Finding a good fire watch service is crucial. There are many things to look for when choosing a company. There are NFPA 101 Life safety code (LSC) requirements, Occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) mandates that both hole and fire watch personnel be present at work sites, and the cost. Before you sign up for a service, be sure to ask questions to ensure you are getting a good deal. Read on to find out more!
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (LSC) requirements
A fire watch is an employee who watches a building for fires. These individuals must be trained in fire extinguisher use and must be equipped with the necessary equipment. The fire watch is responsible for assisting building occupants and notifying emergency personnel if they notice a fire. Fire watches are essential to the safety of a building and the public. Fire watch services must be documented for inspection purposes by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
The Life Safety Code is a consensus standard that covers the protection of people and property in buildings, vehicles, and other conveyances. It is widely adopted and implemented across the United States and is regularly revised. Because the code is a consensus standard, the state and local fire departments may adopt it and adopt its requirements for fire watch services. NFPA 101 also contains chapter specific to the fire watch industry.
The LSC provides specific requirements for fire protection, including the number and location of fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are the first line of defense against a sudden blaze. NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (LSC) requires that each building have a specific number of fire extinguishers strategically placed throughout the building. Additionally, fire extinguisher inspections ensure that all extinguishers are functional and safe to use.
Occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) mandates both hole and fire watch personnel
When conducting certain types of work, OSHA mandates the use of both hole and fire watch personnel. These individuals must understand the hazards associated with confined spaces and be able to communicate effectively. They should also be trained to spot any abnormal behavior from employees who are in the confined space. These professionals should also be trained on the basic principles of fire protection and have adequate training. Listed below are some of the duties of hole and fire watch personnel.
A fire watch person is required to remain on site at all times while hot work is being performed and for at least 30 minutes after the work has been completed. The watch period may be extended by the fire code official based on the scope of the work. During a fire watch, a person must forgo any other duties while the outage is underway. The duration of a fire watch can last for a long period of time.
In addition to fire watch, OSHA also requires employers to hire emergency response personnel to respond to emergencies. These individuals can also be responsible for securing a site’s emergency response system. OSHA has made changes to the International Fire Code for 2021 to better protect construction sites. These changes include mandatory fire watch personnel during non-working hours in tall buildings and other buildings over 50,000 square feet. These are the two criteria deemed “large buildings” by Fire Engineering.
Cost of fire watch services
The cost of fire watch services depends on whether you need them to monitor a business, residential property, or other facility. Fire marshals typically cost more than $200 per hour and may require overtime. Private companies, however, can charge much less. Fire watch companies are members of the National Fire Protection Association. In addition, these companies follow strict standards for fire safety. Fire inspectors will send warnings to businesses that are not following the rules and regulations.
Fire watches are also necessary for businesses and industrial settings where fire sprinklers or alarms are malfunctioning. They can also be needed for construction sites, including those where hot work is done. A fire watch can also be needed in areas where power outages may occur due to natural disasters. However, there are several reasons a business or facility may require fire watch services. These include the following:
