Alarm system malfunctioning? Sprinkler system down? These situations call for professional fire watch guards to keep your property safe and secure.
In most states, you are required to hire a fire watch company when you experience a fire alarm system malfunction of any kind that affects the system’s ability to keep the property safe.
Sometimes, the local fire marshal will order the building owner to get fire watch services. In other situations, building owners take the proactive action to reduce their liability before they are ordered to do so.
What Do Fire Watch Guards Do?
In short, fire watch guards serve to protect buildings or properties that are not protected by a working fire alarm system.
These guards keep a vigilant watch around the clock for fires and fire hazards, and immediately take action if a threat is detected. They provide 24/7 service to ensure the safety of your property and anyone who may be in or around it.
Fire Watch Responsibilities
- Patrol all floors of the building
- Ensure all exits and walkways remain clear and free of dangerous obstructions
- Immediately sound an alert in the case of fire, contacting the proper authorities
- Identify and report any safety issues or concerns
- Communicate with all other guards and officers on site and document all activities in a log
If You Experience a Fire Alarm Malfunction, Hire a Fire Watch Company
As the owner or manager of your property, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the premises and anyone inside it.
There are a number of reasons why your fire alarm system may malfunction, including; power outage, network outage, broken components, water shut-off, and more.
These situations are obviously not planned and can be a major stressor for property owners. There are a lot of things to consider when your fire alarm system is disabled, but the first thing you should do is contact a professional fire watch company.
It’s in your best interest to make the call and get the guards on site before being ordered to do so by the fire marshal.
How to Find Fire Watch Security
Fire watch personnel are typically found through security companies. These fire watch companies provide a variety of different security types including; personal security, event security, hotel security, construction site security, and more.
It’s important that you hire fire watch guards that are trained and experienced in the field. It can be tempting to just assign this duty to your regular employees; however, this is not a safe option.
You put your employee, property, and business at risk when you fail to hire the proper fire protection in the event of a fire alarm malfunction.
Luckily, finding qualified guards is usually not a difficult task, even on short notice. Security companies have trained guards, ready to be deployed to emergent situations.
You certainly cannot predict if or when you’re going to experience an alarm system breakdown, however, if you understand the proper protocol for keeping your property safe and secure while the repairs are made, the process will be much smoother.