Do you know that a fire breaks out in the USA every 23 seconds making high alert for the fire department to handle the situation immediately?
Ask yourself! Is your workplace safe? Do you need fire watch services?
Well, a fire can start unexpectedly and spread rapidly, causing significant damage to property and putting employees and customers in danger.
Unless a fire watch is maintained, these hazards may go undetected, resulting in disastrous consequences. It is tremendously important to understand what a fire watch is, as well as the role of a fire watch security guard and their duties.
The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) defines a fire watch as “a person or persons assigned to a particular area in order to notify the fire department, building occupants, or both of them of an emergency; to prevent fires; to extinguish small fires; or to protect the public from fire or life safety hazards.”
Simply put, a fire watch involves trained personnel equipped with fire suppression equipment who monitor areas lacking automatic fire alarm or fire suppression systems and may be at risk of fire hazards. These guards regularly patrol the premises, identify potential fire risks, take immediate action during emergencies, notify the appropriate authorities, and assist with safe evacuation procedures when needed.
Its primary objective is to prevent fires before they occur and ensure the safety of people, property, and workplaces by responding quickly to potential threats. This article explains the importance of fire watch and how they help maintain safety in commercial and industrial environments.
When is a Fire Watch Needed?
Generally, a fire watch is needed whenever there is an increased risk of fire that cannot be adequately managed by existing fire protection measures. For example, where hot works (work with welding and other fire hazards) are taking place, and where there is no fire warning system.
In addition, if a fire system is temporarily unavailable or if none has yet been installed, a fire watch can be a huge help.
Hence, a fire watch serves as a temporary fix to monitor a building or location for potential fire hazards before the fire systems can be repaired or replaced.
Types of Fire Watch
There are different types of fire watch security, each one depending on when is a fire watch required and on specific circumstances and hazards involved. The three primary types of fire watch services include:
Permanent Fire Watch
A permanent fire watch involves having trained professionals continuously monitoring the building for any signs of fire and alerting occupants and the fire department if necessary.
Buildings, construction sites, or spaces that need a higher level of protection require a permanent fire watch with a 24/7 fire watch guard.
Especially when the fire alarm system or sprinkler system is either inoperative or undergoing maintenance or repair takes place these fire watch guards are on the clock to supervise your assets, business, buildings, etc.
Temporary Fire Watch
Temporary fire watches prevent fires from starting during operations and detect and extinguish any fires that may occur. Unlike permanent fire watch, these professionals supervise your business and building entities for a limited time period – maybe for a few hours or a few days, per the client’s need. Fire extinguishers and other fire-fighting equipment are provided to well-trained personnel monitoring hot work areas.
For example, temporary fire watches are sometimes used at construction sites or occasional events such as concerts, etc.
This service might be short, but it will help you with quality surveillance, preventing future fires.
Special Event Fire Watch
A fire watch for special events is a dedicated safety service provided during gatherings where large crowds are present, such as concerts, festivals, fairs, corporate events, and private functions.
These services help ensure compliance with fire safety regulations while reducing the risk of fire hazards during the event. Trained fire watch guards continuously patrol the venue to identify potential dangers, including overloaded electrical systems, blocked exits, or improperly stored flammable materials.
They also ensure fire safety equipment remains accessible and respond immediately in case of any fire-related emergency to help protect attendees, staff, and property.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Fire Watch
A fire watch professional’s duty is to protect the building, whether residential or commercial.
Moreover, a fire watch security guard is responsible for ensuring that the building and people are equipped with the means to put off any fire emergencies or are able to exit the area immediately.
Some of the duties of a fire watch guard include:
Monitoring Fire Alarms and Emergency Systems
It is the first and foremost duty of the fire watch security guard to examine the working of every fire safety system and get it repaired if found defective.
In addition, the fire watch should be familiar with the emergency system, how to sound an alarm in the case of a fire, and how to notify the authorities.
Conducting Regular Inspections
The fire watch is responsible for patrolling and inspecting every part of the building, construction sites, etc., inside and out to ensure its safety, especially in high-risk regions, including any areas that are not occupied (attics, crawl spaces, storage rooms, closets, etc.).
They should keep a log sheet of those rounds, noting the beginning and ending times of each round until the fire official says it can be halted.
For example, inspecting the entire work area to look for the potential release of flammable vapors or liquids before, during, and at the end of each shift. Patrolling in areas where “hot work” is being done constantly is another consideration for regular inspections.
Maintaining fire extinguishers, hydrants, fixed monitors, and hose carts, as well as conducting regular inspections, will help keep the workplace fire-free.
Communicating with Building Occupants
Firstly, fire watch personnel must be provided with an emergency notification system and a way to notify building occupants of an emergency. Effective communication can save lives and reduce panic effectively.
People might already be scared and in great confusion because of the spreading of fire. They are not in a position to hear jargon or technical terms. Firewatch must communicate the instructions in an easy, concise, and calm manner so that the occupants can understand and act accordingly.
For example, “Attention, everyone. A fire has been detected in the building. Please remain calm and evacuate immediately using the nearest exit. We have trained personnel to assist you. We are doing everything we can to ensure your safety.”
Additionally, loudspeakers and other public addressing systems can greatly help communicate the message swiftly.
Coordinating with the Fire Department and Building Management
A fire watch can help ensure a safe and efficient emergency response by providing timely, accurate information, assisting the fire department, and updating building management.
First of all, the fire watch should keep building management updated on any information they may need to make decisions about the building’s safety and operations.
Fire watchers are required to immediately notify the fire department and building management when a fire is detected. They should provide information about where and how big the fire is, the number of people in the building and any hazardous materials that may be present.
By doing so, they will be able to initiate their emergency response procedures and ensure that the fire department is on its way.
There are several ways in which the fire watch can assist the fire department. Access to the building, directions to the fire location, and information about the building’s layout and safety systems are all part of this effort.
Qualifications and Training of a Fire Watch
Though bravery is an important trait to be a fire watch guard, fire guard training is mandatory for an individual to serve as a fire watch professional.
Certifications and Licensing:
To become a fire watch guard, an individual must at least possess a GED certificate or a high school diploma. Some employers may require Fire watchers to hold certifications or licenses such as:
- Fire Watch Training Certification: A fire safety certification is provided by many training organizations and verifies that the person has received adequate fire safety training.
- OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification: It covers fire safety, general health hazards, and other health hazards that workers might encounter on the job.
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Certification: During this comprehensive training program, supervisors and managers learn how to create a safe and healthy work environment for their employees
- State-specific Fire Watch Licensing: In some states, fire watch personnel must hold a state-specific license to work in the fire safety industry.
Training and Education Requirements
Fire watch positions typically require a high school diploma or equivalent. There are, however, some employers who may require additional training or education, such as:
- Fire Safety Training Course: Many employers offer employees on-the-job training about fire safety procedures and equipment usage.
- Emergency Response Training: First aid and CPR training may be required for some Fire Watch personnel.
- Fire Safety Certifications: Some employers may require or prefer Fire Watch personnel to have fire safety certifications.
Physical and Mental Requirements
An individual working on fire watch must be physically and mentally capable of carrying out their duties, which may include the following:
- Lift Heavy Objects: Personnel working with fire extinguishers and other heavy equipment may have to lift heavy objects
- Good Hearing and Visibility: The ability to see and hear well is essential to detecting potential fire hazards and responding to emergencies.
- Handle Emergency: Fire watch personnel are frequently exposed to high-stress situations when they respond to emergencies.
- Good Communication Skills: During emergencies, fire watch personnel must communicate effectively with other team members and emergency responders.
Hence, a fire watch must comply with all fire watch rules.
Who Needs Fire Watch Services?
Building Owners and Managers of Commercial
Building owners and managers of commercial properties desperately need fire watch services to make their buildings comply with fire safety regulations. Defective fire alarms or malfunctioning sprinkler systems, or renovations, repairs, or maintenance of the building, may necessitate fire watch services.
As an example, if the fire alarm system of a building is being replaced or upgraded, a fire watch service may be required to ensure the occupants’ safety.
Property Managers of Multi-tenant Buildings
Multi-tenant building managers are legally responsible for ensuring tenants’ safety and security. A fire watch may be required if the fire safety systems need maintenance or repair or if there are any fire safety issues.
For example, it may be necessary to hire fire watch guards if a building’s sprinkler system is being repaired so the building remains safe until the sprinkler system is repaired.
Event Organizers and Planners
Organizers and planners are responsible for the safety of their attendees. An event may require fire watch services at a venue with inadequate or malfunctioning fire safety systems.
For example, fire watch services may be needed during outdoor festivals held in areas without adequate fire suppression systems to prevent fires and respond quickly to fire emergencies.
Construction and Demolition Sites
Due to the presence of flammable materials and heavy machinery, construction and demolition sites are more likely to experience fires. At such places, there is no substitute for fire watch services to prevent fires and ensure that any fires are detected and extinguished quickly.
For example, if a construction site is using welding equipment, Fire Watch services may be required to monitor the area and prevent sparks or flames from igniting nearby materials.
Businesses With Fire Code Violations
Businesses located in buildings with a history of fire code violations are more likely to suffer a fire and must take extra precautions to ensure their employees’ and customers’ safety. In order to operate safely, businesses rely on fire watch services to detect and mitigate fire hazards.
For example, a restaurant located in a building where fire code violations have previously been reported may require fire watch services to monitor the kitchen and ensure that all safety protocols are followed.
Buildings With Fire Systems Under Maintenance
Fire suppression systems that are under repair or maintenance put businesses at higher risk for fires. Businesses must take extra precautions to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. The fire watch service is needed to detect and respond to fires during the repair or maintenance of the fire suppression system, ensuring the building’s safety and security.
For example, fire watch services are needed to monitor a hospital’s fire suppression system during maintenance, ensuring that any fires are detected and extinguished quickly.
Get Fire Watch From Professional Security Guard Inc.
Call at +1 (800) 940-4062 if you need fire watch support for your site. Trained guards at Professional Security Guard Inc. patrol the area, check for possible fire hazards, and ensure basic fire safety requirements are being followed.
The service is available for construction sites, commercial buildings, residential properties, events, and industrial facilities during fire system maintenance, shutdowns of alarm or sprinkler systems, and in buildings with temporary fire safety system failures.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do fire watch requirements vary under different local fire codes in the US?
They vary by state and city. Some places require fire watch only when systems fail, while others also require it for construction or high-risk work. Rules depend on the local fire authority.
- What are the legal consequences of not assigning a fire watch during system failure?
It can lead to fines, shutdown orders, and legal action. If a fire happens, the owner may also face liability and insurance problems.
- Who is legally responsible if a fire occurs during a required fire watch period?
Usually, the building owner or site manager is responsible. If a company is hired, they are responsible for their duties, but the owner still holds main responsibility.
- What are the most common fire risks identified during fire watch inspections?
Common risks include electrical faults, blocked exits, flammable materials, hot work activities, and broken fire alarms or sprinklers.
Final Thought
In conclusion, this article explained what a fire watch is and why it is important for fire safety in detail. A fire watch service plays a key role in monitoring buildings during high-risk situations or when fire protection systems are not working properly.
Fire watch guards help identify potential fire hazards, ensure basic safety measures are in place, and assist with emergency response if needed. Understanding fire watch roles and responsibilities can help property owners, event organizers, and construction managers maintain safety and comply with fire regulations.
Since fire risks can be unpredictable, building owners should take preventive steps such as regular inspections, proper maintenance of fire safety systems, staff training, and arranging fire watch services whenever required.
