Fire safety engineer
Fire safety engineers make sure that buildings are designed to keep people, property and the environment safe from the dangers of fire.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a fire engineer, you could:
- use computer modelling to investigate how fires start and spread
- make recommendations about building design and fire-resistant construction materials
- advise companies on fire risks, safety systems and emergency procedures
- write fire investigation reports
- keep up to date with product developments, fire regulations and laws
- work with local authorities, construction professionals and architects on fire safety
Working environment
You could work in an office or on a construction site.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Career path and progression
With experience you could become a:
- senior fire engineer
- fire safety instructor
- self-employed consultant
You could also specialise in working on particular types of buildings, for example commercial, residential or retail.
With continued training, you could apply for professional registration as an engineering technician, or incorporated or chartered engineer. This is a way to demonstrate your skills and expertise in the industry.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- analytical thinking skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of building and construction
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- complex problem-solving skills
- knowledge of physics
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- have a full driving licence
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
You can do a foundation degree or degree in fire engineering.
You can also do an engineering degree, for example civil or structural engineering. You can then take a postgraduate course in fire safety engineering or fire engineering science.
Some courses offer a work placement. This will give you relevant work experience and can help you to make useful industry contacts.
Your university careers service will be able to advise you about this.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
More Information
You can take a higher national certificate (HNC) or higher national diploma (HND) in an engineering subject at college. This might help you find work as a trainee fire engineer.
You'll then do further training on the job to specialise in fire safety.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
More Information
You can apply to do a Fire Safety Inspector Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship or a Fire Safety Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
These can take between 2 and 5 years to complete and combine workplace training with study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
If you're already working in a fire safety or firefighting role, you may be able to take professional qualifications offered by The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE), such as:
- Level 3 Certificate in Fire Engineering Science
- Level 4 Diploma in Fire Science and Fire Safety
- Level 5 Award in Fire Investigation
Career tips
Many fire safety engineers work in the construction industry for engineering consultancies and house building companies.
There may also be opportunities in the insurance industry, or in local authorities, to work in risk assessment or fire investigation.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join The Institution of Fire Engineers for professional development and networking opportunities.
Further information
You can learn more about a career as a fire engineer from The Institution of Fire Engineers.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.