Fire Protection Industry, A wide job Sector for Mechanical Engineers
-Pramod Nair 
Engineering today is an education sector that reaches about 45 % of students in INDIA. How to proceed to get a job after engineering, Need any specialization? M tech, CAD, CAM, Machine design, post diploma courses? Lot of concerns are emerging. To entering into fire protection field nothing to learn through any course provider for a Mechanical Engineer. i.e. Without pursuing or opting a fire protection engineering degree a mechanical engineer is eligible to work in firefighting and fire alarm systems engineering .( in Kerala CUSAT is only university offered B tech course for Fire protection) .
Today Large scale construction industry is a huge job sector all over the world for Skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled. It is the largest employer especially for those who have completed engineering. The large building construction industry have a strong presence of all stream such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics, Instrumentation, Architects etc.
Although Civil Engineers taken the lead role in forefront, but those from other disciplines also have significant role to be played. Once the Architectural structure phase one completed MEP is secondary. MEP stands for Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing. This segment contains services like HVAC, Plumbing, Fire Fighting and Fire alarm BMS, Smoke management Etc.
All these engineering services are controlled by Mechanical engineers. In these services Fire protection holds an integral part of the law. It’s mandatory to comply fire engineering aspects to obtain the NOC for the building after completion of same. It’s through a process of certification by an inspecting authority from local jurisdiction. Here a few lines will brief what are the basics of Fire protection systems in a multistory building.
Fire Protection systems and fire alarm systems are a combination of Mechanical and Electrical engineering which is a fully automated system to activate in case of emergency. Mainly Fire protection system consists of automatic fire sprinkler system and Hydrant system so called Wet riser system. This is primarily controlled by pressure switches. Any discharge of water from pressure charged pipe lines will cause the pressure drops and leads to start the serial pumps one by one. There are normally four or five water pumps connected in a single header line which is controlled by different level of pressure settings. The working pressure and operating pressures are different as per design. Jockey pump is for priming and Two main pumps stand for Sprinkler and Hydrants (wet riser) respectively. A diesel Pump will is used as a standby in case of power failure which can be operated manually too. The entire system is designed by a Mechanical design engineer and the subject supports with Hydraulics, Fluid mechanics etc.
Fire Alarm is a low voltage system works only in 24 volts. This system contains mainly Fire alarm control panel (FACP) Smoke or Heat sensors or detector, Manual call points, Speakers or hooters for alarming etc. This is an Analogue Addressable system with optical sensors. The entire system need a software programing since it’s an intelligent system interfacing with so many other services and customized settings, all this could be learned by appropriate training after joining as a junior engineer in such an organization. A bridge connection will connect the fire alarm system to the Building Management System (BMS) and everything will be easily monitored.
All other services like HVAC, Electrical equipment, Smoke management Equipment, motorized Dampers, Lift, Access Doors Emergency lighting systems etc.FM 200 Wet chemical suppression systems etc. could be interfaced accordingly and its operations controlled in the event of emergency.
All above is explained is just to illustrate what an engineer has to do as a part of fire protection integration. And to be noted that there is nothing can be done by a six month fire safety course completed person in this industry at all. The job field reserved and mandated only to technically qualified persons such as ITI, approved Three year Diploma and Engineering graduates in various positions accordingly. In International level professionals are allowed to work in this specialized fields only after certified by authorities through an exam conducted by dedicated departments. The eligibility to appear in those exam is attested original certificates from recognized universities.
It has been overemphasized in all continents such as US, Europe, Asian countries etc. and job opportunities are plentiful. Those who have working in this field can create a profile that would be valid with international level. High salaries and jobs guaranteed.
*Pramod Nair is Senior Mechanical Engineer having MBA in Industrial Management who is the FOUNDER and CEO of MASTERFIRE GROUP of COMPANIES, (UAE, QATAR, KSA & IN INDIA; KOCHI , BANGLORE AND TRIVANDRUM) . He is having a proven track record and expertize in the field of Fire Protection engineering industry for past twenty years. Moreover he is a permanent member of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) United States. Dubai, Ras- Al khaima & Abu Dhabi Civil Defense certified Engineer. He is author of ‘Indian Fire codes and Guide for NOC ‘a book based on NBC and KMBR.
