The 7 Most Popular Misconceptions About Starting A New Career As A Fire Alarm Engineer

Are you interested in pursuing a career as a fire alarm engineer? Do you worry about what your friends and family think of your idea? Starting a career as a Fire Alarm engineer is filled with misconceptions. We’ll go over the most important ones, so you know what to expect.

Because a fire alarm engineer may be required to travel and work outside of business hours on occasion, it is crucial to consider whether this is a field for you. And, because it’s not an office-based job, you should be someone who enjoys meeting new people and taking on new challenges.

The Requirements Of Working As A Fire And Security Engineer

Simply having an electrical qualification will not be sufficient to be hired into a career in fire and security engineering. In order to work in this field, you must have an accredited qualification and a good understanding of BS 5839 Part 1 & Part 6. You must also have a valid U.K. driver’s license and have no more than 6 points. Types of jobs available in fire and security engineering there are different types of jobs available within the field of fire and security engineering.

What Is The Typical Day Like For A Fire Alarm engineer?

This topic is hard to explain as this is not one type of job role. To begin, most fire alarm engineers do not entertain taking any security alarm projects. However, I have tried my best to explain a day of a service engineer. A day for a service engineer can start as early as 6:30 a.m. when businesses open their doors for business. Your work schedule will be on a PDA, and most companies use advanced job reporting systems (SimPro), so you report to work via your phone. When you arrive at the area, you investigate the problems, understand the situation, and solve issues. Generally, notify your supervisor if you are unable to resolve the issue for whatever reason. You will update the records and accept a new ticket if you are successful in resolving the problem. You will also perform small work on occasion. A service engineer must have excellent customer service skills and a can-do attitude. 

What is the Salary of a Fire Alarm Engineer?

Glassdoor claims a fire and security engineer’s average income is around £48,591, includes a basic salary, annual bonuses, commissions, and other benefits. On average, a fire alarm engineer with ten years of experience earns around £68,430 per year. However, an inexperienced fire alarm engineer or a fire alarm trainee will get paid less. That isn’t to say that you can’t make a good living as a junior fire alarm engineer; you may earn anywhere from £20,000.00 to £28,000.00 per year. It just means that you’ll need a lot of extra training and hands-on experience. The highest-paying jobs in this field, such as senior fire alarm engineers, only demand four or five years of experience. I find this very attractive compared to other industries. 

What Steps Do I Need To Take To Become A Fire And Security Engineer? 

You must first have BS 5839-compliant certification, as well as some prior experience. Many organisations will hire engineers with no experience if they have the correct attitude. Why not speak to one of our consultants to know more about the opportunities we have. 

What Are Some Potential Downsides Of This Career Choice?

As this is a highly technical career, there are certain areas that you may not have much knowledge or experience. And, as such, you might not feel fully confident in your ability to deal with the situations. You will need to be very aware of who your supervisor is, and be sure to ask them about the areas in which you may have difficulty. Having this job knowledge can be a positive thing when you are facing challenges. But, because you may not be confident enough, some companies might not want to hire you for a job position after your probation period. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and be a quick learner.

How Do You Start A New Career As A Fire And Security Engineer?

To begin, you must learn more about the fire and security industry. You can get advice from a variety of sources, including websites, publications, and magazines. If you have a friend who works as a fire alarm engineer or in a fire and security department, they can help you tremendously. On the other hand, approved hands-on training can provide you with the necessary expertise and understanding. Since 2011, Cube has been providing fire alarm training courses and has trained many fire alarm engineers. Many people have found work through our recruitment services. To learn more about our training and services, get in touch with us. 

Conclusion

To conclude, here are some key considerations to make before applying for this position: 

  1. Accessibility: The key reason to think about this field is that it is within your reach. You can pursue this as a career after completing a technical course. 
  2. Technical knowledge expansion: As a fire and security engineer, you’ll need to broaden your technical knowledge. You can do this by enrolling in one of the many online courses available to help you enhance your skills. 
  3. Travel and work opportunities: As a fire and security engineer, you may have to travel and work outside of business hours. Check whether this suits your lifestyle.