Fire Watch Security Services

When a building's fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service, the people inside are less protected than the building code assumes. Until the system is repaired, the fire code official may require a fire watch: a person whose job is to walk the building, look for fire hazards and call for help if something starts. Crimson Security Service provides fire watch officers for Middle Tennessee properties from our office in Smyrna (TN license #14376, serving the area since 2013).

A fire watch is a temporary measure. A qualified person patrols the building or the affected area on a continuous, systematic basis, looks for fire hazards, watches for early signs of fire, and raises the alarm and notifies the fire department if there is a problem. Under the International Fire Code that many Tennessee jurisdictions follow, the watch has one duty: constant patrols of the protected premises and watching for fire. It is not a general security post with other duties layered on top.

Whether a fire watch is required, how it must be staffed and for how long are decisions made by your local fire code official. Requirements differ between Nashville, Rutherford County, Franklin and other jurisdictions, and some require an operational permit. Call your fire marshal's office first. Then call us to staff it.

• Alarm or sprinkler system out of service. A failed panel, a closed sprinkler riser or a system being repaired or replaced.
• Buildings occupied before final approval. A building that does not yet have a full certificate of occupancy but needs temporary use may be required to have a watch.
• Construction and renovation. Work that disables fire protection, or hot work such as welding and cutting, can trigger a watch. See construction site security.
• Events and gatherings. Some assemblies and events carry a fire watch requirement based on the venue and the crowd. See event security.

1. Start with the requirement. Tell us what your fire marshal required, the building, the hours the watch must cover and when the system is expected to be restored.
2. Build the post orders. We write the route, the checkpoints, who to call, how the fire department is notified and what gets recorded before the first round.
3. Patrol and document. Officers walk the route on the schedule in the post orders, with GPS and QR checkpoints recording each round, and keep watch for fire hazards such as blocked exits, hot work and unattended equipment.
4. Report. Daily activity reports are delivered online. If your fire marshal asks for a watch log, tell us what is required and we will work with you on it.

Our fire watch officers are trained for the duty. Fire watch is available any hours your site needs, including nights and weekends, and can run from a few hours to around the clock. You can call our 24/7 line at any hour, though response times may vary.

Many clients who need a fire watch already have unarmed or armed officers at the property. Fire watch is a separate assignment with a separate duty, and we plan it that way. For properties that need ongoing coverage, we can pair the watch with security guard services. For clients who want it, a vehicle for the post can be added at an hourly fee, depending on the property's needs and the client's requests.

Fire watch is available across our Middle Tennessee service area, including Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Franklin and Brentwood, Manchester, Tullahoma, Shelbyville and Lewisburg.

Who decides whether I need a fire watch?
Your local fire code official, often the fire marshal's office. The building owner or manager is usually responsible for notifying the fire department when a system goes out of service.

Can a regular security guard do a fire watch?
The fire code expects the watch to be done by qualified people whose only duty is to patrol and watch for fire, so a fire watch is staffed as its own post.

How long does a fire watch last?
Until the fire protection system is back in service and the fire code official signs off, or until the required condition ends.

Do I need a permit?
In some places, yes. Rutherford County, for example, uses a fire watch operational permit. Ask your local fire marshal.

Do you provide fire watch at night and on weekends?
Yes. Fire watch is available any hours, including nights and weekends. Our officers are trained for the duty.