Fire Watch

Why Your GC Isn’t Enough

You wouldn’t trust a subway sandwich to put out a grease fire. So why trust your general contractor with FDNY fire watch? In a city where construction sparks fly faster than tempers at a Bronx deli counter, here’s why specialized guards aren’t optional.

3 Reasons GCs Fall Short on Fire Watch

Your contractor might be solid, but fire prevention needs specialists because:

• Certification gaps: Most GCs carry F-60 permits, but FDNY requires F-01/F-03 for fire watch
• Distracted focus:
  • They’re managing 20 other trades
  • Fire patrols become afterthoughts
• Paperwork pitfalls: 68% of NYC construction fines stem from improper logs (FDNY 2023 report)

The Hardhat’s Fire Watch Cheat Sheet

For sites in:

• Williamsburg’s new high-rises

• Downtown Brooklyn’s renovation boom

• Queens’ warehouse districts

Follow this drill:

1. Pre-shift hazard walk – Identify hot work zones and flammable storage (that drywall stack isn’t moving itself)
2. Dedicated patrol routes – Map paths covering all floors, not just ground level
3. Real-time reporting – Digital logs beat handwritten notes that vanish like Citi Bikes

FDNY’s New Focus: High-Risk Boroughs

Inspectors are specifically targeting:

• LIC waterfront developments

• Harlem’s modular construction sites

• Staten Island’s new logistics hubs

After the 2022 Astoria warehouse fire, penalties doubled for “unmonitored hot work.”

A Near-Miss in Gowanus

Last summer, a GC’s assistant was “handling” fire watch between coffee runs. Then:

• 3:15 PM – Sparks ignited insulation

• 3:17 PM – Our nearby guard team contained it

• 3:30 PM – FDNY arrived to find crisis averted

The kicker? The GC’s “fire watch” was across the street getting a ham and cheese sandwich.

Why Construction Firms Choose Us

We’re the only NYC fire watch company that:

• Stations guards with current OSHA 30 certifications

• Provides bilingual patrol teams (critical for immigrant crews)

• Integrates with Procore and other GC software

Don’t let your site become an FDNY case study. Get specialized fire watch today.