In this spotlight, we hear from five of our graduates – Luke Lister, Michael Houghton, Niamh Bradley, Sam Gaskell and Oliver Ryan – about their journeys, achievements and advice for aspiring fire engineers.

Q: What is your proudest achievement since joining Ashton Fire?

Luke: Co-authoring a technical paper in SFPE Europe’s magazine analysing international flat design guidance, the paper highlighted Britain/Ireland’s uniquely restrictive approach to aspects like open-plan layouts and kitchen locations. The paper raised questions on whether such stringent limitations are warranted or a review of Britan/Irelands guidance would needed to allow for more unique designs and end user flexibility. Having my research published was a proud achievement, and I look forward to publishing more work in the future with the continued help and support from my knowledgeable colleagues at Ashton Fire.

Q: How has the supportive environment at Ashton Fire helped you develop as a graduate fire engineer?

Luke: At Ashton, the collaborative culture accelerates my growth as a Graduate Fire Engineer. In the Manchester office, I can readily engage with other graduates, my line manager, and colleagues to discuss any challenges or seek advice. I also have a dedicated mentor based in another office who is easily accessible for guidance and provides opportunities for us to collaboratively work on projects together. This access to a diverse range of fire engineers with varied backgrounds and experience levels is invaluable, learning from more experienced colleagues expands my problem solving skills and methods which is extremely important as a graduate engineer allowing me to develop my own methods and ways of solving each unique day to day problem.

Q: What aspect of fire engineering do you find the most interesting?

Michael: As someone who is early into their fire engineering career with limited experience in this industry it is difficult to pinpoint a specific aspect of the discipline which I’ve found most interesting – however I’ve had the opportunity to work on such a wide variety of building types involving different sectors, and I’d therefore say that the most enjoyable aspect of fire engineering is its variety on a day to day basis.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a career in fire engineering?

Michael: As a new graduate you will likely have just left your academic studies, which will naturally be focussed mainly on core engineering concepts, a lot of which will stand the test of time. My advice for someone considering a career in fire engineering would be to maintain a proactive attitude towards continuous learning, as you will be joining a field with an ever and rapidly changing landscape.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a career in fire engineering?

Niamh: To go for it. I began my career in fire engineering over 2 years ago and every day is different. The work is fast-paced but it is highly rewarding – especially when you get to work on a project and see it develop over time from concept design to construction stage. You are involved in the decision-making process right from the start and to see firsthand the changes a project goes through before it reaches site. No 2 projects are ever the same, so that’s the great thing about fire engineering – you’ll never get bored!

Q: What do you think is the most important lesson you’ve learned so far from your colleagues and mentors at Ashton Fire?

Niamh: Ask questions, and when you think you’ve asked too many – ask more. Your colleagues and mentors have all been in your position before when they started their careers, and they know how it feels. Whether you’re 6 months into your career or 6 years I would always say to keep asking questions. No one is expected to know everything, and this is why colleagues are so important so everyone can bounce off each other.

Q: What do you find most fulfilling about your day-to-day work as a fire engineer?

Sam: During my time as a graduate fire engineer at Ashton Fire, I have experienced writing fire strategies, CFD modelling and working on R&D tasks. Working in these different areas makes every day different as I am able to see how the different work streams interact with each other within a given project. The range of different sectors each project is related to ensures that no two days are the same.

Q: What is your proudest achievement since joining Ashton Fire?

Sam: So far, I have worked on projects in numerous sectors in different parts of the country but one of my earliest projects at Ashton Fire consisted of writing the fire strategy for a new school development within my local community. It’s a nice feeling knowing that I was involved in something that will have a fantastic impact on the local community for years to come.

Q: What do you think is the most important lesson you’ve learned so far from your colleagues and mentors at Ashton Fire?

Oliver: One of the most important lessons I’ve learned from my colleagues and mentors at Ashton Fire is the importance of thoroughness and integrity in my work. This implies taking the time to ensure that every detail is correct and not cutting corners. Performing due diligence is essential. Where a challenging performance-based design is chosen, and a clear guidance backed solution isn’t an option, consulting internally and gathering feedback can offer important insights and help develop the most robust resolution to each problem. Moreover, it is essential to always strive to do the right thing, even if it means reconsidering or reversing a previous decision.

Our graduates’ experiences reflect the dynamic and supportive environment here at Ashton Fire. Their journeys showcase not only their personal growth but also the collaborative and innovative spirit that defines our company.

Are you ready to start your career in fire engineering with a company that values your growth and development? Let’s talk.

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