Because of industry-wide concerns over the inconsistencies in state and local engineering regulations regarding the qualifications for those who design fire protection systems, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers has updated its position statement, “The Engineer and the Technician — Designing Fire Protection Systems.” The purpose of the position describes reasonable and prudent roles and responsibilities of engineers and technicians when designing fire protection systems.

“In the United States, the design of fire protection systems is governed by state and local regulations. As a result, the required qualifications for professionals who design these systems differ from state to state,” said Chris Jelenewicz, SPFE engineering program manager. “In fact, some state and local authorities do not require a licensed engineer to take part in the design of these important life safety systems.”

According to the organization, the licensing of engineers is important because of the essential role engineering has in society. Normally, structures and systems that affect the public's safety are required to be designed by licensed engineers. For example, bridges, roads, electrical systems, drinking water systems and building structures are all required by state engineering laws to be designed by licensed engineers.

The engineering profession is regulated by licensing boards in each state, and they set high standards for professional engineers to protect the public. By law, many jurisdictions require engineers to be licensed to practice.

“The SPFE position statement stresses the point that both engineers and technicians play an important role in the process as long as both practice within their areas of competence,” said Jelenewicz. “Moreover, it outlines the vital contributions fire protection engineers make to the public's safety by designing fire protection systems that keep people safe from fire.”

The distinction of these roles has been very controversial in the industry for many years, according to SPFE President Samuel Dannaway. “At one extreme, there are engineers who feel that preparation of all drawings for fire protection systems constitutes the practice of engineering. At the other extreme is a small group of fire protection contractors who argue that the design of fire protection systems can be handled by their technicians without the oversight from an engineer.”

In addition to SPFE, in August 2004, the National Council for Examiners of Engineering and Surveying released a position statement on the same issue, entitled “Position Statement #25, Fire Protection.” In this statement, NCEES recognizes the design of fire protection systems to be the practice of engineering.