Home || Fire Prevention || Commercial || Fire watch requirements

Fire Watch Requirements

Any required Fire Protection system (fire alarm, sprinkler, fire pump, etc) that is out of service for more than 4 hours and occupied is required to establish a fire watch. For the person assigned to the fire watch, this must be their only job duty during that time period and be provided with a least one method of contacting the Fire Department in an emergency. In addition the building owner is required to have an impairment coordinator. The out of service equipment must be tagged out of service tag must be placed at the fire alarm panel and the fire department connection. (Reference 2000 International Fire Code Chapter 9 Section 901.7)

Steps to take for impairment:

• The extent and expected duration of the impairment have been determined.
• The area or buildings involved have been inspected and the increased risk determined.
• Recommendations have been submitted to management/building owner.
• The Fire Department has been notified.
• The insurance carrier, Alarm Company, building owner/ manager and other authorities having jurisdictions have been notified.
• The supervisors in the area affected have been notified.
• A tag impairment system has been implemented.
• Necessary tools and materials have been assembled on the impairment site.

Fire Watch Requirements Form

Fire Watch Application