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Engineering ServicesISCO 3112

Fire protection technician

A fire protection technician is a person who installs and maintains fire protection equipment in buildings, including fire extinguishers, fire alarms, fire detection systems and sprinkler systems, so that a facility meets safety standards and is protected against fire.

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Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

inspect fire equipment

arrange equipment repairs

order equipment

perform minor repairs to equipment

estimate damage

About fire protection technician

The technician regularly inspects equipment to confirm that it functions: pressure and seals on extinguishers, detectors and their sensitivity, alarm sounders and panels, sprinkler heads and the pipework and valves feeding them. The technician repairs any faults found, and minor repairs to equipment are carried out on the spot where that is possible.

During installation the technician applies fire safety legislation, which sets what has to be fitted where in a given building, and installs extinguishers, detectors and sprinkler components. The technician also orders equipment and the spare parts needed for inspections.

After an incident the technician estimates the damage, establishing what has to be replaced and what can be recommissioned. The technician needs knowledge of fire protection systems and follows health and safety legislation at work, including in occupied buildings. The technician may also organise fire drills for the occupants. Certification requirements for servicing fire protection equipment are set by national fire safety rules.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

fire safety regulationsfire safety regulationsThe legal rules to be applied for fire safety and fire prevention in a facility.fire prevention proceduresfire prevention proceduresThe regulations concerning fire and explosion prevention, and the equipment, systems and methods used in it.fire-fighting systemsfire-fighting systemsThe devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.maintain safety systemsmaintain safety systemsPerform activities for the maintenance of fire fighting and related safety systems.inspect fire equipmentinspect fire equipmentInspect fire equipment, such as fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and fire vehicle systems, to ensure the equipment is functional and to assess its faults.arrange equipment repairsarrange equipment repairsArrange for equipment repairs when necessary.order equipmentorder equipmentSource and order new equipment when necessary.perform minor repairs to equipmentperform minor repairs to equipmentConduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.estimate damageestimate damageEstimate damage in case of accidents or natural disasters.perform preventive maintenance on fire fighting vehiclesperform preventive maintenance on fire fighting vehiclesKeep firefighting vehicles ready for use at any time. Maintain all aspects of firefighting vehicles and ensure that vehicles function correctly.organise fire drillsorganise fire drillsOrganise emergency procedures, practices and actions that should be performed to safely leave a building in case of fire.operate fire extinguishersoperate fire extinguishersUnderstand the operation of fire extinguishing equipment and fire extinguishing techniques.
Optional (15) — show
environmental policyenvironmental policyLocal, national and international policies dealing with the promotion of environmental sustainability and the development of projects which reduce negative environmental impact and improve the state o...habitat restorationhabitat restorationThe process of repairing and rehabilitating areas that suffered habitat destruction, alteration of seafloor or the threat of extinction of some animal and plant species. Habitat restoration also invol...pyrotechnic articles legislationpyrotechnic articles legislationThe legal rules surrounding pyrotechnics and pyrotechnic materials.hydraulicshydraulicsThe power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.pollution preventionpollution preventionThe processes used to prevent pollution: precautions to pollution of the environment, procedures to counter pollution and associated equipment, and possible measures to protect the environment.handling of dangerous goodshandling of dangerous goodsThe handling procedures for a variety of potentially dangerous materials, such as explosives, flammable or toxic gases, flammable solids/liquids, infectious substances, radioactive substances, etc.execute vehicle maintenanceexecute vehicle maintenanceExecute vehicle maintenance based on supplier or manufacturer instructions. This might include cleaning vehicle engine, cleaning vehicle interior and exterior, maintaining mileage and fuel records, pe...perform risk analysisperform risk analysisIdentify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.undertake inspectionsundertake inspectionsUndertake safety inspections in areas of concern to identify and report potential hazards or security breaches; take measures to maximise safety standards.advise on safety improvementsadvise on safety improvementsProvide relevant recommendations following the conclusion of an investigation; ensure that recommendations are duly considered and where appropriate acted upon.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.organise fire stationorganise fire stationOrganise the place where fire engines and other equipment are housed to ensure safe and efficient operations.write work-related reportswrite work-related reportsCompose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligib...use different types of fire extinguishersuse different types of fire extinguishersUnderstand and apply various methods of firefighting and various types and classes of fire extinguishing equipment.test safety strategiestest safety strategiesTest policies and strategies related to risk and safety management and procedures, such as testing evacuation plans, safety equipment, and carrying out drills.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a fire protection technician do?

Fire protection technicians install and maintain fire protection equipment, such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms, fire detection systems, or sprinkler systems in facilities to ensure compliance to safety standards and protection from fire hazards. They inspect the equipment to ensure its functionality, and perform repairs.

What skills does a fire protection technician need?

A fire protection technician needs 13 essential skills, including fire safety regulations, fire prevention procedures, fire-fighting systems, health and safety regulations, maintain safety systems.

Will AI replace fire protection technician jobs?

The AI disruption score for fire protection technician is 32/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: write work-related reports, health and safety regulations, fire safety regulations. Most resilient: use different types of fire extinguishers, perform minor repairs to equipment, execute vehicle maintenance.

Quick Facts

SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills13

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