Fire Watch Service

A "Fire Watch" is an individual or group responsible for keeping a lookout for fire dangers at a job site. This watch is particularly important in situations where assembly or welding work is being conducted, as these jobs typically create dangerous sparks.

A "Fire Watch" can also be required in occupied buildings where the Fire Alarm / Suppression Systems are not operational.

If you’re a property owner, and your building’s fire alarm system and/or a water-based fire protection system is not operating, you are required by the NFPA, and local ordinance, to initiate a fire watch. Flynn Emergency Services is the leading provider of certified fire watch officers in the Southern Tier, we specialize in offering comprehensive fire watch services to property owners being threatened with fines and shutdown. Whether you’re new to local fire watch requirements or are seeking a reliable fire watch company to ensure compliance with the Fire Marshal, our team of experienced OSHA-certified fire watch guards are here to assist you.

Flynn Emergency Services provides competent and highly trained Fire Watch Officers to all areas of industry. We staff technicians for construction, manufacturing, and oil & gas operations. We are trained to survey the work area, assess any fire hazards, alert operations to these hazards, eliminate or inert the hazard, gather and maintain the appropriate fire suppression equipment, maintain a constant and alert watch for any fire hazards or fires while work is being done, react appropriately in the event these arise, and to remain in place for at least 30 minutes post operations to verify the absence of any fire hazards or combustion according to OSHA standards. 

All of our Fire Watch officers have taken and passed the NYS Firefighter I course or equivalent, National Incident Management System (NIMS) I-700 and I-100 courses, and basic first aid/CPR.  

Fire Watch Services:

• Fast Dispatch – We have fire crews on standby waiting for your call. We guarantee your guard will be on time and ready for service.

• Fully Equipped – Your fire watch officer will be fully equipped from the moment they set foot on your property.

• Fire Marshall Compliant – Your certified watch guard will keep a log and monitor the area per city and state ordinance.

• Emergency Trained – All of our fire watch officers are trained to identify hazards and work with the local 911 authorities.

Our 24 Hour Fire Watch Officers are guaranteed to be NFPA & OSHA compliant.

Can the Fire Marshal shut us down?

YES.

Building owners and managers are subject to their local fire codes through operational permits and inspections. These inspections are carried out by your local fire marshal and any other coding officials and/or inspectors that represent the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The fire marshal or fire inspector has the authority to enter your building without just cause.

If at any time, your building is found to be in violation of any of the NFPA codes, the fire marshal has the right to shut your building and business down until the issues are resolved. This is not a favorable outcome, so remaining compliant with fire codes is absolutely essential, not only for your business operations but also for the safety of all those in and around the building.

Common infractions that can cause a shutdown of your building include:

• Blocked fire department connections and valves

• Incorrect or malfunctioning fire sprinkler system

• Improper storage in the fire pump and/or riser rooms

• Insufficient fire sprinkler clearance

• Hanging items from fire sprinkler and/or the piping

Not only is your building subject to the threat of a shutdown should you violate any part of the fire code, but you could also be faced with serious fines. The amount of the fine assigned to you will vary based on your state, the offense, and other local codes and regulations.

The best way to prevent fines and a potential shut down is to stay up to date with fire codes and regulations and maintain regular inspections.

What are the general requirements of a Fire Watch?

Per the NFPA, for fire alarm systems, you’re required to implement a fire watch if the system is impaired for more than four hours in a 24-hour period. For sprinkler or water-based systems, a fire watch service is required for outages that last more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period. In any case, the first thing that you need to do is notify your local fire department of the situation.

The general requirements for fire watch services will vary from location to location based on local and state laws and regulations. There are typically multiple authorities having jurisdiction, some may be stricter than the NFPA, and others may be less. In any case, the most stringent of regulations apply and take precedence so you must understand the regulations governing your specific circumstances.

Fire watch personnel are dispatched to buildings with broken or malfunctioning fire alarm or sprinkler systems where they then have a list of duties that includes keeping a vigilant watch over the building and surrounding areas, acting as human fire detectors.

Fire guards are to report a fire, smoke, or any other danger immediately to the fire department and alert everyone in the building of the danger. They are also tasked with the responsibility of maintaining a fire log which documents every action taken during the watch.

All building owners and managers should have a solid system and plan in place for situations in which fire watch patrol personnel are required.

What is the NFPA?

NFPA, or The National Fire Protection Association, was established in 1986 as a way to reduce or eliminate death, injuries, property and economic losses caused by fire. It’s a self-funded nonprofit organization that’s recognized globally.

The backbone of the NFPA is its codes and standards. Their mission is to provide you with the critical knowledge and information you need to do your job in today’s environment. There are over 300 codes and standards that are designed to minimize the risk and effects of fire by setting criteria for fire safety around the world.

In addition to the codes and standards, the NFPA also provides the following:

Public Education: Educational programs, tools, and resources to inform and train all ages and demographics.

Outreach and Advocacy: Community programs and initiatives that encourage citizens to take the necessary precautions to prevent fire dangers.

Training: Seminars, certifications programs, seminars, and more that teach people the ins and outs of the codes and standards.

Research: The premier resource for fire data and analysis that helps shape the future of fire prevention and regulations.

Membership Opportunities: The best way to stay up-to-date with the latest fire protection news and information to keep you and your company safe on the job.

Do I need a Fire Watch Checklist?

Yes, a fire watch checklist is vital to the safety and security of your building and all those inside it. You should have a checklist completed and ready to go should you ever require these services. Fire watch officers are trained in fire watch compliance; however, each building is unique, therefore you must have a fire watch worksheet that is custom to your building.

Your checklist should include:

• A layout of the building, including all exits, stairs, etc.

• Instructions for ensuring all exits are clear of obstructions

• Instructions for notifying all occupants

• Instructions for updating and maintaining the fire log

• Instructions for posting the fire watch door notices

• Orders to obtain a whistle or other signaling device should a fire or emergency occur

• Important contact phone numbers

Be sure to check with your local fire marshal or other AHJ to verify what needs to be on your fire watch checklist and make sure it’s customized to the safety needs of your building.

What is a Fire Watch Procedure Template?

A fire watch procedure template is a plan of action that is required should your fire alarm system or water-based sprinkler system fail. Your fire alarm system can include: the fire alarm panel, smoke or heat detection systems, water-based sprinkler systems, and the fire alarm notification system.

Should any part of your fire notification system malfunction, it is your responsibility to report the outage to your local fire department immediately and dispatch fire watch guards if the outage lasts for more than 4 hours in 24 hours.

As the building manager, it is also your job to have a solid plan in place for these situations. Your fire watch procedure template should include the following policies:

• A written plan that’s posted and available at all staff locations.

• Any staff member who performs fire watch duties must undergo comprehensive training and retain the necessary certifications as required by the state.

• A designated staff member who is trained in rescue, alarm, contain, and extinguish/evacuate (RACE) procedures to implement facility-wide fire watch needs.

• A fire log that is to be reported in throughout the watch with the date, time, and staff initials of the person(s) performing the watch. 

• Continuous fire watch by trained guards of the entire area that is affected by the alert system outage. These individuals will act as human fire detectors, documenting every move and reporting dangers immediately as described in the fire watch procedure.

Your fire watch procedure template should include some variation of the following instructions on what to do in the case of a fire alert system outage:

• Any observation of smoke during fire watch patrol should immediately initiate the building’s fire safety plan.

• Contact is made to the building manager to report any problems to the fire alarm system.

• If the building manager is unable to remedy the problem, the fire alarm company should be notified and dispatched for repairs.

• The local fire department must be notified that the fire alarm system is not functioning properly.

• If the alarm system is inoperable for more than 4 hours in 24 hours, certified fire watch personnel must be called in.

• The fire watch procedure will designate the affected areas.

• Fire watch tours shall be conducted continuously in the affected areas, typically at 30-minute intervals around the clock.

• Fire watch duties are to be performed solely by dedicated guards with no other duties or responsibilities.

• Fire guards are provided access to all areas of the building(s).

• Fire guards are provided with reliable means of communication with 9-1-1 should there be an emergency to report.

• Comprehensive checks of all rooms, stairways, and closets are to be performed at least every hour. 

• Maintenance staff should be available on-site or on-call for any equipment breakdown emergencies.

• Additional fire extinguishers will be distributed building-wide, and staff/residents will be made aware of fire extinguisher locations.

What does a Fire Watch Patrol consist of?

Fire watch patrols are most commonly needed in buildings where the fire alarm system is disengaged or in disrepair and on building or construction sites. In either case, trained guards are positioned on-site to act as human fire detectors and work to prevent dangerous and deadly fires and report any hazards immediately.

A typical fire patrol will include the following:

• Trained and certified fire watch officers patrolling all floors of the building or areas of the construction site around the clock.

• Maintenance of all exits and walkways to ensure they are free of any obstructions.

• Vigilant reporting in the designated fire log.

• Strict adherence to the property’s fire watch procedures.

• Immediate reporting of any smoke, fire, or other safety issues to the proper authorities as described in the fire watch procedure documentation.

• Clear communication with the site supervisors and other personnel.

In the absence of a reliable fire alarm system or sprinkler system, trained fireguards must act in its place. Trained fire watch officers are available around the clock for emergencies.