Architecture & Engineering
Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
Also called: Consulting Engineer, Engineer, Fire Protection Consultant, Fire Protection Engineer (FPE)
US median pay
$115,160
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.4%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
1,200
22,300 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Advise architects, builders, and other construction personnel on fire prevention equipment and techniques and on fire code and standard interpretation and compliance.
- Design fire detection equipment, alarm systems, and fire extinguishing devices and systems.
- 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.
- Review building plans to verify compliance with fire code.
- 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.
- Evaluate fire department performance and the laws and regulations affecting fire prevention or fire safety.
- Direct the purchase, modification, installation, testing, maintenance, and operation of fire prevention and protection systems.
- Attend workshops, seminars, or conferences to present or obtain information regarding fire prevention and protection.
- Determine causes of fires and ways in which they could have been prevented.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving4.0/5
- Systems Evaluation3.9/5
- Systems Analysis3.9/5
- Operations Analysis3.8/5
- Time Management3.4/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.4/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology4.9/5
- Building and Construction4.5/5
- Design4.5/5
- Public Safety and Security4.2/5
- Mathematics4.2/5
- English Language4.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree85%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.