The fire protection technician (EPP) program is developed in consultation with industry experts and is geared to youth and adults who have an interest in working in the fire safety field. Students will be prepared for entry-level jobs such as fire alarm installers, fire protection technicians, sprinkler system technicians, fire prevention technicians, fire alarm operators, and fire extinguisher installers, where demand is high and earning potential is good, and have all required safety certifications. The majority of the municipalities need inspection, installation, and testing by trained and approved technicians for commercial as well as residential buildings.

Research indicates that between 2019 and 2028, there will be over 2380 job vacancies in the fire and life safety field due to retirements and industry growth (https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/outlook-occupation/3301/ca). Employers must find creative solutions, including hiring entry-level employees and helping them to develop the skills required on the job.

Successful graduates of this program may also explore opportunities to pursue their certifications from the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) in the fire safety and related areas.

This program emphasizes a hands-on approach to training, where experience gained in the workshop is focused on industry practice. The necessary theoretical work component is integrated into the program to complement and enhance the practical. Industry tours will expose the student to a variety of work environments.

After completing electrical and electronics for fire protection installation and inspection, students learn how to install and test emergency lighting systems, automatic sprinkler and standpipe; fire alarm systems; smoke control; introduction to HVAC systems, various fire suppression systems; introduction to cross connection control, use scaffolding and access equipment. Practical application of theory is demonstrated in the shop on our campus. Contained within the program is training towards certification for WHMIS and Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level 1.

Graduates will be able to work as entry-level employees, such as a fire alarm system technician, a fire extinguisher service technician, an emergency lighting system installer, a sprinkler and standpipe tester, backflow technician for both the residential and commercial sectors. They will have essential safety certifications required for employment and basic skills that will allow them to contribute at a basic level to a variety of fire safety projects.

Before acceptance, applicants must successfully meet each of the following requirements listed under items 1) and 2) below.

1) Fulfill Math Assessment Requirement

Math Assessment requirement

• Domestic Students:
• a) Successful completion of a math assessment conducted in-house by Ace Community College with a minimum score of 50%
• OR
• b) Successful completion of provincially recognized Grade 10, 11, or 12 Mathematics with a minimum passing score of C.
• International Students:
• a) Successful completion of a math assessment conducted in-house by Ace Community College with a minimum score of 50%.
• OR
• b) International students can meet the Math Entrance Assessment requirement by providing an equivalent to Canadian High School Math 10, 11 or 12 with a passing grade of ‘C’. The credential must be evaluated and verified.

2) Fulfill Language Proficiency Requirement

Language Proficiency Requirement

All applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria (a, b, c, or d)

• a) Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages*.

  *Applicants are advised to contact ACE Community College to confirm whether their country is officially recognized as one where English is the principal language of instruction for the purpose of meeting this requirement.

• b) 2 years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS).

  *Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.

• c) Provide official, verified transcripts showing results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below, with scores that meet or exceed the minimum requirements specified for each test.

  Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program:

  • International English Language Testing System:(IELTS) Academic Minimum overall score of 5.5
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Minimum overall score of 40
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum overall score of 95
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
  • Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE)
  • Institutions may include other Cambridge Qualifications at a higher level (i.e., C2 Proficiency (CPE)): Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
  • Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
  • LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
  • The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2 level
  • iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
  • EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

• d) Mature student applicants ONLY:

  Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access is their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above:

  • I. Applicant must provide attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where the English is one of the principal languages,

• II. Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores:
  • ✓ Reading: 230
  • ✓ Writing: 230
  • ✓ WritePlacer: 4

Upon completion of this program, students will be equipped to:

• Comply with laws, rules, regulations, and codes and identify those relevant to fire prevention of the authority having jurisdiction.
• Apply basic medical first aid as appropriate to emergency situations likely to be encountered in the workplace.
• Inspect, test, troubleshoot, and repair fire safety equipment.
• To identify the different types and components of sprinkler, standpipe, and foam systems.
• Review residential and commercial sprinkler legislation.
• To identify the different types of non-water-based fire suppression systems.
• Contribute to the completion of building projects in accordance with industry standards and instructions from supervisors.

• Weekly on-campus tests will be conducted.
• In the end, students will be given a final exam.

• Successful completion of all on-campus tests with a minimum of 50% overall average.
• Successfully passing the final exam with a minimum of 50% overall average.
• Successful completion of level 1 CPR/First Aid and WHMIS training, which will be completed during the program.

• The total program hours are 180.
• The full-time program length is 6 weeks.

Students can expect to complete 1-3 hours of homework per day.

The program is offered through in-class instruction as well as a combined delivery format that includes both in-class and distance learning.

Fire Protection Technician Text Book.

• a. AUTHOR: ACE Community College
• b. PUBLISHER: ACE Community College