Careers in Fire Engineering

Gavin Jones


gavin jones

Gavin Jones

'In 2003, I graduated with a first class masters degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Wales Cardiff. I discovered fire safety engineering through my dissertation in combustion modelling and a group building design study.

My interest was sparked when I started thinking about fire behaviour and its impact on people, structures and systems. It's not an easy problem to solve and it requires lateral thinkers to piece together all of these different variables and develop a holistic fire strategy that allows great architecture, cost effectiveness and of course results in a safe building for occupants.

The variety of building uses, sizes, shapes and construction values, makes it a varied job and a rewarding career. With fire safety such an important factor in building design, and with so few engineers practicing fire safety engineering, you get the chance to put your mark on the large international developments that engineers in most other disciplines don't see until they are at least 50 years old! I am only 24 years old and yet in the two years that I have worked at Buro Happold FEDRA, I have been providing consultancy to leading architects, such as Foster & Partners, been involved in on some of the biggest developments in the UK and won the Young Achiever of the Year Award at the Building Awards 2005. There are not many careers where you get these opportunities at such a young age. If you love solving problems, want responsibility, a varied portfolio of work and plenty of exposure to clients, the approving authorities and other designers, fire is the discipline for you.'

Gavin W Jones
Fire Engineer
FEDRA

James Marsden

james marsden

James Marsden

I served in Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service for over 29 years. I am currently attached to the Fire Safety Department with responsibilities for fire engineering. I graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a 2.1 honours degree in fire engineering in 2000 and in May 2005 completed a PhD entitled "Experimental and Numerical Studies of Whirling Flames"

I am a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers of which I have been a member for over 23 years. I am also a member of the Energy Institute and the Chairman elect for the Northwest and Wales Branch. I am a very active member of the IFE representing the North West Branch as General Assembly Representative and chairperson of the recently formed UK Working Group.

I co authored two published papers and have presented papers in Northern Ireland (4th International Seminar Fire and explosion Hazards 2003) I was awarded the best paper by an international panel.

Recently I was invited to speak at the inaugural IFE international conference in Malaysia (2004).

My hobbies include gardening and amateur radio

James Anthony Marsden
BEng(Hons) PhD CEng FIFireE MEI


Tracey Bowley

tracey bowley

Tracey Bowley

I have worked at Gent (now part of Honeywell Building Solutions) for 10 years. I have progressed through an electrical apprenticeship on to my first degree course at Leeds University where in 2001 I graduated with First Class Honours in my BSc Fire Safety and Management. During my time at university I was a Whitworth Award holder and following on from my graduation I was awarded the Whitworth Medal from the I.MechE.

Since graduating I have specialised in Fire Detection and Alarm System Design. This work is both stimulating and rewarding; it involves working on a variety of different size and type of projects, with both site surveys and drawing development being required. One of my most challenging projects being a prestigious MOD Building.

I have recently completed my MSc in Fire Engineering at the University of Ulster which should, in conjunction with my Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portfolio, satisfy the ECD for my academic requirements to become registered as a Chartered Engineer.

Tracey Bowley
MIFireE