Fire protection inspector (Keurmeester brandbeveiliging)
Information on this skill...
A fire protection inspector is responsible for inspecting the fire safety of buildings, which can relate to the use of buildings, the technical installations of buildings, the building materials used, fire extinguishing facilities and the accessibility of the possibly present escape routes. Consider, for example, the fire safety of ceilings, the inspection date of fire extinguishers and the actual use of buildings. A fire protection inspector can also give preventive tips about possible escape routes, emergency lighting and smoke detectors. Nowadays, there are many municipalities that require that buildings are checked every year, depending on the use, so that municipalities can be sure that everything is correct according to the rules. These can be different types of buildings with different destinations. Think of student housing, banquet halls, offices and other types of public buildings. A fire protection inspector can also view technical installations for safe functioning. The profession of fire protection inspector can occur in practice in different ways and can also differ in content per organization. Which points of attention a fire protection inspector will look at exactly depends on the type of employer. The profession of fire protection inspector has no fixed description and has no professional protection. In practice, therefore, various professionals can be regarded as fire protection inspectors. For example, a fire protection inspector can also simply be an installer who will inspect technical installations. It is therefore not the case that only civil servants or firefighters can be regarded as a fire protection inspector. In addition, other professionals can be regarded as fire protection inspectors. Think, for example, of inspectors who are allowed to inspect vehicles.
A fire protection inspector is therefore specialized in checking buildings and / or boats and vehicles with regard to fire safety. In addition, a fire protection inspector is an important advisor. The profession of fire protection inspector must be seen as fairly general, because various professionals can be regarded as fire protection inspectors. Think, for example, of MOT inspectors, motorhome mechanics and caravan specialists, who may have to deal with inspections of vehicles with regard to fire safety. This often concerns vehicles that use a gas installation. In that case, the name inspector gas installations may also apply. In general, a fire protection inspector will have a lot to do with buildings that have to undergo an inspection with regard to the permit. Nowadays, fire safety is being addressed in many different ways.
FIRE SAFETY BUILDINGS
Nowadays, there are more and more points of attention with regard to safety in buildings. Whereas in the past it was mainly looked at fire extinguishers, now there are many more things that need to be taken into account. Think, for example, of sprinkler systems, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and a fire alarm. In addition, the use or destination of a building may involve looking at fire safety in different ways. Consider, for example, a student residence, which must be equipped with a fire escape to guarantee safety. If there are many visitors in a building every day, it may be a requirement of the municipality to have sufficient escape routes and that these are indicated in a good way. During a possible inspection, the municipality or fire brigade also checks whether the escape routes are not blocked. A common problem is that emergency exits are never used and people put stuff in front of them, which can be a serious blockage in case of an emergency.
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING AND HOUSING SUPERVISION
But the building and housing supervision department of municipalities also ensures that construction is carried out in accordance with contemporary standards. By making the right choice of materials, a lot of misery can be prevented in the event of a fire, for example. For example, walls, floors and ceilings must be sufficiently fire-retardant to prevent a rapid spread of fire so that people have enough time to leave the building. Nowadays, there are more and more voices from industry associations and fire brigades to also have central heating boilers checked. This check would then have to be carried out every two years. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs dozens of times a year because boilers do not work properly. An approved installer can point this out during an inspection. Nowadays, openings and other passages also have to be closed to prevent fire penetration.
FIRE PREVENTION
Fire prevention is therefore very important to prevent or limit fire in its consequences. In the unlikely event that a fire should break out, it is important to know what to do. Many measures are easy to take and do not cost much. For example, there are smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors for sale at the various DIY stores for relatively little money that can warn residents in time in case of calamities. But a fire blanket can also be a good addition if a fire breaks out. When installing smoke detectors, one must take into account that it is placed as high as possible, because smoke fills a room from top to bottom. This way, the alarm goes off as early as possible. Other measures can also help to prevent fire. Think, for example, of a television set that does not remain on standby. Televisions attract dust that can unexpectedly catch fire. But also appliances that use a lot of power can be dangerous, such as a washing machine or a dryer.
FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION
The government often checks the fire safety of buildings, and after the checks gives tips and advice that are usually not without obligation. Especially buildings where many people are present such as discos, hotels, pubs, restaurants and banquet halls often have great attention from the government. In many cases, officials will walk through a building together with the fire department and check everything, such as the fire extinguishers and the emergency exits. Fire extinguishers have to be checked every year by a specialist company and emergency exits are often blocked with rubbish and are then not accessible if a fire breaks out. But the decoration in a pub must also be treated, so that these materials cannot catch fire.
FIRE PROTECTION:
TRAINING COURSES FOR FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS
There are no national training opportunities when it comes to the profession of fire safety inspector. There are many courses that have to do with fire safety, but they are generally quite specific and usually industry-oriented. The inspection of fire safety is still something that is usually done by municipal officials or the fire brigade. Large companies nowadays often even have a fire watch to monitor safety. There are, however, consultancy firms that can advise in the field of fire safety. Fire safety, for example, has a lot of attention in the installation industry, such as connecting boilers in a safe way, installing sprinkler systems and other extinguishing agents. But fire safety naturally goes further, such as using a building, decorating a building and taking the right preventive measures. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTOR CAN BE EMPLOYED
A fire protection inspector can work for different companies and governments in different ways. Think, for example, of a contractor, civil servants, building inspectors and firefighters. In addition, a fire protection inspector can work for consultancy firms. If a fire protection inspector works for a consultancy firm, a fire protection inspector can in some cases also be regarded as an entrepreneur. As indicated earlier, in practice various professionals can be regarded as fire protection inspectors.
COMPETENCES FIRE SAFETY INSPECTORS
The competences of a fire safety inspector can differ per specific profession, because fire safety covers all branches and not only buildings. Think, for example, of the home furnishing industry, municipalities and, for example, shipbuilding. Fire safety therefore goes beyond just the fire safety of buildings. As a fire safety inspector, you must have a lot of knowledge, which is very broad. Consider, for example, large events, in which fire prevention plays an important role. In general, a fire safety inspector will need to have investigative skills. Good communication skills should generally not be lacking either. Generally important words are analyzing, analytical, advising, collaborating, consulting, planning and organizing. A fire safety inspector, who works for the government, may also have to deal with fixed professional competences.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A FIRE PROTECTION INSPECTOR
As a fire safety inspector, there is usually a fair amount of work to be found. However, finding work is highly dependent on the industry where you work. There is a growing demand for fire safety in general, and so there is also an increasing demand for specialists. The career opportunities as a fire safety inspector will strongly depend on the type of industry where you work and your current level of education. It is therefore too specific to be able to indicate just like that.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY OF FIRE SAFETY INSPECTOR
There are no employment conditions to give for the profession of fire safety inspector, because you can work in different sectors with their own specific collective labour agreement. As an independent entrepreneur, you naturally determine your own terms of employment. The salary of a fire protection judge will usually fall into the higher salary scales, because we can assume that someone will have at least a completed hbo education.
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