Founded in 1918, the IFE is a non profit making professional body with a rapidly growing membership of over 11,000 and a global reach that extends through 39 international branches. Licensed by the Engineering Council (UK), the IFE upholds professional standards within all public and private fire sectors by offering assessment of knowledge, experience and development and engages with major stakeholders to offer international conferences, identify and promote good practice and enhance technical networks worldwide.

The Institution provides professional recognition for members across a broad spectrum and has achieved recognition from a number of professional bodies including Ofqual. Under its ECUK licence, the Institution is authorised to register suitably qualified members as Chartered Engineers (CEng), Incorporated Engineers (IEng) and Engineering Technicians (Eng Tech).