BEIJING - A circular was issued on Wednesday announcing that China has established a qualification system for professional fire-protection engineers, according to the Fire Department of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

The circular states that an individual can work as a fire-protection engineer only after obtaining professional certification through examinations and getting approval from fire departments under provincial-level public security organs.

It also stipulates that secondary and senior fire-protection engineers must be hired by a fire services provider or fire authority before practicing.

Fire-protection engineers will provide services including fire technology consultation, fire safety assessment, fire-protection equipment maintenance and fire accident analysis.

The system will help improve the professional management of social fire-protection staff and standardize the development of fire services agencies, according to the circular.

It will also speed up the formation of a specialized fire services team and enhance fire-proofing in communities, it said.

The system will go into effect from Jan 1, 2013, according to the circular, which was jointly issued by the MPS and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.