Brooklyn Fire Watch & FDNY Fire Guard Services

A fire-protection system impairment can create an immediate need for fire-watch coverage.

Fast Guard coordinates qualifying fire-watch assignments throughout Brooklyn for:

• Fire alarm outages
• Sprinkler system impairments
• Standpipe system impairments
• Fire-system repairs
• Planned system shutdowns
• Construction projects
• Renovations
• Qualifying hot-work operations
• Commercial properties
• Residential properties
• Warehouses
• Hotels
• Retail properties
• Multi-story buildings
• 24/7 assignments

New York City has specific requirements governing who may conduct a fire watch and how the watch is performed.

Fast Guard develops Brooklyn fire-watch staffing around the requirements applicable to the particular assignment.

FIRE SYSTEM DOWN?

(844) 254-8273

What Is an F-01 Fire Guard in NYC?

The F-01 Certificate of Fitness is the FDNY’s Citywide Fire Guard for Impairment certification.

FDNY states that when a required fire-protection system is out of service, a fire watch must be maintained.

Examples include an impaired:

Fire alarm system

Sprinkler system

Standpipe system

For the initial four hours of a planned or unplanned out-of-service condition affecting no more than 50,000 square feet, FDNY allows the impairment coordinator or a trained and knowledgeable person designated by the building owner to perform the fire-watch duties.

After four hours, the patrol must be performed by personnel holding the appropriate F-01 Certificate of Fitness.

NEED AN F-01 FIRE GUARD IN BROOKLYN?

CALL (844) 254-8273

When Is Fire Watch Required in Brooklyn?

A fire watch may be required when a required fire-protection system is out of service.

According to current FDNY guidance, this includes systems such as:

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

STANDPIPE SYSTEMS

Fire watch must begin when the qualifying system is out of service, subject to the specific requirements applicable to the property.

The property owner, building representative or impairment coordinator should also follow all applicable FDNY notification and impairment procedures.

How Many F-01 Fire Guards Does a Brooklyn Property Need?

This is one of the most important differences between New York City and the generic fire-watch advice found online.

FDNY guidance states that the number of fire guards depends on the location and size of the area affected by the impairment.

50,000 SQUARE FEET OR LESS

For an impairment lasting more than four hours, FDNY guidance calls for an F-01 Certificate of Fitness holder.

MORE THAN 50,000 SQUARE FEET

Additional F-01 personnel may be necessary.

FDNY states that no individual fire guard should patrol more than 50,000 square feet of building floor area, and affected areas must be capable of being patrolled at least once each hour.

Building configuration, occupancy, impediments to patrol and other fire-safety considerations can also affect the required staffing.

LARGE BROOKLYN PROPERTY?

Call (844) 254-8273 and provide the affected square footage, number of floors and system impairment.

What Does a Fire Watch Guard Do?

A fire-watch guard monitors the affected areas of a property while the required fire-protection system remains out of service.

Depending upon the assignment and applicable FDNY requirements, duties can include:

Patrolling affected areas

Watching for smoke, fire and hazardous conditions

Maintaining fire-watch records

Immediately reporting a fire

Following property emergency procedures

Maintaining an approved means of contacting the Fire Department

Remaining focused on fire-watch responsibilities

FDNY’s fire-watch guidance establishes specific responsibilities for fire guards and requires records associated with the watch.

Fire Watch Patrol Requirements in NYC

Unlike some locations where patrol requirements depend heavily on local instructions, FDNY publishes specific guidance for system-impairment fire watches.

Affected areas must be capable of being patrolled at least once every hour, and an individual fire guard should not be responsible for more than 50,000 square feet of building floor area.

The actual staffing plan can therefore depend on:

Affected square footage

Number of floors

Building layout

Type of occupancy

Location of the impairment

Obstructions or impediments to patrol

Additional FDNY direction

24/7 Fire Watch for System Impairments

An impairment may last several hours, several days or longer.

FDNY guidance provides that required impairment fire guards are maintained continuously until the affected system is restored to working order.

Fast Guard can coordinate staffing for:

Day shifts

Night shifts

Overnight coverage

Weekend coverage

Holiday coverage

Multiple guards

Relief personnel

Continuous assignments

One continuously staffed position represents:

168 COVERAGE HOURS PER WEEK

Fire Alarm System Down in Brooklyn?

If your building’s required fire alarm system becomes impaired, do not wait until the problem has continued for hours before determining your fire-watch obligations.

FDNY requires fire watch when required fire-protection systems are out of service.

Fast Guard can coordinate qualifying fire-watch staffing while the fire-protection contractor works to restore the affected system.

FIRE ALARM DOWN?

CALL (844) 254-8273

Sprinkler System Down in Brooklyn?

Sprinkler-system impairments may result from:

System repairs

Maintenance

Water-supply problems

Construction

Equipment failure

System upgrades

Planned shutdowns

When an impairment requires fire watch, Fast Guard can coordinate personnel around the requirements applicable to the property.

Fast Guard fire-watch personnel do not repair, inspect or certify sprinkler systems.

Standpipe System Impairment

FDNY’s fire-watch requirements expressly address out-of-service standpipe systems along with sprinkler and fire-alarm systems.

That makes standpipe impairment an important part of a Brooklyn fire-watch page, particularly for larger and multi-story buildings.

If your building’s standpipe system is impaired, follow applicable FDNY procedures and determine the required fire-watch staffing immediately.

Construction Fire Watch in Brooklyn

Brooklyn has extensive construction, redevelopment and renovation activity.

Fast Guard can coordinate qualifying fire-watch assignments for:

General contractors

Developers

Property owners

Construction managers

Renovation contractors

Commercial projects

Construction sites can involve different Certificate of Fitness requirements depending on the activity.

FDNY guidance distinguishes among S-60 Watchperson at Construction Sites, F-01 Fire Guard for Impairment, and F-60 Fire Guard for Torch Operations.

That distinction should be determined before personnel are assigned.

Hot Work Fire Guard in Brooklyn

Hot work is not something I would lump into the F-01 section.

FDNY has a separate F-60 Fire Guard for Torch Operations Certificate of Fitness.

FDNY states that F-60 fire guards are required for qualifying torch operations at construction sites, rooftop/torch-applied roofing operations, and certain other permitted torch operations.

Hot work may include qualifying:

Torch operations

Welding

Cutting

Brazing

Torch-applied roofing

The required certificate depends on the activity.

NEED FIRE WATCH FOR A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT?

CALL (844) 254-8273

Fire Watch Logs & Documentation

Documentation is an important part of NYC fire-watch operations.

Depending on the applicable requirements, records can document:

Property

Date

Fire guard

Patrol times

Affected areas

Conditions observed

Incidents

Actions taken

FDNY requirements include maintaining fire-watch records associated with qualifying operations.

Commercial Fire Watch Brooklyn

Fast Guard can coordinate qualifying fire-watch personnel for Brooklyn:

Office buildings

Warehouses

Retail properties

Hotels

Commercial buildings

Parking facilities

Industrial properties

Mixed-use properties

Construction projects

Property-management portfolios

Residential & Multifamily Fire Watch Brooklyn

Fire-protection impairments can also affect:

Apartment buildings

Residential towers

Multifamily properties

Mixed-use buildings

Residential developments

Fast Guard can coordinate personnel based on the affected area, number of floors and applicable FDNY requirements.

Fire Watch Guards Do Not Repair Fire Systems

Fire-watch personnel provide temporary monitoring.

They do not replace the contractors responsible for inspecting, repairing or certifying:

Fire alarms

Sprinklers

Standpipes

Fire pumps

Other fire-protection equipment

The goal is to maintain the required watch while qualified professionals address the underlying impairment.

Fast Guard Service — New York Operations

Fast Guard Service provides security and fire-watch services nationwide and maintains New York operations.

NEW YORK REGIONAL OFFICE

555 Madison Ave, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10022

Fast Guard’s public quotation page currently identifies this as a regional office.

24/7 OPERATIONS

(844) 254-8273

[email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions About Brooklyn Fire Watch

Do I need an F-01 fire guard if my fire alarm is down?

For a required fire-protection system that is out of service, FDNY requires a fire watch. For an affected area of 50,000 square feet or less, a trained designated person may conduct the initial four hours under the conditions established by FDNY; after four hours, the patrol must be performed by an F-01 Certificate of Fitness holder.

How often must an NYC fire guard patrol?

For an impairment fire watch, FDNY guidance requires the affected areas to be capable of being patrolled at least once every hour.

How much area can one F-01 fire guard cover?

FDNY guidance states that an individual fire guard should not patrol more than 50,000 square feet of building floor area.

Does fire watch have to continue overnight?

When an impairment requires continuous fire-watch coverage, FDNY guidance says it is maintained 24 hours a day until the system is restored to good working order.

Is F-01 the same certificate used for hot work?

No. F-01 covers fire guard duties associated with qualifying fire-protection-system impairments. FDNY uses F-60 Fire Guard for Torch Operations for specified torch/hot-work situations.

Can Fast Guard provide multiple fire guards?

Fast Guard can coordinate multi-guard assignments. The appropriate number depends on the affected area, building configuration and applicable FDNY requirements.

Does Fast Guard repair fire alarm or sprinkler systems?

No. Fast Guard supplies fire-watch personnel; fire-system repairs and certifications should be handled by qualified fire-protection contractors.

Need a Fire Watch Guard in Brooklyn, NY?

FIRE ALARM DOWN?

SPRINKLER SYSTEM IMPAIRED?

STANDPIPE OUT OF SERVICE?

NEED F-01 PERSONNEL?

CONSTRUCTION FIRE WATCH?

NEED CONTINUOUS COVERAGE?

Fast Guard Service can coordinate qualifying fire-watch coverage throughout Brooklyn and New York City.

CALL (844) 254-8273

REQUEST FIRE WATCH NOW

24/7 Operations • Brooklyn • New York City