Job Description

Sprinkler & Fire Hydrant Reactive Engineer

Location: Across the TfL Network, London
Shift Pattern: Nights Only Sunday to Thursday, 22 00
Contract Length: 3 6 Months
Rate: Up to £320 per shift (Ltd Company), depending on experience
Vehicle: Own van preferred, with hire option available

We are currently seeking an experienced Sprinkler & Fire Hydrant Reactive Engineer to support critical fire protection infrastructure across the London Underground network. This is a safety-critical role requiring a proactive engineer with proven experience in reactive maintenance, fault finding, and repair of fire suppression and firefighting water systems within operational rail or infrastructure environments.

Candidates must have previous London Underground or TfL experience and a strong background in reactive fault response on fire protection systems.

The Role

You will be responsible for attending emergency and reactive call-outs, diagnosing faults, carrying out repairs, and safely reinstating fire protection systems to ensure the continued safety of passengers, staff, and infrastructure.

Working across various London Underground sites, you will respond to system failures, activations, leaks, pressure losses, and damaged components, ensuring all assets are returned to service in a safe and compliant manner.

Key Responsibilities

Reactive Response & Fault Rectification

• Attend emergency and reactive call-outs for sprinkler and hydrant system defects.
• Diagnose, isolate, repair, reinstate, and recommission systems efficiently and safely.
• Respond to incidents affecting firefighting water supplies and restore operational availability.
• Complete detailed fault reports and hand-back documentation.

Sprinkler Systems

• Work on wet, dry, pre-action, and deluge sprinkler systems.
• Diagnose and repair:
• Alarm and valve sets
• Sprinkler heads
• Pipework and fittings
• Electric and diesel fire pumps
• Water storage tanks
• Control panels
• Fire alarm system interfaces
• Carry out draining, refilling, pressure testing, and recommissioning activities.

Fire Hydrant Systems

• Maintain and repair:
• Underground hydrants
• Pillar hydrants
• Landing valves
• Risers
• Isolation valves
• Associated pipework
• Investigate and rectify pressure-related issues.
• Support post-activation inspections and incident response activities.
• Ensure systems remain operational and compliant for Fire Brigade use.

Compliance & Safety

• Work in accordance with relevant fire protection standards and legislation.
• Adhere to London Underground permit-to-work procedures and safe systems of work.
• Escalate safety-critical defects promptly through the appropriate reporting channels.
• Maintain high standards of safety, quality, and documentation at all times.

Requirements

Essential

• Previous experience working within London Underground or TfL environments.
• Proven reactive maintenance and fault-finding experience on fire protection systems.
• Strong knowledge of sprinkler systems and firefighting water infrastructure.
• Experience working on emergency call-outs and fault response activities.
• Ability to work independently on night shifts.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience with fire pumps, hydrants, risers, and sprinkler valve sets.
• Knowledge of relevant fire protection standards and regulations.
• Sentinel card and/or London Underground competencies.
• Mechanical, plumbing, or fire protection qualifications.
• Access to a van and relevant tools.