What does a fire protection engineer do?

I often get this question from inquisitive building owners and contractors, as well as nosy family members. Most people who ask about this profession are usually surprised at the depth of knowledge required of fire protection engineers. The short answer is that fire protection engineers are responsible for applying scientific theories and engineering practices to prevent death, injury, and reduce damage from fires and explosions. The longer answer requires a blog to flesh out some of the roles and responsibilities of a fire protection engineer.

Fire protection engineers typically operate in the built environment. They study the characteristics of fire and apply lessons learned to minimize the effects of fire. They work alongside architects, civil and structural engineers, and even mathematicians when producing fire prediction models. Fire protection engineers are essential in bringing safety to modern construction designs.

One of the most common and recognizable purviews of the fire protection engineer involves the design of fire sprinkler systems. A fire protection engineer must understand the area hazards and ensure the fire sprinkler system is appropriate. For instance, a fire sprinkler system that protects an office space will not be sufficient in a tire storage facility, since tires present a significantly greater fuel load than items found in a typical office environment. Fire sprinkler systems fall under the general category active protection systems which means that an action occurs to influence the outcome of a fire. A common myth about active protection systems is that they are designed to extinguish the fire, but the truth is active protection systems are engineered to control the spread and contain the fire long enough for first responders to arrive. Other active protection systems include the use of carbon dioxide and foam to control fires from unique hazards. Fire protection engineers can also help create smoke control systems, which remove smoke from important areas such as atriums to make sure people can get out of the building safely.

Another active protection system that fire protection engineers design are fire alarm systems which provide an early warning to occupants to exit the building. Some common items in a fire alarm system include strobes that flash and horns that emit a loud pulsating sound. The fire protection engineer must ensure that these signals are able to reach all the people in the building and that the system will function correctly in the event of an emergency or power loss. Early detection saves lives by providing extra time for people to get away from the danger.

Fire protection engineers also work on passive protection systems, which aim to compartmentalize and prevent the spread of fire. These include fire rated walls that will resist fires for a certain amount of time and protect important areas, like exit corridors and high-hazard storage rooms. Passive protection systems provide additional time for occupants to exit and can limit the damage of a fire. Fire protection engineers collaborate with architects and other engineers to ensure that the building itself is appropriate for its intended function. Both active and passive protection systems are necessary for the safety of a building and the fire protection engineer is responsible to ensure both types of systems work together to save lives and property.

While recognizable and the subject of countless movies and TV shows, firefighters are the last resort against fires, whereas fire protection engineers are the first line of defense in the safety of lives and property. Fire protection engineers help reduce the severity of fires, allowing people more time to escape and minimizing the danger to heroic firefighters. Often overlooked, fire protection engineers are vital to the built environment and a safer society.

About the Author: Nick Tran

Nick Tran is a licensed Mechanical and Fire Protection Engineer in California. He has an Associates degree in Computer Aided Design from De Anza College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from San Jose State, and a Master of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Cal Poly SLO. He is currently on the UL Standards Technical Panel for UL 38 and was president of the Alameda County Fire Prevention Officers Association.

How Do I Acquire My PE Civil License in the United States?

Applying for and acquiring your PE Civil license in the United States is no simple task. There are multiple requirements that need to be fulfilled before you can receive your license, and each one takes some time and energy to ensure they are properly addressed. One of the benefits about the modern application process is that it is clearly laid out and streamlined. This blog will detail the steps necessary to achieve this advanced milestone of your engineering career!

Table of Contents

1. Check Your State's Board Licensing Requirements

2. The PE Civil Exam

3. The Application

4. Conclusion

1. Check Your State's Board Licensing Requirements

The first place to start when verifying what you need to achieve PE Civil licensure is your local state's Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. Although there are some similarities in requirements between various states, many states can have more specific requirements that need to be addressed. For instance, some states not only require you to pass the national PE Civil exam, but also state specific examinations such as surveying and seismic exams before licensure can be presented. The main items that will be required include:

• A passing grade on both the FE and PE Civil exam.
• A bachelor's degree in engineering from an EAC/ABET accredited program (or other equivalent degree combinations).
• Engineering work experience.
• References from other engineers.

Assuming you have the proper education requirements and work experience requirements, the next major step towards licensure is taking the national exam.

2. The PE Civil Exam

The PE Civil Exam is the hardest part of getting licensed. It is an 8-hour, 80-question exam that is broken up into two parts: a morning session and an afternoon session. The morning session covers all the civil engineering fundamentals one will have learned through their educational experiences with an EAC/ABET-accredited program. The afternoon session is specific to your chosen discipline and delves deeper into the coverage of those specific topics and subjects. Applying for the exam can be completed through the NCEES website (https://ncees.org/). With proper effort, and with the help of a leading exam review course provider like School of PE, you should be able to pass the exam and move onto the state-specific application process itself.

3. The Application

Once you reach the application process for your state licensing board, you will first need to verify your states' preferred method of application submission. Some states will utilize what is known as an NCEES record-where the application can be electronically uploaded-which can help shorten application process times when trying to apply for additional licenses in other states. Other states utilize more traditional processes that involve mailing all pertinent documentation directly to the state licensing board. No matter which process your state uses, references from colleagues and peers will be a necessary component of your application. References need to be other professional engineers and individuals who can vouch for your work and provide insight on your relevant experience for the Board's review. Be sure to keep an eye out for state-specific reference requirements, such as all references needing to be provided from engineers licensed in the same state in which you are applying.

4. Conclusion

Once you have passed the national exam and added all the education, work experience, and reference requirements, you are ready to finally submit your application! Make sure to do one last review of the application and submittal requirements to make sure nothing is left out. There are plenty of stories of engineers getting applications rejected because of minor mistakes in the submittal process.

After a final review is complete, the last thing that will be needed is payment of the application fee which can be found on your state's licensing board website. Once the fee has been paid and all appropriate documents are sent in, you can finally kick back, relax, and wait for your licensure results! Soon, you'll be using your own seal!

About the Author: Eric Lawrence

Eric is a professional engineer with over 5 years of experience in the civil and stormwater industry. Prior to obtaining his master's degree from Colorado School of Mines, Eric attended Georgia State University where he played on the men's soccer team for four years. When Eric is not practicing engineering, he still enjoys kicking the soccer ball as well as hiking and traveling.

3 Steps to Passing the PE Civil Exam

When trying to get ready to take the PE Civil exam, it is often tough to figure out where to start. Do you study old college textbooks hoping the material will match what will be presented on the exam? Do you purchase practice exams and review them repeatedly until the questions are seared into your brain? Or do you perform countless Google searches on exam study tips until your computer battery is completely drained? Oddly enough, elements of all the above are conducive efforts to try and prepare yourself for the PE Civil exam. I have simplified my own exam preparation experience into three steps below that should help provide some guidance on where and how to start your own studies!

Table of Contents

Step 1: Do Background Research

Step 2: Study Hard!

Step 3: Test Time

Step 1: Do Background Research

The PE Civil exam is a national exam that many individuals have successfully passed before you. If you have any friends or colleagues who have previously taken the exam (passed or not), reach out to them! Often, the way most people pass is by learning from the successes-and mistakes-of others' previous attempts. Next, go to NCEES' website and research the specific discipline you will be taking. Not only is this website where you will schedule your exam, but it is also full of useful resources for exam preparation. You will be able to find valuable information about many different elements of the exam like the format, which is one of the most important things to be ready for when taking the exam. Like tests in college, question formats and the allotted test time is something you will want to be aware of. The NCEES website, as well as others, will have useful information on the exact layout and format of the exam.

Step 2: Study Hard!

It is a long road ahead in terms of the study hours needed to pass the exam. You'll likely have to devote anywhere from 100-125 hours to exam preparation, if not more. You will want to spend your study time effectively; for instance, DON'T read a textbook cover to cover for hours on end analyzing every single word. Utilize the NCEES website to zero in on key concepts that will likely be covered in the exam and make those your focal point as you study. You can even take prep classes, like what School of PE offers, for the exam-which are well worth the money. Perhaps the best method of hands-on preparation for your exam will consist of solving practice problems. Practicing what you've learned is essential for memory retention. Some of the most effective study resources will allow you to not only solve practice problems, but also provide detailed solutions for the problems so you can cross check your work and pinpoint any errors you may have made.

Because this is the last time the PE Civil exam will be offered in the pencil-and-paper format, you will still be allowed to bring in your open book resources to the exam. You will need to organize these materials per NCEES standards. Utilize some of your study hours to create a reference system that you'll easily be able to sift through come test day. Using post-it tabs is a very popular method for quickly locating items in your textbook. After the October 2021 exam, however, the PE Civil will transition to CBT, in which case you will not be allowed any additional resources than the corresponding NCEES Reference Handbook.

Step 3: Test Time

The time has come. It's test day. Get as much sleep as you can the night before. Remember, this October 2021 is the last time the exam will be offered in the pencil-and-paper format. When you head to the test facility, be sure to bring all your reference materials organized per NCEES standards. This is the last time you will have the opportunity to bring any other reference material than the NCEES Reference Handbook.

The test will be broken down into two four-hour portions which will amount to 80 total questions. You'll take the first, more generalized "Breadth" portion in the morning and the second, more discipline- specific "Depth" portion in the afternoon. Not only will it be important to manage your time well during the test, but also to pace yourself and not be afraid to skip questions you don't feel confident answering. The morning portion is mentally taxing-you can wear yourself out before the afternoon portion begins if you're not careful. As you go through each question, make sure to read the problem statement carefully, as there can be some curve balls thrown in.

After those 8 hours are up, it's time to reap the rewards of all your hard work and effort over the past few months. You will be glad you spent the necessary time to prepare when you receive a passing grade!

About the Author: Eric Lawrence

Eric is a professional engineer with over 5 years of experience in the civil and stormwater industry. Prior to obtaining his master's degree from Colorado School of Mines, Eric attended Georgia State University where he played on the men's soccer team for four years. When Eric is not practicing engineering, he still enjoys kicking the soccer ball as well as hiking and traveling.

Top Four Fire Protection Engineering Education Programs

If you are interested in becoming a fire protection engineer, you will need to receive the proper education in the field before you begin the exam process. Here is a rundown of some of the fire protection engineering degree programs that I am personally familiar with. This blog is by no means exhaustive, and a more extensive list can be found here:

 https://www.sfpe.org/career/students/universityprograms

I graduated from California Polytechnic Institute: San Luis Obispo with a master's degree in fire protection engineering.

1. The program was completely online and was very convenient to attend classes either live or recorded.
2. I preferred to attend the classes live so I could ask questions as I went along and then watch the recordings for parts that I needed to review.
3. All the instructors were extremely responsive, as I could expect an email response from them within the hour during the day and no longer than 24 hours, even on the weekends.
4. They did offer in-person classes at the actual campus and a few students attended that way.
5. The only negative about the program would be that some of the concepts would have been more easily understood in person, but that can be easily overcome by asking questions or attending in-person classes, and this issue is universal for all online programs.
6. Overall, I would highly recommend getting your master's degree in fire protection engineering, and when you do sign up at https://fpe.calpoly.edu/, let them know that I sent you!

Another program I am familiar with is the bachelor's and master's program at the University of Maryland.

1. They are the gold standard when it comes to fire protection engineering programs because they have significant research resources and outstanding faculty.
2. Many of their professors are considered top tier in the fire protection industry and have many years of experience and knowledge.
3. Most people with a degree in fire protection engineering are graduates of the University of Maryland and the alumni are very active post-graduation, so networking opportunities are likely to abound.
4. If you are interviewing at a fire protection engineering consulting firm, chances are high that the interviewer is from the University of Maryland, and they will be familiar with your background.
5. The University of Maryland boasts the only bachelor's degree program that is ABET accredited.
6. You can find more information here: https://fireprotection.umd.edu/.

If you are interested in studying abroad, consider Ghent University in Belgium and their master's degree program for fire safety engineering.

1. This is an English-speaking program that offers a unique European perspective on fire protection engineering, as they emphasize performance-based solutions rather than code-driven requirements.
2. Ghent University is also part of a larger network of other world-renowned universities including the University of Edinburgh, Lund University, University of Queensland, ETH Zurich, and University of Maryland, so their program is able to provide resources from a multitude of top institutions. To find out more, visit https://studiekiezer.ugent.be/international-master-of-science-in-fire-safety-engineering-en/2021.

Another well-known program is at Oklahoma State University and their offering of a bachelor's and master's degree program in fire protection and safety engineering technology.

1. Because they offer a degree in engineering technology, you should first check with your state's engineering licensing board to see if that qualifies you to take the professional engineering exam.
2. Oklahoma State University offers a more hands-on approach to fire protection engineering in which students will actually don firefighting equipment and learn practical approaches to fire prevention. Learn more about this program here https://ceat.okstate.edu/det/fpset/.

There are many other excellent programs that provide college degrees in fire protection engineering. I would suggest you investigate all of them to see which one is right for you, but they will all undoubtedly lead to great outcomes for your career as a fire protection engineer!

About the Author: Nick Tran

Nick Tran is a licensed Mechanical and Fire Protection Engineer in California. He has an Associates degree in Computer Aided Design from De Anza College, a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from San Jose State, and a Master of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering from Cal Poly SLO. He is currently on the UL Standards Technical Panel for UL 38 and was president of the Alameda County Fire Prevention Officers Association.