Key Points:
- What is a fire watch patrol log sheet.
- When to keep a patrol log.
- How to submit your patrol logs.
A fire watch patrol log sheet verifies that you’ve met or exceeded your minimum compliance requirements. This includes continuous hot work monitoring and patrols, and patrols during your water outage, electrical outage, or any circumstance that renders your fire alarm or sprinkler system inoperable.
Fire watch is part of a larger fire safety and prevention plan. Proactive business owners strategize beyond OSHA, insurance, and Fire Code compliance requirements. A proactive approach saves lives and minimizes the risk of damage and inventory and supply loss.
What Is a Fire Watch Log?
When mandatory fire patrol is required, it must be properly documented. If accident, injury, damage, or loss of life occur, your logs verify your compliance. This isn’t assurance that you won’t be found negligent, as there are many compliance factors to consider.
When to Keep Fire Patrol Logs?
The minimum requirements for most businesses are below. It’s also essential to understand the different needs for patrol and evacuation. When in doubt, initiate evacuation and dial 911.
- During a water outage or plumbing repairs lasting more than 4 hours in a 24 hour period.
- When fire sprinklers or fire alarm systems are down for more than 4 hours in a 24 hour period.
- During on-site welding, grinding, hot work, and spark or smoke-inducing repairs.
- Per industry or chemical and hazardous material guidelines.
- During events with pyrotechnics, entertainment, décor, and supplies that are flammable or hazardous.
- During special events and large crowds, typically in combination with security guards.
When to Fill Out Fire Watch Patrol Log Sheets?
Begin patrol no later than 4 hours after your system is down in a 24 hour period, during hot work, and in response to increased fire hazards. You can use the Colorado Department of Public Safety Division of Fire Prevention and Control fire watch log, which includes:
- Business or facility name
- Business or facility address
- Start and end dates of patrol
- Contact person, phone number, and email
- Patrol date, time, and monitor’s names
- Whether smoke or fire is present
- Relevant notes for each patrol round
Do You Have to Submit Your Fire Watch Patrol Log Sheet?
Maybe. In Denver, if your water or fire alarm system is down for 10 hours in a 24 hour period, 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.
Logs need to be kept digitally or physically for a minimum of 90 days; longer if there is an incident or if required by OSHA or insurance.
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
Scout Security’s Services Include Compliant Fire Patrol Logs
Scout Security provides both security guards and firewatch services in Denver and Colorado Springs. Our fire safety professionals are trained and certified in fire prevention, detection, response, and evacuation. It’s ok if you aren’t sure what you need, as we advise you on logs, supplies, and how to take a proactive approach.
We’re available for scheduled hot work, plumbing repairs, water outages and fire safety system repairs, as well as 24/7 emergency response.
