Fire Inspectors and Investigators

What the job really is

Inspect buildings to detect fire hazards and enforce local ordinances and state laws, or investigate and gather facts to determine cause of fires and explosions.

At a glance

• Sector: Protective Service
• O*NET-SOC code: 33-2021
• O*NET job zone: 3 — medium preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
• Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
• Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
• Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
• Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
• Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.
• 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.
• Examine fire sites and collect evidence such as glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue for use in determining the cause of a fire.
• Instruct children about the dangers of fire.
• 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.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, 35 millimeter cameras, Adjustable hand wrenches, Adjustable pipe wrenches, Ball peen hammers, Ballistic vests, Bar levels

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
• Firefighters
• Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
• First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
• Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
• Government Property Inspectors and Investigators

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 3 (medium preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Fire Inspectors and Investigators — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.