Fire Watch Course for Security Guards 2026

1. Pregunta 1 de 25

   When is a fire watch most often needed in a building?

   • AOnly after a fire has been put out
   • BWhenever the building is closed for a holiday
   • CWhen the building's elevators are being serviced
   • DWhen a fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service or impaired
   Ver respuesta

   Respuesta: D. When a fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service or impaired

   A fire watch is an alternative safety measure used while a fire protection system, such as the alarm or sprinklers, is shut down or impaired.

2. Pregunta 2 de 25

   What kind of measure is a fire watch?

   • AA yearly test of the fire alarm
   • BA permanent replacement for a sprinkler system
   • CA short-term measure until the fire protection system is repaired
   • DA way to avoid repairing a faulty alarm
   Ver respuesta

   Respuesta: C. A short-term measure until the fire protection system is repaired

   Fire departments describe a fire watch as temporary. The owner must still arrange repairs so the system returns to service.

3. Pregunta 3 de 25

   Fire codes say that when part of a fire protection system is shut down, what must happen?

   • AThe building must always be demolished
   • BThe guard must turn off the power to the building
   • CNothing, as long as the doors are locked
   • DAlternative measures must be taken, such as a fire watch
   Ver respuesta

   Respuesta: D. Alternative measures must be taken, such as a fire watch

   Fire codes based on the National Fire Code require alternative measures while a system is shut down. A fire watch is the most common one.

4. Pregunta 4 de 25

   Do all Canadian cities use the same rule for when the fire department must be told a system is out of service?

   • ANo, only Quebec requires a call
   • BYes, the fire department never needs to be told
   • CNo, it varies; for example Vancouver uses more than 4 hours and Medicine Hat more than 2 hours
   • DYes, every city requires a call after exactly 30 minutes
   Ver respuesta

   Respuesta: C. No, it varies; for example Vancouver uses more than 4 hours and Medicine Hat more than 2 hours

   Notification rules are set locally. Vancouver's order uses 4 hours in 24, while Medicine Hat asks for a call if detection is out more than 2 hours.

5. Pregunta 5 de 25

   Besides the fire department, who else should be told when a monitored fire alarm goes out of service?

   • AThe building's insurance broker only
   • BThe local newspaper
   • CNobody else
   • DThe monitoring station that watches the fire alarm
   Ver respuesta

   Respuesta: D. The monitoring station that watches the fire alarm

   The central station that monitors the alarm must know when the system is out of service and when it is returned to service.

6. Pregunta 6 de 25

   Which item is on the usual equipment list for a fire watch guard?

   • AA ladder to reach the roof
   • BA fire hose you hook up yourself
   • CAn air horn or whistle to alert occupants
   • DA personal smoke machine
   Ver respuesta

   Respuesta: C. An air horn or whistle to alert occupants

   Fire watch staff carry a way to alert people, such as an air horn or whistle, plus a radio or phone, flashlight, keys and the log sheet.

7. Pregunta 7 de 25

   Why should a fire watch guard carry keys or access codes for the affected areas?

   • ASo they can lock occupants inside
   • BSo they can reset the alarm panel
   • CSo every area can be checked on each round
   • DSo they can turn off the sprinklers
   Ver respuesta

   Respuesta: C. So every area can be checked on each round

   A fire watch must cover all affected areas. Without keys or codes, locked rooms would go unchecked.

8. Pregunta 8 de 25

   Before you start a fire watch, what should you know about the fire extinguishers?

   • ANothing, because guards never touch extinguishers
   • BTheir purchase price
   • CHow to refill them yourself
   • DWhere they are and how to use them
   Ver respuesta

   Respuesta: D. Where they are and how to use them

   Fire watch staff need to know where extinguishers are and be trained to use them, in case a small fire can be fought safely.

9. Pregunta 9 de 25

   May a fire watch guard take on other duties, such as watching a loading dock, during the watch?

   • AYes, as long as they skip some rounds
   • BYes, any other duty is fine
   • CUsually no; the fire watch should be their only duty unless it is approved
   • DOnly if the duty is off site
   Ver respuesta

   Respuesta: C. Usually no; the fire watch should be their only duty unless it is approved

   Fire watch procedures, such as Queen's University's, say watchers must not have other duties unless approved, so the rounds are not missed.

10. Pregunta 10 de 25

    Under Vancouver's fire watch order, how often must a non-residential building be patrolled during normal business hours?

    • AOnly when an alarm sounds
    • BEvery 4 hours
    • COnce per shift
    • DAt least every 30 minutes
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: D. At least every 30 minutes

    Vancouver's order sets 30 minutes in business hours and 60 minutes at other times for non-residential buildings.

11. Pregunta 11 de 25

    Under Vancouver's fire watch order, how often must a building with sleeping rooms be patrolled overnight (9 pm to 8 am)?

    • AAt least every 15 minutes
    • BTwice a night
    • CEvery 60 minutes
    • DEvery 2 hours
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: A. At least every 15 minutes

    People who are asleep may not notice a fire, so rounds are more frequent in buildings with sleeping accommodation: every 15 minutes overnight.

12. Pregunta 12 de 25

    Windsor and Medicine Hat fire watch duties set which minimum patrol?

    • APatrol only the area with the broken detector
    • BTour the lobby once per shift
    • CTour the entire building each hour
    • DCheck the roof every 4 hours
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: C. Tour the entire building each hour

    Both documents say fire watch personnel must tour the entire building each hour. Always follow the frequency your fire department or site sets.

13. Pregunta 13 de 25

    During each round, what should you check at exit doors and corridors?

    • AThat they open properly and are not blocked
    • BThat they are chained shut for security
    • CThat fire doors are wedged open
    • DThat the lights are switched off
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: A. That they open properly and are not blocked

    Exits must stay clear and readily openable on both sides, so people can escape if a fire starts.

14. Pregunta 14 de 25

    When should you fill in the fire watch log?

    • AOnce at the end of the shift from memory
    • BRight after each round is completed
    • CThe next day
    • DOnly if you find a problem
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: B. Right after each round is completed

    Each round is recorded immediately on the log sheet with the time and your initials or signature.

15. Pregunta 15 de 25

    Which detail belongs in each fire watch log entry?

    • AThe time of the round, the areas checked, observations and your initials
    • BYour next day off
    • CThe names of every visitor's family
    • DYour opinion of the building owner
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: A. The time of the round, the areas checked, observations and your initials

    Logs record the date, time, area, observations and the watcher's signature or initials, in time order.

16. Pregunta 16 de 25

    Vancouver's order asks fire watch staff to record people with a disability who may need help. Why?

    • ASo they can be asked to leave the building
    • BIt is only for marketing reasons
    • CSo their units can be locked
    • DSo responders know who needs help to evacuate and where they are
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: D. So responders know who needs help to evacuate and where they are

    Knowing the names and locations of people who need help lets staff and firefighters reach them quickly.

17. Pregunta 17 de 25

    You smell smoke and see flames on your round. What should you do first?

    • AAlert the occupants with your air horn or other approved signal
    • BWrite the time in your log first
    • CFinish your round and then decide
    • DOpen windows to let smoke out
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: A. Alert the occupants with your air horn or other approved signal

    With the alarm out of service, you are the alarm. Warn occupants right away, then call 911 from a safe place.

18. Pregunta 18 de 25

    Where should you call 911 from when you discover a fire on a fire watch?

    • AFrom a safe area away from the fire
    • BFrom inside the room that is burning
    • CFrom the elevator
    • DFrom the roof
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: A. From a safe area away from the fire

    Call 911 from a safe area so you are not trapped by smoke or flames while you talk to the dispatcher.

19. Pregunta 19 de 25

    When should a fire watch guard try to put out a fire?

    • AOnly if it is small and safe to do so, and they are trained
    • BNever, even a tiny fire in a wastebasket
    • COnly if the building owner calls them
    • DAlways, before calling 911
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: A. Only if it is small and safe to do so, and they are trained

    Fire watch duties allow fighting a fire only if it is safe. If it is not safe, evacuate and let the fire department handle it.

20. Pregunta 20 de 25

    After the building is evacuated, when may people go back inside?

    • AOnly when the fire department says it is safe
    • BAfter 10 minutes
    • CWhen the guard decides
    • DAs soon as the smoke is gone
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: A. Only when the fire department says it is safe

    Do not re-enter without the fire department's permission. Wait at a safe spot and guide responders to the scene.

21. Pregunta 21 de 25

    In many fire codes, how long must a hot work fire watch continue after welding or cutting is finished?

    • ANo time at all
    • BAt least 60 minutes
    • C5 minutes
    • DUntil the welder leaves the room
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: B. At least 60 minutes

    Sparks and hot metal can start a hidden fire after work stops, so the fire watch continues for at least 60 minutes after completion.

22. Pregunta 22 de 25

    Winnipeg's hot work rules require a final check of the area how long after the hot work ends?

    • AAt the next annual inspection
    • B4 hours after completion
    • CNever
    • D1 week later
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: B. 4 hours after completion

    A final inspection 4 hours after hot work helps catch smouldering fires that the fire watch may have missed.

23. Pregunta 23 de 25

    During hot work, how close must combustible materials be before they need protection from sparks?

    • AWithin 100 m
    • BWithin 1 m only
    • COnly if they touch the welder
    • DWithin 15 m of the work
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: D. Within 15 m of the work

    Combustibles within 15 m that cannot be moved must be protected, for example covered or wetted down.

24. Pregunta 24 de 25

    What must be in the hot work area during the work?

    • AAt least one portable fire extinguisher
    • BA gas can for refuelling
    • CStacks of cardboard for cleanup
    • DA barbecue lighter
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: A. At least one portable fire extinguisher

    Hot work rules require at least one portable fire extinguisher in the area, and the fire watch must know how to use it.

25. Pregunta 25 de 25

    When can a fire watch be ended?

    • AWhen the guard's shift ends
    • BAfter the system is confirmed fully working and the fire department and monitoring station are told
    • CAs soon as the repair technician arrives
    • DWhen the building looks quiet
    Ver respuesta

    Respuesta: B. After the system is confirmed fully working and the fire department and monitoring station are told

    Cancel the watch only after the alarm and sprinklers are confirmed fully operational, then notify the fire department and any monitoring station.

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