WASHINGTON DC
Washington DC Fire Watch Personnel
Code Compliance Guideline

A fire watch is a short-term, emergency measure to provide an acceptable level of life safety in an unsafe or hazardous conditions existing in a building or structures. A fire watch is a compensatory measure only. It is intended to allow continued occupancy of a building or facility that may not be safe to be occupied during the time period required for implementing appropriate changes or repairs. The purpose of the fire watch is to check all areas of the building on a regular basis to detect fire/life safety emergencies and provide prompt notification to 911 along with the building occupants of the appropriate actions to be taken.


Required
A fire watch is required to be implemented immediately when certain conditions are discovered either by the facility manager or by the Fire Marshal. Examples of when a fire watch will be required by the DC Fire and EMS Department, Office of the Fire Marshal include, but are not limited to:

• Outages for maintenance (four hours or longer), significant impairment of or out-of-service fire alarm system.

• Outages for maintenance (four hours or longer), significant impairment of or out-of-service fire suppression system.

• Blocked or locked means of egress and/or exit.

• Hazardous or dangerous conditions that create an immediate life hazard (this condition shall require notification to 911).

Each situation will be evaluated individually and outages for maintenance will be reviewed for the length of time involved to perform the work. Procedures: In the event that the building fire alarm system is inoperable or any other of the above situations occur immediately notify OPEFM Safety, Regulatory and Environmental Compliance Section at (202) 576-8962.
If it is determined that a fire watch is needed the Safety, Regulatory and Environmental Compliance Section will conduct a building survey. Size and configuration of the building, hours of operation and any special hazards will determine the time and number of persons required for the fire watch.

The Safety, Regulatory and Environmental compliance Section will inform the DC Fire and EMS Department, Office of the Fire Marshal that a fire watch has been established.

The Principal or Building Manager will notify building staff of system status using the Fire Alarm System Failure- Fire Watch memo. A copy of the memo will be forwarded to OPEFM Safety, Regulatory and Environmental Compliance Section at (202) 576-8962 which may be forwarded to DC Fire Marshal, if requested.


The Principal or Building Manager will issue Fire Watch – Duty Statement memo to person selected to participate in the fire watch and inform them of their selection to participate, their hours of service and duties involved. Duties are:
Identify at least one means of direct communication with the Fire Department (A telephone is acceptable).

• Conduct periodic patrols of the entire facility checking for the occurrence of fire.

• Identify any fire, life or property hazards.

• Notify occupants of the facility of the need to evacuate.

• Notify the DC Fire Department if a fire is discovered, by calling 9-1-1 with the exact address and type of emergency.

• Maintain a log of activities during the fire watch.

Principal or Building Manager will establish a Fire Watch Log Sheet and maintain the log until fire alarm system is placed back in service or any other emergency is corrected. Completed log sheet will be forwarded to OPEFM Safety, Regulatory and Environmental Compliance Section at (202) 576-8962 for review and will be forwarded to DC Fire Marshal if requested. OPEFM Safety, Regulatory and Environmental Compliance Section will notify DC Fire and EMS Department, Office of the Fire Marshal when the situation returns to normal operations and the fire watch is no longer needed.

 

The Fire Marshal has a important job and that is to save lives. Firewatch DMV works hand in hand with the Washington DC Fire Marshal's office to ensure proper protocols are aligned for Firewatch.

 

 

What is Fire Watch Security?

Fire watch security involves placing trained personnel on-site to monitor a property when its fire protection systems—such as alarms, sprinklers, or suppression systems—are out of service or not functioning properly. These licensed guards perform documented patrols, keep detailed fire logs, and are trained to respond quickly to fire hazards. Firewatch services ensure compliance with local fire code requirements and provide peace of mind for property owners, tenants, and local authorities.

 

 

When Is Fire Watch Required in Washington D.C.?

In Washington D.C., the Fire Marshal may mandate fire watch security for various reasons, including:

• Fire alarm system or sprinkler system is temporarily inoperable

• Construction or renovation projects that pose fire risks

• High-occupancy buildings during system shutdowns or power loss

• Public events that exceed safe occupancy thresholds

• Any circumstance that violates DC Fire Code Chapter 9 (Fire Protection Systems)

If your building is issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) or Fire Marshal directive, immediate fire watch coverage is typically required until systems are restored.

 

 

Why Property Managers and Owners Trust Firewatch D.M.V.

Property managers, commercial landlords, and building owners across Washington D.C. choose Firewatch D.M.V. because we deliver:

• Same-day dispatch, often within 1–2 hours

• Licensed, trained, and insured officers with site-specific knowledge

• 24/7 availability, including holidays and emergencies

• Clear communication, verified patrol logs, and compliance reporting

• Transparent, flat-rate pricing with Net-7 payment terms for qualified clients

Our local experience and responsiveness have made us the go-to provider for fire watch services in DC’s most demanding environments.

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Compliance with DC Fire Marshal Orders

The D.C. Fire Marshal enforces strict safety codes that require active fire protection or approved fire watch coverage. When your system fails, the Fire Marshal may issue a written order demanding that a fire watch begin immediately. Firewatch D.M.V. provides full compliance services, including:

• Hourly patrols with detailed fire logs

• Officer sign-in/sign-out with timestamps

• Communication with on-site staff or inspectors

• Immediate incident escalation procedures

• Documentation suitable for submission to DC Fire Marshal or insurance

We help ensure you're not only compliant, but also protected from penalties, liability, or shutdowns.

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Sample Client Use Cases

We proudly serve a wide range of industries and property types across Washington D.C.:

Construction Sites – Fire watch during hot work, open flames, or system outages
Commercial Buildings – Elevators, fire alarms, or suppression systems offline
Apartment Complexes & HOAs – High-risk tenant areas or mechanical failures
Retail Stores & Restaurants – Fire suppression upgrades or power loss
Hotels, Schools & Hospitals – Immediate fire marshal orders or after-hours coverage
Event Venues – Temporary structures, pyrotechnics, or over-occupancy risk

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Whether it’s short-term or extended coverage, we’re built to respond quickly and professionally.

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Available Fire Watch Services in Washington D.C.

• 24/7 On-Site Firewatch Officers

• Foot Patrols & Perimeter Sweeps

• Real-Time Fire Log Documentation

• DC Fire Marshal Compliance Protocol

• Fire Hazard Detection & Escalation

• Reports for Insurance or Legal Needs

• Emergency Backup for Delayed System Repairs

• Specialized Coverage for Construction Zones

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All services are performed by fully vetted, DCJS-licensed guards trained in D.C.-specific fire code protocol.

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​Call Firewatch DMV, Inc now
1-800-644-9113
Operations@FirewatchDMV.com