Choosing a Fire Watch Company

Fire Watch Company

The fire watch industry has a dirty secret: 40% of NYC operators aren’t FDNY-compliant. They undercut prices by skipping certifications, faking logs, or sending guards who sleep on shift. Here’s how to spot the predators before they cost you $50k in fines or a catastrophic blaze.

Red Flag #1: “We Don’t Need Contracts”

Legit companies always provide:
• Signed service agreements
• Certificate of liability insurance ($2M minimum)
• FDNY-approved training records
Scam tactic: “Pay cash daily” operations vanish when inspectors arrive.

Red Flag #2: Suspiciously Low Rates

Current NYC market rates:
• $28-$35/hour for certified guards
• $5-$8/hour extra for high-risk sites
Scam alert: Quotes under $22/hour mean they’re cutting corners (uncertified guards, no insurance, etc.)

Red Flag #3: No Physical Office

FDNY requires fire watch companies to have:
• Registered NYC business address (not PO boxes)
• On-site training facilities
• Equipment storage locations
Ghost companies use virtual offices and disappear after fines hit.

Red Flag #4: Vague Certifications

Demand to see:
• Current F-01 certificates for ALL guards
• FDNY company registration number
• Workers’ compensation proof
Scammers show generic “security” licenses that don’t cover fire watch.

Red Flag #5: Missing Audit Trail

Reputable firms provide:
• Digital patrol verification (GPS timestamps)
• Photo documentation of hazards
• Real-time incident reporting
Fly-by-night ops use paper logs that can be faked.

Red Flag #6: No References

Always ask for:
• 3 recent client contacts in your building type
• Copies of passed inspection reports
• FDNY violation history (yes, you can check this)
Scammers give fake references or none at all.

Red Flag #7: The Bait-and-Switch

They send:
• Certified guards for the first week…then substitutes
• Proper equipment initially…then broken gear
• Detailed logs at first…then blank pages
This slow fade costs buildings millions annually.

The Bronx High-Rise That Got Burned

A management company hired “Discount Fire Watch” at $19/hour. Problems emerged Week 2: guards missing, fake FDNY certificates, zero patrols. By the time FDNY discovered the fraud, the building had accumulated $87,000 in fines. The kicker? The “company” was just a guy with a cell phone and a Craigslist ad.

Why We’re the Exception

Fire Watch Guards operates differently:
• FDNY-verified since 2009 (longest continuous registration)
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Live audit portal for clients 24/7
• Guaranteed compliance or we pay fines
We’ve turned down 37 clients this year who wanted us to cut corners. Some things aren’t for sale.

Don’t become another cautionary tale.
Verify your current provider or get our legit service today.