Why Firewatch Isn’t Just for Wildfires: Know Your Building Code Requirements

What Firewatch Means for Your Building

In commercial, residential, or industrial settings, “firewatch” refers to a physical patrol of your property when any of your required fire protection systems are:

• Disabled or malfunctioning (e.g. fire alarms)

• Under repair (e.g. sprinkler systems or smoke control systems)

• Pending inspection or failed code check

• Being renovated or temporarily removed

Instead of leaving the building vulnerable, code enforcement allows you to deploy trained firewatch personnel to physically monitor the property in person, continuously to prevent and report fires immediately.

What the Fire Code Actually Requires

Most local jurisdictions (including Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland) follow the International Fire Code (IFC) or a variation of it. In these codes, firewatch is legally required when life safety systems are down for a certain period (often over 4 hours in a 24-hour window).

If you don’t act fast, you could face:

• Building shutdowns

• Code violation fines

• Fire marshal stop-work orders

• Insurance liability if an incident occurs

Why Firewatch DMV, Inc Exists

Firewatch DMV, Inc was created to solve this exact problem not to track forest fires, but to help property owners, managers, and developers stay compliant and keep their buildings open and protected.

We:

• Deploy guards within 60–90 minutes

• Understand local fire marshal expectations

• Provide detailed logbooks and real-time reports

• Are fully licensed and insured for firewatch in DC, MD & VA

You don’t need a “wildfire near me” alert. You need a real solution to avoid expensive delays and protect your investment.

Final Takeaway

Next time you see “firewatch near me” remember:

• Wildfires aren’t your problem.

• Building codes are.

• And we’re ready to keep you compliant, open, and safe.

Call 800-644-9113 now for a free same-day compliance review.