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TX License B18528
Fire Watch Services
What Is a Fire Watch?
A fire watch is a temporary measure for the purposes of ensuring the fire safety of a building or premises in the event of any act or situation which creates an increased risk to persons of property. The term :”fire watch” is also used to describe a dedicated person or persons whose sole responsibility is to look for fires and other hazards within a building, specific areas or premises.
What Is the Purpose of A Fire Watch?
The purpose of a fire watch is providing temporary surveillance in a building or premises for the purposes of identifying and controlling fire hazards, detecting early signs of unwanted fire, initiating alarms or evacuation procedures, and notifying the fire department.
When Is a Fire Watch Required?
A fire watch is required under the following circumstances, as outlined in the 2015 Edition of the International Fire Code (IFC): When the buildings fire alarm system or sprinkler system will be out of services for four (4) or more hours in a 24 Hour period (IFC901.7) When“hot work” operation (i.e., welding) are being performed or premises (IFC2604.2) During building demolition when the local fire code official determines that the operation is hazardous in nature (IFC1404.5) When, in the opinion of the fire code official, it is essential for the public safety in a place of assembly or congregation due to the number of persons, nature of performance, exhibition, display, contest, or activity (IFC 403.1) How long can a fire watch remain in effect? In general, a fire watch is to be used only as a temporary means to provide either and extra level of safety (in the case of a special event or hot work operation) or to supplant an out of service life safety system. A fire watch cannot be used as a technique to avoid or delay the installation of a required fire sprinkler, fire alarm, or other life safety system. Hot work requires that a fire watch last throughout the duration of the operation and at least 30 minutes after the conclusion of work or hazards present.
Who Can Be Assigned to Fire Watch?
Person assigned to fire watch should be familiar with the building or premises and have access to all areas sufficiently perform their patrol duties. Assigned persons should do also be well-versed in any and all emergency evacuation procedures and safety plans. Persons assigned to fire watch must have no other responsibilities but to perform the fire watch. In other words, an employee who is normally assigned to perform maintenance duties in school cannot be assigned to a fire watch while cleaning floors; nor can a security guard at a public event perform door security and fire watch duties simultaneously-fire watch personnel shall have the sole responsibility of performing fire watch duties. How do you request a Fire Watch? If a fire watch is necessary it is required that you formally request is through the local fire code official or in absence of a local fire official, the Division of Fire Safety. The fire code official or DFS shall determine if a fire watch is appropriate on a case by case basis using the following criteria as guidance: Hazards Present Duration of fire watch requested Training of fire watch personnel Intent of repairing out or services life safety systems or equipment If the fire watch is granted, the owner or property manager must notify the following organizations or people. Fire alarm monitoring company (If applicable)
- Local Fire Department
- Building’s property insurance company
Who Do I Notify when I Complete a Fire Watch?
When the fire watch is complete, it is the building owner’s responsibility to notify the same organizations or people they did to request the fire watch At the end of the fire watch, the completed activity report shall be mailed, emailed, faxed to the local fire code official or Division of Fire Safety. What are the duties of fire watch personnel? Fire watch personnel shall keep a constant watch for fires, be on the lookout for any obstructions to exits, and be alert to any hazards during the time when the building or premises is open to the public, the hazardous activity is taking place, or throughout the duration of the fire alarms, and assist with emergency evacuation procedures of the public. Fire watch personnel shall patrol their areas at a minimum of 30-minute intervals. Are there any specifics tools or equipment fire watch personnel need to perform their duties? Fire Watch personnel need to be provided with a minimum of one (1), approved and reliable means of notification to the local fire department or fire alarm monitoring company. The “approved” means shall be determined by the local fire code official. Examples include a hard-wired telephone, cell phone (with no dead-coverage areas), manual central station fire alarm, or radio. Finally, it is a requirement that all fire watch personnel record a log of their activity. The log shall have the following information:
- Name and address of building/premises where fire watch is to be performed.
- Reason for the fire watch (i.e. special event, hot work operation, or specific hazards)
- Name(s) of fire watch personnel assigned
- Date of fire watch
- Time of fire watch
- Area(s) patrolled
- Condition or status of areas patrolled
This vital function is performed at many finished buildings and construction sites to ensure that when no alarm or detection systems are available, there is still a way to make sure that all property and premises are secure.