FIRE WATCH SERVICE IN PETWORTH DC

We send fire watch security guards to your site, give them instructions, and track their work to make sure you get reliable service.

Need Fire Watch? 

CALL 888-241-8183

officers on-site in 2–4 hours   

"They did a good job and their prices were very fair.”
 Juan Alvarado ★★★★★

FIRE WATCH SERVICE IN PETWORTH DC

We send fire watch officers to your site, give them instructions, and track their work to make sure you get reliable service

Need Fire Watch? 

CALL 888-241-8183

 98% of jobs officer on-site in 2–4 hours   

They did a good job and their prices were very fair.”
Juan Alvarado ★★★★★

Does your company require pre-approved vendors? 
No problem. Approved vendors for Bozzuto, Greystar, Bozzuto, Cushman Wakefield, and more. 

Fire Watch Security Guards Available 24/7

Call 888-241-8183

Urgent Security & Fire Watch delivers dependable fire watch services 24/7 throughout Petworth and the wider D.C. area. We secure residential complexes, community centers, commercial properties, and retail spaces whenever fire protection equipment is temporarily disabled. Whether your building is near the Petworth Metro, along Georgia Avenue, or close to Upshur Street, our team follows all D.C. Fire Marshal protocols and NFPA guidelines.

• 24/7 urgent fire watch service in Petworth, DC, including nights and weekends.
• We combine GPS tracking and manual logs for dependable, consistent oversight.
• Experienced in short-term and emergency fire watch, ready to respond quickly.

We are the reliable fire watch company you have been looking for.

Fire Watch Security Guards Available 24/7

Call 888-241-8183

Does your company require pre-approved vendors? No problem. 
Approved vendors for Bozzuto, Greystar, Bozzuto, Cushman Wakefield, Franklin Group, and more. 

We Specialize in Fire Watch and Short Term Security

Fire watch and temporary security services are our specialty. This is our entire focus. Your immediate or short-term needs get complete attention backed by an account manager who runs the whole operation.

We're built to move quickly. We send trained guards to your Petworth property, provide them with exact assignment details, and oversee their work to confirm you receive proper protection. Your account manager handles scheduling arrangements, evaluates patrol performance, and communicates with the fire marshal while you work on system restoration.

Our management team has overseen over 500 fire watch projects

We know the fire watch demands distinct to Petworth, DC, including its community spaces and residential complexes.
Petworth features residential complexes and community spaces along Georgia Avenue with row homes throughout the neighborhood. Fire watch coverage in this area must address apartment buildings, commercial properties, and local businesses.

We know Petworth. Our team provides customized fire watch services that match this community's residential focus, ensuring compliance while respecting daily routines.

Enterprise Level Service and Oversight for Short Term Fire Watch Projects

fire wath security officer

Getting officers on site

We arrange dispatch so officers arrive ready to work. Each officer gets a full briefing about your location and requirements.
approved fire watch plan

Regulations & Compliance

We use our experience to coordinate your project ensuring your fire watch project complies with the fire watch regulations. 

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fire watch officer speaking with property manager

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! 

property manager with fire watch officer

How You Get Fast, Reliable fire watch in Petworth Washington DC

Our experience makes getting fire watch easy for you. We provide reliable fire watch service when you need regardless of whether it is short term or last minute. 


1. Tell Us What You Need

Let us know your specific fire watch needs and we’ll assess your situation to plan the right coverage.


2. Rapid Dispatch to Your Location

We provide an ETA and send professional fire watch security guards to your property right away.


3. Active Fire Watch Patrols

Our fire watch guards patrol your site in full compliance with local fire marshal and NFPA regulations.


4. Continuous Oversight and Communication

Our management team watches every detail from the start of the job to the end to ensure everything is done correctly and in compliance with the regulations.  We provide a swift response and clear communication through the entire process.

Call 888-241-8183
Dedicated Account Management for Every Event
security dispatcher
A designated account manager will coordinate your firewatch detail, from establishing service to daily management. They talk with you, review risks, and provide a plan that works for your facility.

•     Individual instructions for your team
•     Officers updated on location-specific protocols
•     Ongoing dialogue resolves questions quickly
•     Effectiveness shown by regular checks

With 15 years of field leadership, founder Rudo Robinson maintains active oversight. You get professional focus together with trusted leadership.

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.

How You Get Fast, Reliable fire watch in fairfax county, va

property manager with fire watch officer

Need it schedule service for a future date?

When Is Fire Watch Required in fairfax county, va

fire alarm and fire sprinkler
In Washington DC, the fire marshal requires occupied buildings to have fire watch patrols if a fire alarm system or fire sprinkler system is not working or offline for 4 hours or more within a 24-hour period.

Common situations include:

  • Alarm or sprinkler system failure
  • Frozen pipes or water damage
  • Renovations that disable your system
  • New construction awaiting final approval
  • Fire marshal inspection with violations
When is Fire Watch Needed In Petworth, DC

In Washington DC, the fire marshal requires occupied buildings to have fire watch patrols if a fire alarm system or fire sprinkler system is not working or offline for 4 hours or more within a 24-hour period.

Common situations that result in fire watch:

  • Alarm or sprinkler system failure
  • Frozen pipes or water damage
  • Renovations that disable your system
  • New construction awaiting final approval
  • Fire marshal inspection with violations
Fire Watch Regulations For Washington DC

Petworth fire watch rules are different than VA and MD

Washington DC follows unique requirements compared to other DMV jurisdictions. Fire watch services in Washington DC can only be delivered by licensed security agencies. Washington DC is the only location requiring properties to submit a fire watch plan. Any time your property enters fire watch status, a plan has to be submitted without delay. The fire watch plan must include a copy of your contract with the security company providing the fire watch guards.

The fire watch won't be deemed compliant until DC Fire and EMS reviews and approves the plan and contract. Missing this requirement or turning it in after the deadline can result in fines, so it's vital to get it done as soon as fire watch begins.

This plan shall be emailed to Office of the Fire Marshal fems.fireprevention@dc.gov

How many fire watch are required in Petworth DC

The fire marshal employs a calculation method to establish how many fire watch guards each property needs. To maintain compliance, you'll require the appropriate number of fire watch security guards depending on your building's configuration and activity level:

• One fire watch security guard for every two floors
• One officer assigned to the primary lobby, alarm system station, or any centralized area with a landline phone
• One extra officer for every six fire watch staff to accommodate break periods and rotation schedules
• A fire watch must always maintain a minimum of two officers working at all times, never just one
Additional Fire Watch Requirements

Patrols Are Compulsory When the Building Contains People
• Fire watch coverage is compulsory whenever the building contains people.
• This includes standard business times, evening operations, and periods when staff, contractors, or inhabitants are present.
• Residential facilities are viewed as occupied constantly.

Patrol Standards
• Qualified fire watch staff must continuously monitor all impacted locations.
• Patrols should occur every 30 to 60 minutes.
• Officers must stay positioned within the affected areas during intervals.
• Professional fire watch services patrol every 30 minutes for maximum protection.

How to Conclude a Fire Watch
• Fire watches in Washington, DC must stay operational until formally approved by the Fire Marshal.
• A Fire Inspector will typically conduct an inspection to ensure the system functions entirely before authorization.
• This requirement applies to every scenario — including self-reported fire watches.
• After work is complete, contact the Fire Marshal's Office to begin the clearance process.
Fire Marshal Email: fems.fireprevention@dc.gov

Here is what is needed to end fire watch
• Send an email to the fire marshal stating the system is 100% back in service.
Fire Marshal Contact: fems.fireprevention@dc.gov
• Provide documentation from the repair company showing the work was finished.
• Call to confirm receipt: 202-727-1614
• If after hours call: DC Fire and EMS Department Fire Liaison Officer at 202-373-3712
• Keep fire watch security on site until the fire marshal approves termination.

Fire watch in Petworth DC is regulated by the Office of the Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention Division

Want more in-depth info about your local fire watch requirements? 
Visit our DMV Area Fire Watch Guide

We ensure your fire watch is compliant

When your fire alarm system shuts down, you need to follow the District of Columbia Office of The Fire Marshal's standards. This can be challenging. Our team assists you in navigating these standards to keep your property protected and compliant.

This is how we facilitate compliance:
• We assist you in establishing the number of fire watch needed for your building.
• We help you with creating and filing the fire watch plan.
• The fire watch security guards get precise instructions on your requirements and the neighborhood fire codes.
• We deliver the official paperwork the fire marshal expects.
• We monitor the officers patrols confirming they are patrolling during the required intervals.
• We inspect the fire watch reports to validate they are completed correctly.
fire watch regulations

If you want the full breakdown of Arlington VA’s fire watch requirements we have made a guide just for you. Read our DMV Fire Watch Guide

We ensure your fire watch is compliant

When your fire alarm system shuts down, you need to follow the District of Columbia Office of The Fire Marshal's standards. This can be challenging. Our team assists you in navigating these standards to keep your property protected and compliant.

This is how we facilitate compliance:
• We assist you in establishing the number of fire watch needed for your building.
• We help you with creating and filing the fire watch plan.
• The fire watch security guards get precise instructions on your requirements and the neighborhood fire codes.
• We deliver the official paperwork the fire marshal expects.
• We monitor the officers patrols confirming they are patrolling during the required intervals.
• We inspect the fire watch reports to validate they are completed correctly.

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.

gps verified security time clock system

On-site GPS check-ins

Officers must be physically present at your location to clock in
security account manager speaking with fire watch officers

Pre-shift orientations

Officers are briefed on your property details and fire marshal requirements
security supervisor monitoring patrol tracking system

Continuous activity oversight

Patrol logs and digital tools track officer movements and actions
security report system

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

security dispatcher
We rely on our trained team and regularly confirm their performance. Using GPS tracking, patrol verification, and ongoing evaluations, we catch and fix issues before they turn into problems. When anything atypical takes place, our team reacts quickly to maintain safety and compliance.

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.

Petworth DC Security Guard Services FAQ

  • When is fire watch required?

    In Petworth, DC fire watch required for system impairments (alarms, sprinklers, standpipes, suppression) or hot work; NFPA 1 §16.11 mandates continuous monitoring enforced by DC FEMS Fire Marshal.

  • How often do fire watch patrols occur?

    Patrols every 30 minutes for occupied buildings, hourly for unoccupied; full premises coverage each cycle per FEMS guidelines.

  • What equipment must fire watch guards carry?

    Guards must carry two-way radios/cell phones for 911 calls, flashlights, refglective vests, megaphone and logbooks as required by DC Fire Code.

  • How does Urgent Security & Fire Watch ensure complete fire watch oversight?

    Petworth, DC properties are covered by Urgent Security & Fire Watch through GPS-confirmed patrols, tightly scheduled rounds, and digital reporting to prove compliance.

  • Are your security services available after hours and weekends?

    Urgent Security & Fire Watch operates nonstop in Petworth, DC, providing fire watch coverage at all hours, every day.

  • What fire watch documentation will I require?

    You must have patrol logs, guard details, coverage confirmation, incident documentation. Petworth, DC properties receive Urgent Security & Fire Watch's thorough fire watch records.

  • How quickly can fire watch guards reach my location?

    Petworth, DC sites receive comprehensive fire watch logs from Urgent Security & Fire Watch, documenting every patrol cycle and any safety issues identified during rounds.

  • What are the penalties for non-compliant fire watch?

    In Washington DC, serious fire watch violations can trigger enforcement that includes fines approaching or exceeding $10,000, the suspension of construction or operations, and a building closure imposed by FEMS Fire Prevention.

  • How do I schedule fire watch services immediately?

    Call Urgent Security & Fire Watch's always-on dispatch with location details for compliant guards ASAP.

  • How do I know when I have to have fire watch?

    Needed for over 4 hours impairment or emergency situations; check with FEMS 202-673-3333.

  • Do I have to notify the fire marshal if my alarm is not functioning?

    Yes, report to DC FEMS 202-673-3333 without delay for non-functioning alarm.

  • How long does my system need to be out of service before I need to have fire watch?

    Fire watch for 4 hours total impairment over 24 hours as mandated by DC Fire Code.

  • Do I have to get permission to terminate fire watch?

    Yes, before termination, get written FEMS Fire Marshal approval on repairs.

  • What’s the process for ending fire watch?

    Provide repair docs to FEMS, pass marshal inspection, secure written approval before stopping.

  • Can I use my own staff for a fire watch?

    Yes, but solely until professional fire watch team takes over the role.

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