Hotels must create a safe environment for their guests and employees. This includes complying with local fire codes and nationwide OSHA laws. From posting emergency exits and evacuation routes to strategically placed fire extinguishers, and a compliant sprinkler and alarm system. When your system goes down or hot work is required for repair or maintenance, you’ll need to dispatch a third-party fire watch. Certified fire guards may also be required when hosting special events. 

If your hotel hosts weddings, conferences, and special events you’ll need to include fire safety as part of your contract. Some event organizers hire security to manage and monitor occupancy, but you may want to include security guard fees in the price for large-scale events. Ensure your contract includes proof of their Special Event Permit and a clause detailing your list of prohibited fire hazards. For example, on-site pyrotechnics. Scout Security can dispatch trained and certified guards for both security and fire risk monitoring. 

What Is a Certified Fire Guard?

Also referred to as fire lookout, watch, or monitoring, these specialized professionals are trained in the intricacies of fire prevention, detection, response, and evacuation. They learn and implement your fire plan or tailor your services to your emergency circumstances. 

Your concierge, hotel manager, restaurant staff, and maintenance staff work together to minimize your hotel’s day-to-day fire hazards. However, there are a variety of circumstances that require third-party inspection and monitoring. 

The Denver Fire Department Requires hotels (and other businesses) to dispatch certified fire guards when:

• Your sprinklers or fire alarms are out of service. This can be for planned maintenance and repairs or emergency maintenance and repairs. 
• Completing repairs or maintenance requires hot work, including but not limited to welding, soldering, grinding, and cutting with power tools.
• Completing construction or installations that require digging around power or utility lines.
• Your hotel’s water supply is down, or you need to turn off your plumbing for repairs or maintenance. 
• Hosting a large event or an event of any size that requires flammable, combustible, or hazardous materials. 

Why Is Fire Guard Certification Important?

Standard security guards can implement occupancy and crowd control, which is an aspect of fire safety. However, a certified guard is trained specifically in fire safety. 

Fire watch training and certification include learning:

• Local and nationwide fire codes.
• OSHA-compliant hot work standards.
• Insurance policy-compliant fire safety protocols.
• How to complete NFPA-compliant fire logs.
• How to use fire extinguishing equipment.
• Rapid response procedures for fire, smoke, and fire hazards. 
• How to implement emergency response and evacuation. 
• And more.

Do You Have to Report Fire Watch?

Maybe. If your fire suppression system or water has been down for more than 10 hours you must notify the Denver Fire Department through the System Down Reporting Website. This will guide you to a Firewatch Permit application. Once a Fire Prevention Officer approves your permit, you will need to email or fax Firewatch Logs each day your system is down by 10 a.m. 

To maintain compliance with fire codes, you must complete patrol logs anytime certified fire guards are required, even if the outage is less than 10 hours. These logs only need to be submitted to the Fire Department if the outage is more than 10 hours. Keep this logs on file for at least 12 months. 

Once your system is 100% operational, you must submit an NFPA 72 System Record of Completion and an NFPA 13 Material and Test Certificate for Fire Sprinkler Systems. These forms will be emailed to you when your Firewatch Permit is approved. 

Can’t Your Maintenance Team Perform Fire Watch?

Yes, but to maintain compliance with fire codes, their time and attention must be 100% dedicated to fire watch. So, if a repair or maintenance emergency arises elsewhere in the hotel, they must remain on fire patrol. Also, your maintenance team may not know what fire hazards to look for. For peace of mind, most hotels secure a certified fire guard. 

Also Read: 

• Special Event Fire Watch Responsibilities and Requirements 
• How to Choose a Fire Watch Company
• When to Hire Fire Watch Services For Your Colorado Company 
• 11 Benefits of a 24-Hour Onsite Fire Watch Security Guard Service
• Workplace Fire Safety: OSHA Fire Protection & Prevention Safety Training

Certified Fire Guards in Denver and Colorado Springs

Scout Security provides both standard security guards and certified fire watch guards for hotels, apartments, special events, and businesses of every kind.

We’re available for 24/7 emergency response and for pre-scheduled services during maintenance, repairs, and special events. 

Schedule Scout Security as part of your hotel’s fire safety, control, and prevention plan—or add us to your emergency contact list.