What Do Fire Inspectors Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Fire Inspectors inspect buildings and equipment to detect fire hazards and enforce state and local regulations. They also conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.

Other tasks include:

• Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits.
• Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.
• Search for clues as to the cause of a fire, once the fire is completely extinguished.
• Inspect properties that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, and issue hazardous materials permits to facilities found in compliance.
• Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.
• Identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations, and standards, and explain these measures to property owners or their representatives.

We asked Fire Inspectors how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 72% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Fire Inspectors identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations, and standards, and explain these measures to property owners or their representatives. They inspect and test fire protection or fire detection systems to verify that such systems are installed in accordance with appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.

A typical day for a Fire Inspector will also include:

• Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits.
• Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.
• Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.
• Collect fees for permits and licenses.
• Inspect properties that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, and issue hazardous materials permits to facilities found in compliance.

We asked some Fire Inspectors a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	84% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	58% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	86% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	87% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	9% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	76% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Fire Inspectors also develop or review fire exit plans. They may also review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Fire Inspectors Issue permits for public assemblies. They might also Collect fees for permits and licenses.

In addition, they Arrange for the replacement of defective fire fighting equipment and for repair of fire alarm and sprinkler systems, making minor repairs such as servicing fire extinguishers when feasible.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.

To some Fire Inspectors, it is also their responsibility to Search for clues as to the cause of a fire, once the fire is completely extinguished.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Fire Inspector, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/protective-service/fire-inspectors-and-investigators.htm

http://www.atf.gov/

https://www.fbi.gov/

http://www.nfpa.org/