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Fire Prevention Engineer

Occupation Information table
Overview: 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.
Duties: They determine what building construction materials and equipment should be used to assure fire resistant structures.

They perform technical experiments and studies to assess fire resistance properties of specific construction materials. They specify how to treat materials to make them more fire resistant.

Recommend what kinds of fire detection and alarm systems are needed to protect different types of dwellings, commercial buildings, factories, hotels, etc.

Design fire sprinkler systems for buildings that are triggered when fire detection systems sense fire caused fumes, smoke or heat.
Degree(s): A.S. Engineering Science 
A.S./B.S. QCC/John Jay Dual/Joint Sciences for Forensics 
Job Outlook: Employment in this field is projected to grow 5% to 8% percent from 2018 to 2028, which matches the average growth rate for all occupations.
Education Level: Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college (some are 5 years) is required to be considered for this occupation.
Additional Training/Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited engineering program with a concentration in materials science and construction engineering is the usual requirement for this occupation. Most states require certification by passing a written examination.
Advancement Info: Beginning engineering graduates usually work under the supervision of experienced engineers and, in large companies, also may receive formal classroom or seminar-type training. As new engineers gain knowledge and experience, they are assigned more difficult projects with greater independence to develop designs, solve problems, and make decisions. Engineers may advance to become technical specialists or to supervise a staff or team of engineers and technicians. Some may eventually become engineering managers or enter other managerial or sales jobs.
Recommended Skills:
  • Analyzing requirements for a new product or service and creating a design to satisfy those needs.
  • Weighing out the options in a situation or a problem and logically choosing the best course of action.
  • Identifying the most appropriate equipment and tools needed to get a job done.
  • Inspecting and testing products or services to assure they meet the desired specifications.
  • Using logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Using scientific methods to investigate and conduct experiments.
  • Talking, giving speeches, or speaking in a group to convey information, explain ideas, or give instructions.
  • Teaching others how to do something.
Recommended Values:
  • Having the ability to work with equipment or material things.
  • Doing something where you can physically see the results of your work.
  • Being able to decide on how to get something done without significant direction from someone else.
  • Having a level of income that will afford you with luxuries, and which will allow you to become financially independent.
  • Create new ideas, programs, things, or anything else not previously developed by another person.
 

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.