Key points:
- What types of special events require fire monitoring.
- Why your team can’t perform compliant event monitoring.
- What factors dictate how many security and fire guards are required.
As the weather warms up, Denverites will head outside to enjoy spring and summer festivals. June through August is also the busiest tourist season, attracting residents from throughout Colorado, the states, and around the world. If you’re hosting a large event, you’ll need to secure complaint security guards and a fire watch team.
The convention center, hotel, park, or venue you’re hosting your event will outline your minimum compliance requirements in your contract. You may also have to prove compliance before obtaining your Special Event Permit or event insurance. Some venues will provide security and fire monitors for an additional fee, or you can contract your own.
Special Events That Require Security and Fire Monitoring
- Art exhibitions
- Community events
- Concerts
- Conferences and seminars
- Fairs
- Farmer’s markets
- Food festivals
- Fundraisers
- Weddings
- And more
Factors That Impact How Large Your Special Event Fire Watch Team Must Be
Every event and venue are unique. Even if it’s an annual event, your fire safety and emergency response plan must be updated each year. This includes how many third-party partners you must dispatch for minimum compliance.
The size of your fire watch team will be determined by the factors below. This doesn’t include your security team:
- Occupancy: The maximum number of occupants and the density of the crowd are key determining factors.
- Fire hazards: Events with fireworks, pyrotechnics, cooking apparatus, and flammable materials require larger teams.
- Hot work: Positioning and patrolling will vary if hot work is required to set up or take down stages and other displays.
- Preexisting fire safety systems: Venues with fire alarms, fire sprinklers, and fire hydrants may require somewhat smaller teams.
- Regulatory compliance: Your fire safety plan must comply with the fire marshal, City and County of Denver, OSHA, venue, and insurance company.
Read more:
- Special Event Fire Watch Responsibilities and Requirements
- Fire Watch Duties vs. Security Guard Duties
- How to Choose a Fire Watch Company
- Why Dispatch Dual-Trained Fire Watch Security Guard
- 5 Ways a Certified Fire Watcher Saves You Money
Can You Dispatch Your Team Members for Special Event Monitoring?
Unless your team is trained and certified as firewatchers, they cannot be dispatched during your event. However, you can assign team members to work with your third-party partners for general oversight, but not for compliance.
Do You Need to Staff Both Security Guards and Fire Monitors?
In most cases, yes. Security guards and fire safety professionals work hand in hand. There is a bit of overlap in their job duties, but the security team focuses more on occupancy control, surveillance, de-escalation, and overall health and safety. Fire guards identify potential fire hazards, ensure exits remain clear, and monitor hazardous materials.
Both teams maintain open lines of communication. If an evacuation or emergency arises, they work together to guide safe and efficient egress.
Special Event Fire Watch Team in Denver and Colorado Springs
Scout Security provides both security and fire guards for year-round special events. We work cohesively with your team or your venue’s team, or you can staff us as your sole service provider. This includes prescheduling us for the entirety of the event, during high-occupancy portions of the event, to fill staffing gaps, or for emergency response.
Reach out to discuss your special event!
