It’s 6 PM on a Friday. Your building’s fire alarm system just went offline, and the fire marshal has already been notified. You have four hours to get a fire watch in place—or face evacuation orders, fines, and a very long weekend.
We’ve taken this call hundreds of times. Property managers scrambling to find coverage, unsure who to trust and who can handle the work as soon as possible, while also worried about what happens if they get it wrong.
The stakes aren’t small. Fire code violations can trigger fines starting at $500 to $2,500 per day, and severe violations can shut your building down entirely. It pays to be prepared and have a fire watch service on your side that you know has your back.
Here’s what actually separates the best commercial fire watch providers from the rest—and what you should look for before you hire.
What Makes a Fire Watch Provider “the Best” for Commercial Properties?
Rapid response, proper certifications, and documentation that holds up under fire marshal scrutiny.
There’s plenty of variety out there when it comes to fire watch services.
For example, many security firms offer fire watch as a side service, but their guards lack the specialized training required for commercial environments. Multi-tenant buildings, high foot traffic, 24/7 operations, and complex floor plans create risks that generic security guards aren’t equipped to handle.
The best providers understand commercial-specific compliance requirements—NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), NFPA 25 (water-based fire protection systems), and local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) standards. They deploy OSHA-certified guards who arrive with proper equipment, maintain GPS-tracked patrols, and produce fire marshal-ready documentation.
Response time matters too. If a provider can’t get guards on-site within three to four hours, they’re not built for commercial emergencies.
When Do Commercial Properties Need Fire Watch?
Anytime your fire alarm is down more than four hours—or sprinklers are offline for 10+ hours—within a 24-hour period.
Under NFPA 101 Section 9.6.1.6, if your fire alarm system is out of service for more than four hours in a 24-hour period, you must either evacuate the building or implement an approved fire watch.
For sprinkler systems, NFPA 25 Section 15.5.2 requires fire watch coverage when the system is down for 10 hours or more.
Common scenarios we see in commercial properties include;
- Scheduled system maintenance
- Unexpected equipment failures
- Fire marshal orders the following violations
- Hot work during tenant fit-outs
- Insurance compliance requirements.
The trigger is cumulative—not consecutive—so intermittent outages within the same day still count toward the threshold.
This isn’t a minor concern. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nonresidential building fires increased 19% between 2014 and 2023. When your protection systems go down, you’re exposed.
5 Things to Look for in a Commercial Fire Watch Provider
1. Rapid Deployment Capability
The best providers can have guards on-site in under three to four hours—24/7, including weekends and holidays. Emergencies don’t wait for business hours. Ask any potential provider: “What’s your average response time?” If they hesitate, move on.
2. Proper Licensing and Certifications
Guards should carry OSHA certifications covering PPE, fire watch procedures, and emergency supervision. They should be trained in NFPA 101 and NFPA 25 requirements. Some jurisdictions—like Washington, D.C.—require licensed security agencies specifically for fire watch. Ask: “What certifications do your guards carry?”
3. Fire Marshal-Ready Documentation
Every patrol should be logged with timestamps, hazard observations, and actions taken. GPS verification of patrol routes provides accountability. This documentation is your proof of compliance if anything goes wrong—and it’s what fire marshals and insurance companies will ask for.
4. Commercial Property Experience
A company that primarily guards retail stores may not understand the risks of a high-rise office building or a busy hotel. Look for providers with proven experience across retail, office, warehouse, and multi-tenant residential environments. Ask: “Have you worked with properties like mine?”
5. Proper Equipment on Arrival
Guards should arrive ready to work—with fire extinguishers, two-way radios, high-visibility gear, flashlights, and official fire watch logbooks. If they show up empty-handed and need to borrow equipment from your facilities team, that’s a red flag.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Proper Fire Watch Coverage?
Fines, shutdowns, and serious liability exposure if something goes wrong.
Fire marshals can issue fines ranging from $500 to $2,500 or more per violation—and those fines often increase daily until the problem is resolved. Severe violations can result in immediate evacuation orders, forcing your building to remain unoccupied until you’re back in compliance.
The liability exposure goes further.
If a fire occurs while your systems are down and you don’t have a proper fire watch in place, insurance companies may deny your claim entirely. In worst-case scenarios, criminal charges are possible if injuries or deaths occur.
Some property managers try to use internal staff for fire watch to save money. This rarely works well. Fire watch personnel can’t perform other duties during their shift—so your maintenance team can’t answer calls or handle repairs while on patrol. And if they lack proper training, you’re still exposed to liability and compliance failures.
How We Approach Commercial Fire Watch
At Fast Fire Watch Guards, we’ve built our commercial fire watch services around the standards that actually matter. Our guards deploy nationwide in under three to four hours, arrive fully equipped, and maintain GPS-tracked patrols with fire marshal-ready logs.
Every guard is OSHA-certified and trained in NFPA protocols. We’ve protected office buildings, retail centers, hotels, warehouses, apartment complexes, and mixed-use developments across all 50 states. Our team includes retired firefighters and security professionals who understand the specific risks commercial properties face.
We work with your facilities staff—not against them. Whether you need overnight coverage during alarm repairs or multi-day protection during a renovation, we scale to your needs and keep you compliant without disrupting operations.
Get Commercial Fire Watch Coverage Now
If your commercial property needs fire watch—whether it’s an emergency system outage or planned maintenance—we’re ready to deploy. Call 1-800-899-7524 for a fast quote, or visit our commercial fire watch services page to learn more.
