Quality Control Engineer – Fire Protection Systems

Job Purpose

The Quality Control Engineer is responsible for ensuring that all materials, equipment, installation works, inspections, testing, and commissioning activities related to fire protection systems comply with approved project specifications, drawings, applicable codes and standards, and the company’s quality management procedures.

The role involves inspecting incoming materials, monitoring site installation activities, coordinating inspections with clients and consultants, preparing quality documentation, managing non-conformities, and ensuring that all required quality records are completed before project handover.

Key Responsibilities

A. Quality Control and Inspection

• Implement and monitor the project Quality Control Plan (QCP), Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), and approved quality procedures.
• Inspect incoming materials and equipment to verify compliance with approved material submittals, technical specifications, purchase orders, and applicable standards.
• Perform site inspections of fire protection system installations, including sprinkler systems, fire pumps, fire hydrants, standpipes, hose reels, valves, piping networks, and associated equipment.
• Verify that installation works comply with approved shop drawings, coordinated drawings, method statements, project specifications, and manufacturer recommendations.
• Inspect piping supports, hangers, fittings, valves, equipment foundations, and installation arrangements in accordance with approved drawings and project requirements.
• Ensure that the correct materials and approved equipment are installed in the designated locations.
• Verify identification, traceability, storage, handling, and protection of materials and equipment at the project site.
• Identify workmanship defects, installation deviations, and quality issues, and coordinate corrective actions with the construction team.
• Ensure inspections are completed before works are concealed or progress to subsequent construction stages, where applicable.

B. Inspection Requests and Quality Documentation

• Prepare, review, and submit inspection requests (IRs/WIRs) and material inspection requests (MIRs) to clients and consultants.
• Coordinate with client representatives, consultants, and third-party inspectors for scheduled inspections and approvals.
• Prepare and maintain inspection checklists, material receiving reports, testing records, and quality control documentation.
• Verify that approved drawings, specifications, material approvals, and inspection procedures are available at the work location.
• Maintain updated inspection registers, material inspection records, test reports, and quality documentation.
• Follow up on inspection comments and ensure that rejected or conditionally approved works are corrected and resubmitted for inspection.
• Ensure that all quality documents are properly recorded, traceable, and maintained in accordance with project requirements.

C. Testing and Commissioning Quality Control

• Coordinate and witness testing and commissioning activities in accordance with approved procedures, ITPs, project specifications, and applicable codes.
• Inspect and verify readiness for hydrostatic pressure testing of fire protection piping systems.
• Monitor flushing, flow testing, fire pump performance testing, and other applicable acceptance tests.
• Verify that testing equipment and measuring instruments are suitable for the required tests and have valid calibration records where applicable.
• Ensure that test pressures, durations, acceptance criteria, and recorded results comply with approved procedures and project requirements.
• Prepare and maintain pressure test reports, flushing reports, pump test records, inspection reports, and commissioning documentation.
• Coordinate with commissioning engineers and site teams to ensure that identified deficiencies are rectified and successful retesting is completed.
• Verify that system testing and commissioning records are complete before final acceptance and handover.

D. Non-Conformance Management

• Identify non-conforming materials, defective workmanship, and deviations from approved drawings or specifications.
• Raise or coordinate Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs) in accordance with the project quality management procedure.
• Investigate quality issues with relevant site personnel and support root-cause analysis.
• Coordinate corrective and preventive actions with construction, engineering, procurement, and subcontractor teams.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of corrective actions.
• Follow up on NCR closure and maintain an updated register of non-conformities and quality observations.
• Ensure that rejected materials and non-compliant installations are appropriately identified, controlled, and prevented from unintended use or acceptance.

E. Compliance with Standards and Specifications

• Ensure compliance with approved project specifications, contract requirements, and applicable fire protection codes and standards.
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant NFPA standards, such as NFPA 13 for sprinkler systems, NFPA 14 for standpipe and hose systems, NFPA 20 for stationary fire pumps, and other standards applicable to the project scope.
• Follow applicable ISO 9001 quality management principles and company quality procedures.
• Verify that materials and equipment have the required approvals, certificates, and supporting technical documentation.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to clarify technical discrepancies and resolve quality-related issues before proceeding with affected works.
• Ensure that inspection and testing activities comply with client requirements and approved inspection and test plans.

F. Coordination and Quality Improvement

• Coordinate with site engineers, construction supervisors, procurement personnel, commissioning engineers, and subcontractors to resolve quality issues.
• Participate in internal quality audits, consultant inspections, client audits, and project quality meetings.
• Monitor recurring defects and recommend improvements to installation methods and inspection procedures.
• Communicate quality requirements to site teams and support awareness of approved installation and inspection procedures.
• Assist in evaluating subcontractor workmanship and material compliance.
• Follow up on client comments, audit findings, and quality improvement actions until closure.

G. Project Handover and Final Documentation

• Compile and verify quality documentation required for project completion and handover.
• Ensure availability of approved material submittals, inspection requests, material inspection records, pressure test reports, flushing reports, pump test reports, and commissioning records, as applicable.
• Coordinate with the engineering team to verify the availability and accuracy of as-built drawings.
• Support preparation of operation and maintenance manuals, warranties, certificates, and other required handover documents.
• Maintain an updated register of outstanding inspections, NCRs, punch-list items, and pending quality deliverables.
• Ensure that all quality-related comments and outstanding deficiencies are resolved before final acceptance.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 3–5 years of relevant experience in QA/QC for fire protection systems, MEP contracting, or building services projects.
• Practical experience in inspection and quality control of fire protection system installation, testing, and commissioning.
• Good understanding of fire protection piping systems, valves, sprinkler systems, fire pumps, hydrants, standpipes, and related equipment.
• Knowledge of approved material submittals, technical specifications, shop drawings, inspection requests, and inspection and test plans.
• Familiarity with relevant NFPA standards and applicable local codes and project specifications.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management systems and non-conformance management.
• Experience preparing quality inspection reports, test reports, checklists, and handover documentation.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, and electronic document control systems is an advantage.

Required Technical Skills

• Inspection of fire protection materials, equipment, and installation works.
• Preparation and implementation of ITPs, quality checklists, and inspection requests.
• Interpretation of technical drawings, BOQs, specifications, and approved material submittals.
• Knowledge of hydrostatic pressure testing, flushing, fire pump testing, and commissioning documentation.
• Non-conformance identification, reporting, corrective action follow-up, and closure.
• Material traceability and quality record management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and other quality documentation tools.
• Ability to coordinate inspections with clients, consultants, and third-party inspectors.

5. Expected Deliverables

The Quality Control Engineer is expected to prepare, maintain, or coordinate the following documents:

• Project Quality Control Plan and applicable ITPs.
• Material Inspection Requests (MIRs) and Work Inspection Requests (WIRs/IRs).
• Material receiving and inspection reports.
• Installation inspection checklists.
• Hydrostatic pressure test reports.
• Flushing and fire pump performance test records.
• Calibration certificates and testing equipment records, where applicable.
• NCRs, quality observation registers, and corrective action records.
• Inspection registers and quality progress reports.
• Commissioning quality records and final handover documentation.