Fire Watch Information: Tips On How to Perform A Fire Watch
Requirements A fire watch may be required for any of the following reasons: • Alarm system fully or partially out of service • Sprinkler system fully or partially out of service • Pump fully or partially out of service • Special hazards • Other conditions as required by the Fire Department (FD) If any of these conditions occur, a building owner, or their representative may be required by the FD to provide a watch until the system is repaired or the hazard mitigated.
Owner Responsibilities 1.
Establish, instruct and maintain fire watch personnel 2.
Notify the FD that the system is not working and again when the system has been repaired.
3.
Contact a licensed contractor to fix the system.
4.
Personnel are determined by the building owner unless otherwise directed by the FD.
Duties Persons performing this service cannot have other duties.
Duties will consist of the following: 1.
Conduct periodic patrols of the affected areas 2.
Identify any fire, signs of fire, life or property hazards.
3.
Personnel must have at least one means of direct communication with the FD.
(a cell phone is acceptable) 4.
If a fire is discovered, personnel must notify the FD immediately by calling 9-1-1 and give exact address and location.
5.
Notify occupants of the need to evacuate.
If the alarm horns or public address system are still functional, use them to notify occupants 6.
Have knowledge of the location and use of equipment.
7.
Maintain a logbook of activity.
Frequency of Patrols Personnel shall patrol the entire area affected every 30 minutes.
In large buildings additional personnel shall be assigned in order to achieve the required frequency.
Record Keeping A log book must be maintained at the building.
The log book must be available at all times during the watch.
The log book should contain the following information: 1.
Address of the building.
2.
Date and time of each patrol through the affected area.
3.
Name of person conducting watch 4.
Records of communications with the FD and licensed contractor doing the repairs.
5.
Other information as required It is the responsibility of the owner or their representative, to cancel the watch once the fire protection systems are repaired or the hazard has been mitigated.
Once cancelled, the owner or representative must notify the Fire Department's Fire Prevention Bureau.
Afterall is cleared and secured, the property(s) where the fire watch was performed, is ok to cancel watch personnel.
Owner Responsibilities 1.
Establish, instruct and maintain fire watch personnel 2.
Notify the FD that the system is not working and again when the system has been repaired.
3.
Contact a licensed contractor to fix the system.
4.
Personnel are determined by the building owner unless otherwise directed by the FD.
Duties Persons performing this service cannot have other duties.
Duties will consist of the following: 1.
Conduct periodic patrols of the affected areas 2.
Identify any fire, signs of fire, life or property hazards.
3.
Personnel must have at least one means of direct communication with the FD.
(a cell phone is acceptable) 4.
If a fire is discovered, personnel must notify the FD immediately by calling 9-1-1 and give exact address and location.
5.
Notify occupants of the need to evacuate.
If the alarm horns or public address system are still functional, use them to notify occupants 6.
Have knowledge of the location and use of equipment.
7.
Maintain a logbook of activity.
Frequency of Patrols Personnel shall patrol the entire area affected every 30 minutes.
In large buildings additional personnel shall be assigned in order to achieve the required frequency.
Record Keeping A log book must be maintained at the building.
The log book must be available at all times during the watch.
The log book should contain the following information: 1.
Address of the building.
2.
Date and time of each patrol through the affected area.
3.
Name of person conducting watch 4.
Records of communications with the FD and licensed contractor doing the repairs.
5.
Other information as required It is the responsibility of the owner or their representative, to cancel the watch once the fire protection systems are repaired or the hazard has been mitigated.
Once cancelled, the owner or representative must notify the Fire Department's Fire Prevention Bureau.
Afterall is cleared and secured, the property(s) where the fire watch was performed, is ok to cancel watch personnel.
