IMPORTANT LINKS

• Step 1 - Register your fire alarm/fire sprinkler system impairment
• Step 2 - Notify occupants when a Fire Watch is in effect with this printable sign
• Step 3 - If a Fire Watch is required, keep a Fire Watch Log. Log entries are required hourly:
  • Fire Watch Log - Submit hourly entries online*

FIRE WATCH 

Purpose

Fire Watch is a temporary measure intended to ensure continuous and systematic surveillance of a building or portion thereof by one or more qualified individuals or standby personnel when required by the Fire Code Official, for the purposes of identifying and controlling fire hazards, detecting early signs of unwanted fire, raising an alarm of fire, and notifying the fire department. This procedure is to provide uniform direction for the use, application, and documentation of a Fire Watch program where a required fire protection system for an occupancy has been compromised or incapacitated.

Upon determination that a required fire protection system is rendered inoperable or its continued operation is questionable, the Franklin Fire Marshal’s Office shall be notified immediately. It shall be the responsibility of the Fire Code Official to determine the level of protection required and prescribes such actions necessary to secure public safety and timely restoration of the required fire protection system.

The affected premises, upon being directed to perform a Fire Watch, will fill out the Fire Watch Log and make entries on that form at the time intervals required by the Fire Code Official. Upon completion of repairs to the fire protection system and termination of the Fire Watch, a copy of this log shall be faxed or delivered to the Fire Marshal’s Office. Failure to maintain a log will result in a penalty assessment and possible evacuation of the building.

The personnel assigned to Fire Watch Duties shall meet the following criteria:

• Not be required or permitted to perform any other duties.
• Tour all the compromised area(s) of the building at intervals specified in the Fire Watch order.
• Be physically capable of performing the duties of a Fire Watch.
• Have means of summoning the Fire Department if a fire is discovered – cell phone, portable radio, etc.
• Be familiar with the layout and arrangement of the building being toured.
• Have all keys necessary to check all affected areas of the building and admit the emergency responders properly and effectively.
• Be familiar with the fire alarm system and how to activate it.
• Be familiar with the location and use of portable fire extinguishers.
• Be familiar with the exits from the area he/she is touring.
• Remain awake and alert for the entire period he/she is expected to provide such services.
• Be familiar with the procedures to be followed if a fire is discovered, and the methods of notification of building occupants.

Frequency of Tours

Tours of all compromised areas of the building shall be conducted at intervals not to exceed sixty (60) minutes from completion of the previous tour. Frequency of tours can be increased at the discretion of the Fire Code Official based on the hazards present and shall be reflected as such on the Fire Watch Log.

Termination of Fire Watch

Fire Watch shall ONLY be terminated by the Fire Code Official, upon restoration of the fire protection system and certification that it is now 100% operational. The Fire Watch Log shall be completed, including the names of those performing such duties, and the name of the person who authorized the termination of same. A copy of the entire Fire Watch Log, and documentation reflecting that the required fire protection system has been restored must be forwarded to the Franklin Fire Marshal’s Office. Email these documents to fireinspection@franklintn.gov.

If a fire is discovered, the Fire Watch personnel shall be responsible to:

1. Notify the building occupants immediately.
   • Activation of the fire alarm system (if those components are not compromised)
   • Voice communication of need to leave building by use of a public address system.
   • Voice hailing, door to door, or by runners
2. Notification of the Fire Department
   • Telephone call to 9-1-1 reporting the physical address, location, type, and extent of fire, his/her name and telephone number and any other pertinent information.
   • Use of portable radio monitored by a constantly attended location, where one will have the ability to call 9-1-1
   • Other approved means
3. Ensure that building is evacuated.
   • Check all areas for occupants.
   • Provide assistance to those evacuating.
   • Direct persons as to where they must assemble.
   • Attempt to locate the fire.
   • Note location of occupants either unable or unwilling to evacuate and report same to Fire Department
4. Meet with the arriving Fire Department members.
   • Advise the status of occupants.
   • Advise location and extent of fire.
   • Accompany them if requested.
   • Provide access or keys to area if secured.

*Fire Watch Log - Paper Form