What is fire watch?

Fire watch refers to the practice of assigning designated individuals to monitor specific areas or activities for signs of fire or smoke. This is typically done in environments where there is an increased risk of fire, such as construction sites, hot work areas, or buildings with fire safety systems that are temporarily out of service.

The purpose of fire watch is to ensure early detection and prompt response to potential fire hazards, helping to prevent fires from starting or spreading. Fire watch personnel are trained to recognize fire hazards, use fire extinguishers, and alert emergency services if necessary.

Fire watch duties may include conducting regular patrols of the designated area, monitoring hot work activities, keeping a log of observations, and taking immediate action in the event of a fire or emergency.

Fire watch is often required by regulations and standards such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) to help maintain a safe work environment and prevent fires from occurring.