Occupations · Architecture and Engineering

Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 17-2111.02

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Develop training materials and conduct training sessions on fire protection.
Study the relationships between ignition sources and materials to determine how fires start.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking4.2

Reading Comprehension4.0

Speaking4.0

Active Listening3.9

Writing3.9

Active Learning3.9

Science3.6

Mathematics3.1

Learning Strategies3.1

Monitoring3.1

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Autodesk AutoCAD●Autodesk Revit●Bentley MicroStation●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Project●Microsoft Visio●Microsoft Windows●Microsoft Word●A Large Outdoor Fire plume Trajectory model Flat Terrain ALOFT-FTANSYS simulation softwareAnalysis of Smoke Control Systems ASCOSAtria smoke management engineering tools ASMETAvailable Safe Egress Time ASETBerkeley Algorithm for Breaking Window Glass in a Compartment Fire BREAK1Building Research Establishment BRE JasmineCESARE RiskComputational Dynamics STAR-CDComputational fluid dynamics CFD softwareConsolidated compartment fire model CCFMConsolidated fire and smoke transport model CFASTCrows Dynamics SimulexData acquisition softwareDetector Actuation Quasi Steady DETACT-QSEgress AllsafeEgress EVACSElevator evacuation ELVAC software

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls−1.5 below average

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions−1.4 below average

E-Mail+1.0 above average

Written Letters and Memos+0.9 above average

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable−0.9 below average

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks−0.9 below average

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment−0.8 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2025-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree85%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)4%

Doctoral Degree4%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.4%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2025-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic6.3

Investigative5.2

Conventional4.5

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Develop or modify building codes and fire codes.
Perform testing on fire protection equipment or building features, such as fire doors or smoke control systems.
Review building plans to verify compliance with fire and building codes.

O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Complex Problem Solving4.0

Judgment and Decision Making4.0

Systems Analysis3.9

Systems Evaluation3.9

Operations Analysis3.8

Time Management3.4

Quality Control Analysis3.4

Management of Personnel Resources3.1

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Engineering and TechnologyBuilding and ConstructionDesignMathematicsPublic Safety and SecurityEnglish Language

Abilities it leans on

Problem SensitivityInductive ReasoningDeductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten Expression

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

EngineerPlumbing DesignerPlumbing EngineerConsulting EngineerFire Safety EngineerFire Protection DesignerFire Protection ConsultantFire Protection Engineer (FPE)Fire Protection Design EngineerFire Prevention Research EngineerForensic Fire Protection EngineerLicensed Fire Protection EngineerProfessional Fire Protection EngineerFire Protection Commissioning Engineer

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 7 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 4

+Microsoft Windows+Microsoft Visio+Mechanical electrical plumbing MEP design software+ANSYS simulation software

No longer listed 3

−Computer aided design CAD software−ANSYS software−Egress EXITT

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

EngineerChief EngineerDesign DirectorSenior EngineerPlumbing EngineerPlumbing DesignerConsulting EngineerLoss Control ManagerFire Safety EngineerFire Protection EngineerFire Protection DesignerFire Protection Consultant

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
fire prevention and protection engineer	2149.8.1	exact

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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