Manitoba Fire Watch Course: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: Manitoba's fire code and who enforces it

The Manitoba Fire Code is Manitoba Regulation 82/2023, made under The Fires Prevention and Emergency Response Act. It adopts the National Fire Code of Canada 2020, with some Manitoba changes. It came into force on January 1, 2024, and replaced the 2011 Manitoba Fire Code.

Workplace law also applies. Part 19 of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation (Fire and Explosive Hazards) requires employers to keep enough fire extinguishers, sized and placed as the Manitoba Fire Code requires, to do hot work according to the Fire Code, and to train workers in safe work procedures.

Lesson 2: When a fire protection system is impaired

A system is impaired when it cannot fully do its job, for example when an alarm panel is off for repairs or a sprinkler valve is closed. Local fire departments set the steps. A clear Manitoba example is Brandon Fire & Emergency Services regulation P5, made under Brandon's Fire Prevention By-law. It describes three types of impairment: planned, emergency and hidden.

What Brandon requires

• Notify a fire inspector immediately. Give the systems impaired, the reason, the technician's name and contact details, the time it went out of service and the expected return time. The inspector follows up if no "back in service" call comes.
• Tell building occupants, using the public address system if there is one.
• Post notices at all building entrances saying which systems are out of service and that the fire safety plan's alternative measures apply.
• Put a "NOT IN SERVICE" tag on the fire alarm panel, annunciators and affected valves. The tag shows who impaired the system, the date and time, the reason and the expected return.
• Take only the portion that needs work out of service, unless there is no other choice.
• In an emergency impairment, the same steps apply, but the order may change.
• A hidden impairment, one nobody knew about, must be fixed right away if possible, or emergency procedures started, and it is reported to the authority having jurisdiction.

Lesson 3: Doing the fire watch

Under Brandon's P5 regulation, a fire watch is required throughout the impaired area. During working hours, technicians or occupants working in the area may do it. Outside working hours, a dedicated fire watch is required where the local senior firefighter says it is needed. That dedicated watch is often a security guard.

Brandon's regulation does not set one patrol interval. Your patrol frequency comes from the fire department's direction, the building's fire safety plan and your post orders. If they differ, follow the strictest. In the 2020 National Fire Code, which Manitoba now uses, the fire safety plan rules are gathered in Section 2.8.

Checklist for each round

• Walk every part of the impaired area, including stairwells and service rooms.
• Look, listen and smell for smoke, heat or burning.
• Check that exits are clear and fire doors are closed.
• Make sure the "out of service" notices are still posted at the entrances.
• Write the time, area checked and what you found in the log right after the round.

Lesson 4: Hot work in Manitoba

Hot work means welding, cutting, grinding and other work that makes sparks or flames. The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service hot work guide (last revised in 2016) refers to Section 5.2 of the Manitoba Fire Code and sets these rules. Ask the fire department if your site has newer rules:

• A fire watch during the work and for at least 60 minutes after it is done.
• The fire watch is trained to use a fire extinguisher, and at least one portable extinguisher is in the work area.
• A final inspection 4 hours after the work is completed.
• Combustibles within 15 m are protected, or wetted down if they cannot be moved or protected.
• Openings in walls, floors and ceilings are covered, and checked for fire after the work.
• Nearby sprinklers may be covered for a short time, and smoke detectors bagged or zoned off. That protection is removed when the work is finished.

Part 19 of the Workplace Safety and Health Regulation adds that pipes or containers that held a flammable substance must be purged before hot work, and that workers must be kept out of any area where a flammable substance in the air is above 10% of its lower explosive limit.

Lesson 5: Fire found, reporting and ending the watch

If you find fire or smoke while the alarm is impaired, nobody else may warn the occupants. Act in this order:

1. Warn the occupants with your horn, whistle or the building's approved signal.
2. Call 911 from a safe place and give the address and what you see.
3. Use an extinguisher only if the fire is small, you are trained and you have a way out.
4. Help people leave, especially anyone who needs help.
5. Meet the fire department and tell them what you know.

Reporting under workplace law

In Manitoba, a fire or explosion at a workplace is a serious incident. The employer must report it to the Workplace Safety and Health Branch immediately, by the fastest means available: 204-957-SAFE (7233) in Winnipeg or 1-855-957-SAFE (7233) toll-free. The scene must be left as it is for at least 24 hours after the report, except to free a trapped person or prevent more danger. Tell your supervisor at once and write a full report.

Ending the watch

Under Brandon's P5 regulation, the repaired system is tested as needed, the fire inspector and occupants are told it is back, the notices and tags are removed, and the paperwork is completed. End your watch only when you are told the system is fully restored, then record the time and hand in your log.