FAIRFAX COUNTY VIRGINIA
Fire Watch Staff
Code Compliance Guideline
 
Requirements Duties & Emergency Responders Notification

This article describes the requirements of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code (often known as the Fire Prevention Code or SFPC) with regard to I the responsibilities of fire watch personnel and (ii) the notification requirements for emergency responders. This is a handbook for people in charge of keeping a fire watch and calling for assistance in the event of an unwanted fire or emergency rather than an Order of Fire Watch, which is a formal directive issued by the Fire Marshal.
 
Outline

In order to improve life safety, the Fire Marshal's Office typically requires a fire watch in a building or occupation under two conditions: 1) Special activities and/or risky occupations; 2) Fire protection systems that are no longer functional. A fire watch is carried out by devoted, knowledgeable, and trained fire watch professionals who have a higher level of situational awareness and are aware of what to do in the event of a fire. The three main goals of the fire watch are to (a) compensate for a potential reduction in occupant self-preservation, (b) prevent a situation that would put the occupants at greater risk, and (c) compensate for a reduction in fire protection caused by an out-of-service fire protection system (such as, a sprinkler system).

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1. Special Projects and/or Vacancies at Risk. According to sections 403.11.1 and 403.11.1.1 of the Fire Prevention Code, the owner, agent, or lessee shall provide one or more fire watch personnel, as required and approved, to remain on duty during the times that the fire code official determines are necessary for public safety in a place of assembly or any other place where people congregate due to the number of people or the nature of the performance, exhibition, display, contest, or activity.

2. Fire protection systems that are no longer in use. According to Section 901.7 of the Fire Prevention Code (as modified by Fairfax County), the fire official may order an authorized fire watch for all locations left unprotected by the shutdown until the fire protection system has been put back into operation.

 
Fire Watch Personnel
Fire watch staff must: in line with section 403.11.1.2 of the Fire Prevention Code:

1. Keep a close eye out for threats such as flames, blockages to exits, and other dangers.

2. Take quick action to eliminate dangers and put out any flames that may start.

3. Quick action should be taken to help with the structure's public evacuation.

 
Emergency Responder Notification
In accordance with sections 401.3, 901.7, and 5003.3.1 of the Fire Prevention Code (as amended by Fairfax County), notification of emergency responders shall be as follows:

Fire Events. In the unfortunate event that a fire breaks out on a property, the owner or occupant must call the fire department right away (911), and they must also follow the evacuation plan. Do not wait to put out an undesired fire once it is found! Notify the residents, evacuate the building if necessary, and dial 911 right away! Keep in mind that no one may demand a delay in reporting a fire, either verbally or in writing!

Alarms going off. Employees and staff must immediately call 911 to alert the fire department and carry out the evacuation plan in the event of a fire alarm. Employees or personnel must additionally dial 911 to report the fire alarm signal. This includes the activation of monitored fire alarms built to automatically alert the fire department upon activation.

Hazardous Materials Release. Any person who witnesses, discovers, or otherwise has knowledge of a spill, leak or other release of a hazardous material or other material that may negatively impact the environment, regardless of quantity, shall immediately report such spill, leak or release to the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) by calling 911.

Out of Service Fire Protection Systems. Where a fire protection system is out of service/inoperable, the fire department and the fire code official shall be notified immediately by calling the Office of the Fire Marshal at 703-246-4821 during regular office hours (M-F, 7a-3p). Otherwise, call DPSC after-hours at 703-691-2131 to make this non-emergency notification.

Prohibited: Delayed Notification. A person is not allowed to demand a delay in calling the fire service to report a fire, either verbally or in writing.

False Report Is Not Allowed. Giving, signaling, or sending a false alert is against the law.

Prohibited: Interfering with F.D. operations. It is forbidden to hinder, attempt to hinder, conspire to hinder, obstruct, restrict, or block the line of movement of an emergency vehicle used by the fire department, as well as to hinder, attempt to hinder, conspire to hinder, obstruct, or impair any fire department operation.

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