Fire Safety Group
Advancing fire safety practice in Ireland through professional development, networking, and CPD.
About the Fire Safety Group
This group is for fire risk assessors, fire safety officers, fire engineers, fire safety managers, and emergency response planners working in Ireland.
The sector covers fire risk assessment under PAS 79-1:2020, fire detection and alarm systems to IS 3218:2024, emergency lighting to IS 3217:2023, passive fire protection, and fire safety management across all building types. Healthcare fire safety is a particular strength, given the overlap with our Healthcare Group.
Regulatory and Standards Framework
Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003— The primary fire safety legislation in Ireland, placing duties on premises controllers and establishing fire authority enforcement powers
Building Control Act 1990 and TGD-B— Building standards for fire safety in new and refurbished buildings, including means of escape, fire detection, structural fire resistance, and access for fire services
PAS 79-1:2020— The standard methodology for fire risk assessment of premises, widely adopted as best practice across Irish commercial, residential, and healthcare settings
IS 3218:2024— The Irish standard for fire detection and fire alarm systems, covering system design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance
IS 3217:2023— The Irish standard for emergency lighting, covering design, installation, commissioning, verification, and maintenance
BS 8214:2026— Code of practice for fire door assemblies, covering installation, maintenance, and inspection requirements
The Fire Safety Group supports members in understanding and applying these requirements in their professional practice, ensuring that their work meets the standards expected by employers, regulators, and the public.
Key Focus Areas
The Fire Safety Group organises its activities around six core focus areas that reflect the breadth of professional practice in this discipline.
Fire Risk Assessment
Conducting and reviewing fire risk assessments to PAS 79-1:2020 standards across commercial, residential, and healthcare premises. Identifying fire hazards, evaluating risks, and recommending proportionate control measures.
Emergency Response Planning
Developing comprehensive emergency response plans, evacuation procedures, personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs), and business continuity strategies for organisations of all sizes and complexity.
Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Design review, commissioning, and maintenance auditing of fire detection and alarm systems compliant with IS 3218:2024, including system categorisation, detector selection, and zoning strategies.
Passive Fire Protection
Ensuring compartmentation integrity through fire door inspection and maintenance, fire stopping, cavity barriers, and structural fire protection measures in accordance with current building regulations.
Fire Safety Management
Developing and implementing fire safety management systems for organisations, including policy development, training needs analysis, drill programmes, audit schedules, and compliance monitoring.
Healthcare Fire Safety
Specialist fire safety practice in hospitals, nursing homes, and designated centres, addressing HIQA regulatory requirements, patient evacuation planning, and the unique challenges of protecting vulnerable persons.
Sector Committee and Governance
The Fire Safety Group is led by a dedicated sector committee comprising experienced professionals drawn from across the discipline. Committee members represent consulting, in-house, regulatory, and academic perspectives, ensuring that the group's activities reflect the full breadth of professional practice.
The committee meets regularly to discuss emerging issues, plan CPD events, coordinate responses to government consultations, and set the strategic direction of the group. Committee meetings provide a forum for members to raise concerns, share intelligence on regulatory developments, and identify priority topics for professional development activities.
All group members are welcome to participate in committee activities. Active committee participation is recognised as a valuable form of CPD and develops leadership skills, professional networks, and a deeper understanding of the strategic context of your discipline. If you are interested in joining the committee, contact the group chair or the Institute at [email protected].
Professional Development and Career Progression
Members of the Fire Safety Group can pursue specialist professional recognition through two fire safety-specific grades: Fire Engineer (FEng.IIESMS) for professionals with an NFQ Level 7 qualification and 2 years of fire safety experience, and Certified Fire Engineer (CFEng.IIESMS) for those with an NFQ Level 8 qualification and 4 years of fire safety experience. Both grades carry a discipline-specific post-nominal designation and require 30 hours of CPD annually, audited every 2 years.
These certified grades provide formal recognition of specialist fire safety competence that is aligned to the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. For fire safety consultants, in-house fire safety managers, and professionals providing fire safety services to clients, the certified designation provides independent verification of competence that supports professional credibility and competitive positioning.
CPD Activities
The Fire Safety Group organises a programme of CPD activities throughout the year, focusing on topics that are directly relevant to members' professional practice:
- Technical seminars on current standards, legislation, and best practice
- Site visits and practical demonstrations relevant to the discipline
- Networking events connecting members with peers across Ireland
- Webinars on emerging topics, research findings, and regulatory updates
- Conference presentations and panel discussions
- Mentoring and knowledge-sharing with early-career members
Beyond group-organised events, members can count a wide range of fire safety-related activities towards their CPD requirements, including training delivery, fire risk assessment work, standards committee participation, and self-directed study of updated legislation and standards.
How to Get Involved
Join the Fire Safety Group in four steps.
Join IIESMS
Apply for membership at the grade matching your qualifications and experience. Visit the memberships page to find the right grade for you.
Select Your Sector
Indicate your interest in the Fire Safety Group during the application process or contact the Institute to be added to this sector group.
Attend Events
Participate in sector-specific events, webinars, and networking sessions organised by the Fire Safety Group throughout the year.
Contribute
Join the committee, present at events, mentor early-career members, or contribute to policy submissions. Your expertise helps advance professional standards across Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the IIESMS Fire Safety Group
Any IIESMS member with a professional interest or role in fire safety can join the group. This includes fire risk assessors, fire safety officers, fire engineers, fire safety managers, emergency planners, and those in related consultancy or regulatory roles. You must first hold IIESMS membership at any grade.
The group organises CPD events, technical seminars, networking meetings, and webinars focused on fire safety topics. Events cover subjects including PAS 79-1 fire risk assessment, IS 3218 fire detection systems, TGD-B compliance, passive fire protection, and healthcare fire safety.
IIESMS offers two fire safety-specific grades: Fire Engineer (FEng.IIESMS) requiring NFQ Level 7 and 2 years of experience, and Certified Fire Engineer (CFEng.IIESMS) requiring NFQ Level 8 and 4 years of experience. Both are EUR 295 per year with 30 hours CPD.
Committee membership is open to active Fire Safety Group members who wish to contribute to the group's strategic direction. Contact the group chair or the Institute at [email protected] to express your interest.
Yes. Healthcare fire safety is a significant focus area, addressing fire safety in nursing homes, hospitals, and designated centres under HIQA regulations. This includes fire risk assessment, evacuation planning, fire detection system design, and regulatory compliance.
The Fire Safety Group contributes to government consultations on fire safety legislation and standards. Through IIESMS, the group provides expert input to policy development processes and represents members' professional interests at national level.
The group organises sector-specific CPD events covering fire risk assessment methodology, fire detection system compliance, passive fire protection, emergency planning, and regulatory updates. All group events are recognised for IIESMS CPD purposes.
Yes. One of the advantages of IIESMS membership is access to activities across all five sector groups. Fire safety professionals often benefit from healthcare, facilities management, and safety and health events given the overlap between these disciplines.
Explore Other Sector Groups
IIESMS members can engage with multiple sector groups. Discover related disciplines and expand your professional network.
Safety & Health Group
Occupational health and safety, risk assessment, safety management systems, workplace safety legislation, and compliance.
Healthcare Group
Non-clinical safety in healthcare environments including fire safety, facilities management, and safety in hospitals and nursing homes.
Industrial Engineering Group
Lean manufacturing, process improvement, operations management, supply chain optimisation, quality, and operational excellence.
Facilities Management Group
Building services, maintenance engineering, energy management, space planning, asset management, and facility operations.
Get involved
Join IIESMS and select the Fire Safety Group as your sector. Two specialist grades available: FEng.IIESMS and CFEng.IIESMS.