What Is Fire Watch Security? A Guide for Ontario Properties

Fire watch security is a dedicated person who patrols a building to look for fire while its fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service, or during risky work such as torch-applied roofing, and logs each round. In Ontario, the Fire Code requires notice when those systems are shut down and a fire safety plan with alternative measures; fire services expect a fire watch to start at once.

Key facts

• Ontario’s Fire Code requires notification when a fire alarm system or sprinkler system is shut down: see Articles 6.3.1.3 and 6.5.2.4 in the Ontario Fire Code.
• A fire safety plan must include alternative measures for occupant safety during a shutdown of fire protection equipment or systems under Article 2.8.2.1.
• For hot surface applications using an open-flame torch or another ignition source, Article 5.11.2.5 requires areas to be toured at least once each hour, with watch continuing for at least three hours after work stops, or two hours when a thermal camera is used.
• Windsor Fire & Rescue Services says a fire watch starts immediately when alarm or sprinkler systems are off-line, by a dedicated person whose sole responsibility is to look for fires, with an hourly tour of the whole building and a written log.
• Accure Security’s fire watch and contractor watch service includes continuous patrols, alarm transmission support, evacuation coordination, hazard-area observation, exterior photo documentation, continuity logs and final reports.

When is fire watch security needed?

Fire watch security is needed when fire protection is impaired or when work creates a heightened ignition risk. It can also support properties after fire damage or during construction.

Common situations include:

• A fire alarm system, or part of it, is shut down for testing, repairs or alterations.
• A sprinkler system is shut down, disconnected or otherwise impaired.
• Open-flame torch work or another ignition source is used for hot surface applications, including roof work.
• Construction or renovation leaves fire protection incomplete or out of service.
• An insurer or the building’s fire safety plan calls for one.
• A property has fire damage and needs observation, documentation or protection against trespassing, theft or evidence disturbance.

The exact measures depend on the property, the impaired system and the work taking place. Fire watch is a temporary measure while the owner arranges repairs or completes the higher-risk work.

What does the Ontario Fire Code actually say?

The Fire Code sets notification, fire safety plan and hot surface work duties. It does not use the words “fire watch” as a general label for every period when an alarm or sprinkler system is impaired.

Under the Ontario Fire Code:

• Article 6.3.1.3 requires notification of the fire department, occupants and supervisory staff when a fire alarm system or part of it is shut down.
• Article 6.5.2.4 sets the same notification for a sprinkler system shutdown, and Article 6.5.2.2 requires the Chief Fire Official to be notified before sprinkler valves or water supplies are impaired for more than 24 hours.
• Article 2.8.2.1 requires the fire safety plan to provide alternative measures for occupant safety during any shutdown of fire protection equipment and systems.
• Article 5.11.2.5 requires a firewatch for open-flame torch work or another ignition source used for hot surface applications. The area must be toured at least hourly, and the watch must continue for at least three hours after the work stops, or two hours with a thermal camera.

So for an impaired alarm or sprinkler system, the duty is to notify and to follow the alternative measures in the building’s fire safety plan. Local fire services say what those measures look like in practice: Windsor Fire & Rescue Services states that a fire watch is to be implemented immediately whenever fire alarm or sprinkler systems are off-line, for any reason. The hourly tour in Article 5.11.2.5 is a separate rule for hot surface work such as torch-applied roofing.

What does a fire watch guard do on each round?

A fire watch guard tours the entire building, looks for signs of fire and records each round. The person must have the tools and information needed to communicate, check the property and support evacuation.

Windsor Fire & Rescue Services identifies these practical duties:

1. Start the watch immediately when the alarm or sprinkler system goes off-line.
2. Tour the entire building each hour, checking areas and exits for fire or conditions that could hinder evacuation.
3. Record the time and initials for every round on the log sheet.
4. Carry a means of communication, a horn or whistle, flashlight, keys, floor plans and a list of people who may need help to evacuate.
5. Post notices in common areas saying which system is out of service, and keep observing the property for the duration of the watch.
6. If there is smoke or fire, sound a horn or whistle to alert occupants and call 911 from a safe place. Do not try to put out a fire unless it is safe, and do not re-enter after evacuation without the fire service’s permission.
7. When the system is restored, notify the fire service and monitoring company as directed by the site process.

Because the role is the person’s sole responsibility, a fire watch guard should not be given other duties during the watch. The guard observes, raises the alarm, documents and supports evacuation; the owner still arranges the repairs.

What are the owner’s steps versus the guard’s duties?

The owner or property manager arranges the temporary plan and repairs. The fire watch guard carries out the assigned observation and documentation duties while the protection system or work condition remains unresolved.

Owner or property manager	Fire watch guard
Arrange repairs or restoration of the impaired alarm or sprinkler system.	Start the watch when the system goes off-line and continue assigned patrols.
Notify the fire department, occupants and supervisory staff when required.	Tour the whole building at the required interval and check exits and conditions.
Apply alternative measures through the fire safety plan.	Carry communication equipment, a horn or whistle, flashlight, keys and site information.
Provide notices, floor plans and evacuation information for the site.	Log each round with the time and initials, and record observations or incidents.
Confirm restoration and arrange the required notifications when systems return to service.	Notify the fire service and monitoring company when restoration is confirmed through the site process.

How long does fire watch security last?

For an impaired alarm or sprinkler system, fire watch starts immediately and continues until the system is repaired and back on-line. Windsor Fire & Rescue Services calls it a short-term measure that lets the building stay occupied, and asks for a daily status update if a system stays off-line for more than a day. The owner must arrange the repair; the watch is not a substitute for restoring fire protection.

Hot surface applications have a specific timing rule in Article 5.11.2.5: the area is toured at least once every hour, and the watch continues for at least three hours after the work stops. That period is reduced to two hours when a thermal camera is used. The watch arrangement should also account for the property’s fire safety plan and any required notifications.

What can Accure Security’s fire watch service include?

Accure Security provides fire watch and contractor watch coverage for properties with impaired fire systems. The service includes continuous fire watch patrols, alarm transmission support, evacuation coordination, hazard-area observation, exterior photo documentation, continuity logs and final reports.

It is offered for construction sites, commercial buildings, residential properties, hospitals and medical facilities, hotels and malls, and event venues. Fire watch guards can document activity for owners or insurers through patrol logs, observations, photos, incident notes and final reporting. Review the fire watch and contractor watch service to compare the listed coverage with your property’s needs.

For a construction site, you can also review Accure Security’s Cambridge construction fire watch guide. For recordkeeping, see its article on fire watch log requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What is fire watch security?

Fire watch security is dedicated observation of a property for signs of fire while a fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service, or while higher-risk work is taking place. The assigned person patrols the building, checks conditions and exits, communicates an emergency and records each round. It is a temporary measure while repairs or work continue.

When is a fire watch needed in Ontario?

A fire watch may be needed when a fire alarm or sprinkler system is impaired, during open-flame torch work or another hot surface application, after fire damage or during construction. The Ontario Fire Code also requires notifications and alternative safety measures during some system shutdowns. The property’s fire safety plan and the specific work should guide the arrangement.

How often should a fire watch patrol a building?

For the hot surface applications covered by Ontario Fire Code Article 5.11.2.5, the area must be toured at least once each hour. Windsor Fire & Rescue Services also describes hourly tours for a watch when alarm or sprinkler systems are off-line. Each round should be logged with its time and initials, and the watch continues for the required period.

Does a fire watch have to be a security guard?

No rule says it must be. Windsor Fire & Rescue Services says a fire watch can be a responsible occupant, an employee or a contracted security guard. What matters is that looking for fire is the person’s only job during the watch, that they know the building and its alarm procedures, and that they carry a way to call for help. A guard company is one option when staff cannot cover every hour.

What should be recorded during fire watch?

Each patrol should record the time and initials for the round, along with relevant observations or incidents. Accure Security’s fire watch coverage includes continuity logs, exterior photos, incident notes and final reports. The site should also make floor plans, keys, evacuation information and a means of communication available to the person carrying out the watch.

How does fire watch end?

For an impaired alarm or sprinkler system, fire watch continues until the system is repaired or restored. The owner or property manager arranges the repair and required notifications. For hot surface applications, the watch continues for at least three hours after work stops, or two hours with a thermal camera. Restoration notifications should follow the site process.

Next, review Accure Security’s fire watch and contractor watch service and compare its listed coverage with your Ontario property’s fire safety plan, current work and impaired systems.