When Is Fire Watch Required in BC? Fire Watch Security for Buildings, Construction Sites, and Businesses

A fire watch is not just a guard standing beside a building.

It is a temporary life-safety measure used when a property has a higher fire risk or when normal fire protection systems are not fully protecting the building. For property managers, contractors, strata councils, landlords, developers, and business owners in British Columbia, fire watch can become urgent very quickly.

A fire alarm panel goes into trouble. A sprinkler zone is shut down for repairs. A fire pump fails. A contractor starts hot work. A building is damaged by fire. A construction site reaches a stage where fire risk increases. In these situations, someone may need to physically monitor the property until the hazard is controlled or the system is restored.

This guide explains when fire watch may be required in BC, what fire watch guards actually do, how fire watch logs work, and what building owners should do when a fire system is impaired.

This article is general planning guidance only. Fire watch requirements can depend on the building, municipality, occupancy, fire system, insurance policy, construction stage, and the local Authority Having Jurisdiction. Always confirm requirements with the local fire department, fire prevention office, qualified fire-protection technician, insurer, or project safety lead.

Quick Answer

Fire watch may be required in BC when a fire alarm, sprinkler, suppression system, standpipe, fire pump, fire panel, monitoring connection, or other life-safety system is impaired, shut down, under repair, or not functioning properly.

It may also be required during hot work, construction, demolition, fire damage, vacant-building risk, nuisance alarms, blocked exits, temporary fire hazards, or when ordered by the local fire department or Authority Having Jurisdiction.

A fire watch guard patrols the property, watches for smoke, fire, unsafe conditions, blocked exits, fire hazards, and signs of system-related risk. The guard keeps written logs, reports hazards, alerts occupants when needed, calls 911 in an emergency, and documents each patrol until the fire watch is cancelled or the hazard is cleared.

What Is Fire Watch?

Fire watch is a temporary safety measure where assigned personnel physically monitor a building, site, or risk area for fire hazards.

The purpose is to create human oversight when normal fire protection is reduced, impaired, or unavailable.

A fire watch may be used when:

• automatic detection is not working
• alarm notification may not reach occupants
• sprinkler protection is shut down
• a fire pump or standpipe is impaired
• hot work creates ignition risk
• construction introduces temporary hazards
• a fire-damaged building is unsecured
• a vacant building has elevated fire risk
• the fire department or AHJ orders additional protection

In plain language, fire watch is the human backup plan when the automatic system cannot be fully relied on.

A fire watch guard is not a firefighter. The guard's role is to observe, patrol, report, alert, document, and escalate. The goal is early detection and fast emergency notification, not structural firefighting.

Fire Watch vs Regular Security Patrol

Fire watch and regular security patrol can overlap, but they are not the same thing.

A regular security patrol usually focuses on theft, trespassing, vandalism, access control, suspicious activity, and property protection.

Fire watch focuses on life safety and fire-risk monitoring.

During fire watch, the assigned person must stay focused on the fire watch duty. They should not be distracted by unrelated work such as concierge service, janitorial tasks, maintenance work, parcel handling, front-desk duties, or general site labour if those duties prevent proper patrol and observation.

Service | Main Purpose | Best Used For

Fire Watch | Fire hazard monitoring and life-safety documentation | Impaired alarms, sprinklers, hot work, construction, fire-damaged sites

Mobile Patrol | Visible property security and exterior checks | Vacant properties, commercial sites, construction yards, after-hours risk

Alarm Response | Responding to alarm activations | Intrusion alarms, monitored alarms, after-hours callouts

On-Site Security | Dedicated guard presence | Access control, high-risk sites, repeated incidents, temporary protection

A mobile patrol may support a property security plan, but it may not be enough when an AHJ requires continuous or structured fire watch. If a fire watch is ordered, the patrol frequency, documentation, and staffing must match the requirement.

When Fire Watch May Be Required in BC

Fire watch may be required when the normal level of fire protection is reduced.

The most common situations include:

• fire alarm system out of service
• sprinkler system shut down
• fire pump failure
• standpipe system impairment
• fire suppression system issue
• fire panel trouble or communication failure
• alarm monitoring connection down
• fire system inspection, repair, or replacement
• hot work such as welding, cutting, grinding, torch work, or roofing
• construction, alteration, or demolition activity
• vacant or fire-damaged buildings
• nuisance alarms or unreliable fire alarm operation
• blocked exits or reduced emergency access
• temporary fire hazards
• local fire department order
• insurance or restoration requirement

The key question is simple:

If a fire started right now, would the building still detect it, alert people, suppress it, and allow safe evacuation as intended?

If the answer is no, fire watch may be needed.

1. Fire Alarm System Out of Service

A fire alarm system exists to detect danger and alert occupants.

If the system is out of service, unreliable, silenced, disconnected, or under repair, the building may not be able to alert people quickly during a fire.

This is especially serious in:

• residential buildings
• strata buildings
• hotels
• care facilities
• mixed-use buildings
• buildings with sleeping accommodation
• high-rise buildings
• occupied commercial buildings
• schools or assembly spaces
• buildings with complex layouts

A fire alarm issue may include:

• panel trouble
• disabled devices
• disconnected monitoring
• failed communication line
• alarm replacement work
• damaged wiring
• system testing that removes protection from an area
• repeated false alarms that reduce trust in the system

When alarm protection is reduced, fire watch personnel may need to patrol affected areas, watch for smoke or fire, keep exits clear, notify occupants of the impairment, and call emergency services if a problem is found.

2. Sprinkler, Standpipe, or Fire Pump Shutdown

Sprinklers and standpipes are critical fire protection systems.

If a sprinkler system is drained, shut off, frozen, damaged, or under repair, the building may lose automatic fire suppression in part or all of the property.

This can happen during:

• tenant improvements
• sprinkler pipe repair
• parkade sprinkler failures
• fire pump repairs
• water main interruptions
• accidental sprinkler damage
• frozen sprinkler lines
• planned maintenance
• demolition or renovation work

When suppression is impaired, fire watch may be required until protection is restored.

A fire watch guard can help by monitoring affected areas, checking for fire hazards, watching mechanical or electrical rooms, keeping fire lanes clear, and escalating emergencies quickly.

The fire watch does not fix the sprinkler system. It is a temporary safety measure until a qualified technician restores protection.

3. Fire Protection System Repairs or Testing

Sometimes systems are taken offline intentionally.

A contractor may need to isolate part of the alarm system, drain a sprinkler zone, replace detectors, repair a panel, or test equipment. Even planned work can create a temporary gap in protection.

Property managers should ask three questions before system work starts:

1. What exact system or zone will be impaired?

2. How long will the impairment last?

3. What alternative safety measures are required during that time?

Short planned work may only require a limited fire watch during the impairment window. Longer repairs, after-hours delays, occupied buildings, or system-wide outages may require more structured coverage.

Do not assume the technician will be finished before the risk becomes serious. Many fire watch situations start because a "short repair" turns into an overnight system outage.

4. Hot Work

Hot work is work that creates heat, sparks, flame, or ignition sources.

Examples include:

• welding
• cutting
• grinding
• brazing
• soldering
• torch work
• torch-applied roofing
• spark-producing tools
• work involving open flame

Hot work is high risk because sparks and heat can travel into wall cavities, ceilings, insulation, dust, debris, roofing material, packaging, or combustible storage. A fire may not appear immediately. It may smoulder behind a wall or inside a hidden area after workers leave.

That is why fire watch is commonly required during and after hot work.

A hot work fire watch may include:

• checking nearby combustible materials
• watching the work area during active work
• checking lower levels if sparks can fall
• inspecting adjacent rooms or concealed spaces
• ensuring extinguishers are nearby
• monitoring after the work ends
• completing final checks before leaving
• documenting the fire watch

Contractors should not pack up immediately after welding, cutting, grinding, or torch work without confirming post-work fire watch requirements.

5. Construction, Alteration, and Demolition

Construction sites can create significant fire risk.

This is especially true when a project has:

• open framing
• exposed combustible materials
• temporary electrical systems
• temporary heating
• propane or fuel storage
• cutting and welding
• roofing work
• dust-producing work
• unfinished fire separations
• incomplete fire alarm systems
• incomplete sprinkler systems
• limited after-hours supervision
• multiple contractors on site

Construction fire watch may be required by the fire safety plan, local fire department, municipality, project safety team, insurer, or AHJ.

Fire watch on a construction site may involve more than watching hot work. It may also include:

• checking temporary heaters
• checking waste and combustible material buildup
• confirming access routes are clear
• monitoring fire lanes
• checking fences and gates
• verifying extinguishers are accessible
• watching partially occupied areas
• reporting unsafe contractor activity
• documenting after-hours site conditions

For active projects, Zentra's Construction Security services can support site visibility, access control, after-hours patrol, and fire watch coverage when required by the site plan or AHJ.

6. Vacant or Fire-Damaged Buildings

Vacant and fire-damaged buildings can create serious fire risk.

A fire-damaged property may have:

• broken windows
• breached fire separations
• damaged electrical systems
• disabled alarms
• disabled sprinklers
• open access points
• unstable interiors
• combustible debris
• unauthorized entry risk

A vacant building may attract trespassing, unauthorized sheltering, vandalism, copper theft, open-flame activity, illegal dumping, or arson risk.

Fire watch may be required when a vacant or damaged property is considered unsafe, unsecured, or at higher risk of fire.

This connects closely with vacant property security. A property may need both security patrol and fire watch depending on the condition of the building, municipal requirements, insurance expectations, and whether life-safety systems are operational.

Zentra's Mobile Patrol and Fire Watch services can work together for vacant or damaged sites where both property protection and fire-risk monitoring are concerns.

7. Nuisance Alarms or Unreliable Alarm Systems

Repeated nuisance alarms can create risk.

If occupants, tenants, staff, or contractors hear frequent false alarms, they may stop treating alarms seriously. This can create dangerous alarm fatigue.

A local fire department may require corrective action if the system is unreliable, repeatedly activates without cause, or cannot be trusted to perform properly.

In some cases, fire watch may be required until the issue is repaired and the system is verified.

Who Can Require Fire Watch?

Fire watch can be required or requested by different parties.

Common sources include:

Local Fire Department or AHJ

The Authority Having Jurisdiction, often the local fire department, fire prevention officer, Fire Chief, or municipal authority, may order fire watch when a building or site does not have adequate fire protection.

If the AHJ orders fire watch, the owner or responsible party should treat it as urgent and follow the exact instructions given.

Property Owner or Property Manager

Owners and property managers may start fire watch voluntarily when they identify risk.

This can happen before an official order is issued, especially when a fire alarm or sprinkler system is unexpectedly impaired after hours.

Insurance Company or Broker

An insurer may require documentation, inspections, or fire watch during a system impairment, fire damage, construction risk, or vacancy situation.

Insurance requirements depend on the policy. Owners should confirm directly with their broker or insurer.

Construction Safety Officer or Site Supervisor

On construction sites, fire watch may be required by the fire safety plan, safety procedures, hot work permit, general contractor, project owner, or site supervisor.

Restoration Contractor

After a fire, flood, sprinkler event, or emergency repair, a restoration contractor may recommend fire watch if systems are impaired or the building is temporarily unsafe.

BC Municipal Requirements Can Differ

Fire watch is not always handled the same way in every BC municipality.

The Province sets the fire code framework, but local municipalities and fire departments may have their own procedures, forms, patrol expectations, documentation requirements, and cancellation steps.

For example, Vancouver provides detailed fire watch guidance for buildings with inoperable fire systems. It may require 24-hour fire watch until systems are restored by a qualified technician. Vancouver's fire watch procedure also outlines patrol intervals and written log expectations.

Other municipalities may use different wording, forms, inspection frequencies, or fire safety plan requirements.

Property managers should never assume that what worked in one city will automatically satisfy another city.

For properties in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Mission, Delta, or New Westminster, confirm the current requirement with the local fire department or fire prevention office.

What Does a Fire Watch Guard Actually Do?

A fire watch guard's duties should be clear before the shift begins.

Typical fire watch duties may include:

• patrol assigned areas
• watch for smoke, fire, heat, sparks, or burning smells
• check areas affected by alarm or sprinkler impairment
• inspect stairwells and exit routes
• check fire lanes and emergency access
• monitor mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, parkades, storage rooms, and service spaces
• watch hot work areas during and after work
• look for blocked exits or combustible material buildup
• identify unsafe conditions
• call 911 if fire, smoke, or emergency conditions are found
• alert occupants using the approved method
• notify site contacts, property managers, or supervisors
• keep a written fire watch log
• report incidents and hazards
• maintain handoff notes between shifts

A fire watch guard should know:

• the patrol route
• the required patrol frequency
• what system is impaired
• who the emergency contacts are
• how to notify occupants
• how to contact 911
• where fire extinguishers are located
• where exits and fire lanes are located
• where the fire watch log is kept
• when the fire watch can and cannot be cancelled

The guard should not be guessing.

Fire Watch Patrol Logs and Documentation

Documentation is one of the most important parts of fire watch.

A fire watch that is not documented is difficult to prove after the fact.

A proper fire watch log may include:

• property address
• date
• shift start and end time
• guard name
• supervisor name
• system or hazard being monitored
• patrol frequency
• areas checked
• time of each patrol
• conditions observed
• hazards found
• corrective action taken
• notifications made
• photos or incident report references
• shift handoff notes
• initials or signature

A basic fire watch log can look like this:

Time | Area Checked | Condition | Issue Found | Action Taken | Initials

18:00 | Lobby, stairwells, parkade, electrical room | Clear | None | Continued patrol | JS

18:30 | Floors 1-3, rear exit, fire lane | Hazard | Boxes near exit door | Notified site contact, boxes moved | JS

19:00 | Lobby, stairwells, parkade, electrical room | Clear | None | Continued patrol | JS

19:30 | Floors 1-3, rear exit, fire lane | Clear | None | Continued patrol | JS

The log should be clear enough that a property manager, fire inspector, insurer, or site supervisor can understand what was checked and what happened.

Do not use vague notes like:

• "all good"
• "checked"
• "nothing"
• "ok"
• blank entries

Use simple, specific language.

Better examples include:

• "North stairwell clear"
• "No smoke or burning smell observed"
• "Parkade sprinkler repair zone checked"
• "Combustible debris found near rear exit and reported"
• "Fire lane blocked by contractor vehicle; supervisor notified"
• "No unauthorized activity observed"

24-Hour Fire Watch vs Scheduled Fire Watch

Not every fire watch is the same.

Some situations may require continuous 24-hour coverage. Others may require scheduled checks, temporary coverage, or monitoring during a specific activity.

The correct level depends on the AHJ, building occupancy, system impairment, risk level, and duration.

Situation | Likely Fire Watch Approach | Why

Fire alarm system fully out of service | Often continuous fire watch until restored | Occupants may not receive automatic warning

Sprinkler system shut down | Often continuous or structured fire watch | Automatic suppression may be unavailable

Fire pump or standpipe issue | Often requires AHJ review and structured monitoring | Fire department operations may be affected

Hot work in a defined area | Fire watch during work and after work as required | Sparks or heat may ignite hidden materials

Short planned maintenance | Fire watch during impairment if required | Protection is reduced during the work window

Fire-damaged vacant building | May require guard or fire watch coverage | Unauthorized entry and damaged systems increase risk

Construction site with wood framing or high fuel load | May require site-specific fire watch | Permanent fire systems may not be operational yet

Nuisance alarms or unreliable panel | May require watch until repaired | Occupants may not trust or receive proper alarm notification

The safest approach is to ask the local fire department or fire prevention office what level of fire watch is required before assuming a reduced schedule is acceptable.

What To Do in the First 30 Minutes

When a fire system is impaired, the first 30 minutes matter.

A property manager or site supervisor should move quickly.

Step 1: Identify the Problem

Find out what is impaired.

Is it:

• the full fire alarm system?
• part of the alarm system?
• sprinkler system?
• fire pump?
• standpipe?
• monitoring connection?
• suppression system?
• one floor or zone?
• the whole building?

Step 2: Contact the Fire Protection Technician

Arrange repair or inspection immediately.

Fire watch is temporary. The real goal is to restore the fire protection system as quickly as possible.

Step 3: Contact the Fire Department or AHJ When Required

If the system impairment triggers notification requirements, contact the local fire department, fire prevention office, or AHJ.

Do not rely on assumptions.

Step 4: Notify the Alarm Monitoring Company

If applicable, confirm whether the monitoring company needs to be notified about testing, impairment, or system status.

Step 5: Deploy Fire Watch Personnel

Assign trained, dedicated personnel to begin patrols.

Do not wait until the repair timeline is known if the building is already unprotected.

Step 6: Start the Fire Watch Log

Begin documenting immediately.

Record the time the impairment was discovered, who was notified, when fire watch started, and what areas are being checked.

Step 7: Notify Occupants or Site Contacts

If required, notify tenants, occupants, contractors, or responsible site contacts that fire watch is in effect and explain how emergencies will be communicated.

Information to Give Your Fire Watch Provider

When requesting fire watch coverage, provide clear details.

This helps the security provider deploy the right guard, patrol plan, and documentation process.

Give the provider:

• property address
• building type
• whether the building is occupied
• whether there is sleeping accommodation
• number of floors or areas to patrol
• what system is impaired
• whether the fire department has issued an order
• required patrol frequency, if known
• contact person on site
• after-hours emergency contact
• access instructions
• alarm panel location
• fire watch log requirement
• technician ETA
• known hazards
• areas not safe to enter
• whether tenants or public are present
• parking or gate access details

The better the intake, the better the fire watch.

Fire Watch for Commercial Buildings

Commercial buildings often need fire watch because they have occupants, tenants, visitors, staff, and business operations relying on fire systems.

Fire watch may be needed in:

• office buildings
• retail plazas
• warehouses
• restaurants
• mixed-use buildings
• strata buildings
• hotels
• industrial buildings
• schools
• care facilities
• tenant improvement projects

Common commercial fire watch scenarios include:

• alarm panel trouble
• sprinkler repair
• parkade sprinkler issue
• monitoring connection failure
• fire pump impairment
• tenant improvement work
• system replacement
• water shutdown affecting sprinklers
• fire alarm devices disabled during renovation
• overnight repair delays

For commercial landlords, the major risk is assuming someone else has it handled.

The fire technician may be handling repairs. The alarm company may be handling monitoring. The building manager may be handling tenant communication. But someone still needs to physically monitor the property if fire watch is required.

That responsibility should be assigned clearly.

Fire Watch for Strata and Residential Buildings

Strata and residential buildings require special attention because people may be sleeping inside.

A fire alarm or sprinkler impairment in a residential building can create higher risk because occupants may not notice smoke or fire until it is too late.

Strata councils and property managers should be especially careful with:

• overnight impairments
• panel trouble after business hours
• parkade sprinkler issues
• high-rise buildings
• seniors or vulnerable residents
• tenants requiring evacuation assistance
• repeated false alarms
• fire alarm replacement projects
• sprinkler shutdowns during repairs

A residential fire watch plan should consider:

• how residents are notified
• how people requiring assistance are identified
• how common areas are patrolled
• how stairwells and exits are checked
• how the fire department will be contacted
• how patrols will be documented
• when the watch can be cancelled

Fire Watch for Construction Sites

Construction sites are different from finished buildings.

A finished building usually has permanent fire alarms, sprinklers, emergency lighting, exits, and fire separations.

A construction site may not.

During construction, fire risk can increase because of:

• exposed framing
• incomplete fire separations
• combustible material storage
• temporary heat
• temporary power
• roofing work
• hot work
• dust and debris
• multiple contractors
• unfinished stairs or exits
• after-hours trespassing
• lack of permanent fire detection

Fire watch on a construction site may support the site's fire safety plan by monitoring hazards and documenting checks.

For construction sites, fire watch may be needed during:

• hot work
• demolition
• partially occupied construction
• wood-frame construction phases
• temporary heating use
• fire system shutdowns
• after-hours high-risk periods
• insurance-required site monitoring

Zentra Protection can support construction fire watch with trained guard coverage, patrol reporting, access control support, and coordination with site supervisors.

Fire Watch for Vacant or Fire-Damaged Properties

Vacant properties are already vulnerable.

Fire-damaged properties are even more sensitive.

If a building has damaged utilities, broken windows, disabled systems, unsecured access, combustible debris, or unauthorized entry risk, fire watch may be part of the response plan.

A fire-damaged property may need:

• immediate securing
• temporary guard coverage
• mobile patrol
• fire watch
• access control
• documentation
• coordination with restoration contractors
• communication with the insurer
• municipal follow-up

A vacant-property security plan focuses on theft, trespassing, vandalism, dumping, and property protection.

A fire watch plan focuses on fire risk, life safety, impaired systems, unsafe conditions, and emergency escalation.

Some properties need both.

Insurance and Liability Considerations

Fire watch can also matter for insurance documentation.

Many property insurance and builder's risk policies are written based on the expectation that fire protection systems are functional and maintained. When fire alarms, sprinklers, fire pumps, or suppression systems are impaired, the risk profile of the building changes.

Depending on the policy, the insurer may expect the owner or manager to:

• notify the broker or insurer
• arrange repairs quickly
• maintain alternative safety measures
• keep records
• inspect the property
• document patrols
• follow AHJ directions
• retain fire watch logs

Do not assume coverage works the same way when systems are impaired.

Speak with your insurer or broker when fire protection systems are down, especially if the impairment is significant, overnight, recurring, or affects an occupied building.

Security reports and fire watch logs do not guarantee coverage, but they may help show that reasonable steps were taken to manage the risk.

Common Mistakes With Fire Watch Security

Fire watch problems usually happen because people treat the situation as minor at the beginning.

A panel trouble starts late in the day. A technician may not arrive until tomorrow. The manager assumes the system still mostly works. Someone says they will keep an eye on things. No proper log is started. No one confirms what the fire department, insurer, or property manager expects.

That is how a small system issue can turn into a bigger operational problem.

Common mistakes include:

1. Waiting too long to arrange coverage

Fire watch should be considered as soon as a system impairment, hot work risk, or authority request becomes clear. Waiting until after hours can reduce staffing options and make deployment more difficult.

2. Assuming cameras replace fire watch

Cameras can support monitoring, but they usually do not replace physical fire watch patrols when fire watch is requested. A camera cannot smell smoke, physically check a stairwell, clear an exit path, or directly alert occupants.

3. Not keeping proper logs

Fire watch requires documentation. If nobody can show when patrols happened, which areas were checked, or what was observed, the service becomes much weaker.

4. Underestimating the property layout

A site may look simple from the outside but include multiple floors, parkades, service rooms, roof access, stairwells, exterior gates, or hidden mechanical areas.

5. Choosing only the cheapest hourly rate

Fire watch is not the right service to choose only by lowest price. The provider should be able to deliver patrols, logs, communication, supervision, and reliable coverage.

6. Not confirming the actual requirement

Fire watch expectations can depend on the local fire authority, insurer, property manager, site safety plan, or authority having jurisdiction. Always confirm what applies to the specific property.

7. Forgetting access instructions

Guards need clear access to keys, fobs, lockboxes, mechanical rooms, stairwells, parkades, gates, and emergency contact information before the shift begins.

8. Not updating the security provider when repairs change

If the fire technician delays the repair, the coverage schedule may need to change. Keeping the security provider updated helps avoid gaps in coverage.

9. Ignoring documentation after the shift

Patrol reports, fire watch logs, incident notes, and photos should be saved by the property manager or site contact for internal records.

10. Treating fire watch like regular static security

Fire watch is more structured than simply posting a guard. It requires active patrols, hazard observation, documentation, communication, and escalation if something changes.

Fire Watch Checklist for Property Managers

Use this checklist when a fire system is impaired or when a fire watch may be required.

System and Risk

• Identify what system is impaired
• Confirm whether the issue affects one area or the whole building
• Confirm whether the building is occupied
• Confirm whether anyone sleeps in the building
• Identify high-risk rooms, floors, or zones
• Check whether exits, stairwells, and fire lanes are clear

Notifications

• Contact the fire protection technician
• Contact the local fire department or AHJ when required
• Notify the alarm monitoring company if applicable
• Notify building ownership or strata council
• Notify tenants or occupants when required
• Notify the insurer or broker when appropriate
• Notify site supervisors or contractors if construction is involved

Fire Watch Setup

• Assign trained fire watch personnel
• Confirm patrol route
• Confirm patrol frequency
• Provide emergency contacts
• Provide access keys or fobs
• Confirm radio or phone communication
• Confirm occupant alert method
• Confirm fire extinguisher locations
• Confirm unsafe areas that should not be entered

Documentation

• Start the fire watch log immediately
• Record patrol times
• Record areas checked
• Record conditions observed
• Record hazards found
• Record corrective actions
• Record notifications
• Keep photos where useful
• Keep shift handoff notes
• Store logs with building records

Ending the Fire Watch

• Confirm repairs are complete
• Confirm the system has been restored
• Confirm monitoring has been restored if applicable
• Confirm the AHJ or responsible authority allows cancellation when required
• Keep final documentation
• Review what caused the impairment
• Update the fire safety plan if needed

Fire Watch Log Template

Property managers should use the format required by the local fire department or AHJ when one is provided.

A practical internal log can include:

Date | Shift | Guard | System / Hazard | Patrol Frequency

2026-06-08 | 18:00-06:00 | Officer Name | Fire alarm panel out of service | Every 30 minutes

Time | Area Checked | Condition Observed | Issue Found | Action Taken | Initials

18:00 | Lobby, stairwell A, stairwell B | Clear | None | Continued patrol | AB

18:30 | Floors 1-3, parkade | Clear | None | Continued patrol | AB

19:00 | Rear exit, electrical room | Hazard | Rear exit partially blocked | Site contact notified, obstruction removed | AB

19:30 | Lobby, stairwell A, stairwell B | Clear | None | Continued patrol | AB

A strong log should answer:

• Who was on fire watch?
• What system or hazard was being monitored?
• What time was each patrol completed?
• What areas were checked?
• What was found?
• What action was taken?
• Who was notified?
• When was the watch handed off or cancelled?

How Zentra Protection Helps With Fire Watch

Zentra Protection provides fire watch security support for properties, businesses, construction sites, vacant buildings, and emergency situations across service areas in British Columbia.

Our fire watch support may include:

• trained fire watch guards
• 24-hour fire watch coverage when required
• scheduled fire watch patrols
• fire watch logs
• access-point checks
• exit and fire lane checks
• construction fire watch
• hot work support
• commercial building fire watch
• vacant or fire-damaged property coverage
• incident reporting
• photo documentation
• escalation to site contacts
• coordination with property managers and supervisors

Our goal is to help clients respond quickly, document properly, and maintain visible life-safety coverage until the system is restored or the fire watch is cleared.

For urgent support, visit Fire Watch or Contact Zentra Protection.

Zentra Field Insight

The biggest fire watch problems are usually not caused by the guard.

They are caused by unclear responsibility.

A fire alarm panel goes into trouble. The technician is called. The manager assumes the monitoring company knows. The concierge assumes the property manager is handling it. The contractor assumes the site supervisor has notified the fire department. Everyone thinks someone else started the log.

Fire watch works best when one person owns the process.

That person should confirm:

• what is impaired
• who was notified
• who is patrolling
• what route is being checked
• how often checks are required
• where the log is kept
• when the technician is arriving
• who can cancel the fire watch
• how the final report will be stored

Clear responsibility prevents confusion.

Fire Watch Decision Table

Property Situation | Security Recommendation

Fire alarm panel out of service in occupied building | Confirm AHJ requirements and arrange dedicated fire watch immediately

Sprinkler repair affecting part of building | Confirm affected zone, patrol route, and documentation requirement

Hot work at commercial site | Use hot work fire watch during and after the work as required

Fire pump issue | Treat as serious impairment and confirm requirements with AHJ

Vacant fire-damaged property | Combine securing, patrol, and fire watch if required

Construction site with high fire risk | Follow the fire safety plan and AHJ direction

Short planned alarm testing | Confirm if temporary watch or notification is needed

Repeated nuisance alarms | Arrange technician review and confirm if fire watch is required

Insurance requests documentation | Keep fire watch logs, reports, photos, and communication records

Final Thoughts

Fire watch is not something to improvise.

When a fire alarm, sprinkler, suppression system, fire pump, standpipe, or monitoring connection is impaired, the building's normal life-safety protection may be reduced. When hot work, construction, demolition, fire damage, or vacancy creates added risk, fire watch may become part of the safety plan.

The best response is simple:

Act early. Confirm requirements. Notify the right parties. Assign dedicated personnel. Keep clear logs. Restore the system as quickly as possible.

For property managers, contractors, strata councils, landlords, and business owners in BC, fire watch is not just about compliance. It is about protecting people, property, operations, and documentation when the automatic systems cannot be fully relied on.

Need fire watch coverage for a building, construction site, vacant property, or system impairment? Contact Zentra Protection to discuss fire watch security support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fire watch?

Fire watch is a temporary safety measure where assigned personnel patrol a building, site, or risk area to watch for fire, smoke, unsafe conditions, blocked exits, and fire hazards. It is often used when fire alarms, sprinklers, suppression systems, or other life-safety systems are impaired.

When is fire watch required in BC?

Fire watch may be required when a fire alarm, sprinkler, fire pump, standpipe, suppression system, or monitoring connection is out of service, under repair, or not functioning properly. It may also be required during hot work, construction, demolition, fire damage, vacant-building risk, or when ordered by the local fire department or AHJ.

Who can order a fire watch?

A fire watch may be ordered by the local fire department, Fire Chief, fire prevention officer, building official, or other Authority Having Jurisdiction. It may also be required by an insurer, construction safety plan, restoration contractor, property owner, or property manager.

Is fire watch required when a fire alarm is down?

Fire watch may be required when a fire alarm system is down, impaired, disconnected, unreliable, or unable to properly alert occupants. The exact requirement depends on the building, occupancy, municipality, system status, and AHJ direction.

Is fire watch required when sprinklers are shut off?

Fire watch may be required when a sprinkler system, standpipe, fire pump, or suppression system is shut down or impaired. Property managers should confirm requirements with the local fire department, fire protection technician, and insurer.

What does a fire watch guard do?

A fire watch guard patrols assigned areas, watches for smoke, fire, unsafe conditions, blocked exits, and fire hazards, checks affected zones, keeps written logs, reports hazards, alerts occupants when required, and calls 911 in an emergency.

Are fire watch guards firefighters?

No. Fire watch guards are not firefighters. Their role is observation, reporting, emergency notification, occupant alerting, and documentation. They do not replace the fire department or the need to repair fire protection systems.

How often should fire watch patrols happen?

Fire watch frequency depends on the AHJ, municipality, building type, occupancy, and system impairment. Some situations may require continuous 24-hour coverage, while others may require patrols at set intervals. Always confirm the required frequency with the local authority.

Do fire watch guards need logs?

Yes. Fire watch should be documented with clear written logs showing patrol times, areas checked, conditions observed, hazards found, actions taken, and notifications made. Logs may be requested by property managers, fire officials, insurers, or site supervisors.

Can regular staff perform fire watch?

In some situations, building staff may be allowed to perform fire watch if they are trained, dedicated to the task, and not distracted by other duties. However, requirements depend on the AHJ and the specific situation. Many property managers use professional fire watch guards to maintain clearer documentation and dedicated coverage.

Is fire watch required for hot work?

Fire watch is commonly required during and after hot work such as welding, cutting, grinding, torch work, or other spark-producing activities. Contractors should confirm hot work permit, fire safety plan, and AHJ requirements before work begins.

When can fire watch end?

Fire watch should not end until the impaired system is restored, the hazard is removed, and the appropriate authority, technician, or responsible party confirms the watch can be cancelled. In some municipalities, specific cancellation procedures may apply.

Does fire watch replace repairing the fire alarm or sprinkler system?

No. Fire watch is temporary. It does not replace repairing or restoring the fire alarm, sprinkler, standpipe, fire pump, or suppression system. Repairs should be completed by qualified technicians as soon as possible.

Does fire watch help with insurance documentation?

Fire watch logs and reports may help document that the property owner or manager took steps to monitor the risk during an impairment. However, security documentation does not guarantee insurance coverage. Always confirm requirements directly with the insurer or broker.

Does Zentra Protection provide fire watch in BC?

Yes. Zentra Protection provides fire watch security support for commercial buildings, construction sites, vacant properties, fire-damaged sites, and properties with impaired life-safety systems across service areas in British Columbia.