Key Points:
- What are fire watch services.
- When fire patrol is required.
- General compliance requirements.
Wondering if you need to dispatch fire watch patrol, and if you do what the duration and frequency are? If your water is out, fire protection system is down, you need on-site hot work, or have increased fire risk, it’s important to understand your obligations.
Fire watch patrol requirements are similar throughout Colorado, but vary by occupancy type, fire hazard, and how long your system is down. The requirements aren’t only for compliance, but to keep your building, business, and community safe. It’s a proactive approach that saves lives and minimizes operational and residential disruption.
When Is Fire Watch Patrol Required?
Below are the minimum requirements for most businesses. Feel free to begin patrol as soon as fire risks rise, but always:
- When your water is out for more than 4 hours in a 24 hour period.
- When your fire alarm or sprinkler system is down for more than 4 hours in a 24 hour period.
- During welding, grinding, hot work, and spark or smoke-inducing repairs.
- When fire hazard is higher than average, such as the short-term use of flammable or combustible materials.
- During special events with large crowds or small events with flammable or hazardous materials and supplies.
Do You Need to Notify DFPC During Fire Watch?
In Denver, if your water or fire alarm system is down for 10 hours, you must obtain a Firewatch Permit from the System Down Reporting Website. Daily patrol logs must be emailed to the Fire Prevention Division. Once your system is back up and running, the contractor who repaired, inspected, and tested your fire prevention system must fill out a “NFPA 72 System Record of Completion” for fire alarm systems, and/or an “NFPA 13 Material and Test Certificate for Fire Sprinkler Systems” for fire pump and sprinkler systems.
Read More:
- 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
- 4 Times to Dispatch Daily Fire Watch
How Often to Complete Fire Watch Patrol?
Fire watch patrol frequency minimums are below, but vary by circumstance. The person you hire, or assign must be trained in fire prevention and detection. If they need to take a break, they must be replaced by trained personnel.
- Occupancy Type: Facilities with high occupancy rates require patrols every 15 minutes. This includes hotels, apartments, dorms, theaters, restaurants, and medical facilities.
- Building Type: Most occupied businesses, including offices, retailers, and low-fire-risk industrial buildings, require patrols every 30 minutes. If the building is unoccupied, such as after hours, patrol is every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the risk and occupancy type.
- Hot Work and High Risk: Designated personnel must continuously monitor high-risk settings and complete patrols. Monitoring must continue for 30 minutes to 3 hours after work is complete. The person completing hot work cannot serve as a monitor.
- Large Buildings and High Risk: If your building is more than 4 floors, expansive, or the fire risk is high, you may need to dispatch more than one person.
Not Sure What Your Fire Patrol Requirements Are?
Scout Security offers trained and certified fire patrol services in Denver and Colorado Springs. We advise on a proactive approach, maintain compliant documentation, and respond in the event of smoke or fire.
Preschedule our services or call 24/7 when emergency arises. Book now!
