Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

Preamble

Fire protection engineering is an important learned profession. The members of the profession recognize that their work has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by fire protection engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection and enhancement of the public safety, health and welfare. In the practice of their profession, fire protection engineers must maintain and constantly improve their competence and perform under a standard of professional behavior which requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct with balanced regard for the interests of the public, clients, employers, colleagues and the profession. Fire protection engineers are expected to act in accordance with this Code and all applicable laws and actively encourage others to do so.

Fundamental Principles

Fire protection engineers uphold and advance the honor and integrity of their profession by:

I. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;

II. Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employees and clients;

III. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the fire protection engineering profession.

Canons of Ethics - Knowledge and Skill

Canon 1
Fire protection engineers shall be dedicated to the safety, health and welfare of the public in the performance of their professional duties. If fire protection engineers become knowledgeable of hazardous conditions that threaten the present or future safety, health or welfare of the public, then they shall so advise their employers or clients. Should knowledge of such conditions not be properly acted upon, then fire protection engineers shall notify the appropriate public authority.

Canon 2
Fire protection engineers shall consider the consequences of their work and societal issues pertinent to it and shall seek to extend public understanding of those relationships.

Canon 3
Fire protection engineers shall be encouraged to contribute services for the advancement of the safety, health and welfare of the community and support worthy causes.

Canons of Ethics - Honesty and Impartiality

Canon 4
Fire protection engineers shall perform professional services only in the areas of their competence and after full disclosure of their pertinent qualifications.

Canon 5
Fire protection engineers shall be honest and truthful in presenting data and estimates, professional opinions and conclusions, and in their public statements dealing with professional matters and shall not engage in improper solicitation of professional employment or contracts.

Canon 6
Fire protection engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees and shall not disclose confidential information concerning the business affairs or technical processes of any present or former client or employer without consent.

Canon 7
Fire protection engineers' decisions shall be made and actions taken without bias because of race, religion, sex, age, national origin or physical handicaps.

Canon 8
Fire protection engineers shall make prior disclosure to all interested parties of all known or potential conflicts of interest or other circumstances, which could influence or appear to influence their judgement or the quality of their service.

Canons of Ethics - Competence and Prestige

Canon 9
Fire protection engineers shall perform services and associate with others only in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor and integrity of the profession.

Canon 10
Fire protection engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their supervision.

Canon 11
Fire protection engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of this Code shall cooperate with the proper authorities in furnishing such information or assistance as may be required.

Canon 12
Fire protection engineers shall accept responsibility for their actions, seek, accept and offer honest criticism of work, properly credit the contributions of others, and shall not accept credit for the work of others.

Canon 13
Fire protection engineers shall strive to advance the knowledge and skills of the profession and to make these advancements available to colleagues, clients and the public.