Fire Detection & Alarm Design Engineer
West Midlands, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1, England, UK
Listed on 2026-11-01
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Engineering
Engineering Design & Technologists, Building Services Engineer, CAD/ AutoCAD/ Mechanical Design, Architect / Sr. Architect
Looking for fire alarm design work where you own the whole design, from survey to finished drawings? Cento is recruiting a Fire Detection & Alarm Design Engineer for an independent fire and life safety consultancy in the West Midlands. You'll design complete detection, alarm and PAVA systems for large, complex buildings, with the chance to move into Revit modelling.
The Role:You'll design complete fire detection, alarm and PAVA systems for large and complex buildings, and you'll produce the drawings yourself rather than handing sketches to someone else. Some projects start with your own site survey, others from architects' drawings. You'll also review contractors' designs and installations, so you'll see projects through from design to handover. The business is starting to model fire alarm systems in Revit, so there's scope to develop those skills too.
Key Responsibilities- Design fire detection and alarm systems to BS 5839-1, choosing the right system category for the building and its fire strategy
- Design PAVA and voice alarm systems to BS 5839-8 where required
- Produce full CAD layouts, riser schematics, cause-and-effect matrices and design documentation
- Specify interfaces with sprinklers, suppression, smoke control, access control and other building systems
- Survey existing buildings and design from both surveys and supplied drawings
- Review contractors' designs and inspect installations for compliance
- Carry out verification audits of existing systems and write clear reports with recommendations
- Liaise with clients, fire engineers and design teams to agree design requirements
- Proven fire alarm design experience, beyond marking up device positions
- Strong AutoCAD skills and the ability to produce complete drawings yourself
- Working knowledge of BS 5839-1
- Understanding of addressable systems and how they interface with other building services
- Clear, accurate technical writing
- Full UK driving licence
- Varied design work on high-profile projects, from your own survey to handover
- The chance to develop Revit modelling skills as the business moves fire alarm design into the model
- Exposure to design review and site inspection, not just drawing
- Private health scheme and 24+ days' holiday plus bank holidays
- Hybrid working, with a flexible home-working day each week
An independent fire and life safety consultancy working for tier 1 contractors and major asset owners on high-profile projects, from university campuses to hydroelectric power stations and battery storage sites. A close-knit, growing team that values personality as much as experience, and is building up its in-house expertise rather than leaning on subcontractors.
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