Fire Watch Course for Security Officers (US) 2026
This course is for security officers in the United States who may be posted on a fire watch while a fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service, or during hot work. It covers fire code section 901.7, patrol rounds, the log, hot work and what to do if you find fire, with examples from New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. It is background knowledge only: some places, such as New York City, require a fire guard certificate of their own.
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 13, 2026.
What you will learn
- Explain what fire code section 901.7 requires when a system is out of service
- Prepare the right equipment and building information for a fire watch
- Patrol at the frequency your fire department sets and spot hazards
- Keep a complete and honest fire watch log
- Respond in the right order if you find fire or smoke
- Apply OSHA hot work fire watch rules
- Describe how a fire watch is properly ended
Score 80% or more to download your certificate.
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Question 1 of 25
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Answer: A. The fire department and the fire code official
Section 901.7 of the International Fire Code, adopted in places such as New York State, says the fire department and the fire code official must be notified immediately.
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Question 2 of 25
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Answer: D. Evacuate the building or provide an approved fire watch
Under section 901.7, the fire code official may require the building to be evacuated or an approved fire watch to be provided until the system is back in service.
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Question 3 of 25
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Answer: D. A temporary measure for steady, systematic watching of a building
The code definition calls a fire watch a temporary measure for continuous and systematic surveillance of a building, to find hazards and early signs of fire and raise the alarm.
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Question 4 of 25
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Answer: A. The building owner
The owner must assign an impairment coordinator. If no one is named, the owner is the impairment coordinator.
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Question 5 of 25
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Answer: B. A tag that shows the system is out of service
Section 901.7.2 requires a tag to show that a system, or part of it, has been removed from service. Tags go at places such as control valves and the fire alarm control unit.
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Question 6 of 25
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Answer: B. Fire guards holding an FDNY F-01 Certificate of Fitness
FDNY says that after the first 4 hours, impairment patrols may only be done by fire guards holding a Certificate of Fitness (F-01, Citywide Fire Guard for Impairment).
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Question 7 of 25
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Answer: C. To do constant patrols and keep watch for fires
Section 901.7, as adopted in Ohio and North Carolina, says the fire watch's only duty is to perform constant patrols of the premises and keep watch for fires.
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Question 8 of 25
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Answer: C. At least one approved way to notify the fire department
Section 901.7 requires each fire watch person to have at least one approved means of notifying the fire department, such as a phone or radio that reaches 911.
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Question 9 of 25
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Answer: D. Buildings where people sleep
Brunswick County requires 15-minute rounds where people sleep, in institutional buildings and in occupied assembly buildings, because people there may be slow to notice a fire.
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Question 10 of 25
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Answer: B. At least every 60 minutes
Brunswick County requires every area to be observed at least hourly, so buildings that do not need 15-minute rounds are patrolled every 60 minutes.
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Question 11 of 25
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Answer: A. Every 30 minutes
Miami Township sets rounds every 30 minutes in unoccupied buildings and every 15 minutes where people may be asleep.
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Question 12 of 25
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Answer: B. 50,000 square feet
FDNY says no fire guard may patrol more than 50,000 square feet of floor area. Larger buildings need more guards.
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Question 13 of 25
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Answer: D. At least once every hour
FDNY says the entire building must be checked at least once every hour during an impairment fire watch.
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Question 14 of 25
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Answer: B. Blocked exits and other hazards
Richardson's fire watch duties include a diligent watch for fires, obstructions to exits and other hazards.
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Question 15 of 25
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Answer: D. Exit routes must be kept free and unobstructed
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.37 says exit routes must be free and unobstructed, and no materials may be placed in them, even for a short time. Report it right away.
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Question 16 of 25
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Answer: A. The time each patrol tour was completed
The log must show the facility address, the time each tour was completed, the name of the fire watch person and other details the fire department asks for.
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Question 17 of 25
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Answer: B. The fire department and the monitoring company
The log must include a record of communications with the fire department and the alarm monitoring company.
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Question 18 of 25
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Answer: C. On site, ready for the fire code official to inspect
Miami Township, Ohio, and McDowell County, North Carolina, say the fire watch log is kept on site so the fire department or fire code official can review it.
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Question 19 of 25
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Answer: A. Call 911 with no delay
FDNY teaches fire guards to call 911 first, with no delay, and then sound the alarm and notify the person in charge.
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Question 20 of 25
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Answer: B. Do not assume the fire department has been called
FDNY warns fire guards not to assume the fire department has been called just because an alarm or smoke detector sounds.
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Question 21 of 25
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Answer: D. People on the fire floor and the floor above
FDNY says occupants on the fire floor and the floor above leave first, using the stairs rather than elevators.
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Question 22 of 25
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Answer: C. Only when the fire is clearly small enough for the equipment
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 says fire watchers try to put out a fire only when it is obviously within the capacity of the equipment available. Otherwise they sound the alarm.
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Question 23 of 25
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Answer: B. 35 feet
Under 29 CFR 1910.252, a fire watch is required when appreciable combustible material is closer than 35 feet to the welding or cutting, among other conditions.
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Question 24 of 25
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Answer: A. At least half an hour
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252 requires the fire watch to stay for at least half an hour after welding or cutting is finished, to catch smoldering fires.
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Question 25 of 25
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Answer: D. The system is tested and the fire department and others are told
When a system is restored, the impairment coordinator makes sure it is inspected and tested, notifies the fire department and other parties, and then removes the tag.
Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.
What to know before the test
- Under fire code section 901.7, the fire department and the fire code official must be notified right away when a required fire protection system is out of service.
- The fire code official may require the building to be evacuated or an approved fire watch to be provided until the system is back in service.
- Patrol frequency is set locally. Brunswick County, North Carolina, asks for rounds every 15 minutes where people sleep and every 60 minutes in other buildings.
- In New York City, after the first 4 hours of an outage, impairment patrols must be done by fire guards holding an FDNY F-01 Certificate of Fitness.
- OSHA requires a hot work fire watch to continue for at least half an hour after welding or cutting is finished.
Frequently asked questions
What does a fire watch officer do?
They patrol the affected building on a set schedule, look for fire and hazards such as blocked exits, keep a log, and call 911 and warn occupants if they find fire or smoke. Many fire codes say patrolling is their only duty.
How often do I patrol on a fire watch?
Your fire department or permit sets it. Examples include every 15 minutes where people sleep and every 60 minutes elsewhere in Brunswick County, North Carolina, and a full check of the building at least every hour in New York City.
Do I need a certificate to work a fire watch?
It depends on where you work. New York City requires an FDNY F-01 Certificate of Fitness for impairment fire guards after the first 4 hours, and your state may also require a security guard license. This course is background knowledge only and does not replace any required certificate or training.
How long does a fire watch after welding last?
OSHA requires at least half an hour after welding or cutting ends. Follow your hot work permit or local code if it sets a longer time.
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.
Sources
- City of Syracuse Fire Department: Code requirements for systems out of service (Fire Code of New York State 901.7)
- City of Kerrville Fire Marshal: Fire watch (IFC 901.7)
- Brunswick County, NC Fire Marshal: Fire watch requirements
- Miami Township, OH Fire & EMS: Fire watch requirements
- City of Missouri City, TX: Fire watch requirements
- FDNY: Certificate of Fitness F-01 (Citywide Fire Guard for Impairment)
- FDNY: F-01 study material
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252: Welding, cutting and brazing (fire prevention)