Fire Test Technician

SOCOTEC UK & Ireland; East Kilbride; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

United Kingdom Testing and Certification (UKTC) is seeking a Laboratory Tech to support the sample reception, preparation and testing workflow for passive fire protection tests. You will log specimens, verify documents, prepare samples and coordinate timelines with the technical team in a hands-on lab environment.

The role involves assistance with installation of specimens, instrument setup, and helping the Testing Team during fire tests, while maintaining strict safety and quality practices.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Practical problem solving ability.
• Experience of accurate record keeping.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a structured laboratory or production environment.
• Understanding of health and safety requirements.
• Basic computer literacy (Microsoft Office).
• Experience working in a laboratory, workshop or construction environment (desirable).
• Basic understanding of scientific testing or measurement (desirable).
• Practical skills, including use of power tools (desirable).
• Experience working with testing standards or technical procedures (desirable).
• HND or equivalent in a scientific or engineering discipline (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Receive and log test specimens into the laboratory system.
• Gather client documentation and verify samples against test requests.
• Prepare specimens in accordance with relevant test standards and internal procedures.
• Label, store and track samples to maintain full traceability.
• Coordinate sample preparation timelines with the technical team.
• Assist with installation of specimens for reaction to fire testing.
• Support the setup of instrumentation and measurement systems.
• Assist Testing Team during the execution of fire tests.
• Maintain good laboratory practice and housekeeping.
• Monitoring and recording laboratory conditions.
• Calibration and daily checking of balances and other laboratory equipment.
• Monitoring calibration dates of test and supporting laboratory equipment
• Assist with laboratory equipment and test rigs prior to testing.
• Assist with dismantling and disposal of test specimens following testing, which may include assistance in the extinguishment of samples still burning.
• Undertake training to develop competence in fire testing methods.
• Progress into conducting tests independently once trained and authorised.
• Support continuous improvement of laboratory processes and procedures.

Skills

Organisational skills

Problem solving

Record keeping

Communication skills

Lab environment experience

Health and safety awareness

Computer literacy

Education

HND or equivalent in a scientific or engineering discipline

Job description

United Kingdom Testing and Certification (UKTC) offers rewarding technical work that makes buildings better for people and the environment. Although invisible to the average person, Passive Fire Protection is a fundamental part of the buildings we all live and work in and saves countless lives.

Your work at UKTC will be diverse and allow you to enhance your practical skills through the use of tools and laboratory instruments as well as challenge yourself academically through learning about international test standards and regulations. You will interact with customers from the Passive Fire Protection industry every day allowing you the opportunity to educate them as well as learn from them.

Job Description

Sample Reception and Preparation

• Receive and log test specimens into the laboratory system.
• Gather client documentation and verify samples against and test requests.
• Prepare specimens in accordance with relevant test standards and internal procedures.
• Label, store and track samples to maintain full traceability.
• Coordinate sample preparation timelines with the technical team.

Test Preparation and Support

• Assist with installation of specimens for reaction to fire testing.
• Support the setup of instrumentation and measurement systems.
• Assist Testing Team during the execution of fire tests.

Laboratory Operations

• Maintain good laboratory practice and housekeeping.
• Monitoring and recording laboratory conditions
• Calibration and daily checking of balances and other laboratory equipment.
• Monitoring calibration dates of test and supporting laboratory equipment
• Assist with laboratory equipment and test rigs prior to testing.
• Assist with dismantling and disposal of test specimens following testing, which may include assistance in the extinguishment of samples still burning.

Development and Progression

• Undertake training to develop competence in fire testing methods.
• Progress into conducting tests independently once trained and authorised.
• Support continuous improvement of laboratory processes and procedures.

Qualifications

Essential knowledge/skills/experience:

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Practical problem solving ability.
• Experience of accurate record keeping.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a structured laboratory or production environment.
• Understanding of health and safety requirements.
• Basic computer literacy (Microsoft Office).

Desirable knowledge/skills/experience:

• Experience working in a laboratory, workshop or construction environment.
  Basic understanding of scientific testing or measurement.
• Practical skills, including use of power tools preferred
• Experience working with testing standards or technical procedures.
• HND or equivalent in a scientific or engineering discipline.

Essential personal attributes:

• Detail focused and methodical.
• Enjoys working with measurement, data and evidence.
• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Able to work to deadlines in a busy laboratory environment.
• Comfortable with working in a team and individually
• Demonstrates a consistent high quality of work.
• Understanding of safe working practices
• Aligns with company values.

Additional Information

Due to laboratory location, it is preferable for the applicant to have their own transport