F60 Fire Watch Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How long must a fire watch be maintained after torch operations have ceased in an area with combustible materials?
- 15 minutes
- 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- 60 minutes
- Until the next shift arrives
Correct answer: 30 minutes
FDNY regulations require a fire watch to continue for at least 30 minutes after torch operations end to monitor for smoldering fires in combustible materials.
Question 2: During a fire watch, what is the fire guard's PRIMARY responsibility?
- Assisting the torch operator with work tasks
- Continuously monitoring the work area for signs of fire or smoke (Correct answer)
- Contacting the building owner about progress
- Documenting the amount of work completed
Correct answer: Continuously monitoring the work area for signs of fire or smoke
The fire guard's primary duty is continuous visual monitoring of the work area and surrounding areas for any sign of fire, smoke, or smoldering materials.
Question 3: If a fire guard notices smoke coming from a wall cavity after torch operations, what is the FIRST action to take?
- Wait 10 minutes to see if it spreads before calling 911
- Attempt to open the wall and extinguish the fire alone
- Immediately notify building occupants and call 911 (Correct answer)
- Contact the building owner before calling emergency services
Correct answer: Immediately notify building occupants and call 911
Upon discovering any sign of fire, the fire guard must immediately activate alarms, notify occupants, and call 911 without delay.
Question 4: Which area must a fire guard patrol during torch operations on a multi-story building?
- Only the floor where work is being performed
- The work floor and the floor directly below (Correct answer)
- The work floor and two floors above and below
- The entire building from top to bottom
Correct answer: The work floor and the floor directly below
Fire guards must monitor the work floor and the floor immediately below it, since sparks and heat can travel through floors and ignite materials below.
Question 5: What should a fire guard do if the assigned portable fire extinguisher is found to be discharged or damaged at the start of a shift?
- Proceed with the fire watch using another floor's extinguisher as backup
- Notify the supervisor and ensure a fully charged replacement is obtained before work begins (Correct answer)
- Document the issue and continue the watch since other fire protection is available
- Wait until the end of the shift to report the deficiency
Correct answer: Notify the supervisor and ensure a fully charged replacement is obtained before work begins
A fire guard must not allow torch operations to begin without a fully charged, operable extinguisher immediately available at the work site.
Question 6: Under FDNY rules, a fire guard conducting a fire watch must be within what proximity of the torch work?
- On the same floor but not necessarily in the room
- Within sight of the torch operations at all times (Correct answer)
- Within 100 feet of the work area
- Within the same building but within earshot
Correct answer: Within sight of the torch operations at all times
The fire guard must maintain a direct line of sight to the torch operations to immediately detect any fire start.
Question 7: A fire guard is posted during rooftop torch operations. Where should the fire guard be stationed?
- On the roof watching the torch operator directly (Correct answer)
- On the floor below the roof to watch for fire penetration through the deck
- At the building entrance to control access
- On the roof and on the floor below simultaneously by rotating positions
Correct answer: On the roof watching the torch operator directly
For rooftop torch operations, the fire guard must be stationed on the roof in direct view of the work to immediately respond to any ignition.
F60 Fire Watch Procedures 2
How long must a fire watch be maintained after torch operations have ceased in an area with combustible materials?