Property owners are generally directed by a fire marshal or required by law to conduct a fire watch. A fire watch is a process designed to identify and control fire hazards. It also entails activating the fire alarm, notifying the building occupants, alerting the fire department, and facilitating the evacuation of occupants in case of a fire incident. The goal is to ensure safety and prevent and mitigate fire hazards.
The importance of a fire watch cannot be denied. The question remaining is when and how to perform a fire watch. In order to answer this question, you must be familiar with the fire watch requirements set by International Fire Code (IFC).
Basic Fire Watch Requirements
A fire watch may be mandated for the following four reasons as specified by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard and IFC. Read on to learn more about fire watch requirements and why you may need it.
1. Impaired Fire Alarm/ Fire Suppression System
Does your property have a fire alarm or a water-based fire protection system like sprinklers? If so, you may need to implement a fire watch to remain compliant with the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code if the alarm or protection system becomes impaired.
You typically need a fire watch if the fire alarm system is out for more than 4 hours within a 24-hour period. Many mistakenly believe a fire watch starts only if the system is out for 4 consecutive hours. In reality, you must begin a fire watch if the system is disarmed or impaired for a total of 4 hours or more in 24 hours.
For water-based fire protection systems, you must implement a fire watch if the system is impaired for at least 10 hours within 24 hours. This also applies to preplanned power outages.
Property owners generally must inform the fire marshal of such plans or activities beforehand. However, remember that exact guidelines vary by jurisdiction. Therefore, we recommend checking with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to understand their specific requirements.
2. Hot Works in the Building
You need a fire watch when you perform hot work in a building. Hot work includes all tasks and activities that involve using sparks or flame. For example, this covers welding, cutting, grinding, and torch use.A fire watch is required when performing hot work in the building. Hot work includes all tasks and activities that involve the use of spark or flame. A few examples would include works like welding, cutting, grinding, using a torch, etc.
Even when fire alarms and suppression systems work properly, perform a fire watch when hot work occurs in the building. Hot work causes many fire incidents, especially industrial fires. A little precaution goes a long way!
Fire watch roles and responsibilities specify that you must maintain a fire watch during and for 30 minutes after hot work ends on-site to ensure complete safety. The site manager or fire official holds the authority to extend the fire watch depending on the nature of the work or potential fire hazards on site. However, areas with no combustible materials or fire hazards on-site may be exempt from a fire watch during or after hot work.
3. Construction/Renovation/Demolition Work
Construction, renovation, and demolition work increase the risk of fire hazards. According to a report issued by NFPA, “Local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 4,300 fires in structures under construction per year in 2016 through 2020. The fires in structures under construction caused an average of four civilian deaths, 62 civilian injuries, and $376 million in direct property damage annually.”
Fires can quickly spiral out of control at a construction/demolition site. In most cases, the fire alarm is either disconnected or not installed at all. The water supply may also be turned off, further adding to the problem. The alarming statistics point towards the need to ensure fire watch during planned construction, major renovation, or demolition.
Keep in mind that according to the revised IFC, a fire watch is mandatory even during non-working hours if the new construction is taller than 40 feet (12,1192 mm) or exceeds 50,000 square feet in area.
4. Dense Crowds
Crowded or packed buildings often face a higher risk of fire. Moreover, evacuations are seldom seamless due to the larger crowds. Therefore, your AHJ may require you to take additional measures and ensure a fire watch if the property is densely crowded.
This fire watch requirement typically applies to public assembly buildings hosting exhibitions, concerts, performances, displays, contests, or other similar activities that involve large crowds.
In other words, the fire watch requirement also depends on the nature of the event taking place at the facility and the anticipated number of attendees. Fire watch personnel must stay on duty until the area opens to the public.
What to Inspect During Fire Watch Patrols
During each fire watch round, it’s essential to thoroughly inspect the building or assigned areas to ensure that all fire safety measures are in place. Key items to check include:
- Fire Extinguishers: Confirm that portable fire extinguishers are accessible, unobstructed, and in good working condition.
- Corridors and Exits: Make sure hallways, stairways, and all exit routes are clear of storage, debris, and any other potential obstructions.
- Doors and Signage: Verify that exit and stairwell doors are fully operational and clear of blockages. Verify that EXIT signs are both visible and adequately lit.
- Fire Doors and Barriers: Ensure all fire, smoke barrier, and hazardous area doors close and latch properly—never prop or wedge them open.
- Electrical Safety: Be aware of potential electrical hazards, such as exposed wiring or malfunctioning outlets. Promptly report any issues so you can address them promptly.
- Combustible Materials: Remove trash and any unnecessary accumulation of flammable materials from the premises immediately.
- Safe Work Practices: Confirm that there is no unauthorized smoking, welding, or use of flammable liquids. If any hot work or similar activities are preapproved, ensure they are conducted in properly fire-separated areas.
By following these inspection steps on every patrol, you help maintain a safe environment and ensure compliance with fire code regulations.
Ending a Fire Watch: Steps After System Restoration
Once your fire alarm or suppression system works completely again, take several steps before officially canceling the fire watch.
- Inspect and Verify: First, the impairment coordinator or responsible party should confirm all necessary inspections and tests are complete to ensure the system operates correctly.
- Notify Key Parties: Next, inform everyone you initially notified about the impairment—including the fire department, your alarm monitoring company, building ownership/management, and any affected supervisors or tenants—that the system is restored.
- Document: Provide written notification. Include essential details such as the building address, type of system restored, and the exact date and time service reinstated.
- Remove Signage: Finally, remove any impairment tags or signage that indicated the system was offline.
Taking these final steps ensures compliance with code requirements. It also ensures that all stakeholders are aware that a complete fire safety system once again protects your property.
Alertness and Impairment Standards for Fire Watch Personnel
Fire watch personnel must remain entirely focused while on duty. This means they cannot handle any other responsibilities during their watch shift—no multitasking allowed. Additionally, fire watch team members must be completely free from impairment, staying awake, alert, and ready to respond throughout their assigned period. This level of vigilance ensures they identify and address hazards without delay, thereby maintaining the highest standard of safety for everyone on site.
Communication Requirements for Fire Watch Personnel
Fire watch personnel must always have a reliable means of communication in the event of an emergency. This means having access to at least one approved device—such as a cell phone, portable radio, or landline telephone—to promptly report a fire or any hazardous situation by calling 911. Additionally, it’s essential for every member of the fire watch team to know the exact address of the property and to be familiar with emergency reporting procedures.
If you assign more than one person to fire watch duties, they must maintain constant contact. They can use cellphones, walkie-talkies, or any other reliable communication method. This ensures everyone coordinates their efforts and responds quickly if a need arises.
DCS Rescue: Trained Fire Watchers, Maximum Safety
It may be tempting to conduct the assessment internally and save a few bucks on hiring professionals. However, if you are not familiar with the fire watch duties and responsibilities of the fire watch, the process is unlikely to be effective, leaving you and your property exposed to potential fire hazards. Therefore, a better approach is to hire a fire watch personnel mandated by OSHA.
At DCS Rescue, we have a highly competent team of fire watch personnel. They are trained for the job and have a thorough understanding of their duties and responsibilities. Remember, performing a fire watch is not only about compliance with rules and regulations. The primary goal is to maintain a safe environment and protect the people.
If you are looking for professional fire watch personnel or need more information regarding fire watch requirements, reach out to us at (562) 595-3002 or leave a message at lanceb@anconservices.com.