Fire Watch in a Warehouse with an Inoperative Fire Alarm System

When a warehouse fire alarm system goes offline; due to maintenance, repair, or malfunction fire watch must begin. Most jurisdictions require it to start within one hour of the system going down, per NFPA 72 and the International Fire Code. Always confirm requirements with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).

Step 1: Notify Immediately

Contact your local fire department, alarm monitoring company, building management, and insurance carrier as soon as the system is confirmed inoperative. Document the time and cause of the outage.

Step 2: Assign Dedicated Personnel

Fire watch staff must focus solely on fire watch; no other duties. They should know the warehouse layout, be trained to recognize signs of fire, know how to use a fire extinguisher, and carry a radio or phone at all times. Large warehouses may require more than one person.

Step 3: Conduct Regular Patrols

Walk the entire facility every hour, covering all areas: loading docks, electrical rooms, charging stations, flammable storage, break rooms, and HVAC areas. Log every patrol with the time, areas checked, observations, and your signature.

Step 4: Establish an Alternate Alert Method

With the alarm down, you need another way to notify occupants; air horns, bells, or a pre-communicated verbal alert plan. Make sure all on-site employees know the emergency procedure before fire watch begins.

Step 5: Reduce Ignition Risks

Suspend hot work, prohibit smoking, keep fire doors closed, and ensure aisles and exits stay clear. Inspect electrical equipment for signs of overheating.

Ending Fire Watch

Continue until the alarm system is fully restored and tested. Notify the fire department and monitoring company, document the restoration time, and retain all fire watch logs.

Fire watch is an active, human substitute for an automated system, treat it accordingly.

By Chris Jones