Washington DC Fire Watch Requirements
What is required for fire watch in Washington DC?
Dealing with fire watch rules in Washington DC can feel overwhelming. Every property manager wants to protect their building and avoid trouble with the fire marshal, but DC’s rules bring extra steps that are different from nearby areas. You may have handled a fire watch in Maryland or Virginia before. It is important to know that Washington, D.C is unique. Small mistakes can create BIG Problems.
Many people have questions like:
- What triggers fire watch in DC?
- Who is allowed to handle fire watch duties?
- How many officers does your property need?
- What needs to be submitted to the fire marshal?
These questions often come up during a stressful moment, and the answers are not always clear.
You do not have to figure it out alone. We help clients through these challenges every day. This article will provide clear answers for what to do when you find out your building needs to be on fire watch.
What is fire watch?
A fire watch is a temporary safety service that sends trained personnel to patrol your building when its fire protection systems, like alarms or sprinklers, are not working.
The main job of a fire watch is to:
- Patrol the areas where the system is down.
- Look for any signs of smoke or fire.
- Alert people and contact the fire department if a fire starts.
This service ensures your property stays safe and compliant until your fire systems are repaired and back online.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU NEED FIRE WATCH?
The first thing to determine is if your building officially needs a fire watch. It can feel like a grey area, but the rule is quite specific.
In Washington, DC, fire watch is required whenever any part of your fire alarm or fire sprinkler system is not working for longer than 4 hours. Unoccupied space is excluded from this requirement.
Defining the 4-Hour Window
It is important to understand what that four-hour window means. It is not a grace period to see if the problem fixes itself. The rule allows for brief, scheduled system tests. If you know a repair will take longer than four hours, you need to act immediately. The best course of action is to get a fire watch in place as soon as you know there is a problem.
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How is occupied space defined in the District of Columbia fire watch regulations?
The District of Columbia Fire Marshal only requires fire watch for occupied space affected by the out of service alarm or sprinkler system. Many well-meaning property managers make the mistake of incorrectly defining "occupied space.
The District of Columbia Fire Marshal's Office considers a space occupied whenever a space with an occupancy permit has ANY person is inside the affected area. This applies regardless of the reason the person is within the affected area.
List of Services
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When are residential building occupied?List Item 1
For residential buildings, this is straightforward. They are considered occupied 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your fire watch must also be active 24/7.
Keep in mind it is asumed that every area within a residential building that can be reached by anyone within the building is considered occupied.
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When are commerical buildings considered occupied?List Item 2
For commercial buildings, it is more complex. "Occupied" does not just mean your regular business hours. It includes any time employees, cleaning crews, contractors, or even the alarm repair technicians are in the building. If anyone is inside, a fire watch must be on duty.
Important: Fire watch is required even when the only people in the building are alarm repair personnel.
Do you need fire watch service?
We can help! Call 888-241-8183
So you need fire watch. What should you do?
Here are two steps you should take immediately:
1. Temporarily assign your own staff to do fire watch patrols.
You must assign your own employees to perform patrols until the professional fire watch officers arrive. This is not just a good idea. The fire code requires it.
2. Contact a security company that specializes in fire watch services.
It is impossible for a security company to instantly get fire watch officers to your location. The best fire watch security companies can have officers to your location in 2-4 hours.
How to Calculate the Number of Fire Watch Needed in Washington DC
Determining the number of fire watches required is yet another example of the uniqueness of the Washington, DC fire watch regulations. Most surrounding jurisdictions, like Montgomery County and Fairfax County only require 1 person per building. The District of Columbia Fire Marshal uses a specific formula to determine how many fire watch your building needs. Getting this number wrong can cause sizeable problems.
Washington DC Fire Watch Staffing Formula
- 1 officer for every two floors of the building.
- 1 officer for the main lobby or fire control room. This person does not patrol.
- 1 officer to provide breaks for every six officers on duty. This ensures officers can take breaks without leaving a post uncovered.
- You must always have a minimum of 2 officers, even for a single-story building.
Example 1: A 4-story building.
- You need two officers for the floors (one for floors 1-2, one for floors 3-4).
- You need one officer for the lobby.
- This gives you a total of three officers.
Example 2: A 7-story building.
- You need four officers for the floors (one for 1-2, one for 3-4, one for 5-6, and one for floor 7).
- You need one officer for the lobby.
- This gives you five officers. Since you have almost six officers on duty, you also need one relief officer.
- This brings your total to six officers.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Let Our Experts Handle It.
Submitting Your Fire Watch Plan to the washington dc Fire Marshal
The fire watch plan must include the following information:
1. Building Location
Include the complete street address of the property requiring fire watch services.
2. Status of Alarm and Sprinkler Systems
Provide a detailed overview of the condition of the fire alarm and suppression systems. Indicate whether they are fully non-functional, partially operational, or operating sporadically.
3. Timeline for Repair Completion
Mention the anticipated timeframe for restoring fire protection systems. If this date is not known, indicate that the repair schedule has not yet been determined.
4. Impacted Floors
Specify the number and specific floors affected by the system outage or malfunction.
5. Hours of Occupancy
Report the times when the affected spaces are occupied. Residential buildings typically require 24-hour monitoring.
6. Contracted Fire Watch Agency
Provide the name of the licensed fire watch or security company hired to perform patrols. A signed agreement confirming their assignment is required.
Note: Individuals such as tenants, maintenance staff, or cleaning personnel may not serve as fire watch officers.
7. Fire Watch Staffing Information
a. Number of Assigned Fire Watch Personnel
Indicate the total number of staff designated for fire watch patrols, including those covering rest breaks.
Note: Fire watch coverage by a single individual is not allowed. Final staffing arrangements are subject to the Fire Marshal’s approval, based on the property’s risk level, layout, and size.
b. Officer Identification
Explain how officers will be easily recognized. This may include safety vests, official uniforms, armbands, or other approved visual markers.
c. Patrol Equipment
List all tools that personnel will carry while on duty—such as radios, flashlights, daily logbooks, or emergency communication gear.
d. Relevant Training and Knowledge
Describe the experience level of assigned personnel. They must be knowledgeable about the specific hazards of the property, occupancy type, existing detection/alarm systems, and fire suppression infrastructure.
8. Internal Communication Strategy
Detail how team members will maintain constant contact. Use of radios or similar direct-connect devices is required; cell phones alone are insufficient due to reliability concerns.
9. Emergency Response Protocol
Explain the process for immediately alerting both building occupants and the local fire department in the event of a threat.
Important: Officers must continually circulate and monitor their areas. Gathering in one place is not permitted.
10. Patrol Routes and Frequency
Define the areas that each officer will inspect. The entire facility must be included—no partial patrols allowed.
Each location should be checked at least once per hour, with special emphasis on storage spaces, mechanical rooms, janitorial closets, attics, basements, and other rarely occupied areas. The Fire Marshal may require more frequent inspections.
11. Recordkeeping Process
Outline the method for documenting patrols. This could include logbooks, digital forms, or timestamped check-in systems.
12. Fire Watch Compliance Acknowledgment
Attach a signed statement from the property manager or owner confirming:
- Understanding and commitment to follow all fire watch regulations
- Agreement that the fire watch will remain active until the Fire Marshal authorizes its removal
- Awareness that noncompliance may result in penalties, revoked authorization, or code violations
Follow these steps :
Call the Fire Marshal's office at 202-727-1614 to inform them you are sending the plan before you send it. Their office hours are 8:15-4:45 Monday - Friday
If after hours, call the DC Fire and EMS Department Fire Liaison Officer at 202-373-3712
Email the fire watch plan and a copy of the signed contract with your chosen fire watch company to fems.fireprevention@dc.gov.
Important: You MUST include the fire watch contract.
- The plan shows you know the rules.
- The signed contract proves you have hired a qualified company to follow those rules.
Your fire watch will not be approved without both documents. Following this step correctly prevents delays and potential fines.
Creating a compliant plan can feel overwhelming,
We make it simple. Use our
Fire Watch Plan Generator
Keeping Washington DC Fire Watch Patrols and Patrol Logs Compliant
Your plan is approved and the officers are on site. The next step is to ensure all patrols are performed and documented correctly. This is an ongoing task that must continue until the fire marshal officially ends the fire watch.
For property managers who need the key facts quickly, here are the fire marshal's core requirements:
- Patrols Every Hour: An officer must patrol all affected areas of your property at least once every hour.
- Keep Logs On-Site: Every single patrol must be recorded in a fire watch log sheet. This log is a legal document that must be available on your property for an inspector to review at any time without notice.
While meeting these rules is the minimum requirement, we believe in providing an extra layer of protection for our clients. At Urgent Security, we require fire watch officers to patrol every 30 minutes instead of every 60.
This higher frequency creates a crucial safety buffer. A patrol that must happen every 60 minutes can easily become a violation if it is delayed by just a few minutes.
By setting the patrol schedule to every 30 minutes, we ensure that even if a patrol takes longer than expected, it still falls safely within the fire marshal's one-hour window. This simple change in procedure protects your property from accidental non-compliance.
How to Properly End Your Fire Watch in Washington DC
It is a huge relief when the repair company tells you the system is fixed and 100% back in service. It feels like you have crossed the finish line, but there is one final, critical step.
You cannot end the fire watch service until the fire marshal gives you official approval.
Even though your system is working perfectly, the fire watch must continue. Stopping the service before you get approval is a serious violation.
Here is the correct process to follow:
- Request permission to terminate fire watch. Send an email formally requesting permission to terminate the fire watch.
- Attach proof of repair. You must include documentation from the repair company that confirms the system is fully operational. The fire marshal will not act without this proof.
- Wait for the inspection. The fire marshal will usually send an inspector to your property to verify the system is 100% back in service.
The good news is the DC Fire Marshal's Officer is very responsive. However, it is important to set realistic expectations. In most cases the inspector arrives within 2 hours of when the request is submitted.
Inspections primarily happen during business hours and are limited on weekends. If your system is fixed on a Saturday evening, you will likely need to continue the fire watch until Monday morning.
Waiting for that final approval can be frustrating. It is important to resist the temptation to end the service early to reduce your fire watch expenses. Following this final step correctly ensures you finish the process without any fines or penalties.
We have covered a lot of rules, and we understand it can feel like a lot to manage. It is helpful to know why the D.C. fire marshal is so strict. These regulations are designed to prevent tragedies, and the consequences for not following them are serious because the risk to human life is so high.
Taking shortcuts or ignoring the rules can lead to severe penalties. These can include:
- Heavy Fines: You can be fined thousands of dollars for each day your property is not in compliance.
- Building Shutdown: The fire marshal has the authority to close your building entirely until the fire system is repaired and the watch is properly managed.
- Criminal Charges: If a fire happens and someone is hurt because the fire watch was not handled correctly, you could personally face criminal charges like reckless endangerment.
- It is always better to follow the process correctly. This protects you, your property, and everyone inside it.
Will insurance cover the cost of fire watch patrol services?
Learning about the necessary rules and potential fines can be worrying, especially when you are also thinking about the expense of the fire watch itself. We have some good news that might relieve some of that pressure. Many insurance policies include fire watch expense reimbursement.
For property managers who need the key information quickly, here is what you should know about insurance:
- Most Policies Offer Coverage: Many commercial property insurance policies will reimburse you for the full cost of fire watch services.
- Contact Your Provider Immediately: You should call your insurance agent as soon as you know a fire watch is required.
- Keep Excellent Records: You will need the approved fire watch plan and all patrol logs to get your claim approved.
- Do not delay paying the fire watch company. Insurance providers have been know to take 3-5 months to process and pay claims. Fire watch companies tend to bill net 30. Since fire watch is associated with repairs, the fire watch company can place a lien on your building for non-payment. It is always best to pay the company and then get reimbursed instead of creating legal expenses.
It might seem surprising, but insurance companies often view a professionally managed fire watch as a positive action. It is a proactive step you are taking to protect the property from a fire. This reduces their risk of paying out a much larger claim for fire damage. Because you are minimizing their risk, they are often willing to cover the cost of the service.
To get the process started, contact your insurance provider as soon as you can. When you file for reimbursement, they will need to see proof that you followed all the regulations. Be prepared to provide them with a copy of the fire marshal-approved fire watch plan and the complete set of daily patrol logs. Keeping these documents organized will make the reimbursement process much faster and smoother.
Getting the right fire watch assistance
Navigating Washington D.C.'s fire watch rules can be challenging. The regulations are complex, and the stakes are high. The information we have shared gives you a clear path to follow.
If you feel overwhelmed or just want an expert to guide you, contact our team here at Urgent Security and Firewatch. We specialize in fire watch services. We can help you through every step of the process, from getting staff on site and creating your plan to obtaining final approval to terminate the fire watch.
Professional Fire Watch Services in Washington DC
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