It can be very difficult if Fire Watch Guards want you to provide a fire watch in your building. Fire watches are often misunderstood and are a way to prevent fire from being introduced. But in reality, making one is easy and if properly planned, it should not hurt.
WHY WOULD I NEED A FIRE WATCH?
Fire Watch and fire suppression programs
Fire Watch Services are usually needed for four reasons:
A building fire alarm, fire spray, or fire extinguisher system does not work or the extinguisher is pre-programmed for more than four hours. The fire marshal often needs notice of such situations. * Check with your local AHJ (Authorized Authority) for local needs.
There is a lot of hot work going on in the building. Hot work involves welding, using a flashlight, or any other activity to produce sparks or flames. Many building fires are lit by activities that are considered heat.
During the demolition of a building during certain hazardous activities such as hot work.
Crowds in the building that require additional safety measures. Some public meeting buildings are required to hold fire alarms during events to protect more people.
HOW DO I HAVE A FIRE WATCH?
A fire watch consists of one or more trained person who performs the following functions:
Actively monitor fires
Blocking fire sources
Ensuring adequate exit routes and removing exit barriers if necessary
Immediate correction of detected hazards
Arranging for contact with firefighters
Ready to extinguish any fires using a portable fire extinguisher or hose
To warn residents of any dangerous situations that need to be removed
HOW DO I COLLECT A FIRE WATCH?
It is important to take the time to properly set the fire watch. A fire watch should cover the building in an orderly fashion over and over again, usually covering the entire building every hour. The only exception is in hot work cases, in which case the part of the building exposed to danger will need to be considered. Part of the planning is to keep records of the ongoing fire watch. For a useful form that you can use as part of your fire watch download our recommended form here.
Laws and the use of fire alarms vary between cities and enforcement officials, but usually with system shutdown something will be required. Another option is to get out of the building during a walk, but that is rarely a popular choice. But yes, if a fire marshal needs a fire watch, you will have to do it.
WHEN SHOULD THE FIRE Watch COMPLETE?
The answer depends on the purpose of the watch. With system shutdown the watch can be turned off after the affected system has been restored to service. With hot work and construction-related watches the sixth law watch can be completed half an hour after hot work is completed. For required watches during large crowd events the watch can be stopped after the event is over and the crowd is gone.