SFPE is currently seeking member input on the scope documents of the SFPE Fire Protection Engineering Roles. These documents represent the SFPE Standing Committee for Professional Qualifications (CPQ) next step in further defining the competencies deemed essential for the practice of fire protection engineering. Now available for your review and comment are the roles of Structural Fire Engineering, Performance-Based Design, and Smoke Control.
The Fire Protection Engineering Roles were developed from the four areas of expertise defined in the “Recommended Minimum Technical Core Competencies for the Practice of Fire Protection Engineering”: Fire Science, Human Behavior and Evacuation, Fire Protection Systems, and Fire Protection Analysis. It is understood that competent fire protection engineers have a basic knowledge of each of these four competency areas, regardless of their specialty or role.
In 2021, the CPQ subcommittee on Competency and Credentialing defined 17 Fire Protection Engineering Roles. It is not expected that every fire protection engineer be an expert in every role. Instead, these roles were defined to illustrate the diversity of subject matter areas that encompass the practice of fire protection engineering and to express the range of opportunities present in the field of fire protection.
Each scope document comprehensively defines each role following the same format: Scope, Overview, Competencies, Stakeholders, and Common Activities.
Again, it is essential to remember that every fire protection engineer will not necessarily be an expert in each defined role. However, the role documents are intended to outline the specialized knowledge and skills that are necessary for one to be considered qualified to work in that area. We foresee the information in these role scope documents being used in developing and evaluating fire protection education opportunities, as well as testing and credentialing specifications.
These documents are just one of the steps undertaken to support further the SFPE mission to “define, develop and advance engineering best practices; expand our scientific and technical knowledge base; and educate the global fire safety community to effectively reduce fire risk.” Your comments and feedback are a valuable part of better defining the wide range of subjects that make up the practice of fire protection in today’s complex and evolving world. We welcome your feedback and thoughts during this and other upcoming public comment phases.
Please click here to review and submit feedback: Fire Protection Engineering Roles for Public Comment.