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#1 Fire Watch Guards & Patrol Services
The Fast Fire Watch Company is the most trusted fire watch service provider in the US. If you're a property owner, and your building's fire alarm system and/or a water-based fire protection system is not operating, you are required by the NFPA, and local ordinance, to hire a certified fire watch guard. The Fast Fire Watch Co., is a fire watch security guard company, run by retired fire service professionals, so we know about life safety; and we know how to help. We offer long term, and temporary fire watch guards, to clients who are being threatened with shut downs. We care about your safety, and we'll do whatever it takes to make sure that you have the fire watch security that you need, at the best rates. Avoid fines and business shut down, and hire the #1 rated fire watch guards in the USA. Hire a professional fire watch officer near you. Call us now to get the best fire watch services at the BEST RATES.
Your Go To Fire Watch Company
The Fast Fire Watch Co., is always ready at a moments notice to provide customers with the highest rated fire watch security guard services in the USA. We offer fire watch security officers for: events, construction sites, dispensaries, and hot work. No matter if your need is short or long term, we have OSHA certified security fire watch officers stationed all over the U.S. ready to help you get the fire watch you need. With offices nationwide and operations in every State, we have the ability to get you a guard, fast.
Commercial
Construction Site
Special Event
Hot Work
Dispensary
Why you should choose us
Our 24 Hour Fire Watch Security Officers are guaranteed to be NFPA & OSHA compliant.
Fast Dispatch – We have guards on standby waiting for your call, nationwide. We guarantee your guard will be on time and ready for service
Fully Equipped – Your guard will be fully equipped from the moment they set foot on your property.
Fire Marshall Compliant – Your guard will keep a log and monitor the area per city and state ordinance.
Emergency Trained – All of our fire watch officers are trained to identify hazards and work with the local 911 authorities.
THE FAST FIRE WATCH CO.
We're dedicated to your complete satisfaction
In most cases we can have a guard at your location in under 4 hours
1. Contact Us
We have courteous live dispatchers waiting for your call, 24/7.
2. Accept Estimate
Our operations team confirms availability, and gets an estimate in your hands, fast.
3. Service Begins
Wether it’s an emergency or not, we get your guard on site, on time, every time!
4. Completion
Our guard will turn in all required logs to the Fire Marshal, once your project is complete.
What our Clients say
★★★★★
"When our fire alarm system malfunctioned, we faced potential fines and work stoppage. Thankfully, The Fast Fire Watch Company responded immediately. Their certified guard was on our site within hours, ensuring safety and compliance. Their professionalism and vigilance allowed us to continue our work without interruption. I highly recommend them for their expertise, speed, and unwavering dedication to safety."
-John R.-
We have guards on standby waiting for your call.
Our guards are dispatched fully equipped for their patrol.
Our guards are trained to maintain a log as per the Fire Marshall.
Our services are trusted by some of the finest corporations in the U.S.
FIRE WATCH SERVICES FAQ
Yes!
Building owners and managers are subject to their local fire codes through operational permits and inspections. These inspections are carried out by your local fire marshal and any other coding officials and/or inspectors that represent the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The fire marshal or fire inspector has the authority to enter your building without just cause.
If at any time, your building is found to be in violation of any of the NFPA codes, the fire marshal has the right to shut your building and business down until the issues are resolved. This is not a favorable outcome, so remaining compliant with fire codes is absolutely essential, not only for your business operations but also for the safety of all those in and around the building.
Common infractions that can cause a shutdown of your building include:
- Blocked fire department connections and valves
- Incorrect or malfunctioning fire sprinkler system
- Improper storage in the fire pump and/or riser rooms
- Insufficient fire sprinkler clearance
- Hanging items from fire sprinkler and/or the piping
Not only is your building subject to the threat of a shutdown should you violate any part of the fire code, but you could also be faced with serious fines. The amount of the fine assigned to you will vary based on your state, the offense, and other local codes and regulations.
The best way to prevent fines and a potential shut down is to stay up to date with fire codes and regulations and maintain regular inspections.
Per the NFPA, for fire alarm systems, you’re required to implement a fire watch if the system is impaired for more than four hours in a 24-hour period. For sprinkler or water-based systems, a fire watch service is required for outages that last more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period. In any case, the first thing that you need to do is notify your local fire department of the situation.
The general requirements for fire watch services will vary from location to location based on local and state laws and regulations. There are typically multiple authorities having jurisdiction, some may be stricter than the NFPA, and others may be less. In any case, the most stringent of regulations apply and take precedence so you must understand the regulations governing your specific circumstances.
Fire watch personnel are dispatched to buildings with broken or malfunctioning fire alarm or sprinkler systems where they then have a list of duties that includes keeping a vigilant watch over the building and surrounding areas, acting as human fire detectors.
Fire guards are to report a fire, smoke, or any other danger immediately to the fire department and alert everyone in the building of the danger. They are also tasked with the responsibility of maintaining a fire log which documents every action taken during the watch.
All building owners and managers should have a solid system and plan in place for situations in which fire watch patrol personnel are required.
We are currently operating in the majority of the major cities in the US.
New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San Jose, Austin, Jacksonville, Fort Worth, Columbus, Charlotte, San Francisco, Denver, El Paso, Baltimore, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Tampa, Colorado Springs, Columbus, Charlotte, San Francisco, Denver, El Paso, Baltimore, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Tampa, Colorado Springs,Columbus, Charlotte, San Francisco, Denver, El Paso, Baltimore, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Tampa, Colorado Springs,Columbus, Charlotte, San Francisco, Denver, El Paso, Baltimore, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Tampa, Boston, Seattle, Indianapolis, Nashville, Louisville, Detroit, Oklahoma City, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Raleigh, Kansas City, Miami, Orlando, Virginia Beach, Minneapolis, Tuscon, Arlington, Bakersfield, Aurora, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Riverside, Corpus Christi, Stockton, Saint Paul, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Plano, Irvine, Newark, Durham, Chula Vista, Jersey City, Buffalo,
The requirements for construction site fire watch are similar to those of building fire watch security, with a few variations to account for the industrial nature of the site. There are several additional risk factors at play with construction sites.
Construction sites present a unique set of fire hazards to the security guard fire watch, due to the hot work being performed and the potential for dangerous and/or flammable materials on site. Fire codes must be strictly adhered to on construction sites because a fire in a large site has the potential to affect not just the site, but the surrounding area which can include other buildings and homes.
Some of the basic requirements include:
- Hot work areas are fully inspected and monitored
- Any heating equipment is to be inspected and kept away from combustibles
- Temporary wiring is to be inspected for faults
- Flammable liquids and other hazardous materials must be stored and maintained appropriately
- Fire access roads are to remain clear
- Fire hydrants must be unobstructed
- Fire extinguishers are to be in place and working properly
There may be additional requirements that your construction site is required to adhere to. It’s your responsibility as the site manager to understand the codes and regulations that govern your site and ensure there are proper plans and personnel in place to prevent potentially deadly situations.
Due to the short notice and critical response, an emergency fire watch will cost you a bit more than previously scheduled fire watch services. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50-$100 per hour for professional emergency fire watch personnel.
Unfortunately, situations that require the assistance of fire guards are difficult to predict, therefore more often than not the need for guards is urgent. No one anticipates that their fire alarm system will malfunction or that their water-based sprinkler system will need repair.
The best thing you, as a building owner or manager, can do is to be as prepared as possible for emergencies and know that the financial cost of an emergency fire watch is a small price to pay to ensure the safety of your building and those inside it.
Failure to call in fire guards immediately can result in lofty fines and the threat of a building shut-down by the fire marshal. You want to be sure to call in your own guards before the fire marshal shows up and orders guards for you.
The cost for guards ordered by the fire marshal will cost you significantly more because they will likely recruit fire department personnel who need to be compensated for overtime and opportunity costs.
The good news is that most fire watch companies have guards ready and waiting to report to duty. Although the price for emergency services is more than routine service, it’s well worth the cost when you consider the important job they’re performing and the fact that they’re ready to go at the drop of a hat, any time of the day or night.
NFPA, or The National Fire Protection Association, was established in 1986 as a way to reduce or eliminate death, injuries, property and economic losses caused by fire. It’s a self-funded nonprofit organization that’s recognized globally.
The backbone of the NFPA is its codes and standards. Their mission is to provide you with the critical knowledge and information you need to do your job in today’s environment. There are over 300 codes and standards that are designed to minimize the risk and effects of fire by setting criteria for fire safety around the world.
In addition to the codes and standards, the NFPA also provides the following:
Public Education: Educational programs, tools, and resources to inform and train all ages and demographics.
Outreach and Advocacy: Community programs and initiatives that encourage citizens to take the necessary precautions to prevent fire dangers.
Training: Seminars, certifications programs, seminars, and more that teach people the ins and outs of the codes and standards.
Research: The premier resource for fire data and analysis that helps shape the future of fire prevention and regulations.
Membership Opportunities: The best way to stay up-to-date with the latest fire protection news and information to keep you and your company safe on the job.
Yes, a fire watch checklist is vital to the safety and security of your building and all those inside it. You should have a checklist completed and ready to go should you ever require these services. Fire watch guards are trained in fire watch compliancy; however, each building is unique, therefore you must have a fire watch worksheet that is custom to your building.
Your checklist should include:
- A layout of the building, including all exits, stairs, etc.
- Instructions for ensuring all exits are clear of obstructions
- Instructions for notifying all occupants
- Instructions for updating and maintaining the fire log
- Instructions for posting the fire watch door notices
- Orders to obtain a whistle or other signaling device should a fire or emergency occur
- Important contact phone numbers
Be sure to check with your local fire marshal or other AHJ to verify what needs to be on your fire watch checklist and make sure it’s customized to the safety needs of your building.
Every year numerous serious fires take place in work zones, construction sites, and building sites that result in serious injuries and material damages. To reduce the instances of such fires, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides certification in fire prevention.
The OSHA fire prevention course trains guards on how to identify fire safety risks and take the necessary precautions to avoid building site fires. Some of the topics that are included in the certification course include:
- OSHA fire detection and protection protocols
- Fire watch requirements
- Job site hazards
- Chemical storage
- Emergency reporting and response planning
- Emergency response equipment and how it’s used
The criteria for fire watch guard certification vary from state to state. Those who live in New York and California are required to obtain state-specific Certification of Fitness for Fire Watch cards. To obtain your card, you must take the training and examination and renew your certificate each year.
Check with your state and local jurisdiction to see what training and certifications are required for you to become a qualified fire watch guard in your area. There may be other state-specific requirements needed for you to become a certified fireguard.
A fire watch procedure template is a plan of action that is required should your fire alarm system or water-based sprinkler system fail. Your fire alarm system can include: the fire alarm panel, smoke or heat detection systems, water-based sprinkler systems, and the fire alarm notification system.
Should any part of your fire notification system malfunction, it is your responsibility to report the outage to your local fire department immediately and dispatch fire watch guards if the outage lasts for more than 4 hours in 24 hours.
As the building manager, it is also your job to have a solid plan in place for these situations. Your fire watch procedure template should include the following policies:
- A written plan that’s posted and available at all staff locations.
- Any staff member who performs fire watch duties must undergo comprehensive training and retain the necessary certifications as required by the state.
- A designated staff member who is trained in rescue, alarm, contain, and extinguish/evacuate (RACE) procedures to implement facility-wide fire watch needs.
- A fire log that is to be reported in throughout the watch with the date, time, and staff initials of the person(s) performing the watch.
- Continuous fire watch by trained guards of the entire area that is affected by the alert system outage. These individuals will act as human fire detectors, documenting every move and reporting dangers immediately as described in the fire watch procedure.
Your fire watch procedure template should include some variation of the following instructions on what to do in the case of a fire alert system outage:
- Any observation of smoke during fire watch patrol should immediately initiate the building’s fire safety plan.
- Contact is made to the building manager to report any problems to the fire alarm system.
- If the building manager is unable to remedy the problem, the fire alarm company should be notified and dispatched for repairs.
- The local fire department must be notified that the fire alarm system is not functioning properly.
- If the alarm system is inoperable for more than 4 hours in 24 hours, certified fire watch personnel must be called in.
- The fire watch procedure will designate the affected areas.
- Fire watch tours shall be conducted continuously in the affected areas, typically at 30-minute intervals around the clock.
- Fire watch duties are to be performed solely by dedicated guards with no other duties or responsibilities.
- Fire guards are provided access to all areas of the building(s).
- Fire guards are provided with reliable means of communication with 9-1-1 should there be an emergency to report.
- Comprehensive checks of all rooms, stairways, and closets are to be performed at least every hour.
- Maintenance staff should be available on-site or on-call for any equipment breakdown emergencies.
- Additional fire extinguishers will be distributed building-wide, and staff/residents will be made aware of fire extinguisher locations.
Fire watch patrols are most commonly needed in buildings where the fire alarm system is disengaged or in disrepair and on building or construction sites. In either case, trained guards are positioned on-site to act as human fire detectors and work to prevent dangerous and deadly fires and report any hazards immediately.
A typical fire patrol will include the following:
- Trained and certified fire watch guards patrolling all floors of the building or areas of the construction site around the clock.
- Maintenance of all exits and walkways to ensure they are free of any obstructions.
- Vigilant reporting in the designated fire log.
- Strict adherence to the property’s fire watch procedures.
- Immediate reporting of any smoke, fire, or other safety issues to the proper authorities as described in the fire watch procedure documentation.
- Clear communication with the site supervisors and other personnel.
In the absence of a reliable fire alarm system or sprinkler system, trained fireguards must act in its place. Trained fire watch guards are available around the clock for emergencies.
The number of guards dispatched for each individual site or situation will depend on many variables, such as the size of the building or site and the extent of the outage.
Professional fireguard companies have the knowledge and experience to set your property up with the proper personnel required for your situation.
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