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Fire Marshal’s Office

Fire Watch Policy

(Revision 1)

  1. PURPOSE

    This policy outlines the guidelines for posting a fire watch if the fire alarm and/or fire suppression system (i.e. sprinkler systems, gaseous extinguishing systems, etc.) in any University building becomes inoperable and the building need to remain occupied. A fire watch allows buildings to be temporarily occupied when the above-mentioned systems are out of service.  This procedure will be followed when a fire detection or suppression system becomes impaired for greater than 4 hours in any 24-hour period.

  2. PERSONNEL AFFECTED

    University Security, Facilities, Environmental Health & Safety staff, and outside contractors

  3. DEFINITIONS

      EH&S- Environmental Health and Safety department of the University of Rochester
      Fire Watch (responsible person) - A person trained in the safety and fire safety consideration concerned with hot work. Fire watch is a qualified person who ensures a continuous and systematic surveillance of a building or portion of the building or activity. They function as the fire alarm system to report fires or similar emergencies to University Security and to initiate evacuation of a building if a fire or emergency occurs. Fire Watch personnel must be trained in the University’s Procedure for Reporting Fire Emergencies and possesses a means of communicating with the Security Communications Center. Fire watch personnel shall carry a functional cellular phone/radio while on duty, and be familiar with the emergency number for UR Security, dial 13 from a UR house phone, #413 from a AT&T or Verizon cell phone, or 275-3333.

  4. RESPONSIBILITIES

    1. University Security – monitor status of fire detection/suppression systems and notify EH&S of any problems
    2. EH&S staff – assess reported problems and determine necessary subsequent processes
    3. Outside Contractors – maintain fire watches as necessary in construction area
    4. Facilities and all other University personnel – maintain fire watches as necessary in specific areas as need arises if so trained

  5. PROCEDURES

    1. Security will immediately inform EH&S if a fire detection or suppression system is impaired.
    2. EH&S will perform an assessment of the impairment and, based on that assessment, use these guidelines.
    3. Based on EH&S assessment and the magnitude of the impairment, a fire watch might be established in a building when the building is occupied and the fire detection and/or fire suppression system is temporarily shut down more than 4 hours for reasons including maintenance, system failures, periodic inspection, renovation, or demolition work. The areas that are affected by the outage or malfunction will be covered until the system has been repaired, tested and placed back into service.
    4. A fire watch could be manned by security, nursing, facilities, EH&S or other personnel who have been trained or approved by EH&S, including contractors from outside the university.
    5. Contractors will be responsible for implementing a fire watch for impairments caused by construction work. Each affected floor may require a trained person as determined by EH&S.
    6. A fire watch shall consist of trained personnel who continuously patrol the affected area. Ready access to fire extinguishers and the ability to promptly notify UR Security/ Fire Department are critical steps to fire intervention. During the patrol of the area, the fire watch officer should not only be looking for fire, but also making sure that the other fire protection features of the building such as egress routes and proper lighting are available and functioning properly.
    7. Fire Watch personnel must check-in periodically with University Security or the manager or supervisor of the UR facility that is performing the fire watch or the company operating on UR premises where the fire watch has been determined to be necessary by the Fire Marshal's Office. This check-in must occur at the beginning and ending of each shift. Personnel must provide UR Fire Marshal with final documentation that includes the names for personnel, and all shift dates and times for duration of the required fire watch.
    8. A fire watch will be conducted until the fire alarm and/or suppression system has been repaired, tested, and placed back into service.
    9. Regularly patrol the building being protected by fire watch until the system is restored.
    10. For system impairments, EH&S or Security will notify the Fire Department and insurance carrier of the malfunction or planned outage of a building fire alarm and/or suppression system.
    11. For system restorations, EH&S or Security will notify the Fire Department and insurance carrier that the system has been repaired, tested and placed back in service and the fire watch is being terminated.
    12. Immediately notify security of any reports of smoke or flames in the building protected by a fire watch.
    13. Fire Watch shall not leave their post until approved by the University Fire Safety Coordinator or Security Officer.
    14. A fire watch should check and have corrected the following in all rooms including:
      • Resident rooms (remove smoking materials and extension cords);
      • Dietary and Laundry rooms (remove lint from dryers and soiled linen);
      • Mechanical and Electrical rooms (remove combustible/flammable materials);
      • Fire department access to the facility (remove snow and ice from exits);
      • Fire department access to hydrants, sprinkler connections, standpipes and fire extinguishers;
      • Exit access, exits and exit discharge are unobstructed;
      • Storage of combustible or flammable materials shall be in approved containers or designated storage areas;
      • Identify temporary heating devices and have them removed;
      • Fire and Smoke doors closed properly;
      • Machinery unnecessary to be running continuously is turned off;
      • Sprinkler valves shall be open and sealed, gauges indicate normal pressures, and sprinkler heads shall be unobstructed;
      • Construction or renovation work areas shall be monitored continuously.

    15. Additional fire extinguishers shall be distributed facility-wide and staff shall be informed of locations.


  6. REFERENCES

    New York State Fire Code 901.7
    National Fire Protection Association NFPA 51B

  7. APPENDICES/FORMS

    Not applicable

  8. REVISION HISTORY

    Date

    Revision No.

    Description

    10/9/2007

    New

    Establish written procedures for when a fire watch is needed and how one is conducted.

    4/16/09

    1

    Provide additional instructions on fire watch responsibilities

QUESTIONS? Contact the EH&S Fire Marshal's Office at (585) 275-3243 or e-mail EH&S Questions.

This page last updated 5/7/2009. Disclaimer.