F01 Fire Watch Duties and Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: If a fire is discovered by a fire guard during a fire watch, what is the FIRST action to take?
- Activate the nearest manual fire alarm pull station and call 911 (Correct answer)
- Attempt to extinguish the fire before calling for help
- Notify the building owner before contacting the fire department
- Evacuate the building before activating any alarm
Correct answer: Activate the nearest manual fire alarm pull station and call 911
The first priority when fire is discovered is to immediately activate the alarm and call 911 so FDNY can respond while evacuation begins.
Question 2: Which areas of a building must be included in a fire watch patrol?
- All areas served by or in close proximity to the impaired fire protection system (Correct answer)
- Only the floors directly above the impairment location
- Only the building's mechanical room where the system is located
- Only publicly accessible areas such as lobbies and corridors
Correct answer: All areas served by or in close proximity to the impaired fire protection system
The patrol must cover all areas within the zone served by the impaired system since those areas lack automatic protection.
Question 3: What does the term 'impairment' mean in the context of fire watch procedures?
- A condition in which a fire protection system is out of service or operating at reduced capacity (Correct answer)
- A situation where more than half of the building's occupants have evacuated
- Any fire that is successfully extinguished using a portable extinguisher
- A scheduled maintenance activity that does not affect system operation
Correct answer: A condition in which a fire protection system is out of service or operating at reduced capacity
An impairment is when a fire protection system — such as a sprinkler or alarm system — is fully or partially out of service and unable to perform its intended function.
Question 4: Who has the authority to assign a fire guard to conduct a fire watch?
- The building owner, property manager, or impairment coordinator (Correct answer)
- Only the Fire Department of New York (FDNY)
- Only a licensed fire protection engineer
- The building's insurance company representative
Correct answer: The building owner, property manager, or impairment coordinator
The building owner, property manager, or designated impairment coordinator is responsible for assigning a qualified fire guard to perform the fire watch.
Question 5: How should a fire guard document the route taken during a fire watch patrol?
- By recording the specific floors, areas, and rooms inspected in the logbook after each patrol (Correct answer)
- By verbally reporting the route to the building manager after each patrol
- No route documentation is required, only the start and end times
- By photographing each area visited using a cell phone
Correct answer: By recording the specific floors, areas, and rooms inspected in the logbook after each patrol
Written logbook entries specifying floors and areas covered create the verifiable record required by NYC Fire Code for each patrol.
Question 6: During a fire watch, if a fire guard detects a strong odor of smoke but sees no visible fire, what should they do?
- Immediately notify occupants, activate the alarm, call 911, and report the observation in the logbook (Correct answer)
- Wait until visible flames are observed before taking any action
- Ventilate the area by opening windows and continue the patrol
- Notify only the building manager and resume the patrol
Correct answer: Immediately notify occupants, activate the alarm, call 911, and report the observation in the logbook
Any sign of a possible fire — including smoke odor — requires immediate notification and alarm activation because early response saves lives.
Question 7: Can building occupants remain in a building during an active fire watch?
- Yes, unless conditions deteriorate and evacuation is ordered by the fire guard or FDNY (Correct answer)
- No, all occupants must evacuate immediately when a fire watch is established
- Only maintenance staff are permitted to remain in the building
- Only occupants above the floor of the impairment must evacuate
Correct answer: Yes, unless conditions deteriorate and evacuation is ordered by the fire guard or FDNY
A fire watch is a precautionary measure that allows normal occupancy to continue while the impaired system is repaired, unless an actual emergency requires evacuation.
F01 Fire Watch Duties and Procedures 2
If a fire is discovered by a fire guard during a fire watch, what is the FIRST action to take?