What is the purpose of a Fire Watch?

The purpose of a Fire Watch is primarily to monitor for potential fire hazards. This role is crucial in situations where fire protection systems are impaired, such as when a building’s fire alarm or sprinkler system is temporarily out of service. Personnel on Fire Watch are responsible for observing their surroundings, identifying any signs of smoke or fire, and ensuring that safety protocols are followed to prevent fires before they occur.

While extinguishing fires is an important aspect of fire safety, it is not the main function of a Fire Watch, as the primary objective is to preemptively identify hazards and mitigate risks rather than actively combat fires. Conducting fire drills and installing smoke alarms are both critical components of fire prevention strategies, but they fall under different operational responsibilities and are not the central role of a Fire Watch. Fire Drills prepare occupants for emergency situations, and the installation of smoke alarms is part of building safety measures, but again, these do not align with the specific duties of monitoring and mitigating immediate fire risks that a Fire Watch encompasses.