Key Points:
- What are daily firewatchers.
- How to determine case-by-case compliance.
- Common scenarios that require daily fire monitoring.
Most of the time fire monitoring is temporary, but some businesses require daily fire watch services. These trained professionals are certified to prevent, detect, and respond to fire. This includes completing patrol logs, suppressing small ignitions, and activating evacuation.
Advanced fire safety systems detect, suppress, and alert the fire department. Most businesses dispatch fire monitoring when their safety systems are down or repairs require hot work. However, some businesses require daily or frequent monitoring.
How to Know What Fire Codes Apply to You?
Compliance requirements are set forth by your industry, the local fire marshal, and OSHA and insurance policies. If you still aren’t sure, contact your local fire department. Or seek an outside risk assessment. During construction, your contractor or engineer builds to compliance and dispatches compliant hot work monitoring. You may also require a local-area Flammable Operation Permit.
4 Times to Dispatch Daily Fire Watchers
1. Special Event Venues
Venues that host events with large crowds must dispatch patrolling fire guards that work independently, but in conjunction the security team. The size of the venue, occupancy, and fire hazards determine how large the security and fire protection teams must be. This means that each event requires a unique fire safety and security plan. If you rent out your venue, you can charge extra for these services, or require proof of compliance to all renters. Monitoring often begins before the event, as soon as flammable, combustible, or hazardous materials arrive.
Even if security is dual-trained, those assigned to fire monitoring cannot provide security services. Some may spend the entire event monitoring high-risk areas, such as areas with pyrotechnics. Others will be assigned to fire patrol.
Special event venues include:
- Concert venues
- Hotel event spaces
- Fairs and festivals
- Convention centers
2. Large Construction Projects
New construction and remodeling projects over 40 feet tall and/or over 50,000 square feet in size require daily fire watch. Monitoring must continue 24/7 until fire alarms and sprinkler systems are installed. Once fire alarm and sprinkler systems are fully functional, services can scale back to hot work monitoring and general security patrolling. All demolition projects require fire personnel for at least 30 minutes after demolition is complete.
Even if they’re smaller than 4 floors and 50,000 square feet, many contractors dispatch dual-trained personnel after hours to minimize theft, vandalism, and fire risk.
3. Adjoining Construction Projects
Many hospitals, schools, senior living centers, apartment complexes, and other large commercial, residential, and industrial facilities continue to operate during remodeling. Even if fire alarms are fully functional in the occupied areas, monitoring accelerates response and evacuation.
This includes monitoring the new wing, floor, building, and relevant adjoining wings.
4. Businesses With High-Risk Equipment or Materials
Factories, facilities, and businesses that store or use hazardous materials, combustible materials, or flammable equipment may invest in daily monitoring. In these circumstances, they often dispatch dual-trained daily security and fire guards. Their daily role is security, but if fire risk rises, they can transition to fire safety. Once personnel switch to fire services, they must focus 100% of their time to compliant monitoring, prevention, detection, and response.
When active patrolling and logging aren’t needed, dual-trained security’s heightened level of awareness supports a culture of vigilance.
Read More:
- What Does a Fire Watch Do When Your Water is Shut Off
- Fire Watch Duties vs. Security Guard Duties
- 5 Ways a Certified Fire Watcher Saves You Money
- Securing Fire Protection Services During Hot Work
- Why Dispatch Dual-Trained Fire Watch Security Guards
Daily Fire Watch Services in Denver and The Springs
Scout Security provides prescheduled and same-day security and firewatchers. Many of our team members are dual-trained. Call us when your event is larger than expected, when someone calls off, or an emergency need arises. We can work independently and as an extension of your existing team.
