A fire watch is a temporary way to keep an eye out for fire hazards and prevent fires. It involves assigning someone to monitor a specific area or building, looking for anything that could cause a fire.
Often overlooked, fire watch is a critical safety precaution that can save lives and property.
This article will cover the firewatch responsibilities of both building owners/employers and the fire watch personnel themselves, so you can be sure you’re meeting all requirements.
What is a fire watch and when is it needed?
A fire watch is a temporary safety measure involving trained personnel who monitor a building or area for fire hazards, with the goal of preventing fires.
Fire watches are often implemented when fire protection systems are impaired, or during hot work. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has guidelines for fire watch implementation.
When is a fire watch required?
Here are a few situations when a fire watch may be necessary:
- When fire protection systems like alarms, sprinklers, or fire pumps are out of service for longer than four hours.
- During hot work such as riveting, welding, or flame cutting.
- When special hazards are present, such as flammable materials within 35 feet or a risk of ignition from flying sparks.
What are the building owner’s responsibilities?
If a building’s fire protection systems are impaired, the owner or employer has several responsibilities. These usually fall into a few key areas:
Notification and Compliance: The owner must notify the fire department about the impairment and any planned repairs. They’re also responsible for obtaining any necessary permits for the repair work.
Fire Watch Planning: Owners need to hire licensed contractors for repairs. They also have to put a fire watch plan in place, which includes designating fire watch personnel, training them, and maintaining the watch schedule. A written fire safety plan needs to be created and reviewed with all employees.
Resources and Training: Fire watch personnel need all the necessary safety equipment. The owner needs to make sure all workers are aware of any potential hazards and safety procedures. For hot work, the owner needs to designate and maintain safe working areas.
What does a fire watch do?
The main job of fire watch personnel is to protect lives and property by watching for fires and fire hazards. Here’s a look at some of their responsibilities:
Monitoring and patrol
- Pay continuous attention to the areas affected by the fire or the hot work.
- Patrol the area every 30 minutes.
- Maintain vigilance even during breaks.
- Check for fire hazards, such as combustible materials stored too close to a heat source.
- Watch for violations of smoking rules.
Communication and emergency response
- Know how to contact the fire department.
- Make sure fire watch personnel can communicate directly with the fire department, usually with a cell phone.
- Know and understand emergency shutdown procedures.
- Keep fire extinguishers close at hand and know how to use them.
Hot work specific duties
- Continuously watch for fire hazards during hot work.
- Stop work if flammable materials are introduced to the area.
- Stop work if conditions change and the risk of fire increases.
Essential Procedures and Record Keeping
Before any hot work starts, it’s vital to make sure everyone’s on the same page and that the right equipment is ready to go.
Pre-Work Preparation
- Communication and coordination. Hot work employees and fire watch personnel need to have clear lines of communication. All restrictions and authorizations should be written down on the hot work permit or whatever paperwork you’re using.
- Equipment readiness. Check to be sure your fire extinguishing equipment is fully charged and accessible.
Maintaining a Fire Watch Logbook
Detailed record keeping is crucial for fire safety, too.
- Detailed record of activities. You’ll need to keep a detailed logbook and provide it to the Fire Department on a daily basis.
- Logbook contents. Your logbook should include your patrol times and what you found during those patrols, along with any hazards you spotted and what you did about them. The logbook needs to be delivered to the East Lake Fire Department every day, either in person or by email.
Terminating a Fire Watch
A fire watch ends when the fire department confirms that fire safety systems are back to normal.
Before ending a fire watch, double-check that all systems are working. Then, record the end of the watch in the fire watch logbook.
Summary
Whether you’re a building owner or employer who needs to implement a fire watch or a staff member assigned to fire watch duties, it’s important to understand the responsibilities involved. Everyone has a part to play in preventing fires and keeping people and property safe.
Vigilance and preparedness are key. A fire watch is a crucial line of defense against fire, and if a fire does break out, a well-trained fire watch team can help minimize the damage.
Proper training and strict adherence to safety protocols are essential for an effective fire watch. When everyone knows what to do and does it well, the risk of fire is greatly reduced.