Fire inspectors review plans for new buildings and tour existing structures to ensure they conform to government regulations. They also inspect fire alarms, extinguishers, and evacuation procedures.
Coursework
During fire inspector training, you’ll study safety codes and standards that regulate building construction and occupation practices. These regulations impact the lives and property of occupants in various buildings, including apartment complexes, schools, hospitals, and industrial structures.
You’ll also learn how to identify hazardous materials and the methods to control them during your coursework. You’ll take field studies at commercial kitchens, assembly halls, and school buildings, where you’ll learn how to spot potential problems before they become emergencies.
A bachelor’s degree in fire science prepares you for multiple career paths. It gives you the skills to detect and respond to fires, manage emergency response teams, and conduct public information campaigns.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is a form of exploring the world outside the classroom. It involves students connecting with the natural, managed, and constructed environments to experience first-hand the issues they are studying.
Fieldwork is an essential part of any scientific or academic discipline. Researchers, particularly natural science researchers, use fieldwork to understand how their theories relate to real life.
It is also an important part of the social sciences, where it can be used to study and analyze how people interact with one another. It can be used to investigate how a society, culture, or region is changing.
During fire inspector training, you will be required to do fieldwork in the field and at different sites around the country. This will be to ensure you have the knowledge and skills needed to carry out your duties safely and professionally.
Examinations
Fire inspectors are required to pass examinations, which may include a background check and drug test. They also have to undergo on-the-job training and a probationary period.
In fire inspector training, you learn about fire prevention and inspection procedures. You also learn about hazardous materials and how to handle them. You also learn about investigating accidents and violations of fire safety laws, rules, and regulations.
You’ll also learn about codes that govern buildings, fire alarm and sprinkler systems, and firefighting equipment. You’ll learn how to read architectural drawings and blueprints, conduct fire exit drills, and test newly installed or repaired equipment.
You can pursue this career either through a degree program or a certificate program. Many colleges and universities offer courses in this field. You can also enroll in an online course.
Certification
Fire inspectors are trained to assess the safety of buildings and ensure that they meet federal, state, and local fire codes. They also educate building owners and occupants about fire safety issues.
A career as a fire inspector can be rewarding if you have the right skills and training to perform inspections efficiently. Some fire inspectors have prior work experience as firefighters, while others receive on-the-job training and pursue a degree in fire science.
To become a fire inspector, you need to enroll in an approved course of study that covers the theory and practice of fire detection and suppression systems, water supply and fire flow, hazardous materials, fire alarm systems, hydrants, standpipes, and more. You must also pass a certification test to qualify for certification.
Considerations for Fire Inspector Training
To be a fire inspector, you must study fire prevention and know how to perform inspections for compliance. A fire inspector can work for a local or state government, a law firm, or an insurance company. In addition, he can also find work in a private business.
Fire inspectors inspect for compliance with codes designed to promote workplace safety and minimize the potential for damage or destruction. They check for safety systems, such as sprinklers and standpipes, that are in place. He may also inspect for substandard properties.
Depending on the state, aspiring fire inspectors can enroll in a certificate program or complete a two- or four-year degree. To qualify for certification, students must complete all required coursework and homework assignments.
Some certificate programs include training in inspection techniques, structure audits, and installation codes for fire alarms. Other courses may include hazardous materials handling and special problems german to high-rise structures.
Aspiring fire inspectors can also enroll in an online course. These are offered by colleges specializing in fire inspection and providing continuing education. Online fire inspection programs also allow students to balance work and studies. Students need to have a Wi-Fi-compatible device and access to the Internet.
Fire safety inspectors may need to travel to other states for inspections. The job can be physically demanding. It can cause dehydration and exhaustion.
