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March 20, 2025
To ensure fire safety on military construction projects, you need specialized expertise. Explore the responsibilities of QFPEs and FPQCs and how working with an experienced fire protection engineering team can ensure project success.
Fire safety in military construction is a mission-critical priority, ensuring the protection of personnel, assets, and operational readiness. The Department of Defense (DoD) enforces strict fire protection engineering standards through the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) and Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS) to ensure compliance across all branches. Two key roles in military construction projects responsible for upholding these standards are the Qualified Fire Protection Engineer (QFPE) and the Fire Protection Quality Control Specialist (FPQC).
Despite distinct roles outlined in governing documents, confusion often arises regarding the scope and authority of the QFPE and FPQC. Some military branches and contracting agencies perceive these roles differently, while others mistakenly use them interchangeably. This inconsistency can lead to project delays, compliance gaps, and miscommunication regarding responsibilities for fire protection design, quality control, and system acceptance.
A QFPE is a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) who has passed the NCEES Fire Protection Engineering exam and possesses extensive experience in fire protection design. As mandated by UFC 3-600-01, a QFPE is required for major military construction projects and must oversee all phases to ensure compliance with NFPA, UFC, and branch-specific fire safety standards, from initial design through final commissioning.
The QFPE is responsible for:
Unlike the QFPE, an FPQC serves within the Contractor Quality Control (CQC) organization, ensuring that the military construction project’s fire protection systems are properly installed, tested, and documented. As outlined in UFGS 01 45 00, an FPQC must be a licensed P.E. in Fire Protection Engineering, independent from the prime contractor and subcontractors, to prevent conflicts of interest.
The FPQC's key responsibilities include:
The confusion between the roles of QFPEs and FPQCs in military construction projects often arises from varying interpretations and implementations across different military branches and individual installations. While the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) 3-600-01 and Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS) 01 45 00 provide standardized guidelines, enforcement and application can differ, leading to various challenges.
Different branches may have distinct practices regarding the responsibilities of QFPEs and FPQCs. For instance, the Army typically requires a QFPE to be responsible for both the preparation of working drawings and installation quality control, while the Navy often designates separate QFPEs for design and installation quality control roles. This divergence can lead to misunderstandings among contractors and stakeholders transitioning between projects for different branches.
The absence of uniform guidelines specifying who should contract the QFPE—whether through the general contractor or subcontractors—can result in gaps in oversight. This inconsistency may lead to overlooked life safety components outside specific divisions, causing issues between construction teams and government agencies.
While UFC 3-600-01 permits multiple QFPEs on a project, it is not the preferred approach due to the potential for confusion. For instance, separate QFPEs might be assigned for fire sprinkler systems and fire alarm/mass notification systems. Similarly, UFGS 01 45 00 allows up to five FPQCs on a single project, which can complicate coordination and clarity in roles.
Even within the same military branch, enforcement of QFPE and FPQC requirements can vary between installations at different military bases. Factors such as regional considerations, mission-specific requirements, and available resources contribute to these differences, leading to inconsistent application of fire protection standards.
In design-build projects, contractors might assume that a single fire protection engineer can fulfill both design and quality control functions. However, UFC 3-600-01 and UFGS 01 45 00 advocate for distinct yet collaborative roles for QFPEs and FPQCs to maintain checks and balances, ensuring comprehensive oversight.
Performance Based Fire Protection Engineering (PBFPE) routinely provides QFPE and FPQC services for military construction projects, ensuring full compliance with UFC, UFGS, and NFPA fire safety standards. By integrating fire protection expertise throughout the project lifecycle, our team helps prevent compliance issues, streamline approval processes, and enhance system reliability.
With extensive experience serving U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), and Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC) projects, PBFPE ensures that military facilities meet the highest fire safety and life safety standards.
Achieving fire safety in military construction requires a well-defined division of responsibilities between the QFPE and FPQC. While both roles are integral to fire safety, their functions are distinct:
Effective collaboration between the QFPE and FPQC is essential. The QFPE provides the foundational design and oversight, while the FPQC ensures that the construction aligns with these designs, maintaining the integrity of fire protection systems throughout the project.
By delineating these roles and fostering collaboration, military construction projects can achieve the highest standards of fire safety, safeguarding both personnel and assets.
When you need expert QFPE and FPQC services for your military construction project, turn to PBFPE for help. Our team has the skills and knowledge to ensure your project follows all fire safety requirements. Contact us to start the conversation.
For further information on military fire protection standards and qualifications for QFPEs, explore the following links:
