Director Insights - with Karl Wallasch CEng MIFireE PMSFPE
Introduction:
Karl is one of our Founding Directors, based at our head office in Richmond. He achieved Chartered Engineer status through the Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) in 2012 and has also been a professional member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) since 2023.
What inspired you to become an engineer?
I think I really got inspired after completing school and undertaking my first placement experience. I have to thank many people for their help directing and inspiring me to start a university course and considering a career in this sector.
Tell us about your career to date:
I studied civil and structural engineering at the Bauhaus University in Weimar (Germany) from 2000 to 2005, then started my career as a graduate fire safety engineer in a multi-disciplinary consultancy in London. I have worked in the UK, Berlin and Madrid. In 2019 I co-founded Trigon Fire Safety Ltd.
Describe your role at Trigon Fire Safety:
As a director at Trigon Fire Safety, I am involved in a variety of different aspects of a fire safety consultant. I am still involved in projects and provide technical advice, write reports and notes, attend design team meetings and client visits. I love being involved in project work and providing technical advice and support project teams and clients. I am also involved in different roles within the business for example in marketing, business development, HR, links to academia etc.
What’s a typical working day?
Every day is different. But a big part of my daily work is catching up with my colleagues as well as external clients, project team members like project managers, architects, engineers etc, dealing with emails and phone calls, writing and reviewing fire safety reports/notes/emails, reviewing plans etc.
Another aspect of my work is business development, preparing fee proposals, presentations and creating new project opportunities and links within the industry.
What are the key challenges in the role?
Two of the biggest challenges of the role are: staying on top with changing landscape of fire safety regulations and guidance around us; and finding the right work-life balance as it’s too easy to work too much. Saying “no” has become an important part of my job.
What do you find most enjoyable about your job?
There are many enjoyable aspects mainly: working with other people on real buildings, and knowing that our contribution to a safe and sustainable built environment is significant for the future. In this changing environment and based on constant news and findings from the world of academia, research and fire science, we regularly face new challenges but also opportunities and solutions. It’s a really enjoyable and satisfactory job!
Describe any professional highlights or achievements:
Our team at Trigon is committed to supporting the next generation of engineers. We are doing this in form of giving advice to pupils, students, offering work experience, internships and summer placements, visiting schools, universities but also financial support via bursaries and scholarships. It’s satisfying to hear back from these young people that the experience gained has helped them to decide to start a career in an engineering discipline.
Another highlight has been to be part of the organising committee to assist in the planning and execution of a number of international conferences as well as local training events in London. It’s fascinating to see how many people are interested in learning, discussing and debating as well as networking; and what fantastic speakers, presenters from various corners of our industry we have. Experiencing such a network and connection at European and global level is very special – you feel very impressed, thankful and proud of your industry!
Source:
The above is an abridged version of an article written by the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE).
You can read it in full here: IFE > Career Spotlight > Karl Wallasch CEng MIFireE PMSFPE