Nova Scotia Fire Watch Course 2026
This course is for security guards in Nova Scotia who may be posted on a fire watch when a fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service. It covers the Fire Safety Act, the Fire Code in force since April 2025, Nova Scotia's own rule for impaired systems, chief fire wardens, and safe patrol and response.
Quick answer
This free course has about 30 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 12, 2026.
What you will learn
- Name the fire law and fire code in force in Nova Scotia and who enforces them
- Apply Nova Scotia's 2-hour rule for shut-down fire protection systems
- Explain the extra rules for alarm and sprinkler shutdowns
- Describe the chief fire warden's role in Nova Scotia buildings
- Patrol, keep an honest log and avoid Fire Safety Act offences
- Respond safely if you find fire or smoke
Score 80% or more to download your certificate.
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Question 1 of 25
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Answer: C. The 2020 National Fire Code, with Nova Scotia changes
Nova Scotia adopted the 2020 National Fire Code starting April 1, 2025. The Fire Safety Regulations adopt it, with Nova Scotia changes, as the Fire Code.
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Question 2 of 25
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Answer: C. The Fire Safety Act
The Fire Safety Regulations adopt the National Fire Code as the Fire Code under subsection 15(2) of the Fire Safety Act.
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Question 3 of 25
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Answer: A. The Fire Marshal
Section 13 of the Fire Safety Act lets the Fire Marshal enforce the Act, the regulations and the Fire Code.
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Question 4 of 25
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Answer: B. Each municipality
Section 19 of the Fire Safety Act requires each municipality to set up a fire safety inspection system and appoint a municipal fire inspector.
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Question 5 of 25
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Answer: D. Take every reasonable precaution for fire safety
Section 17 says every owner and person must take every precaution that is reasonable in the circumstances to achieve fire safety.
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Question 6 of 25
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Answer: A. 2 hours
Section 33 of the Fire Safety Regulations changes Article 6.1.1.4 so the rule applies when a fire protection system or any part of it is shut down or inoperative for more than 2 hours.
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Question 7 of 25
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Answer: B. Notify the fire department and provide trained patrols
Under section 33 of the Fire Safety Regulations, the owner must notify the fire department and provide a sufficient number of trained people to patrol the building until the system is restored.
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Question 8 of 25
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Answer: B. Industrial sites that keep their own fire brigade
Section 33 says the notice and patrol rule does not apply to industrial or manufacturing facilities that maintain their own industrial fire brigades.
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Question 9 of 25
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Answer: B. Procedures to alert occupants if there is a fire
Section 33 requires the owner to develop procedures to notify occupants of a fire or other emergency while the alarm and detection system is shut down or inoperative.
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Question 10 of 25
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Answer: B. When it is shut down for more than 6 hours
Section 33 of the Fire Safety Regulations requires procedures to protect the building when a sprinkler system is shut down for more than 6 hours.
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Question 11 of 25
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Answer: D. No; follow the fire department and your post orders
Section 33 requires a sufficient number of trained people to patrol the building but does not set a round time, so the frequency comes from the fire department, the owner and your post orders.
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Question 12 of 25
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Answer: B. Until the system is restored
Section 33 says the trained people must patrol the building until the system is restored to service.
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Question 13 of 25
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Answer: D. Within 48 hours
Section 37 of the Fire Safety Act requires the owner to notify the Fire Marshal within 48 hours when a sprinkler or fixed-pipe system discharges, subject to the regulations.
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Question 14 of 25
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Answer: B. Enter without a warrant and post a fire watch
Section 28 lets fire officials enter without a warrant in an emergency and take steps such as removing people or posting a fire watch.
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Question 15 of 25
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Answer: B. Peace officer powers under the Criminal Code
Section 11 of the Fire Safety Act gives them the powers of a peace officer under the Criminal Code while acting under the Act.
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Question 16 of 25
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Answer: A. An offence
Section 44 of the Fire Safety Act makes it an offence to tamper with a device intended to enable escape from a fire. Report it right away so it can be fixed.
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Question 17 of 25
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Answer: D. An offence
Section 44 of the Fire Safety Act makes it an offence to give a fire official information you know, or ought to know, is false or misleading.
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Question 18 of 25
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Answer: B. A concert hall with an occupant load over 200
Nova Scotia's Section 2.16 requires a chief fire warden in an assembly occupancy, such as a concert hall, with an occupant load over 200. School, college and university assembly occupancies are not included.
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Question 19 of 25
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Answer: D. At least every 6 months
Article 2.16.1.2, added by the Fire Safety Regulations, requires the chief fire warden to inspect at least every 6 months and give the owner a written report.
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Question 20 of 25
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Answer: C. 7 years
Nova Scotia's Article 2.16.1.2 requires the owner to keep each report for 7 years and show it to a fire official on request.
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Question 21 of 25
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Answer: A. Right after you finish the round
Fire departments ask fire watch staff to record each round as it is completed, with the time and their initials or signature.
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Question 22 of 25
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Answer: C. Warn the occupants with your air horn
When the alarm is out, the fire watch is the alarm. Warn occupants right away, then call 911 from a safe place.
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Question 23 of 25
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Answer: A. From a safe area away from the fire
Call 911 from a safe area so smoke or flames cannot trap you while you speak with the dispatcher.
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Question 24 of 25
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Answer: D. If it is small, safe and they are trained
Fire watch duties allow fighting a fire only when it is safe. If not, close the door, leave and let firefighters handle it.
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Question 25 of 25
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Answer: D. An air horn or whistle to warn occupants
Fire watch staff carry a way to warn people, such as an air horn or whistle, along with a radio or phone, flashlight, keys and the log.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- Since April 1, 2025, Nova Scotia's Fire Code is the National Fire Code of Canada 2020 with Nova Scotia changes, adopted under the Fire Safety Act.
- If a fire protection system is shut down or not working for more than 2 hours, the owner must notify the fire department and provide enough trained people to patrol the building.
- When a sprinkler system is shut down for more than 6 hours, the owner must have procedures to protect the building.
- An owner must notify the Fire Marshal within 48 hours when a sprinkler system discharges.
- Some Nova Scotia buildings need a chief fire warden who inspects at least every 6 months. The owner keeps the reports for 7 years.
Frequently asked questions
When is a fire watch needed in Nova Scotia?
When a fire protection system, or part of it, is shut down or not working for more than 2 hours, the owner must notify the fire department and provide trained people to patrol the building until the system is restored. A fire official may also post a fire watch in an emergency.
How often do I patrol on a Nova Scotia fire watch?
The provincial rule does not set a fixed number of minutes. Follow the fire department's direction, the owner's procedures and your post orders, and cover every affected area on each round.
Who enforces fire safety in Nova Scotia?
The Fire Marshal may enforce the Fire Safety Act, its regulations and the Fire Code. Each municipality must also run a fire inspection system with a municipal fire inspector.
Is hot work covered by these lessons?
Only briefly. Hot work rules are in the Fire Code and your site's hot work permit. Follow the permit and your supervisor's direction for any fire watch during and after welding or cutting.
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.