F-01 F-01 Fireguard Fire Watch Patrols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a fire watch patrol in a building under construction, you smell smoke but cannot see flames. What is your FIRST action?
- Begin searching each floor systematically for the source
- Immediately evacuate all occupants and call 911 (Correct answer)
- Note the time and continue your patrol before reporting
- Use a fire extinguisher in the area where smoke is detected
Correct answer: Immediately evacuate all occupants and call 911
If smoke is detected, immediately initiate evacuation and call 911 — never delay to investigate before alerting emergency services.
Question 2: How often must a Certificate of Fitness holder conducting a fire watch log their patrol rounds?
- Once per shift
- Every 30 minutes
- Each time a patrol is completed (Correct answer)
- Only when a hazard is found
Correct answer: Each time a patrol is completed
The fireguard must record each completed patrol round in the fire watch log, including the time and any observations.
Question 3: A contractor leaves oily rags in a pile near a heat source during a hot work operation. As the fireguard, you should:
- Warn the contractor verbally but allow work to continue
- Immediately stop work and require proper disposal of the rags (Correct answer)
- Document the hazard in your log and address it at shift end
- Move the rags yourself to a safer location and continue watch
Correct answer: Immediately stop work and require proper disposal of the rags
Oily rags near heat sources are a serious spontaneous combustion hazard; the fireguard has authority to stop work until the hazard is corrected.
Question 4: Which area is the highest priority to check during a post-hot-work fire watch?
- The building entrance and exits
- The area within 35 feet of where hot work was performed (Correct answer)
- The roof above the hot work location only
- Adjacent floors two levels below the hot work
Correct answer: The area within 35 feet of where hot work was performed
FDNY regulations require the fireguard to monitor the area within 35 feet of hot work operations for the required watch period after work stops.
Question 5: A fire watch is required after welding operations have ended. For how long must the watch continue per FDNY requirements?
- 15 minutes
- 30 minutes
- 1 hour (Correct answer)
- Until the material has cooled to room temperature
Correct answer: 1 hour
FDNY requires a minimum 1-hour fire watch after hot work operations cease to detect any smoldering fires that may develop.
Question 6: When is it acceptable to use a standpipe or sprinkler riser as a means of egress during a fire?
- When all stairwells are blocked by smoke
- Never — risers are not egress routes (Correct answer)
- Only if directed to by a firefighter
- When the fire is on a floor below you
Correct answer: Never — risers are not egress routes
Standpipe and sprinkler risers are water supply systems, never egress routes; occupants must use designated stairwells.
Question 7: During a patrol you find a self-closing fire door propped open with a doorstop. You should:
- Leave it open if no smoke is present to allow airflow
- Remove the doorstop immediately and allow the door to close (Correct answer)
- Notify a supervisor and wait for their approval before acting
- Block the door only during active fire watch hours
Correct answer: Remove the doorstop immediately and allow the door to close
Fire doors must never be propped open because they are designed to slow fire and smoke spread; the fireguard must remove any obstruction immediately.
F-01 F-01 Fireguard Fire Watch Patrols 2
During a fire watch patrol in a building under construction, you smell smoke but cannot see flames.
What is your FIRST action?