Fire Inspectors and Investigators

Career Description: Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and State laws. Investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.

Industry: Protective Service

Other Job Titles for Fire Inspectors and Investigators:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• 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.
• 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.
• Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
• 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.
• Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.
• 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.
• Develop or review fire exit plans.
• Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.
• Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.
• Present and explain fire code requirements and fire prevention information to architects, contractors, attorneys, engineers, developers, fire service personnel, and the general public.
• Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.
• Inspect liquefied petroleum installations, storage containers, and transportation and delivery systems for compliance with fire laws.
• Search for clues as to the cause of a fire, once the fire is completely extinguished.
• Develop and coordinate fire prevention programs such as false alarm billing, fire inspection reporting, and hazardous materials management.
• Testify in court regarding fire code and fire safety issues.
• Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.
• Investigate causes of fires, collecting and preparing evidence and presenting it in court when necessary.
• Issue permits for public assemblies.
• Serve court appearance summonses or condemnation notices on parties responsible for violations of fire codes, laws, and ordinances.
• Supervise staff, training them, planning their work, and evaluating their performance.
• 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.
• Collect fees for permits and licenses.
• Serve meals, distribute commissary items, and dispense prescribed medication to prisoners.
• Counsel inmates and respond to legitimate questions, concerns, and requests.
• Use nondisciplinary tools and equipment such as a computer.

Emerging Tasks

• Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.
• Escort prisoners to and from courthouse, and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
• Maintain court docket.
• Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
• Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
• Screen, control, and handle evidence and exhibits during court proceedings.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• collect fees
• communicate technical information
• conduct fire hazard inspections
• conduct training for personnel
• enforce laws, ordinances, or regulations
• explain government laws or regulations
• explain government rules or policies
• inspect buildings to detect violations of fire codes
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• issue licenses or permits
• make presentations
• read maps
• recognize public safety hazards
• recommend action to ensure compliance
• review facts to determine if criminal act or statue violation is involved
• serve or issue summonses or subpoenas
• use emergency medical procedures
• use first aid procedures
• use knowledge of fire, building or other codes
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• make decisions
• make presentations
• make public presentations on law enforcement issues
• manage detailed records or files in law enforcement setting
• operate cameras
• operate vehicles in law enforcement or security setting
• prepare reports
• reach conclusions quickly in law enforcement situations
• read maps
• recognize public safety hazards
• review facts to determine if criminal act or statue violation is involved
• serve arrest, search or seizure warrants
• serve or issue summonses or subpoenas
• testify in court for accident and criminal cases
• use arrest, search, or seizure legal statutes
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use conflict resolution techniques
• use firearms
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use surveillance techniques
• verify investigative information

• n/a

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$24.44
• Average annual wage (2007) - $50,830.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 11.02%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 1,522
• Employment (2006): 13,805

• Fire Investigators
• Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
• Immigration and Customs Inspectors
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
• Private Detectives and Investigators
• Product Safety Engineers
• Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
• Private Detectives and Investigators
• Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs
• Transit and Railroad Police