Fire Alarm & Fire Protection Commissioning Manager

Location: Site-Based (Data Centre Projects)

Lead the Delivery of Mission-Critical Fire Protection Systems

About Us

Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.

For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward.

We are seeking an experienced Fire Alarm & Fire Protection Commissioning Manager to join our growing team delivering some of the most complex and technically demanding data centre projects in the industry.

This is a senior site-based role for an experienced commissioning professional who will take ownership of the fire systems commissioning process from planning through to final handover, ensuring systems are compliant, integrated, tested, and fully operational within mission-critical environments.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, company car, and performance bonus
• 25 days paid holiday plus all bank holidays
• 7% matched pension contributions
• Private medical cover and free life assurance
• Laptop and mobile provided
• Overtime opportunities
• Employee assistance program, referral scheme, and discounts (including high street brands, cycle-to-work, and Johnson Controls products)
• Extensive product, on-the-job, and cross-training opportunities with world-class resources. Clear career development pathways across multiple discipline

The Role

As the Fire Alarm & Fire Protection Commissioning Manager, you will lead all fire systems commissioning activities on site, ensuring safe, compliant, and timely delivery. Working closely with clients, consultants, contractors, and specialist subcontractors, you will oversee the commissioning of complex fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems within data centre environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning activities for fire alarm, detection, suppression, and integrated life-safety systems, including:
  • VESDA and aspirating smoke detection
  • Gas suppression systems
  • Fire alarm systems and associated interfaces
  • Sprinkler and life-safety integrations
• Develop and manage commissioning plans, procedures, test scripts, and method statements.
• Coordinate commissioning activities with project stakeholders and client teams.
• Manage interface testing across systems including BMS, HVAC, access control, power, and critical infrastructure.
• Lead pre-commissioning activities, Integrated System Testing (IST), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and witness testing.
• Ensure compliance with LPCB standards, FIA guidance, BS 5839, BS EN 12845, and other relevant regulations.
• Manage specialist commissioning teams and subcontractors to achieve programme milestones.
• Produce commissioning documentation, test records, reports, and handover packs.
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) where required.
• Promote best practice, continuous improvement, and safe working standards.

About You

You are an experienced commissioning professional with a strong background in fire protection systems within data centres or other mission-critical environments. You combine excellent technical knowledge with the leadership skills required to deliver complex projects successfully.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 10 years' experience in fire alarm and fire protection commissioning.
• Proven experience commissioning systems within data centre environments.
• Strong understanding of integrated testing strategies and client-led commissioning processes.
• NVQ Level 6 (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline.
• FIA qualification.
• Strong knowledge of LPCB standards and fire protection compliance requirements.
• Extensive experience with complex fire detection and suppression systems.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing commissioning teams and subcontractors.
• Excellent understanding of commissioning documentation, compliance, and handover processes.
• Strong stakeholder management and coordination skills.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working to Tier III and Tier IV Data Centre commissioning standards.
• Knowledge of BREEAM, LEED, or other sustainability frameworks.
• Experience with cause-and-effect testing and integrated life-safety systems.
• Experience within other mission-critical sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceutical, or financial services.
• Familiarity with BIM-enabled or digital commissioning platforms.
• Experience supporting client witness testing and Independent Commissioning Authorities (ICA).
• IOSH or NEBOSH certification.

Additional Information

• Fully site-based role.
• Travel between project sites may be required.
• Flexibility to work outside standard hours during critical testing and commissioning phases is essential.
• Work will be undertaken within live projects and high-security environments.

Apply Now

If you have the technical expertise, leadership capability, and data centre commissioning experience to deliver world-class fire protection systems, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and play a key role in delivering mission-critical infrastructure that keeps some of the world's most important facilities safe and operational.

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