Fire Alarm Programmer

Job Summary

Programs, configures, tests, commissions, and maintains Fire Alarm and Life Safety systems in accordance with approved designs, project specifications, manufacturer requirements, international standards, and UAE Civil Defence regulations. The role ensures that fire alarm systems operate reliably, accurately, and safely across commercial, residential, industrial, and infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Program and configure addressable and conventional fire alarm control panels, networked systems, repeater panels, graphical interfaces, and associated devices.
• Review approved drawings, cause-and-effect matrices, technical submittals, equipment schedules, and project specifications before programming.
• Configure input and output devices, zones, groups, cause-and-effect logic, alarm sequences, delays, evacuations, and system interfaces.
• Program and integrate fire alarm systems with BMS, HVAC, smoke control, access control, lifts, firefighting systems, emergency lighting, and voice evacuation systems.
• Perform pre-commissioning inspections, loop testing, device addressing, continuity checks, fault diagnosis, and system validation.
• Conduct testing and commissioning of fire alarm panels, detectors, manual call points, sounders, strobes, interfaces, modules, batteries, and ancillary equipment.
• Identify and resolve programming, wiring, communication, device, and system faults promptly and methodically.
• Attend site meetings, inspections, testing activities, authority inspections, and consultant demonstrations as required.
• Coordinate with Project, Design, Estimation, Installation, Testing and Commissioning, and Service teams.
• Verify that programmed systems comply with approved shop drawings, cause-and-effect requirements, manufacturer guidelines, and applicable codes.
• Prepare and update programming files, configuration backups, testing records, commissioning reports, and as-built documentation.
• Support troubleshooting, modifications, additions, and system upgrades for existing fire alarm installations.
• Provide technical support and guidance to technicians during installation, testing, commissioning, and handover.
• Follow company procedures, permit requirements, health and safety rules, and site-specific risk assessments.

Technical Knowledge

• Addressable and conventional fire alarm systems
• Fire alarm control panels, repeater panels, networked panels, and graphical monitoring systems
• Smoke, heat, multi-sensor, beam, aspirating, and flame detection systems
• Manual call points, sounders, strobes, input modules, output modules, and monitoring modules
• Cause-and-effect matrix development and implementation
• Fire alarm loop configuration, device addressing, zoning, programming, and fault finding
• Alarm verification, investigation delays, coincidence logic, evacuation sequences, and phased evacuation
• Integration with BMS, HVAC, access control, lifts, smoke control, firefighting, and emergency lighting systems
• Voice evacuation and emergency public address interfaces
• NFPA 72, BS 5839, EN 54, IEC standards, and relevant local regulations
• UAE Civil Defence requirements and authority approval procedures
• Manufacturer-specific fire alarm programming software and configuration tools
• AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, testing instruments, and commissioning documentation

Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma or bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronics, Electronics and Communication Engineering, or a related discipline; a relevant technical certification may also be considered.
• 2–5 years of experience in fire alarm programming, testing, commissioning, or maintenance.
• Hands-on experience with addressable fire alarm systems and manufacturer programming software.
• Experience with fire alarm system integration and cause-and-effect testing.
• UAE or GCC project experience preferred.
• Knowledge of NFPA, BS, EN, and UAE Civil Defence requirements.
• Ability to read electrical drawings, fire alarm layouts, schematics, specifications, and cause-and-effect matrices.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, documentation, communication, and coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet project testing, commissioning, and handover deadlines.
• Valid driving licence is preferred.

Key Deliverables

• Accurate fire alarm panel programming and system configuration
• Completed device addressing, loop configuration, and cause-and-effect logic
• Successful testing and commissioning of fire alarm and life safety systems
• Verified interfaces with BMS, HVAC, access control, lifts, and other building systems
• Resolved programming, communication, wiring, and equipment faults
• Completed testing reports, commissioning records, configuration backups, and as-built documentation
• Successful consultant, client, and authority inspections
• Complete and compliant system handover documentation