F-02 Fireguard Fire Watch and Patrol Duties 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FDNY rules, how long must a fire watch be maintained after hot work is completed in a sprinklered building?
- 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- 15 minutes
- 1 hour
- 2 hours
Correct answer: 30 minutes
A minimum 30-minute fire watch is required after hot work ends in a sprinklered building to detect delayed ignition.
Question 2: A worker asks the fireguard to leave their patrol post to help move equipment. The fireguard should:
- Refuse and continue the assigned fire watch duties (Correct answer)
- Help briefly and then return to patrol
- Agree if the supervisor approves
- Help only if no hazards are present
Correct answer: Refuse and continue the assigned fire watch duties
A fireguard must never abandon a fire watch post; their sole responsibility is fire watch, not general labor.
Question 3: Which condition requires the fireguard to immediately call the FDNY (911)?
- A fire that cannot be controlled with a portable extinguisher (Correct answer)
- Smoke visible from a neighboring building
- A sprinkler that is leaking water
- A tripped circuit breaker in the electrical panel
Correct answer: A fire that cannot be controlled with a portable extinguisher
Any fire that exceeds the capacity of a portable extinguisher requires immediate notification of the FDNY.
Question 4: A fireguard's patrol log shows a gap of 45 minutes with no entries. This is a problem because:
- FDNY regulations require entries at intervals no greater than 15–30 minutes depending on conditions (Correct answer)
- Logs must be completed only at the end of each shift
- The gap proves the fireguard was sleeping
- Log entries are only required when a hazard is found
Correct answer: FDNY regulations require entries at intervals no greater than 15–30 minutes depending on conditions
Gaps in the patrol log indicate the required inspection intervals were not maintained, which violates fire watch requirements.
Question 5: Hot work is being performed near combustible insulation material. The fireguard's primary duty during the work is to:
- Watch for sparks and smoldering material in the work area (Correct answer)
- Assist the worker in positioning the materials
- Document the start and end times of the work
- Keep bystanders at least 10 feet away
Correct answer: Watch for sparks and smoldering material in the work area
During hot work, the fireguard's primary duty is to actively watch for sparks, embers, or smoldering materials that could ignite nearby combustibles.
Question 6: Who is responsible for ensuring that all combustible materials are removed or protected before hot work begins?
- The contractor or employer in charge of the hot work (Correct answer)
- The building's fireguard
- The fire department inspector
- The building's property manager
Correct answer: The contractor or employer in charge of the hot work
The contractor responsible for the hot work must clear or shield combustibles before work starts; the fireguard monitors during and after.
Question 7: A fireguard on patrol finds a storage room packed with cardboard boxes blocking the fire hose cabinet. The correct action is to:
- Report the obstruction immediately and have it cleared before continuing (Correct answer)
- Move the boxes aside temporarily and continue patrol
- Note it in the log and report at end of shift
- Only act if the obstruction is also blocking an exit
Correct answer: Report the obstruction immediately and have it cleared before continuing
Obstructed fire hose cabinets must be cleared immediately because firefighters depend on rapid access to hose equipment.
F-02 Fireguard Fire Watch and Patrol Duties 3
Under FDNY rules, how long must a fire watch be maintained after hot work is completed in a sprinklered building?