Question 1

What is fire watch?

Accepted Answer

Fire watch is a dedicated patrol service required when a building's fire alarm or sprinkler system is impaired or out of service. A trained fire watch guard conducts regular patrols of the building, monitors for fire hazards, and maintains the ability to notify occupants and the fire department in case of emergency.

Question 2

When is fire watch required by code?

Accepted Answer

Under the International Fire Code and Seattle Fire Code, fire watch is required when fire alarm systems are out of service for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period, or when sprinkler systems are impaired for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period. Fire watch may also be required by the fire marshal at any time.

Question 3

How quickly can you deploy a fire watch guard?

Accepted Answer

Our dispatch center operates 24/7. In most cases, we can have a certified fire watch guard on-site within 1–2 hours of your call, depending on location and guard availability.

Question 4

What does a fire watch guard do?

Accepted Answer

A fire watch guard conducts systematic patrols of all areas affected by the fire protection system impairment. They visually inspect for signs of fire, monitor fire hazards, ensure egress routes are clear, and maintain detailed patrol logs. They also have the ability to notify building occupants and call 911 in case of emergency.

Question 5

What should be included in fire watch patrol logs?

Accepted Answer

Fire watch logs should include the date and time of each patrol, the name of the guard, areas patrolled, any hazards observed, actions taken, and the status of the impaired fire protection system. Our logs are formatted to satisfy fire marshal documentation requirements.

Question 6

How much does fire watch cost?

Accepted Answer

Fire watch pricing varies based on building size, number of guards required, duration of coverage, and location. Contact our dispatch center for a quote specific to your situation.

Question 7

Do you provide fire watch for construction sites?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide fire watch coverage for construction sites during and after hot work operations (welding, cutting, brazing), as required by OSHA and NFPA 51B. We also provide overnight fire watch for construction sites where fire protection systems are not yet operational.

Question 8

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We provide fire watch services throughout the Puget Sound region, including Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Renton, Everett, Puyallup, Federal Way, Kent, Olympia, and Lynnwood.

Fire Watch FAQ: Requirements, Cost & Response

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