Senior Fire Safety and Disability Access Engineer — Job Description (Ireland)
Job Title: Senior Fire Safety and Disability Access Engineer Location: Ireland (specify office — Dublin/Cork/Galway etc., with site travel nationwide) Reports To: Head of Fire Engineering / Technical Director Direct Reports: 2–4 (Graduate/Associate Engineers)
Job Summary
The Senior Fire Safety and Disability Access Engineer provides expert technical leadership on fire safety and accessible design across construction, renovation, and compliance projects in Ireland. The role combines fire engineering analysis and accessibility compliance with Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) and Disability Access Certificate (DAC) applications under Irish Building Regulations, project leadership, client management, and mentoring of junior engineers. The successful candidate will be the technical authority on complex or non-standard cases and will represent the organization with Building Control Authorities, Fire Officers, and clients.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Delivery
- Prepare and lead Fire Safety Certificate (FSC) and Disability Access Certificate (DAC) applications to the relevant Building Control Authority under the Building Control Regulations.
- Lead fire engineering design and analysis — means of escape, fire spread, compartmentation, smoke control, and evacuation strategy — in line with TGD B (Technical Guidance Document B – Fire Safety).
- Oversee accessibility compliance in line with TGD M (Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use) and Universal Design principles, referencing National Disability Authority (NDA) guidance where relevant.
- Act as or support the Assigned Certifier / Design Certifier role under the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (BCAR / SI 9 of 2014), including inspection planning and compliance sign-off.
- Develop fire safety strategies and alternative/performance-based solutions where prescriptive TGD B guidance doesn't fit (e.g., protected structures, heritage buildings, large or complex mixed-use developments).
- Specify and review fire detection and alarm systems for compliance with IS 3218 and related NSAI standards.
- Review and approve technical reports, certification documents, and BCMS (Building Control Management System) submissions prepared by junior staff.
- Design evacuation strategies and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for occupants with disabilities on large or high-risk sites.
Project & Client Leadership
- Act as lead engineer on multi-site or large-scale projects, managing scope, budget, schedule, and technical quality.
- Serve as primary technical liaison with Building Control Authorities, local Fire Officers/Fire Authorities, and Approved Inspectors.
- Negotiate variances or alternative compliance solutions where full TGD compliance isn't achievable, particularly on retrofit and protected structure projects.
- Provide expert opinion or independent assessment in disputes, enforcement notices, or litigation as required.
Team & Organizational Contribution
- Mentor, train, and supervise junior and mid-level engineers; conduct technical QA review of their work and certification submissions.
- Contribute to internal design standards and stay current with amendments to the Building Regulations, Fire Services Acts 1981–2003, and related guidance.
- Represent the firm in industry bodies (e.g., Engineers Ireland, Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, Irish Green Building Council) or in public consultations on Building Regulations updates.
- Support business development: scoping proposals, contributing to tenders, and advising on project feasibility and compliance risk.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Fire Safety Engineering, Building/Civil Engineering, or a closely related discipline, accredited by Engineers Ireland.
- 8+ years of post-qualification experience in fire safety engineering, with substantial experience in disability access/Universal Design compliance.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with Engineers Ireland strongly preferred (or working toward, with clear pathway).
- Demonstrated experience acting as Assigned Certifier or Design Certifier under BCAR is highly desirable.
- Strong working knowledge of:
- Building Control Act 1990–2014 and Building Control Regulations
- TGD B (Fire Safety) and TGD M (Access and Use)
- Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003
- IS 3218 (fire detection and alarm systems) and other relevant NSAI standards
- National Disability Authority Universal Design guidance
- Experience with fire modeling software (e.g., PyroSim, FDS, Pathfinder) an advantage for performance-based design work.
- Track record of DAC/FSC applications and certifications that have passed Building Control Authority scrutiny without significant issue.
Skills & Attributes
- Strong analytical skills for complex or non-standard buildings (protected structures, retrofits, mixed-use).
- Excellent report writing for statutory submissions (BCMS, Commencement Notices, Fire Safety Certificates).
- People management and mentoring capability.
- Confident, professional stakeholder management with Building Control Authorities and Fire Officers.
- Pragmatic, solutions-focused approach balancing regulatory compliance with buildability and cost.
Working Conditions
- Hybrid: office-based design work combined with regular site inspections across Ireland (own transport/full driving licence typically required).
- Occasional travel to project sites nationwide.
- May require site access outside standard hours for occupied buildings.
Pay: €60,000.00-€85,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
