A fire watch is a temporary measure intended to ensure continuous and systematic surveillance of a building, or portion of the building, by one or more qualified individuals for the purpose of identifying and controlling fire hazards, detecting early signs of fire, activating an alarm and notifying the fire department in the event of a fire.

Those assigned to perform a fire watch should be specifically checking, but not be limited to, the following:

• Potential fire ignition sources, including frayed electrical wires and improperly stored flammables.
• Fire extinguishers must be in their proper locations, undamaged, unobstructed, visible, fully charged and operational, and bands that secure the pin shall be intact.
• Trash, garbage and excess combustible materials.
• Exits, stairwells and corridors must be clear of any obstructions that would impede emergency movement.
• Operation of illuminated exit signs (electrical or photo-luminescent) should be inspected.
• Self-closing doors should be examined to ensure they are not blocked or wedged and may close freely.
• Sprinkler systems (if active) must be inspected for possible sprinkler head obstruction, leakage, closed valves or decreased pressure.

For questions regarding fire watch, please contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 943-227-4969.

Documents

• Fire Watch Requirement Sheet
• Fire Watch Accountability Form

Fire Watch Rates

Off-duty Firefighters on fire watch cost $50.00/hour. If a fire apparatus is on standby, it requires two firefighters at their $50.00/hour rate and the apparatus has a rate of $150.00/hr. In total, if an apparatus is needed on standby, it would cost $250.00/hour. For more rate information, visit our fee schedule.