What does a Fire Protection Engineer do?

fire protection engineer

A fire protection engineer is often found nosing around old and new buildings. He is an important figure that people consult when they want to protect their properties from fire. These engineers are involved in the construction of new buildings and the renovation of old structures.

They know all the rules, regulations, and codes surrounding fire protection and they will keep your building on the right side of the law. Contactors rely on them to identify the best materials and tools for fighting and resisting fires.

If you are contemplating the notion of hiring a fire protection engineering firm this is what you can expect from them:

1). They act as consultants for architects and civil engineers, providing assessments that can be used to identify risks and threats related to fire. People can use these assessments to mitigate those risks and threats.

2). They will show you all the attributes you can add to a building during construction to make it safer. That includes the right number of entry and exit points, not to mention their locations.

fire protection engineering

3). They will tell you the building and safety codes and standards that pertain to your project. They will also help you to fulfill them. Some building codes are complicated. The layperson needs help interpreting them. This is where a fire engineer enters the picture.

4). Fire engineers are supposed to help you prevent fires. But if a fire occurs, or even an explosion, they can also carry out investigations to find the source. They are not necessarily a replacement for arson investigators. But their considerable knowledge can come in handy at the site of a fire or explosion. At the very least, they will help you eliminate the factors that caused the fire.

5). Some people are forced to halt the construction of expensive projects because their buildings have failed to meet the relevant standards. A fire engineer can prevent such disasters by reviewing your plans before the project commences. They will ensure that your plans meet the relevant standards. They will also review your fire safety measures and protocols, making certain that they are accurate.

performance fire protection

6). A fire prevention engineer will design fire protection systems for you. If you already have fire protection systems, he will review them. His report will tell you whether or not they are sufficient for your situation.

7). If you have a functional fire protection system that has been analyzed and approved, it still requires testing every once in a while. An engineer will schedule and oversee this testing. He can also conduct fire drills where necessary.

8). Because the rules and regulations surrounding fire protection keep changing, an engineer will keep you abreast of these changes. He will show you how to make alterations to your pre-existing fire systems to ensure that your premises are always compliant with current legislation.

Some laypeople have the experience required to perform some of the duties associated with an engineer. However, these experts are still necessary because they have far more experience in the field. They also have special tools such as modeling software that makes their work more accurate.