Reasons of Getting A Fire Watch
It can be very difficult if the Fire Watch Guards want you to provide a fire clock in your building. Fire clocks are often misunderstood and are a way to prevent fires from entering. But really, making a person is easy and if properly planned, it should not hurt.
WHY WOULD I NEED A FIRE CLOCK?
Fire Watch and firefighting programs
Fire Watch Services is often needed for four reasons:
A building fire alarm, a fire extinguisher, or a fire extinguisher system is not working or the fire extinguisher is pre-programmed for more than four hours. A firefighter often needs to be informed of such situations. * Check with your local AHJ (Authorized Officer) for local needs.
A lot of hot work is being done on the site. Hot work involves heating, flashlighting, and any other activity to produce sparks or flames. Many building fires are lit by activities that are considered heat.
During the demolition of a building during certain hazardous activities such as hot work.
Crowds in the building need additional security measures. Some public meeting buildings are required to hold alarms during events to protect more people.
HOW DO I MAKE A FIRE CLOCK?
A fire clock consists of one or more trained person who performs the following functions:
Zealously monitor fires
Blocking fire sources
Ensuring adequate exit routes and removing exit barriers if necessary
Immediate correction of identified risks
Arranging for contact with firefighters
It is ready to extinguish any fires using a portable fire extinguisher or plumbing
To warn residents of any dangerous situations that need to be removed
HOW DO I COLLECT A FIRE CLOCK?
It is important to take the time to properly set the fire clock. The fire clock should cover the building in an orderly fashion over and over again, usually closing the entire building every hour. The only exception is in hot work cases, where part of the structure exposed to danger will need to be considered. Part of the planning is to keep records of the ongoing fire clock. For a useful form that you can use as part of your fire clock download our recommended form here.
Laws and the use of fire alarms vary between cities and law enforcement officials, but usually with system shutdown something will be required. Another option is to get out of the building during a walk, but that is rarely a popular choice. But yes, if a fire marshal needs a fire clock, you will have to do it.
WHEN SHOULD THE FIRE CLOCK BE OVER?
The answer depends on the purpose of the watch. With system shutdown the clock can be turned off after the affected system has been restored to service. With hot work and clocks related to building a sixth law clock can be completed half an hour after the hot work is completed. For needed watches during large crowd events the clock can be stopped after the event is over and the crowd is gone.
