires start.
• Conduct research on fire retardants and the fire safety of materials and devices.

Technology Skills

• Administration software - Network flow modeling software
• Analytical or scientific software - A Large Outdoor Fire plume Trajectory model Flat Terrain ALOFT-FT; Analysis of Smoke Control Systems ASCOS; ANSYS simulation software; Atria smoke management engineering tools ASMET; Available Safe Egress Time ASET; Berkeley Algorithm for Breaking Window Glass in a Compartment Fire BREAK1; Building Research Establishment BRE Jasmine; CESARE Risk; Computational fluid dynamics CFD software; Consolidated compartment fire model CCFM; Consolidated fire and smoke transport model CFAST; Crows Dynamics Simulex; Data acquisition software; Detector Actuation Quasi Steady DETACT-QS; Egress Allsafe; Egress EVACS; Elevator evacuation ELVAC software; Evacuation modeling software; Finite element method FEM software; Fire dynamics simulators; Fire Protection Engineering Tools FPETool software; Fire Response of Structures Thermal FIRES-T software; Fire Simulation Technique FIRST software; FIRECALC fire zone modeling software; Fluent FloWizard; Human modeling software; Interconsult Brann G-JET; JET; Large eddy simulation LES software; Link actuated vents LAVENT software; Load-bearing analysis software; Mean time to failure MTTF software; Simulation of fires in enclosures SOFIE software; Zone modeling software
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD ; Autodesk Revit ; Bentley MicroStation ; Computational Dynamics STAR-CD; Computer aided design CAD software
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Microsoft Windows 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• 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.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the 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.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Advise others on health and safety issues.
• Inspect facilities or sites to determine if they meet specifications or standards.
• Prepare technical or operational reports.
• Direct installation activities.
• Direct equipment maintenance or repair activities.
• Coordinate safety or regulatory compliance activities.
• Determine causes of operational problems or failures.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Teach safety standards or environmental compliance methods.
• Update technical knowledge.