F-01 - F-01 Fireguard Fire Watch Patrols Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How frequently must fire watch patrols be conducted?
- Once per shift
- At intervals not exceeding 30 minutes (Correct answer)
- Once per hour
- Whenever the guard feels like it
Correct answer: At intervals not exceeding 30 minutes
Patrols must be at regular intervals, typically at least every 30 minutes.
FDNY requires patrols at regular intervals, typically at least every 30 minutes. This ensures affected areas are checked frequently enough to detect fires in their early stages. Document each patrol with start and end times.
Question 2: What should a fire guard look for during each patrol round?
- Only open flames
- Signs of fire, hazards, blocked exits, and condition changes (Correct answer)
- Whether people are at desks
- Only extinguisher placement
Correct answer: Signs of fire, hazards, blocked exits, and condition changes
Each patrol checks for all indicators of fire or increased risk.
Check for smoke, flames, unusual heat, burning odors, clear exit paths, closed fire doors, extinguisher availability, new fire hazards, and any building condition changes since the last patrol.
Question 3: What should a fire guard do about a locked area on their patrol?
- Skip it permanently
- Document it, report immediately, and request access (Correct answer)
- Assume it is fine
- End the fire watch
Correct answer: Document it, report immediately, and request access
Document the inability to patrol, report it, and work to obtain access.
Document the inability to access in the log, report immediately to the coordinator or management, and request access or alternative arrangements. Never simply skip an area. Incomplete coverage defeats the purpose of fire watch.
Question 4: How should a fire guard modify patrol upon discovering an elevated hazard?
- No modification needed
- Increase frequency in that area and notify the coordinator (Correct answer)
- Stop patrolling and guard the hazard
- Reduce patrols elsewhere
Correct answer: Increase frequency in that area and notify the coordinator
Increase vigilance in the hazard area while maintaining minimum coverage everywhere else.
Increase patrol frequency in the elevated hazard area while maintaining minimum coverage of all other areas. Notify the impairment coordinator immediately so corrective action can be taken.
Question 5: What should a fire guard carry during patrols?
- Nothing needed
- Flashlight, communication device, fire watch log, and writing instrument (Correct answer)
- Only a cell phone
- A fire hose
Correct answer: Flashlight, communication device, fire watch log, and writing instrument
Carry essential tools: flashlight, communication device, log, and pen.
Carry a flashlight for dark areas, communication device for contacting 911 or management, fire watch log and pen for real-time documentation, and know all extinguisher locations on the route.
Question 6: Why should fire guards vary their patrol timing slightly?
- It is not important
- Variation prevents predictability while maintaining required frequency (Correct answer)
- To confuse occupants
- To avoid the same people
Correct answer: Variation prevents predictability while maintaining required frequency
Variation ensures different building conditions are observed each round.
Slight timing variation means the guard observes different conditions each round. Occupants engaging in unsafe practices between predictable times are more likely to be caught. The variation must not exceed the maximum interval between patrols.
How frequently must fire watch patrols be conducted?