Fire Watch Security FAQ's
100 FAQs About Fire Watch Security
Everything you wanted to ask:
- What is a fire watch guard?
A certified person who patrols a building or site when fire protection systems are impaired. - Do I need a guard if only one sprinkler head is broken?
Yes, if the break drops pressure to the entire zone. - How long can I wait before calling a guard?
Most codes give you one hour to have boots on site. - Can I use my own security officer?
Only if they carry the correct fire watch certificate for your state. - What cert is needed in NYC?
FDNY F-01 for system impairment; F-60 for torch work. - What cert is used in California?
State Fire Marshal Fire Watch card or local C-19. - How much does fire watch cost per hour?
National average is $25–$35 per hour plus travel. - Is there a four hour minimum?
Some companies yes; we bill by the hour with no minimum. - Is fire watch required at night?
Yes, impairment does not sleep. - Can the guard also do janitor work?
No, patrol must be the primary duty. - How big an area can one guard cover?
5,000 sq ft is the safe rule; high hazard drops to 2,500. - How often must the guard patrol?
Every 30 minutes maximum; hot work every 15. - What does the guard actually do?
Look for smoke, heat, sparks; log findings; call 911 if needed. - Does the guard carry an extinguisher?
Yes, 2A:10BC minimum within 35 feet of the patrol route. - Can the guard be female?
Yes, gender is irrelevant; certification is what matters. - Do I need fire watch during a power outage?
Only if the outage kills fire pumps or alarm panels. - Can I stop the watch once the alarm is reset?
Only after the system passes a full functional test. - Who notifies the fire department?
The building owner or designated rep, not the guard company. - What form is used in NYC?
Form 75 filed online before the impairment starts. - Is digital log acceptable?
Yes, if it has GPS, time stamp and photo proof. - Is paper log still okay?
Only if it is legible, bound and signed every round. - Can the guard patrol outside only?
No, must cover interior paths unless the building is vacant. - Does the guard need a radio?
Yes, contact with building security or management is mandatory. - Can the guard be armed?
Fire watch is life safety, not security; weapons are discouraged. - What happens if the guard falls asleep?
You get cited, fined and possibly sued; cameras are your safety net. - Is travel time billed?
Most companies bill portal to portal; we bill only on site time. - Can I cancel with one hour notice?
Thirty minutes is industry standard; read your agreement. - Do you provide same day service?
Yes, under two hours in most metro areas. - Is fire watch tax deductible?
Generally yes as a safety expense; confirm with your CPA. - Can the guard write tickets?
No, only the fire marshal can cite. - Does insurance pay for fire watch?
Some policies reimburse; check your protective safeguards section. - Can I use a drone instead of a guard?
Not yet; drones supplement but do not replace human patrol. - What if the guard misses a patrol?
We auto-alert supervisors and log the reason; backup arrives within 30 min. - Are uniforms required?
High-vis vest with “Fire Watch” lettering is standard. - Can the guard also do hot work?
No, fire watch must be a separate person. - How tall a building requires fire watch?
Height is irrelevant; system impairment triggers the need. - Do I need fire watch for a vacant building?
Yes, if the impairment exceeds code time limits. - Can I rotate guards mid-shift?
Yes, as long as coverage is continuous and logs overlap. - What languages do your guards speak?
English and Spanish nationwide; other languages on request. - Is there holiday pay?
Yes, weekends and holidays add 20 percent to base rate. - Can I get a daily summary email?
Yes, PDF logs are sent at end of every shift. - Do you cover rural sites?
Yes, with travel surcharge after 50 miles from metro center. - What if the guard gets sick?
Backup is dispatched within 30 minutes, no charge to client. - Can I prepay for bulk hours?
Yes, prepaid blocks earn an additional 5 percent discount. - How do I book today?
Call, email or fill out the form below; confirmation in under 10 minutes.
- Can a guard work solo on a high-rise roof?
Yes, if the roof is under 200 ft and radio contact is maintained with inside security. - Do I need fire watch during a tornado watch?
Only if the watch impairs fire pumps or alarms; otherwise continue normal patrol. - Can the guard eat lunch on post?
Yes, but meal breaks must be staggered so patrol interval never exceeds 30 min. - Is vaping allowed while on patrol?
No open flame or vapor clouds; both can trigger false alarms or mask real smoke. - Do guards need a driver’s license?
Not for walking patrols; required only if the post involves a company vehicle. - Can I use my own drone for thermal scans?
Yes, but the guard must still walk the route; drone footage is supplementary only. - What wind speed stops hot-work patrol?
15 mph sustained; any higher and torches must be extinguished. - Can a guard be under 18?
No, minimum age is 18 for insurance and liability reasons. - Do you provide 24/7 dispatch?
Yes, live humans answer the phone at 3 a.m. on holidays. - Can I get a Spanish-speaking guard?
Yes, roughly 30 percent of our roster is bilingual. - Is there a weight limit for gear?
Standard gear weighs 12 lbs; if a guard can’t carry it, we swap to lighter extinguisher. - Do you drug-test guards?
Pre-employment and random; fail once and you’re off the bench for good. - Can I request the same guard every shift?
Yes, if schedules align we lock the officer to your site. - What if my site has no cell signal?
We provide satellite hotspots so logs still upload in real time. - Do guards patrol in the rain?
Yes, we issue waterproof gear; only lightning stops outdoor rounds. - Can a guard carry a personal phone?
Yes, but patrol app must stay on screen during rounds. - Is there a dress code for indoor malls?
Black slacks, black shoes, company polo over the high-vis vest. - Do you offer female-only guards for religious sites?
Yes, upon request and availability. - Can I get a guard with CPR training?
Yes, add $2/hr and we send an American Heart Assoc. certified officer. - What happens if the guard is late?
We credit you one hour and dispatch backup at no charge. - Do you cover casinos?
Yes, with gaming-license-approved officers. - Can the guard issue parking tickets?
No, only security can tag cars; fire watch stays in the life-safety lane. - Is there a senior discount?
10 percent off for 501(c)(3) and municipal sites. - Do you bill in 15-minute increments?
Yes, after the first full hour. - Can I prepay with a credit card?
Visa, MC, Amex, and corporate ACH all accepted. - What if the outage lasts five minutes?
Once the four-hour trigger is hit, you still need the full watch until restoration. - Do guards need a social security card?
Yes, for I-9 verification; no card, no clock-in. - Can I get a guard with a Secret Clearance?
Yes, limited roster; add 48 hrs lead time. - Do you provide patrol dogs?
No, canines are security tools, not life-safety assets. - Is there a mileage fee?
None within 25 miles; after that $0.65 per mile. - Can the guard work a double shift?
Up to 16 hrs with a 30-minute break every 8 hrs. - What if the building floods?
Guard relocates to dry vantage point; patrol continues unless ordered out by IC. - Do you insure the guard?
$5 million general and professional liability per officer. - Can I get a guard in a tuxedo for a gala?
Yes, rental fee added to invoice. - Do you cover movie sets with pyro?
Yes, we staff SFX productions nationwide. - Can the guard drive my golf cart?
Yes, if cart is insured and guard has valid driver’s license. - Is there a referral bonus?
$100 credit for every new client you send our way. - Do you offer thermal drone packages?
Yes, add $150 per shift includes pilot and drone. - Can I get a guard with a Red Cross lifeguard cert?
Yes, pool-side fire watch available. - What if the guard drops the extinguisher?
We replace it within two hours at no charge. - Do you staff data centers with gas suppression?
Yes, guards carry personal O2 monitors. - Can I get a same day quote?
Under 30 minutes during business hours. - Do you offer multi-year contracts?
1, 2, and 3 year locks with frozen rates. - Is there a cancellation fee?
None if you cancel 30 minutes before shift starts. - Can the guard wear my company logo?
Yes, we embroider vests for a small set-up fee. - Do you provide winter watch for ski resorts?
Yes, guards issued alpine gear rated to minus 20°F. - What if the guard is rude to my staff?
One complaint and we replace immediately; second complaint ends the contract. - Do you watch solar farms during inverter swaps?
Yes, we staff utility scale sites nationwide. - Can I get a guard with a forklift license?
Yes, add $3/hr for powered industrial truck cert. - Is there a mobile app to track the guard?
Yes, live map and PDF logs delivered in real time. - Do you offer bulk certification classes?
Yes, on-site F-01 and F-60 classes for 10 or more students. - Can I pay with crypto?
Bitcoin and Ethereum accepted for invoices over $5,000. - What if the outage cancels at 3 a.m.?
Call the 24/7 line; we turn the guard around and credit the unused hours. - Can I request a guard with prior military experience?
Yes, we have a roster of vets; just ask when you book. - Can I get a guard with CPR and First Aid certification?
Yes, add $2/hr and we send an American Heart Association certified officer.
Still have a weird question that did not make the list? Contact us and we will give you a straight answer, no jargon, no sales pitch, just the facts you need to stay compliant tonight.
