HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU NEED FIRE WATCH?

What happens during fire watch?

• Trained personnel patrol your building 
• Fire watch officers watch and listen for signs of fire
• Fire watch officers dial 911 and evacuate the building if they see signs of fire. 
  

When Is Fire Watch Required?

Fire watch is required whenever any  part of your fire alarm or sprinkler system is not fully working. This requirement exists to protect the lives and well being of everyone inside the building.

Most fire watch regulations are based on standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). 

Here is when fire watch required according to the NFPA standards: 

• If your fire alarm system is out of service for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period, you must have fire watch. 
• This rule includes the entire system, even if just one zone or piece is down. One failed detector for over four hours still triggers a fire watch requirement. 
• For fire sprinkler or suppression systems, NFPA standards say fire watch starts if the system is down more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period. 
  

Pay Close Attention in Washington DC 

Washington DC applies stricter rules than NFPA standards.  You must start fire watch if any part of either your alarm and sprinkler is out of service over 4 hours.
There is no additional time for fire sprinklers. Sprinklers have the same 4 hour window as alarms. 

Do not wait 4 hours to start contacting fire watch companies.  Even companies with fast response times like ours  still need time to get people to your location. Your property is technically in violation of the fire code the minute the outage time extends past 4 hours.   

Delays can lead to violation citations and fines.  

Here are key fire watch actions you need to take:

• Know the specific fire watch rules for your city or county. Do not assume the NFPA standards apply to your jurisdiction. Local fire departments in DC, Maryland, and Virginia often use the four-hour rule for both alarms and sprinklers.
• Take immediate action when you learn about a fire alarm or sprinkler problem. Do not wait until the window of time is almost up.
• Record the exact time when you first noticed the system was down. This helps you track when fire watch must start.
• Keep written records of phone calls, repair updates, and any steps you take. Save emails and reports from contractors for your files.
• Assign trained fire watch staff to patrol areas that are affected until professionals arrive. Make sure they know their duties and how to contact emergency services.

If you are not sure about the local code or have questions check out our DMV Area Fire Watch Guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

Managing fire watch can create stress, especially if you have never handled this before. Small mistakes lead to big problems, like fines or extra risk for the people in your building. 

Avoid these common fire watch mistakes: 

• Waiting too long to start fire watch. Many property managers think they can wait until repairs are started or almost done. If your fire alarm or sprinkler system is out longer than allowed, you must start fire watch, even if the repair crew is on site. 
• Not tracking the exact time your system went down. You need to know when a failure started. Write it down as soon as you learn about it. This helps you stay within the time window fire codes require. 
• Forgetting to document each step. Always keep clear records of when the problem started, when you called for help, who was notified, and any repairs or fire watch activity. Good records protect you from code violations and show you did the right thing. 
• Misunderstanding which parts of the system matter. Fire watch is required even if only one device or part fails, not just the whole system. 
• Not communicating fire watch status to everyone in the building. Tenants or employees need to know, especially if alarms are down and a fire watch team is in place. 

How Urgent Security & Fire Watch Helps Property Managers 

You have strict fire watch timelines to meet. Missing deadlines risks your building’s safety and can lead to expensive fines. When time is tight, you need fast, reliable help. 

Urgent Security & Fire Watch specializes in supporting property managers across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Here is how our team makes the process easier: 

• Dispatch trained fire watch personnel quickly, often within hours of your call 
• Patrol all affected areas, keeping detailed logs and watching for fire or hazards 
• Use documentation that meets fire code requirements, making compliance simpler 
• Stay in direct contact with you and your repair team, giving updates until full protection is restored 
• Support you with clear answers to any questions about local rules, timing, or fire watch procedures 

Our goal is to help you stay focused on managing your building while we handle fire code compliance. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Watch

Property managers often have the same questions when dealing with fire watch requirements. Here are straightforward answers to the most common ones:

What counts as “out of service” for alarms or sprinklers?

• Any part of your alarm or sprinkler system that stops working is considered out of service.
• This includes even one broken detector, pull station, or sprinkler head.

If the repair company is already on the way, do I still need fire watch?

• Yes. Even if the repair crew is on site, you must follow the fire watch rules.
• Fire watch must begin if the system outage passes four hours in DC and most surrounding areas.

How do I track the four-hour rule?

• Write down the exact time you first notice the problem.
• Keep monitoring the repair progress.
• If repairs are not finished within four hours, start fire watch patrols right away.

What if only one floor or area is affected—do I need fire watch everywhere?

• Fire watch is only required where the protection is not working.
• If only certain zones or floors are down, place fire watch in those areas.

What documentation should I keep?

• Note the start and end times of the outage.
• Log all communications with repair teams and fire watch staff.
• Keep records of every fire watch patrol.
• Save emails and written reports related to the incident.



How do I let people know the building is on fire watch?

• Inform all tenants and staff as soon as fire watch begins.
• Post clear notices in affected areas when alarms or sprinklers are not working.
  

Need Help With Fire Watch?

If you have questions about requirements or need a trained team to step in quickly, contact Urgent Security & Fire Watch.

• Get clear answers about DC, Maryland, and Virginia codes
• Arrange fast fire watch coverage for your building
• Get help with documentation and compliance

Reach out any time you need support or have questions about staying compliant.