What to Consider When Selecting Fire Watch Services
Continued occupancy and use of any building are dependent on fire protection systems that are fully operational. What will happen if the systems malfunction? The option you have is to contract with a company that offers fire watch services. There are many reasons you should fire a fire watch patrol service company instead of trying to do it yourself.
Nowadays, there are few companies offering Fire Watch Services. Those that provide fire watch service do not have an adequate team that is available 24/7 to offer last-minute needs. There are other things to consider, such as jurisdictional regulations and length of time services.
Jurisdictional Fire Watch Regulations
The way a fire watch is conducted depends on the guidelines of the jurisdiction where services are offered. All jurisdictions require fire watch patrol guards to walk the areas that are affected by the fire system that is not functioning as required. Usually, the patrols should occur a minimum of once per hour. Patrol officers are required to record times, observations, and locations.
Number of Fire Watch Patrol Guards Required
You have to consider the number of fire watch guards you need when considering hiring fire watch services. In this case, it depends on your circumstances. The idea here is to provide enough guard to patrol the concerned area in 30 minutes or less. In fact, some jurisdictions determine the number of guards to be hired.
How Long You Will Require Fire Watch Services
The duration that you require fire watch services is dependent on the nature of the problem you have with your existing fire system, regulations of your jurisdiction, and skills of technicians. Ideally, fire watch services last 2 to 3 days. However, in some instances, fire watch services can extend for several months. If your build is old with older systems, they may need close monitoring. The availability and skill of the technician affect the length of the service. For instance, skilled fire alarm technicians can have more done in less time. Also, you require a technician who will respond quickly whenever required.
In some areas, you will have to hire a fire alarm service with a dependable team and skilled technicians that can be dispatched quickly. You should note that security companies have a limited supply of guards. Therefore, it is necessary to schedule a service based on the worst-case scenario to ensure the service is ongoing.
