The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Fire Inspector
- Fire inspection
- 9 Min Read
Firefighting isn’t the only career present in the fire protection industry. There are a lot of opportunities, like a fire inspector, for people who want to work in the fire safety and prevention industry. One of those paths that a prospect can take is becoming one of many fire inspectors.
Fire inspectors are officers who are responsible for preventing fires from happening by conducting regular inspections and making sure citizens are keeping within the legal policies of potential fire hazards.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the procedure of how one is to go about becoming one of those fire inspectors. We’ll also be taking a look at the requirements required to be a certified fire inspector and effective at fire safety.
Here's What We Cover:
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1. The Duties of Fire Inspectors1. The Duties of Fire Inspectors
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2. Jurisdiction and Fire Safety Responsibilities2. Jurisdiction and Fire Safety Responsibilities
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3. Types of Fire Inspectors3. Types of Fire Inspectors
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4. The Steps and Process4. The Steps and Process
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5. Potential Fire Hazards, Eliminated5. Potential Fire Hazards, Eliminated
The Duties of Fire Inspectors
A fire inspector is a part of the fire department personnel who is a professional in the field of fire safety and building codes. They work in association with local government organizations to ensure that buildings like offices, hospitals, educational institutes, and stores follow the legal fire safety codes correctly and that the buildings themselves are in proper condition for occupation or use.
An inspector’s job is not only to maintain a record of the conditions of all the buildings in their jurisdiction but to regularly inspect and check if residents are following the proper legal laws for fire and safety in place. These laws put upon them the responsibility of having the power to not only protect but also prevent any fires from breaking out, thus saving plenty of lives and a good amount of money in property damage.
Jurisdiction and Fire Safety Responsibilities
Talking about jurisdiction, a fire inspector can be a part of a local county, rural, or city fire department or a government organization authorized to conduct fire inspections. They also work for separate private agencies that are approved by the government to operate and protect people under fire safety regulations.
Most fire inspectors also collaborate with building construction companies and organizations that are responsible for construction and fire safety. Fire inspectors guide them on how to safely construct buildings according to building codes and policies to keep the risk of fire at a minimum.
Types of Fire Inspectors
Arson Investigator
Fire Code Inspector
Fire Inspector
Fire Investigator
Fire Official
Fire Prevention Inspector
Fire Prevention Specialist
Fire Protection Specialist
Fire Safety Inspector
Fire Safety Specialist
The Steps and Process
Now let’s take a deep dive into the process of how to get from square one to a fire inspector, divided into trackable steps,
Education
The first and foremost step in the journey to becoming a fire inspector is to get a degree related to fire safety. The minimum requirement is a high school diploma, but this necessity can vary according to the region or state that the prospect is from.
Today, many students going down this route consider completing some extra certifications like first aid and CPR to get a better understanding of the industry and the responsibilities surrounding it. Even a few extra courses about fire safety and regulations are recommended for information about the actual on-ground experience.
Volunteering at local fire stations in positions that can give you the best experience can help get a better picture of what it would look like to be a fire inspector and if this is the path you want to head down.
Training and Higher Education
Nowadays, most fire inspection organizations require a candidate to hold a degree in fire safety, fire science, or fire protection engineering to be valid for employment. Any university or college degree will hold good for a fire inspector job, but for specific cases of employment look at the current requirements needed for fire inspection job postings.
Training can also teach you more about fire inspectors’ work and give you a better insight into fire protection. Fire investigators can help teach you more in-depth topics like fire alarm, fire suppression, and fire service.
Experience in Fire Safety Regulations
To become an inspector with many people working under you, you first have to be one of those people. Gaining experience as a firefighter can help develop your skills and mold you into a more professional inspector who knows exactly what to do and when to do it.
Try volunteering at a local fire department and gaining insight as to how the operations within a fire station work. Then, once you’re the age of 18, try applying for firefighter positions with a relevant firefighter degree and knowledge of the plain.
Potential Fire Hazards, Eliminated
That’s it. The path to becoming a fire inspector. It may seem daunting at first to take on such a task as fire safety but remember, nothing comes easy, and everything requires hard work.
Follow these steps, and you’re sure to come out with a fire inspector who will save plenty of lives. Good luck, and check out our fire inspection software, ZenFire, which is bound to make your life easier when you become one of those best fire inspectors.
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