Fire Engineer vs Fire Protection Consultant. Understanding the Difference

Fire safety relies on multiple specialist disciplines working together. Two roles that are often confused are fire engineers and fire protection consultants.

While both contribute to safer buildings, their responsibilities, focus areas, and outputs are different. Understanding the distinction helps project teams engage the right expertise at the right time.

Fire engineers focus on fire safety strategy

Fire engineers concentrate on the performance of buildings under fire conditions.

Their role is to apply engineering principles to assess fire scenarios and develop fire engineering strategies. This often includes modelling fire growth, smoke movement, occupant egress, and tenability, as well as assessing structural fire performance.

Fire engineers typically define the overall fire safety framework for a building, including system types, egress provisions, smoke control approaches, and passive fire requirements. Their work is closely tied to regulatory approval and compliance with the Building Code.

Fire protection consultants focus on system design and delivery

Fire protection consultants focus on the detailed design and coordination of active fire protection systems.

Their role is to interpret the fire engineering strategy and fire report, then translate those requirements into practical, buildable fire protection solutions. This includes sprinkler systems, detection and alarm systems, pumps, water supplies, and system integration.

Fire protection consultants assess storage hazards, commodities, operational risks, and site-specific conditions to ensure systems are appropriate for how the building is actually used.

Their work bridges the gap between strategy and construction.

Different focus, shared outcomes

While fire engineers define the strategy, fire protection consultants ensure the systems that support that strategy will perform in real-world conditions.

This distinction is important. A compliant fire engineering strategy does not guarantee a coordinated or buildable fire protection system. Likewise, detailed system design must align with the assumptions and limitations set out in the fire report.

Effective fire safety outcomes rely on both roles working together.

Coordination is critical

Successful projects depend on close collaboration between fire engineers, fire protection consultants, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and the wider design team.

Early coordination helps avoid misalignment between strategy and system design, reduces redesign during later stages, and supports smoother consenting and construction.

When roles are clearly understood, decision-making improves and risk is reduced.

Where Fortis Fire fits

Fortis Fire specialises in fire protection consulting and system design.

We work closely with fire engineers to deliver fire protection systems that align with the approved fire engineering strategy and applicable standards. We also collaborate with insurers such as Aon, sprinkler system certifiers, and other building services disciplines to ensure systems are coordinated, compliant, and appropriate for the project’s risk profile.

Our role is to deliver fire protection systems that perform as intended, not just on paper.

Understanding the difference matters

Fire engineers and fire protection consultants serve different but complementary roles.

Understanding how each discipline contributes to fire safety helps clients engage the right expertise, ask better questions, and achieve safer, more predictable project outcomes.

Fortis Fire provides specialist fire protection consulting and system design services.
Talk to us about coordinating fire protection systems with your fire engineering strategy.