Denver’s year-round event and activity schedule continues to grow. From concerts to sporting events, trade shows, food festivals, and more. If you’re hosting a large-scale gathering or a qualified event or activity, you’ll need to hire fire guards. These specialized guards are a preventive means of keeping event attendees, employees, and the surrounding community safe in the event of an emergency. Below we outline the fire watch responsibilities and requirements in and around the Mile High City.  

Qualified Assembly Occupancies and Special Events require a Fire Prevention Permit. Event applications must be submitted at least 30 days before your event. Permit fees vary by event size and the types of fire hazards present, ranging from $50 to $500. Additional fees are assessed if you’ll be using LPG gas. Some events require a paid inspection by the Denver Fire Department and designated fire guards during the event. 

What Is Event Fire Watch? 

Event organizers and coordinators must secure fire watch guards to ensure compliance with their event’s Fire Prevention Permit. Fire guards may also be required by insurance providers and OSHA. These trained professionals specialize in event-specific fire prevention, detection, response, and evacuation. 

Who Performs Fire Watch Duties?

Event fire watch isn’t something you can delegate to your event staff. You must hire trained and certified safety professionals. This isn’t just for compliance, but to live up to the expectations of your event attendees—who expect you to prioritize their safety. Fire watch services minimize your risk for liability, loss of property, loss of inventory, and loss of life. 

For your convenience, Scout Security can staff to implement both general security and compliant fire watch responsibilities. 

When Is Special Event Fire Watch Required in Denver?

Fire Prevention Permits are required for public gatherings that draw large crowds, with or without street closures. Crowd size isn’t the only factor as many small events with fire hazards require permits. 

Fire watch is required for events including, but not limited to:

• Concerts, sporting events, carnivals, and fairs
• Street festivals, food festivals, and outdoor markets
• Trade shows and large exhibits with multiple booths
• Parades with airborne or ground floats
• Temporary grandstands, stages, and events with 200+ sq ft tents
• Special amusement buildings such as a Halloween haunted house
• Events with bonfires, flame dancing, or open flames of any kind
• Cooking outdoors with electricity, natural gas, or chili roasters
• Events with fireworks or pyrotechnics 
• Events featuring large-scale lit holiday decorations
• Events with fog machines or hazers
• Events that require temporary generator use
• Events that feature mid-event helicopter landings
• Events with flammable, hazardous, or combustible materials 

What Are Fire Watch Responsibilities? 

Fire watch responsibilities are customized to the event specs and centered around factors related to fire hazards and emergency evacuation. 

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Monitoring: Stationary and roaming patrol, particularly at exits, entrances, and areas with fire hazards. 
• Inspections: Inspecting safety equipment and flammable, combustible, and hazardous materials delivery, setup, storage, and use risk factors. 
• Response Preparedness: Deep understanding of the event protocols, fire hazards, layout, schedule, entrances, exits, emergency equipment locations, evacuation plan, and more. 
• Access Control: Occupancy management (total and area-specific), accessibility to high-risk areas, delivery guidelines, and event-specific accessibility protocols.  
• Reporting: Documenting patrol, communicating with designated event staff, and continuous communication with the event safety team. 
• Emergency Response: Notifying 911, using fire extinguishers on small fires, removing obstructions, guiding evacuation, and coordinating with the fire department, police, and other first responders.  

Also Read: 

• 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
• 6 Things Landlords Should Do After a Fire in a Rental Property
• Workplace Fire Safety: OSHA Fire Protection & Prevention Safety Training
• Fire Watch Violations: Can a Fire Marshal Shut Your Apartment Building Down?

Reliable Fire Watch Services For Special Events in Denver 

Scout Security ensures all fire watch responsibilities are executed in a compliant manner with your event permit, OSHA regulations, insurance policy, and Denver Metro fire codes. We work with you to tailor your fire prevention, detection, response, and evacuation plan. Our services are also available in and around The Springs. 

Reach out to schedule Scout Security as part of your event’s proactive safety plan!