At Urgent Security & Fire Watch, we offer 24-hour fire watch services for Penn Quarter and downtown D.C. Our officers protect hotels, restaurants, retail centers, and residential properties when fire protection systems are out of service. From the Capital One Arena to the National Portrait Gallery and along 7th Street, we maintain strict compliance with NFPA codes and D.C. Fire Marshal mandates.
We manage every detail of your fire watch operation, continuously evaluating officer performance, validating all documentation for completeness, and overseeing every operational aspect from start to finish. Trust Urgent Security & Fire Watch to handle your professional, code-compliant fire watch solutions in Penn Quarter.
We are the reliable fire watch company you have been looking for.
Fire Watch Security Guards Available 24/7
We Specialize in Fire Watch and Short Term Security
Quick action is built into our system. We deploy experienced guards to your Penn Quarter property, deliver precise job parameters, and oversee their work to make certain you get proper security. Your account manager manages scheduling, audits patrol quality, and stays in dialogue with the fire marshal so you can focus on repairs.
Our management team has overseen over
500 fire watch projects
We know Penn Quarter. Our team delivers fire watch services tailored to this downtown neighborhood's high activity level, maintaining compliance without disrupting business operations.
Enterprise Level Service and Oversight for Short Term Fire Watch Projects
Getting officers on site
We arrange dispatch so officers arrive ready to work. Each officer gets a full briefing about your location and requirements.
Regulations & Compliance
We use our experience to coordinate your project ensuring your fire watch project complies with the fire watch regulations.
Ensuring quality service
We track officer performance and address any concerns right away.
We handle every step to make sure you get reliable fire watch service
Rudo and his team responded quickly and maintained clear communication throughout our collaboration. I was very impressed by how organized and professional each interaction was. I will definitely be recommending this company to other communities!
Amy Parada★★★★★
Professional fire watch services at your location. Fast!
enterprise level support & oversight for short term fire watch projects
01
Clear Communication
Officers receive a detailed briefing about your property and your needs. This helps avoid confusion and keeps everything on track.
02
Consistent Patrols
We monitor patrols activity to spot any issues early. This keeps your property safe and secure.
03
Verified On-Site Presence
GPS check-ins confirm that officers are present and working as scheduled. You never have to worry about missed shifts or errors in billing.
04
Effortless Compliance
We keep detailed patrol reports that meet all Arlington fire watch rules. These records are always ready for fire marshal review.
Need it schedule service for a future date?
Penn Quarter fire watch rules are different than VA and MD
Washington DC operates differently than other jurisdictions in the DMV area. Only licensed security agencies can provide fire watch services in Washington DC. Washington DC is also the only location mandating properties to file a fire watch plan. Whenever your building is placed on fire watch, a plan must be turned in immediately. The fire watch plan needs to come with a copy of your contract with the security company delivering the fire watch guards.
The fire watch doesn't get deemed compliant until the plan and contract receive review and approval from DC Fire and EMS. Ignoring this step or filing late can bring penalties, so it's best to get it done right when fire watch starts.
This plan shall be emailed to Office of the Fire Marshal fems.fireprevention@dc.gov
• One fire watch security guard for every two floors
• One officer stationed at the front desk area, alarm monitoring panel, or any central location with a hard-wired telephone
• One additional officer for every six fire watch guards to cover break times and shift transitions
• A fire watch must always have at least two officers present at all times, never only one
Patrols Must Operate During Building Use
• Fire watch coverage must operate whenever people use the building.
• This spans work periods, late activities, and moments when workers, service personnel, or inhabitants are on-site.
• Residential properties are treated as occupied at all times.
Patrol Requirements
• Trained fire watch officers must constantly monitor all affected spaces.
• Patrols are required every 30 to 60 minutes.
• Officers should stay within the impact zones between scheduled rounds.
• Expert fire watch providers patrol every 30 minutes for maximum safety.
How to Stop a Fire Watch
• Fire watches in Washington, DC must remain operational until officially released by the Fire Marshal.
• A Fire Inspector will usually conduct a site visit to verify the system works properly before approval.
• This rule covers all cases — even voluntarily initiated fire watches.
• Once service is restored, notify the Fire Marshal's Office to start the authorization process.
Fire Marshal Email: fems.fireprevention@dc.gov
Here is what is necessary to end fire watch
• Send an email to the fire marshal verifying the system is 100% back in service.
Fire Marshal Contact: fems.fireprevention@dc.gov
• Include paperwork from the repair company proving the work was done.
• Call to confirm receipt: 202-727-1614
• If after hours call: DC Fire and EMS Department Fire Liaison Officer at 202-373-3712
• Maintain fire watch security on site until the fire marshal approves termination.
Want more in-depth info about your local fire watch requirements?
Visit our DMV Area Fire Watch Guide
We know what it takes to comply with the Fire Marshals Requirements.
We Stay Involved From Start to Finish
We stay involved to help make sure officers are doing their job, so you do not have to rely on hope.
On-site GPS check-ins
Officers must be physically present at your location to clock in
Pre-shift orientations
Officers are briefed on your property details and fire marshal requirements
Continuous activity oversight
Patrol logs and digital tools track officer movements and actions
Are you considering using your own staff for fire watch?
Here is a video that will help you weigh your options.
We know what it takes to comply with the Fire Marshals Requirements.
How We Handle Challenges
One Hourly Rate. No Extra Charges
You pay one flat hourly rate that covers everything. There are no hidden fees or surprise charges. The security company pays us a small part of their hourly rate for management and quality control. You pay the same rate you would if you hired the security company without us.
OUR Fire watch SERVICE AREAS
List of Services
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Montgomery County Fire WatchList Item 1
Our Montgomery County fire watch team responds 24/7 across Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, and Germantown. Urgent Security & Fire Watch provides trained officers for apartments, construction sites, and businesses, ensuring fire code compliance and reliable coverage when systems fail.
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PG County Fire Watch ServicesList Item 2
Our PG County fire watch officers serve Bowie, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, College Park and beyond. Urgent Security & Fire Watch delivers fast, compliant fire watch protection for residential, commercial, and public properties whenever alarms are down or repairs are in progress.
List of Services
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Alexandria, VA Fire Watch
When fire alarms or sprinklers malfunction, Urgent Security & Fire Watch deploys certified officers across Old Town, Del Ray, and every other area in Alexandra, VA. Our 24/7 fire watch services keep businesses, hotels, and residential buildings safe and compliant. Trust our local team for rapid response and reliable protection throughout Alexandria, VA.
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Arlington County, VA Fire WatchList Item 2
Our Arlington County fire watch officers protect properties across Arlington, Crystal City, Rosslyn, and other areas across Arlington County, VA. Urgent Security & Fire Watch provides round-the-clock coverage for residential and commercial properties. We ensure quick deployment and fire code compliance throughout Arlington, VA.
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Fairfax County, VA Fire WatchList Item 1
Urgent Security & Fire Watch provides 24/7 fire watch protection across Fairfax County, including Reston, Tysons, Herndon, Fairfax City and more. Our trained officers respond fast when alarms fail or systems are down, delivering compliant, reliable coverage for construction sites, apartments, and businesses throughout Northern Virginia.
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Falls Church, VA Fire Watch Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Fairfax City, VA Fire Watch Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Prince William County Fire WatchList Item 4
When alarms or sprinklers go offline, our Prince William County fire watch team responds immediately. Urgent Security & Fire Watch serves Manassas, Woodbridge, Dumfries, and other areas across Prince William County, VA. We provide fire watch officers patrolling commercial and residential properties. Service is available 24/7.