Fire Life Safety Specialist

Overview:

The Fire Life Safety Specialist is responsible for ensuring the design and implementation of fire safety systems and strategies in large-scale construction projects. This role involves reviewing fire safety designs, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to mitigate fire risks. The specialist provides expert guidance on fire protection systems and regulatory requirements to ensure projects meet the highest safety standards.

Responsibilities:

• Design Review and Approval:
  • Review and approve fire safety designs submitted by consultants, ensuring compliance with project specifications, local fire codes, and international fire safety standards (e.g., NFPA, IBC).
  • Assess designs for fire safety feasibility, focusing on the placement of fire alarms, sprinkler systems, emergency exits, and overall fire protection systems.
  • Ensure that fire safety designs meet building and safety regulations, maintaining the highest standards of fire prevention and protection.
  • Provide feedback to improve the practicality and cost-effectiveness of designs while ensuring fire safety objectives are achieved.
• Coordination with Design Teams:
  • Collaborate with architects, MEP engineers, and other design disciplines to ensure fire safety measures are integrated into the overall project design.
  • Facilitate design discussions between fire safety teams and other professionals, ensuring that fire safety designs are compatible with architectural and engineering plans.
• Quality Control and Compliance:
  • Implement stringent quality control procedures to ensure fire safety designs meet regulatory standards and project specifications.
  • Review and verify compliance with local fire codes, building regulations, and industry best practices, identifying any issues early in the process.
• Fire Risk Evaluation:
  • Evaluate potential fire risks in submitted designs, ensuring that appropriate hazard mitigation strategies are incorporated during the design phase.
  • Document the fire safety strategy, outlining the project's approach to mitigating fire risks throughout construction and operation.
• Technical Problem Solving:
  • Address and resolve fire safety design issues that arise during the review process, recommending adjustments to ensure designs are compliant and feasible.
  • Provide expert guidance on fire safety challenges, ensuring designs meet regulatory requirements and project goals without compromising fire safety.
• Documentation and Reporting:
  • Maintain detailed records of design review activities, including design approvals, revisions, and fire safety recommendations.
  • Ensure all fire safety documentation is accurate, up to date, and available for audits and regulatory review.
• Client and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Serve as the main point of contact for fire safety design queries from clients, addressing any concerns and ensuring their objectives are reflected in the designs.
  • Participate in design review meetings with clients and stakeholders, providing updates on fire safety aspects and ensuring alignment with project goals.

Competency Requirements:

• Extensive experience in fire safety design review for large-scale construction projects, with a strong understanding of regulatory requirements and best practices.
• Expert knowledge of fire protection systems and fire safety regulations, including NFPA and local fire codes.
• Hands-on experience in reviewing fire safety designs and ensuring compliance with fire protection standards.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and provide clear feedback.

Minimum Requirements:

• Education:
  • BSc Holders: Bachelor’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical, Civil, Structural, or Building Services Engineering from a recognized Western-accredited university with over 15 years of relevant experience.
  • MSc Holders: Master’s degree in Fire Protection Engineering, Mechanical, Civil, Structural, or Building Services Engineering from a recognized Western-accredited university with over 12 years of relevant experience.
• Professional Membership:
  • Chartered membership in a recognized institution (e.g., NFPA, CFPS, or equivalent).
• Experience:
  • 10-15 years of experience in fire safety design and code compliance, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Skills:
  • Fluency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in Arabic is an asset.
• Other Skills:
  • Excellent verbal, written, and listening communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with all stakeholders.
  • Strong problem-solving abilities, ensuring that fire safety designs are feasible, compliant, and optimized for construction.
  • Commitment to adhering to quality and safety standards in all aspects of fire safety design.