Please introduce yourself.
My name is Daniel and I am a Chartered Engineer based in Edinburgh.
Tell us about your career to date.
I graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2015 with a degree in structural and fire safety engineering, since then I have worked in the industry – living in London, Bristol and Edinburgh along the way. I have worked on a wide range of projects – from sports stadia in Peru, to an airport in India, and historic buildings in Scotland and England.
Please describe your role within your current workplace.
I am a Principal Engineer and leader of Trigon’s Edinburgh office. In my role I am responsible for leading the delivery of fire safety consultancy work across different sectors and buildings; this includes the operational, technical and commercial delivery. I am also responsible for growing the Edinburgh office – attracting new clients and future employees to our company – contributing to overall company’s growth and culture.
Can you describe a typical working day?
Fortunately, my working days are varied – I like to get out and about, meeting people in person and spending time in and around the exciting projects I am involved with. This can be new buildings or repurposing old historic / listed buildings; undertaking site visits, calculations, report writing or presentations and meetings with stakeholders.
Continual professional development (CPD) is very important to me. I like to attend events and seminars on emerging trends and technologies within the industry. I also enjoy attending events to encourage people to consider a career in fire safety engineering; but also mentoring and supporting the development of others within Trigon.
Are there any particular challenges or unusual aspects to your role?
I have worked as a fire safety engineer for 9.5 years now. The attitudes and regulatory landscape regarding fire safety in the United Kingdom have changed dramatically in that time and continue to change. Alongside this, construction methodologies, such as modular construction and mass timber, are becoming more popular. Staying abreast of all the change and communicating that effectively with clients and project teams can be challenging especially when it’s the first time they are going to do something new.
What do you find most enjoyable about your job?
Variety. I have worked on great projects, with great people, across a wide range of sectors and locations. Solving new challenges with people I enjoy working with keeps me motivated.
Is there a great professional achievement that you would like to tell us about?
One of my first main projects after graduating was the refurbishment of a Grade II listed building in central London, transforming it into a modern teaching facility for a leading university. Seeing the layers of intervention which had been applied over the years being peeled back to show original ornate period features to be enjoyed once again was very satisfying. Being able to repurpose existing buildings and make use of what we have now is essential with the drive for sustainability.
What inspired you to become an engineer or pointed you towards an engineering career?
As a child I was obsessed with taking things to pieces to understand how they worked; to the extent that my parents had to lock any tools / screwdrivers away. Whilst I never got an A for art, nor was I particularly creative, I was fortunate to travel a lot growing up and was fascinated by the different architectural styles. Naturally, this led me to a career in the built environment.
What contributed to your decision to become professionally registered / gain IFE membership?
Becoming a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers is essential when demonstrating competency working as a fire safety engineer within the built environment. The process required me to demonstrate to independent peer reviewers that I met the required competencies and commitment as defined by the Engineering Council.
How do you benefit from being a member/registrant with the IFE?
At Trigon, as with many other consultancies, being a Chartered Engineer is an essential requirement to progress beyond a certain level. The importance of chartership is also recognised by clients, so can be a differentiator when bidding on work. As a member of the IFE you also get access to a lot of resources and a network of other fire safety professionals.
Would you recommend joining the IFE to others?
Definitely. Becoming a Chartered Engineer and member of the IFE is a recognised way to demonstrate your competency and commitment to peers, clients, and the statutory authorities.
Is there any advice you would pass on to someone considering professional registration / IFE membership?
Going through the process of obtaining chartership takes time. I think it is extremely important that people take time regularly to reflect on their work and personal development, and record that progress. That way, when it comes to applying, you have a pool of career episodes you can draw on to demonstrate your competency and commitment. It can also be motivating to regularly step back and see how much you have progressed – even if not quite ready to submit your application yet! Also, make use of your network, as others who have been through the process can guide you.