Construction Fire Watch
Contents
Concrete is still wet, welders are everywhere, and the fire marshal just told you the sprinkler zone is offline for 48 hours. Relax. Follow this construction fire watch checklist and you will keep the job moving and the inspector smiling.
Pre Shift Set Up
Before the first spark flies, walk the site with your guard and point out hot work zones, escape routes, and standpipe locations. Test the radio channel, confirm the guard’s certification card, and print the digital log QR code so subs can scan it with their phones. A five minute huddle now saves fifty phone calls later.
Mid Shift Must Dos
Every 15 minutes the guard patrols every floor, snaps a photo of the active torch, and checks for slag that could smolder inside a wall cavity. If wind picks up, the guard halts hot work until blankets are doubled. And if a subcontractor tries to sneak a quick weld without permits, the guard pulls the plug and calls the site super. No arguments, no delays, no fires.
Gear That Should Be on Site
- Two 4A60BC extinguishers within 30 feet of hot work
- Fire blanket large enough to cover exposed insulation
- Bucket of water with copper sulfate for metal cooling
- Thermal imaging tablet to scan for hidden heat
- Dedicated radio channel separate from crane ops
Most GCs think a single extinguisher satisfies code, but the marshal wants one for each side of the operation. Rent extras for twenty bucks a day and avoid the $2 k citation.
Cost Reality
Construction fire watch runs $50 to $90 per hour, cheaper than the $5 k fine you get after the first violation. Book a certified guard now and keep your schedule intact.
Last quarter a 14-story condo project in Denver skipped the overlap between shifts. A spark landed inside a plywood chase and smoldered for 42 minutes until our night guard spotted smoke on thermal. The drywall crew lost one day, but the structure stayed intact and insurance paid the claim because logs showed continuous watch. The superintendent told us the $600 guard bill saved a $4 million rebuild.
And remember, inspectors love surprises. Keep this checklist taped to the site box, hand the marshal a printed log, and watch him nod instead of write.
Do not let one shortcut torch your entire build. Call us, post a guard, and finish the job on time and under budget.
