Occ. Code 4308100

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

Fire Protection Engineers apply fire science and engineering principles in order to review and analyze: (1) buildings and building systems design (construction codes, material and design) for both flammability and hazards when subjected to fire; and (2) fire protection systems and their interrelationships, such as the design, effectiveness and appropriateness of different systems with certain structures and building materials. Incumbents interpret, evaluate, rewrite and propose New York State codes primarily pertaining to fire protection, life safety, exits, building construction, etc. Incumbents function as members of the Department of State’s engineering team of technical experts. These positions are only found in the Department of State.

FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER 1: works under the direction of the Fire Protection Engineer 2 or other licensed engineer/architect; functions at the full performance level.

FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER 2: supervisory level; performs the full range of professional fire protection engineering activities; requires possession of a professional engineer license.

Fire Protection Engineers at both levels engage in frequent verbal and written communications with builders, design professionals and code enforcement officials.

Fire Protection Specialists develop and provide training, consistent with State and National certification requirements, to emergency responders on a variety of technical topics, including hazardous materials, flammable gas, weapons of mass destruction, vehicle extrication, passenger train rescue, bus rescue, fire fighting, and emergency medical. They also inspect buildings; investigate fires; provide on-scene technical assistance; serve as liaisons with county Fire Coordinators; function as members of the Urban/Technical Search and Research Team (UTSRT); develop and produce a variety of fire safety education programs and publications; respond to emergencies and disasters Statewide; and provide consultative services on code compliance issues and fire/life safety improvements.

Review building plans to determine compliance with the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards applicable to the design and installation of automatic sprinkler systems, stand pipe and hose systems, fire and smoke detection and alarm systems, and standards related to the storage of hazardous materials.

• Analyze building and building systems design (construction codes, materials and design) for flammability, for hazards when subjected to fire, and for effectiveness and appropriateness of different systems with certain structures and building materials.
• Perform hydraulic calculations using contemporary fire modeling techniques and associated software.
• Evaluate fire protection delivery systems (community, industrial and residential).
• Evaluate and propose hazardous materials programs for response, management, laws, etc.

Perform post-fire analysis and investigation for determination of cause, origin, fire spread and contributing factors, and propose changes to codes based on findings of post-fire analysis.

Modify existing New York State codes and implement the new International Codes pertaining to fire protection, life safety, exits, building construction, etc.

Serve as a representative of the Department of State’s team of technical experts in matters related to building, fire and energy codes.

FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER 1

Open Competitive:

1. Bachelor’s Degree or higher in fire protection engineering; OR  
2. Six years of full-time experience* in fire protection engineering; OR
3. Bachelor’s Degree in any engineering discipline and two years of full-time paid experience* in fire protection engineering.

FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEER 2

Promotion: One year of service as a Fire Protection Engineer 1 and possession of a valid New York State license as a Professional Engineer.

Open Competitive:

1. Bachelor’s Degree or higher in fire protection engineering and possession of a valid New York State license as a Professional Engineer; OR
2. Possession of a valid New York State license as a Professional Engineer and two years of full-time paid fire protection engineering experience.*

* Fire protection engineering experience includes: 1) analysis of fire hazards; 2) mitigation of fire damage by proper design, construction, arrangement and use of buildings, materials, structures, industrial processes, and transportation systems; 3) the design, installation, and maintenance of fire detection and suppression and communication systems; 4) post-fire investigation and analysis. The majority of experience must be in #1 or #2.

 Date: 8/02 

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.