A circular was issued on Wednesday announcing that China has established a qualification system for professional fire-protection engineers, according to the Fire Department of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).
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The circular states that an individual can work as a fire-protection engineer only after obtaining professional certification through examinations and getting approval from fire departments under provincial-level public security organs.
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It also stipulates that secondary and senior fire-protection engineers must be hired by a fire services provider or fire authority before practicing.
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Fire-protection engineers will provide services including fire technology consultation, fire safety assessment, fire-protection equipment maintenance and fire accident analysis.
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The system will help improve the professional management of social fire-protection staff and standardize the development of fire services agencies, according to the circular.
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It will also speed up the formation of a specialized fire services team and enhance fire-proofing in communities, it said.
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The system will go into effect from Jan 1, 2013, according to the circular, which was jointly issued by the MPS and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.