Fire Watch Roles & Responsibilities Every Property Owner Should Know

Fire hazards are a stark reality on every kind of property; it might be undergoing renovation, or the fire protection system might be down, but you still need some strong precautions to avoid serious damage and loss caused by fires. When the usual sprinklers and alarms are compromised, a Fire Watch Security Guard becomes necessary.

So what exactly is a fire watch? It’s when you have a security guard dedicated to continuously monitoring and observing a property for any fire risks or hazards. The security guard watch will do away with the initial chances of fire and take swift action before it becomes a problem.

A fire watch service is usually a legal obligation for property owners and managers. You can also read up about why a fire watch is an essential responsibility and not an option. In this guide, we’ll talk about the fire watch roles and responsibilities inof a fire watch and its details.

When Is a Fire Watch Security Guard Required?

Fire watch security guards are usually called in when a site or building’s usual fire protection systems are not in proper working order. Clients may also require an additional fire watch if there are ongoing activities that increase the risk of fires; think renovations, crowded events, or operations like welding, grinding, cutting, etc.

It’s also essential to have fire watch coverage when certain construction projects are going on, or after the property has previously been flagged for a fire code violation (or several). A fire marshal or some other authority may also order a site to get a trained fire watch security team on board before something untoward happens. Most of the time, fire watches are temporary but very much needed until the property’s fire system or general setup goes back to optimal working condition.

List of Fire Watch Duties and Responsibilities

Fire watch security guards have many roles in addition to just observing their surroundings for potential threats. They have to monitor the area continuously for any fire hazards or issues that might result in a damaging fire. They also have to be ready to prevent fires at every turn while responding immediately to any emergency on the site. Compliance documentation and incident reporting are also essential roles here, making sure that the security teams address fire risks before they grow into serious emergencies.

When you do get a fire watch on your property, what are their usual responsibilities and duties? Here’s a breakdown of what you may expect from a professional fire watch team:

Fire Hazard Monitoring & Surveillance

One should expect a continuous monitoring presence with any fire watch on the job. The guard should be on active patrols on the site and especially check any zones with a higher fire risk than others. For instance, kitchen and mechanical rooms are usually more susceptible to fire than other areas of a building. Other places to check thoroughly are storage rooms, hot work spaces, electrical panels, etc. Their training should have them spot and deal with many issues, including:

• Open flames from candles, stoves, etc.
• Smoldering materials that are likely to catch on fire.
• Exposed wires and overheating equipment on the site.
• Flammable materials are stored without proper precautions.
• Not enough exits, or exits that are blocked or otherwise compromised.

When a human fire watcher sees any of these issues, they can use real-time thinking and judgment to deal with the situation. This way, the property can become more secure and able to deal with fire hazards than with just a camera and alarm system.

Regular Equipment Inspections and Maintenance

A fire watch security guard team will regularly check fire safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, sprinklers, hoses, etc. They will also make sure that the equipment is not obstructed in any way and is especially available near areas with hot work operations. These precautions are a part of regular maintenance, which comes with identifying any potential issues and resolving them as soon as possible.

Coordination with Fire Department & Emergency Response

A core duty of fire watch guards is to immediately coordinate with the required parties when necessary. When they detect flames, smoke, or conditions signalling danger, the guards should:

• Start emergency protocols.
• Alert all the occupants, including staff, residents, and visitors.
• Get in touch with emergency services, especially the fire department, straight away.
• Assist the first responder teams in getting to the site of the hazard or danger.

Hazard Mitigation & Fire Prevention Duties

A fire watch needs to be proactive in preventing fires as well as dealing with them. Here’s how they can reduce the risks in an area:

• Removing potential sources of fire or reporting them.
• Ensuring that fire safety laws and rules are followed.
• Checking permits for hot work and other high-risk situations.
• Checking work practices to ensure safety.
• Identify combustible waste and flammable material, plus eliminating them when possible.

Evacuation & Life Safety Support

Fire watchers also help in evaluations and other life safety measures in case of emergencies. Here are a few details about fire watchtheir roles and responsibilities to play in such situations:

• Helping people get to a safe exit.
• Clearing evasion routes of any obstructions or blockages.
• Dealing with crowd situations to reduce panic.
• Helping individuals who need extra support, such as disabled people, children, the elderly, etc.

Exclusive Focus on Fire Safety

A fire watch post means exclusive responsibility. It means that fire watchers are usually not hired for other duties such as working the reception area, general security responsibilities, access control, etc. They need to devote complete attention to tasks regarding fire safety, its prevention, and responding to danger when required.

Reporting & Documentation

Finally, a fire watch also needs to be trained in accountability, compliance, and documentation. Their logs should contain the following:

• Inspection routes and patrol times of each individual on the security team.
• Identification of hazards and what elimination steps were taken to deal with them.
• Reports of any system outages or breakdowns and updates on their repatriation/repair.
• Emergency responses and their incident reports were filed later on.

Ensuring all these points is essential to the role of a fire watch guard. Before making any decisions, here’s more information about what a fire watch security guard is and why you need one.

Employer Responsibilities for Fire Watch and Fire Safety

A fire watch guard has many responsibilities, but employers also have an important role in maintaining fire security. They have to give their property or building a structure and the responses to prevent and fight fires if necessary. Here’s a breakdown of their expected role:

Establishing a Fire Safety Plan

Employers should work on a fire safety plan that’s unique to their building and setup. They also need to maintain this plan and conduct drills to ensure everyone’s safety and minimal loss. Fire watch guards should also be updated on the plan with details about the emergency protocols, hazard controls, evacuation routes, communication networks, etc.

Assigning Qualified Fire Watch Personnel

Employers are also tasked with hiring only qualified and trained guards, which is where Professional Security Guard Inc comes in. With our guards, employers can be certain that their fire watch is able to detect hazards, deal with them, and follow protocol while remaining within legal boundaries.

Providing Training and Communication

The guards should receive proper communication and further training from employers according to the unique needs of the site. The fire workers should also know the status of fire prevention systems, schedules for hot work operations, and any differences in risk conditions.

Coordinating with Contractors and Employers

The employers should coordinate with the fire safety watch and other personnel. Clean channels will enable proper accountability and coverage.

Maintaining a Safe Work Environment

Employers should be addressing any potential hazards when they’re identified. They also need to acquire and update safety equipment so the fire watch teams can do their jobs properly.  

Documentation & Compliance

Paperwork isn’t just for the employees! Employers also have to maintain fire watch logs and give permits while maintaining compliance records. In short, they have to be ready for visits from fire safety inspectors, insurance companies, and any other relevant authorities.

Fire Watch Requirements Under OSHA & NFPA

The standards set by OSHA and NFPA dictate certain procedures in care of impaired or compromised fire protection systems. The same is true when certain events result in increased fire hazards. The regulations here place importance on vigilant observation, through documentations, quick response times, and trained guards. Each fire watcher responsibilityfire watch role we’ve discussed so far serves to help properties comply with such regulations.

Why Hiring Professional Fire Watch Personnel Matters

Fire watch is an essential precaution that every large property should take seriously. It’s a high-priority task that needs trained personnel with experience and relevant knowledge to handle potential panic situations. With Professional Security Guard Services Inc, property owners and managers can be sure of having reliable coverage for complying with fire safety regulations. Overall, you can have peace of mind even when there’s a high-risk situation going on.

Who Should You Rely On for Fire Watch Services?

Fire is an all-consuming danger, which is why you need the best protection in the state. With Professional Security Guard Inc, you’ll be assured of a professional human team with ample training in fire safety and compliance. Contact us now for Premier Fire Watch Security in California.

FAQs About Fire Watch Roles and Responsibilities