Updated November 2026
Quick answer: A fire watch is a trained person who patrols a building on a set schedule, looks for fire, smoke and hazards, and logs every round. It is usually required when a sprinkler system or fire alarm is out of service, during hot work, or when the fire marshal orders one, and it stays in place until the system is repaired or the fire marshal releases it.
When a Fire Watch Is Usually Required
- A sprinkler system is out of service for repairs, testing or after damage
- A fire alarm panel is down or in trouble mode
- Hot work such as welding, cutting or grinding is under way
- After a fire, while the building is occupied or being cleaned up
- Large events where the fire marshal requires one
Who Sets the Rules
Your fire marshal, insurance carrier or local fire code sets whether you need a fire watch and how often the officer must patrol. Requirements can differ from one jurisdiction to the next and from one carrier to another, so ask them directly what interval they want and what they need to see in the log. If a fire watch is required and you don’t have one, you may be told to close the building until the system is back in service.
What a Fire Watch Officer Does
- Walks the building or site on the required patrol interval
- Checks for fire, smoke, heat and hazards like blocked exits, propped-open fire doors and stored flammables
- Keeps a log of every round with times, which you can hand to the fire marshal
- Knows where extinguishers, pull stations and exits are
- Calls 911 and starts evacuation if they find a fire
What Goes in a Fire Watch Log
A good log is the proof that the fire watch actually happened. Ask your provider to record, for every round:
- The time the round started and ended
- The areas checked
- Any hazards found and what was done about them
- The officer’s name
Logs can be kept on paper or digitally. Either way, they should be ready to hand to the fire marshal or your insurer at any time.
Fire Watch vs. a Regular Security Patrol
A security patrol is focused on theft, trespassing and unauthorized access. A fire watch is focused on fire risk while your fire protection is down. The same officer can sometimes do both, but the fire watch has its own patrol interval and log, and it can’t be skipped because the officer was busy with something else. Tell your provider which one you need, or whether you need both.
Common Fire Watch Situations in Memphis
- Construction and renovation: sprinkler systems shut down while work is under way, or hot work on an active site
- Warehouses and distribution centers: sprinkler repairs in large buildings full of inventory
- Apartments and hotels: an alarm or sprinkler outage in an occupied building
- Churches, schools and event venues: fire marshal requirements for large gatherings
- After a fire or water damage: while repairs are pending
How to Set Up a Fire Watch Quickly
- Confirm the requirement and patrol interval with your fire marshal or insurer.
- Call a licensed security company and tell them the hours, the site size and how long the system will be down.
- Walk the officer through exits, extinguishers, pull stations and problem areas.
- Agree on how the log will be kept and handed over.
- Keep the fire watch in place until the system is back in service or the fire marshal releases it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a fire watch last?
Until your fire protection system is repaired and back in service, or until the fire marshal says it can end. That can be a single shift or several weeks.
Can one officer cover more than one building?
It depends on the size of the site and the patrol interval required. A provider should tell you during the walk-through.
How much does a fire watch cost?
It depends on your hours, how long the system will be down and the size of your site. Call for a quote.
Fire Watch in Memphis
Veterans Security Group provides fire watch security in Memphis and across Shelby, Fayette, DeSoto, Marshall and Crittenden Counties. We can usually start the same day, with a 4-hour minimum shift, and keep paper or digital logs for the fire marshal. Call (901) 407-1751 for a quote.