What does an external fire safety officer do?

The tasks of an (external) fire protection officer are manifold. Fire protection officers are appointed in writing by the company, taking into account the Works Constitution Act or the Staff Representation Act. The areas of responsibility and tasks of an external fire protection officer are defined as part of this appointment. The German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) provides in the DGUV Information 205-003 “Tasks, Qualification, Training and Appointment of Fire Protection Officers” from December 2020 these 26 tasks that a fire protection officer should take over:

• Establishment and updating of fire protection regulations (parts A, B, C)

• Participate in assessments of fire hazards at workplaces

• Advise on work procedures involving fire hazards and on the use of flammable materials.

• Participate in the determination of fire and explosion hazards

• Participation in the preparation of operating instructions as far as they concern fire protection.

• Participation in constructional, technical and organizational measures as far as they concern fire protection

• Participate in the implementation of official orders and requirements of the fire insurer as far as they concern fire protection

• Participate in the compliance with fire protection regulations for new buildings, conversions and extensions, changes of use, rentals and procurements

• Advise on equipping workplaces with fire extinguishing equipment and selection of extinguishing agents.

• Participation in the implementation of the fire protection concept

• Check that escape and rescue plans, fire department plans, alarm plans, etc. are up to date, arrange for updating if necessary and assist in this process.

• Planning, organization and execution of evacuation exercises

• Participate in official fire inspections and conduct internal fire safety inspections

• Report defects and propose measures for their elimination and monitor the elimination of defects.

• Assist managers in providing regular fire safety instruction to employees.

• Training and further training of employees with special tasks in the event of a fire, e.g. in the handling of fire extinguishing equipment (fire protection assistants in accordance with ASR A2.2)

• Testing of storage and/or facilities for storage of flammable liquids, gases, etc.

• Checking the safety markings for fire protection equipment and for the escape and rescue routes

• Monitoring the usability of escape and rescue routes

• Organization of testing and maintenance of fire protection equipment

• Check that specified fire protection measures are adhered to, especially in the case of work involving fire hazards

• Participation in the determination of substitute measures in case of failure and decommissioning of fire protection equipment

• Assist the contractor in discussions with fire protection authorities and fire departments, fire insurers, accident insurance carriers, state occupational health and safety authorities, etc.

• Opinion on investment decisions affecting fire protection issues at the site

• Participate in the implementation of preventive and reactive (protective) measures in emergency management, e.g. for critical infrastructures (power outage), for local weather events with potential for damage

• Documenting fire protection activities, e.g. inspection reports, test reports, defect reports or annual report

Employers appoint external fire safety officers out of self-interest, due to insurance requirements or legal regulations. As a general rule, a fire safety officer must be appointed in writing. A verbal agreement between employer and employee has no official validity.

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External fire safety officer: tasks and duties

The fire protection officer is part of the company’s fire protection organization. The role is primarily that of a central contact person for all fire protection issues in a company. The specific requirements that both an internal and an external fire safety officer must fulfill in his or her role are derived from the following laws and guidelines, among others:

• §§ 10, 13 (2) Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG)
• ASR A2.2
• § 22 DGUV regulation 1
• DGUV Information 205-003
• vfdb-Richtlinie 12-09-01:2014-08
• VdS 3111

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Prices external fire safety officer

*Depending on the size of the company, number of floors and building classification.

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FAQ – External fire protection officer