F02 Fire Watch Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When is a fire watch required in a building in New York City?
- When the building owner requests extra security
- When a required fire suppression or alarm system is out of service (Correct answer)
- When the fire department is conducting an inspection
- When more than 50 occupants are present
Correct answer: When a required fire suppression or alarm system is out of service
A fire watch is required by NYC Fire Code whenever a required fire protection system (sprinkler, standpipe, or alarm) is impaired or out of service.
Question 2: How often must a fire guard patrol each floor during a fire watch?
- Once every two hours
- Once every hour (Correct answer)
- Once every 30 minutes
- Continuously without stopping
Correct answer: Once every hour
NYC Fire Code requires the fire guard to patrol each floor at least once per hour during a fire watch.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a fire watch log?
- To record the names of all building occupants
- To document patrol times, observations, and any hazards found (Correct answer)
- To track the building owner's maintenance requests
- To list the fire department units on call
Correct answer: To document patrol times, observations, and any hazards found
The fire watch log must document the time of each patrol, conditions observed, and any fire hazards or incidents found.
Question 4: When a fire guard discovers a fire during a patrol, what is the FIRST action to take?
- Attempt to extinguish it immediately before calling anyone
- Evacuate the entire building, then call 911
- Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station and call 911 (Correct answer)
- Notify the building owner before doing anything else
Correct answer: Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station and call 911
The fire guard must immediately activate the building's fire alarm and call 911 so the FDNY can respond without delay.
Question 5: A fire watch must begin how soon after a fire protection system goes out of service?
- Within 4 hours
- Within 2 hours
- Immediately upon impairment (Correct answer)
- Within 24 hours
Correct answer: Immediately upon impairment
NYC Fire Code requires the fire watch to begin immediately when a required fire protection system becomes impaired.
Question 6: Which agency must be notified when a fire watch is established in New York City?
- The building's insurance carrier
- The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) (Correct answer)
- The Department of Buildings only
- The building management company only
Correct answer: The New York City Fire Department (FDNY)
The FDNY must be notified whenever a fire watch is established due to an impaired fire protection system.
Question 7: What should a fire guard do if they find a fire door propped open during a patrol?
- Leave it and note it in the log only
- Report it to the building owner the next morning
- Close the door immediately and document it in the fire watch log (Correct answer)
- Call 911 to report the open door
Correct answer: Close the door immediately and document it in the fire watch log
Fire doors must be kept closed to prevent fire and smoke spread; the guard must close the door at once and record the finding in the log.
F02 Fire Watch Procedures 1
When is a fire watch required in a building in New York City?