How often do I patrol on a fire watch in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The Fire Protection Services Regulations require the area to be patrolled at least once every hour while a required fire alarm or sprinkler system is out. Follow any stricter schedule in your post orders.

Who has to call the fire department when a fire alarm is shut down?

The regulations put this on the person responsible for completing the work on the system. They must notify the fire department and monitoring station immediately, and in writing if the shutdown will last more than 24 hours.

Which fire code applies in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The Fire Protection Services Regulations adopt the National Fire Code of Canada and the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. They name the 2015 and 2018 editions and adopt later editions 6 months after publication.

Who enforces fire safety rules in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The fire commissioner, with local fire chiefs as assistants. In the St. John's Regional Fire Department area, that department's fire chief carries out the commissioner's duties.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Newfoundland and Labrador Fire Watch Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Which Act sets up the fire commissioner and the fire safety enforcement system in Newfoundland and Labrador?

The Highway Traffic Act
The Fire Protection Services Act
The Petty Trespass Act
The Occupational Health and Safety Act

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Answer: B. The Fire Protection Services Act

The Fire Protection Services Act (SNL 2008, c. F-11.01) provides for the appointment and duties of the fire commissioner.

Question 2 of 25

For the use and operation of buildings, which codes do the NL Fire Protection Services Regulations adopt?

The Ontario Fire Code and the Ontario Building Code
The Canadian Electrical Code and the CSA gas codes
No code, since each building owner writes their own
The National Fire Code of Canada and NFPA 101

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Answer: D. The National Fire Code of Canada and NFPA 101

Section 3(1)(b) of the regulations adopts the National Fire Code of Canada and the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code for the use and operation of buildings.

Question 3 of 25

Under section 3(1.1) of the NL Fire Protection Services Regulations, when are later editions of the adopted codes adopted?

Only when the House of Assembly votes on them
5 years after they are published
Immediately when published
6 months after they are published

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Answer: D. 6 months after they are published

Section 3(1.1) says amendments and further editions of the adopted codes are adopted 6 months following publication.

Question 4 of 25

Who carries out the fire commissioner's duties in the area served by the St. John's Regional Fire Department?

The RCMP detachment commander for the area
The mayor and council of the City of St. John's
The owner of each building in the city
The St. John's Regional Fire Department fire chief

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Answer: D. The St. John's Regional Fire Department fire chief

Section 35 of the Fire Protection Services Act gives the fire commissioner's duties in that area to the department's fire chief.

Question 5 of 25

Under section 10 of the NL Fire Protection Services Act, what may the fire commissioner do when a risk of fire poses an immediate threat to life?

Order the building torn down at once
Nothing until a judge signs a court order
Only mail the owner a written warning
Post a fire watch at the property

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Answer: D. Post a fire watch at the property

Section 10(1)(b) lets the commissioner or a designate post a fire watch to remove or reduce an immediate threat to life.

Question 6 of 25

Under section 8(7) of the NL Fire Protection Services Regulations, who must be notified immediately when a fire alarm system is shut down in an occupied building?

The fire department and the monitoring station
Only the security company and its client
Only the building owner and the tenants
Only the municipal council and the mayor

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Answer: A. The fire department and the monitoring station

Section 8(7)(a) requires immediate notice to the fire department and the monitoring station.

Question 7 of 25

Under NL rules, when must notice of a fire alarm or sprinkler shutdown be given in writing?

Only after the system has been fixed and tested
Only when the building is a hospital or school
Never, because a phone call is always enough
When it is expected to last more than 24 hours

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Answer: D. When it is expected to last more than 24 hours

Sections 8(7)(a) and 14(3)(a) require written notice when the shutdown is expected to last more than 24 hours.

Question 8 of 25

Under the NL Fire Protection Services Regulations, where must notices about an inoperative fire alarm system be posted?

Only at the loading dock and the staff room
Only on the building's website and email list
On all floors, by elevators and at entrances
Only in the main office near the front desk

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Answer: C. On all floors, by elevators and at entrances

Section 8(7)(b) requires notices on all floors by elevators and at entrances.

Question 9 of 25

What is the minimum patrol frequency in NL when a fire alarm or sprinkler system is temporarily inoperative in an occupied building?

Once a day
At least once every hour
Once per shift
Once every 4 hours

Show answer

Answer: B. At least once every hour

Sections 8(7)(c) and 14(3)(c) require the area to be patrolled at least once every hour.

Question 10 of 25

Under section 8(7) of the NL regulations, who is responsible for the notices and patrols during a fire alarm shutdown?

The tenant who lives closest to the alarm panel
The person responsible for the work on the system
The fire commissioner or the local fire chief
The monitoring station that watches the alarm

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Answer: B. The person responsible for the work on the system

Section 8(7) places the duties on the person responsible for completing the work; that person often assigns a guard to patrol.

Question 11 of 25

A sprinkler system is shut down for repairs in an occupied NL building that must have one. What does section 14(3) of the regulations require?

Closing the building until the work is finished
Notices and hourly patrols, as for a fire alarm
Nothing, because the rule covers fire alarms only
Only one sign on the front door of the building

Show answer

Answer: B. Notices and hourly patrols, as for a fire alarm

Section 14(3) sets the same steps for fire extinguishing systems as section 8(7) does for fire alarms: notice, posted notices, hourly patrols and notice when the system works again.

Question 12 of 25

When a shut-down fire alarm system is working again, who must be told under section 8(7)(d)?

Fire department, monitoring station, occupants, owner
The insurance company, the bank and the tenants
The fire commissioner, the mayor and the RNC
The next shift guard and the property manager

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Answer: A. Fire department, monitoring station, occupants, owner

Section 8(7)(d) requires notice to the fire department, the monitoring station, the occupants and the owner.

Question 13 of 25

Under section 8(8) of the NL regulations, how must repairs to an inoperative fire alarm system be treated?

As something to do at the next yearly inspection
As the fire department's job
As optional
As high priority

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Answer: D. As high priority

Section 8(8) says inoperative systems must be given high priority for repairs to restore full operation.

Question 14 of 25

Besides notices and hourly patrols, what else does section 8(7)(e) require during a fire alarm shutdown?

Closing the building to the public until repairs end
Meeting any other fire commissioner safety requirements
Turning off the electricity to the whole building
Hiring a second security company for backup

Show answer

Answer: B. Meeting any other fire commissioner safety requirements

Section 8(7)(e) requires compliance with any other fire and life safety requirements of the fire commissioner for the shutdown.

Question 15 of 25

A tenant asks you to put a bag over a smoke detector. Under section 31(d) of the NL Fire Protection Services Act, tampering with installed detection equipment is:

Only a building rule, not a law
Allowed if the tenant pays
Allowed during a fire watch
An offence

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Answer: D. An offence

Section 31(d) makes it an offence to interfere with, tamper with or damage installed fire protection or detection equipment.

Question 16 of 25

The St. John's Regional Fire Department's fire safety planning procedures point to which part of the National Fire Code for fire safety plans?

Part 3
Appendix Z
Section 2.8.2
Section 9.10

Show answer

Answer: C. Section 2.8.2

The procedures refer to National Fire Code Section 2.8.2, Fire Safety Plan.

Question 17 of 25

How often must a fire safety plan be reviewed, according to the St. John's Regional Fire Department procedures?

Every month
At least every 12 months
Every 5 years
Only after a fire

Show answer

Answer: B. At least every 12 months

The procedures say the fire safety plan must be reviewed at least every 12 months.

Question 18 of 25

In the St. John's Regional Fire Department's procedures, who leads a building's fire emergency organization?

The newest tenant
The building Fire Marshal
The fire commissioner
The security guard on duty

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Answer: B. The building Fire Marshal

The procedures describe a building Fire Marshal, supported by deputy fire marshals and floor wardens.

Question 19 of 25

Under the St. John's Regional Fire Department's procedures, what is the first thing a person who sees fire or smoke must do?

Open the windows
Take a photo for the report
Warn people nearby
Look for the building manager

Show answer

Answer: C. Warn people nearby

The procedures say anyone seeing fire or smoke, or smelling gas, must warn people nearby, then use the nearest manual alarm and call the fire department.

Question 20 of 25

What does the "In Case of Fire" card in the St. John's procedures tell people to do?

Leave the fire area immediately and close all doors
Use the nearest elevator to leave the building quickly
Collect their belongings before they go
Stay at their desk until someone tells them to move

Show answer

Answer: A. Leave the fire area immediately and close all doors

The card tells people to leave the fire area immediately and close all doors.

Question 21 of 25

Under section 453(1) of the NL OHS Regulations, when may hot work be done where flammable substances are likely to be present?

Only after tests show it is safe and ignition is controlled
Never, not even after testing and safety controls
Any time, as long as a security guard is watching it
Only at night, when fewer people are in the area

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Answer: A. Only after tests show it is safe and ignition is controlled

Section 453(1) bars hot work where flammable substances are likely, unless tests show it is safe and procedures control ignition sources.

Question 22 of 25

What does section 448 of the NL OHS Regulations require at a workplace such as a hot work area?

Ready fire suppression equipment suited to the risk
A sprinkler head installed in every single room
Two security guards on duty at all times
A fire truck parked on site during the work

Show answer

Answer: A. Ready fire suppression equipment suited to the risk

Section 448 says fire suppression equipment must be readily available and appropriate to the potential loss exposure.

Question 23 of 25

Under section 453(2) of the NL OHS Regulations, what happens to the tests for flammable substances during hot work?

They are done only by the fire commissioner
They are repeated at intervals to keep workers safe
They are done once a year by the employer
They stop after the first hour of the work

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Answer: B. They are repeated at intervals to keep workers safe

Section 453(2) requires tests at intervals to ensure the continuing safety of workers.

Question 24 of 25

In the St. John's Regional Fire Department's procedures, who checks their floor and supervises its evacuation?

Visitors
The monitoring station
The fire commissioner
Floor wardens

Show answer

Answer: D. Floor wardens

The procedures appoint floor wardens, who make daily visual checks, supervise evacuation and confirm their floor is empty.

Question 25 of 25

You are on a fire watch and the fire alarm is out of service. You smell smoke and see flames. What should you do?

Warn people, call 911 and help people get out
Wait for the monitoring station to call you
Finish your round first, then report it
Try to reset or fix the fire alarm panel

Show answer

Answer: A. Warn people, call 911 and help people get out

With the alarm out, you must warn occupants yourself, call 911 to confirm with the fire department, and help people get out safely.

Newfoundland and Labrador Fire Watch Course 2026

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