Fire Watch in Washington DC : Everything You Need to Know
This guide It is the most complete resource for fire watch services in Washington, DC. It is designed specifically for property managers, facilities managers, and building owners. Whether you’re new to fire watch or need a refresher, this page has everything you need to navigate the process with confidence and ease.
Table of Contents
2. When is fire watch required?
3. Washington, D.C., Fire Watch Requirements
- Who Can Provide Fire Watch Services?
- How Many People Are Needed for Fire Watch?
- What Equipment Do Fire Watch Personnel Need?
4. How to Set Up a Fire Watch for Your Property
- Temporarily Deploy Your Own Staff
- Hire a Licensed Fire Watch Company
- Submit a Fire Watch Plan to the Fire Marshal
FAQ Quick Links
- How do I know if I need fire watch?
- What if my alarm is only going to be down for a few hours? Do I still need fire watch?
- Do I have to have fire watch when my staff is in the building?
- Can I use my staff for fire watch?
- My building is very small. Do I still need 1 person for every 2 floors?
- I have two buildings. How do I count the number of people needed for fire watch?
- What if I already have security guards at my building? Can I use them for fire watch?
- Why are D.C.’s fire watch requirements so different from other jurisdictions?
- Where do I find a copy of Washington, D.C.’s fire watch requirements?
- What happens if I don’t have fire watch on duty?
Fire Watch Definition: A fire watch is the act of trained personnel patrolling a building or property at regular intervals to identify fire hazards, watch for signs of smoke or fire, and immediately contact the fire department if a fire occurs, ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
Think of fire watch as a backup plan that steps in when your fire protection systems are down. Essentially, it’s like having human fire alarms on duty—trained personnel ready to spot hazards, respond to emergencies, and keep everyone safe. In Washington, D.C., fire watch isn’t just a precaution; it’s a legal requirement in certain situations.
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When is fire watch required in Washington DC?
In Washington, DC fire watch must be implemented whenever ANY part of a fire alarm or sprinkler system protecting an occupied area is down for more than 4 hours.
Here are the most common situations when fire watch is needed:
- Your fire alarm or sprinklers aren’t working: If these systems stop working because of repairs, maintenance, or damage.
- There’s construction in your building: Big projects often mean turning off safety systems temporarily.
- The system is down for a long time: If your fire protection systems are offline for more than four hours, fire watch is a must.
Following the rules for fire watch isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about keeping people safe. If you’re a building owner or property manager in Washington DC, knowing when fire watch is required helps you stay ahead of the game and ensures your building stays compliant with local safety regulations. Follow this link to view the fire watch bulletin from District of Columbia Fire Department.
Washington, DC Fire Watch Requirements
When any part of a fire protection system like a sprinkler or alarm is malfunctioning in Washington, DC, the rules around fire watch are clear and strict. As a property manager or building owner, understanding these requirements is very important. Let’s break it all down step by step.
Who Can Provide Fire Watch Services in Washington DC?
One of the most important rules in Washington, DC is that only licensed private security agencies can provide fire watch services.
However, many security companies either lack the training to provide fire watch services or don’t have staff readily available.
Most security companies reserve their best staff for long-term projects and assign leftover employees to cover short-term work, which can impact the quality of service. This makes it essential to vet fire watch providers carefully to ensure they meet the necessary standards. Feel free to contact us if you need a dependable company for fire watch.
What times/hours are fire watch patrols required?
As we previously mentioned, In Washington, DC fire watch must be implemented whenever ANY part of a fire alarm or sprinkler system protecting an occupied area is down for more than 4 hours. An area is considered occupied whenever there is a human in a space that has an occupancy permit.
Residential Buildings: What times/hours do residential buildings require fire watch?
Residential buildings are considered to be occupied 24/7. As a result, every area that any human being could go to must included in the fire watch patrols. This includes all areas that are open to residents, tenants and staff.
Be sure to include the following commonly missed areas.
- Laundry rooms
- Storage rooms
- Common areas
- Hallways.
- Meeting rooms
Parking garages are the only areas excluded from fire watch patrol requirements.
Commercial Buildings: What times/hours do Commercial Buildings require fire watch?
Determining when a commercial building is considered occupied involves understanding who is present and whether the space is covered by an occupancy permit. Here’s what property managers need to consider:
- Who Counts as Occupants?
Occupants include more than just customers, clients, or tenants. Employees, janitors, cleaning staff, contractors, and any other individuals in the building count as occupants during the times they are present. Fire watch requirements apply whenever these individuals are in an area that has an active occupancy permit. - After-Hours Considerations
A common mistake property managers make is assuming fire watch is only required during regular operating hours. This is incorrect. Any time a person is present in a permitted space, even after business hours, the building is considered occupied. This also includes cleaning personnel or janitors.
Example:
The situation: A commercial business operates from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday-Friday, but there is an officer cleaning crew in the building 6 PM to 10 PM, Monday through Friday. Although customers and regular employees leave at 5 PM, the building remains occupied during cleaning hours.
Fire wach schedule: 9 AM to 10 PM Monday - Friday. No fire watch patrols are required Saturday & Sunday since no one will be inside the building.
The number of personnel required for fire watch depends on the size and layout of your building.
- Baseline Calculation: Fire watch requires 1 person for every 2 floors. Additionally, 1 person must be assigned to the fire control room or main lobby if there is no control room.
- Minimum Requirement: Even for a single floor, a fire watch must have at least 2 people. The number required does not decrease if the floors are small.
- Break Coverage: If the fire watch team has 6 or more people, you’ll need 1 extra person for every 6 to cover breaks.
- Adjustments for Large Floors: The fire marshal can increase the number of personnel required if the floors are unusually large. For example, in a fire watch near the Treasury Department, a building had floors that spanned an entire block. As a result, the fire marshal required 1 person per floor instead of 1 for every 2 floors.
- Buildings Without Restrooms: In Washington, D.C., many small residential buildings only have a elevator lobby and units. There are no restrooms for the fire watch personnel to us. If this is the case, you must provide an additional person to cover breaks when fire watch personnel leave to use nearby restrooms. Inform the fire marshal of this situation, especially if two or more people may need to leave at the same time, to avoid fines for insufficient staffing.
Examples of Fire Watch Staff Calculations
Here are examples to clarify the staffing requirements:
- 1-Floor Building: Minimum of 2 people
- 2-Floor Building: 2 people
- 3-Floor Building: 2 people (The odd numbered floor still requires 1 person.)
- 6-Floor Building: 4 people
- 10-Floor Building: 6 people (1 for every 2 floors, 1 for control room, 1 for breaks)
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What Must Be Submitted to the Fire Marshal in Washington DC?
Properties must submit the following to the fire marshal as soon as possible:
- A fire watch plan that outlines how your property will be monitored during the outage.
- A copy of the service contract you’ve signed with the licensed fire watch agency.
This documentation is essential for ensuring your fire watch plan is approved and aligns with local fire codes.
Required fire watch equipment
Every fire watch in Washington DC should have the following equipment.
It is critical to ensure that the company providing fire watch has all the required equipment listed above. Non-compliant fire watch services can result in fines for both the property owner and the security company. Be aware that many companies fail to provide megaphones, which are an important tool for effective fire watch operations.
How to Set Up a Fire Watch for buildings in washington dc
Step 1: Temporarily Deploy Your Own Staff
It’s important to note that fire watch personnel cannot arrive immediately. Even the most efficient companies like ours typically need 2-4 hours to deploy personnel, and it may take longer during rush hour or bad weather. In the meantime, DC regulations require that you deploy your own staff as a temporary measure.
While your staff patrolling is not a long-term solution, having someone on-site provides a minimum level of safety until the professionals arrive. Acting promptly and staying proactive helps ensure compliance and safety.
The fire marshal understands that you may not have enough staff to cover 1 person for every 2 floors. Property managers should make their best efforts to patrol all affected areas hourly.
Things to keep in mind when your staff does fire watch patrols:
- Minimum Patrol Requirements: Even if you use fewer people, every affected area must be patrolled at least once per hour.
- Exclusive Duty: Staff members assigned to fire watch must focus solely on their fire watch duties. They cannot perform their work tasks in between patrols and should remain stationed in the affected areas.
- Limited Equipment: It’s understood that your team may not have all the required equipment, such as reflective gear or megaphones.
- Time Limit: Your staff should not handle fire watch for more than 4 hours. Beyond that, a licensed fire watch agency must take over.
- Document patrols: While waiting for the professionals to arrive, make sure your team documents their patrols and dials 911 in case of fire.
Step 2: Hire a Licensed Fire Watch Company
The next step is to bring in a professional fire watch company. Choosing the right company is critical to ensuring compliance and the safety of your property.
When hiring a fire watch company, confirm the following:
- Licensing and Training: Verify that the company is licensed in Washington, D.C., and that their personnel are trained to handle fire watch duties.
- Availability of Required Equipment: Ensure the company has all the necessary equipment, including two-way radios, megaphones, reflective gear, patrol logs, and flashlights (as outlined in Section 2).
Pro Tip: Ask them what equipment does their fire watch personnel carry.
- Account Management: Look for companies that assign an account manager to your project. This is often a sign that the company is professional, experienced, and takes fire watch seriously.
- Staffing Capacity: Confirm the company can provide the correct number of personnel based on the size and layout of your building. For example, 1 person for every 2 floors, plus additional coverage for the fire control room or lobby.
- Service Agreements: Be sure to have a signed fire watch service agreement. You will be required send it to the fire marshal along with your fire watch plan.
Pro tip: Choose a fire watch vendor in advance and sign an as-needed service agreement in advance.
This eliminates the hassle of finding fire vendor at the last minute. It also protects you from price gouging during high-demand periods and ensures a lower contracted rate.
For example, is is not unheard of to see prices as high as $70-$90 per person, per hour for last-minute requests after hours or during busy periods.
Step 3: Submit a Fire Watch Plan and Contract to the Fire Marshal
Once you’ve hired a licensed fire watch company, you’ll need to send the info below to the District of Columbia Fire Marshal.
Email: fems.fireprevention@dc.gov
- A fire watch plan that details how the building will be monitored, including patrol routes and schedules. The security agency providing fire watch should be able to assist you with the fire watch plan.
- A copy of the service contract with the licensed agency providing fire watch. Your plan will not be approved without the service agreement.
After you’ve submitted the plan, the fire marshal will send an inspector to the site to confirm the accuracy of your fire watch plan and verify that fire watch is on site and compliant with the regulations.
Step 4: Maintain Fire Watch Until Approved to End
The fire watch cannot be concluded until the fire marshal’s inspector gives explicit approval. Once the inspector has verified that your fire alarm or sprinkler system is fully operational and compliant, they will authorization fire watch to end. Until then, fire watch patrols must continue without interruption to ensure safety and compliance.
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How to Properly End a Fire Watch in Washington DC
Ending a fire watch in the right way is just as important as starting one. To ensure your building is fully protected and compliant, follow these steps to safely transition out of fire watch once your fire protection systems are restored.
Step 1: Confirm System is repaired
Before ending the fire watch, your fire alarm or sprinkler system must be fully repaired and operational, and you must obtain documentation from the repair company confirming the system is back in service.
Get the right documentation
- Obtain documentation from the repair company detailing the work completed.
- Ensure the report confirms that the system is functioning at 100%.
- Test the system to verify its functionality, if possible, before notifying the fire marshal.
Step 2: Notify the Fire Marshal
After repairs are complete and you have documentation, contact the fire marshal’s office to initiate the process of ending the fire watch. You’ll need to:
- Send an email to the fire marshal reporting the system is 100% back in service.
- Include documentation from the repair company proving the repairs were completed.
- Keep fire watch on site until the fire marshal approves termination.
Timing Matters: The fire marshal’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. If you submit your request outside these hours, it will likely not be reviewed until the next business day. You must still remain on fire watch until you receive approval to terminate.
Step 3: Fire Marshal Inspection
Before the fire watch can end, the fire marshal must conduct an inspection to verify compliance. This inspection ensures that your fire protection system is fully repaired, operational, and meets all safety standards. Until the fire marshal grants approval, the fire watch must remain in place.
Your fire protection system must be free of any trouble alerts. If the system shows trouble alerts, you must provide documentation proving that the issue causing the alert does not impair the system’s ability to perform its essential functions.
If any issues are identified during the inspection, or if documentation is incomplete, the fire watch must continue until those problems are resolved and a re-inspection is completed.
What will the fire inspector do when they arrive?
- Walk through the affected floors to verify that the fire watch personnel are still on duty. This step ensures that the fire watch was not prematurely ended without approval.
- Inspect the fire alarm or sprinkler system to ensure it meets all operational standards.
Essential Alarm Functions
- Detect smoke.
- Sound the alarm in case of fire.
- Dial out to report a fire to emergency services.
Step 4: Receive Approval to End Fire Watch
After confirming that your fire protection system is operational and compliant, the fire marshal’s inspector will give verbal approval to end the fire watch. This marks the official conclusion of the fire watch period, and no further patrols are required. The fire marshal's office will also send an email documenting approval to terminate fire watch.
By following these steps, you can safely and efficiently end a fire watch while ensuring your building is fully compliant with Washington, D.C., fire safety regulations.
FAQ: Common Washington DC fire watch questions
We know fire watch can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time dealing with it. This FAQ covers the most common questions property managers and building owners have, so you can navigate the process with confidence.
Can I use my staff to conduct fire watch patrols?
Fire watch in Washington, D.C., must be conducted by personnel from a licensed security agency. Regulations prohibit property managers or building owners from using their own staff to perform fire watch duties, except as a temporary measure while waiting for the personnel from the licensed agency to arrive.
What happens if I don’t have fire watch on duty?
Failure to provide fire watch when required can result in serious consequences, including:
- Fines and Penalties: Property managers or building owners may face substantial fines for non-compliance with fire watch regulations.
- Liability Risks: In the event of a fire, the lack of fire watch could lead to increased legal and financial liability, especially if injuries or property damage occur.
- Criminal Charges: If someone is injured or worse during a fire in a building that should have been on fire watch, the responsible party could face criminal charges.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Have questions? We get it—this process can feel overwhelming. Give us a call, and we’ll provide the answers you’re looking for.