The Fire Watch Log

FIRE WATCH NOTICE AND COMPLIANCE FORM

PROPERTY ADDRESS
DATE
SECTION 1 — WHAT IS FIRE WATCH?

During a fire watch, trained personnel must continuously patrol the affected area(s), monitor for fire hazards, and be otherwise able to provide their immediate level of fire protection when systems — fire alarms, sprinklers, or suppression systems — are impaired, offline, or otherwise unable to function. Requirements are governed by NFPA and applicable local fire codes.

SECTION 2 — REASON THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN PLACED ON FIRE WATCH
CHECK ALL THAT APPLY:
Sprinkler system impairment
Fire alarm system impairment
Fire alarm system installation in progress
Hood suppression system impairment
Loss of suppression system
Power outage affecting life safety
Prior violations / re-inspection
Other
INSPECTION NOTES:
SECTION 3 — COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS — INSPECTOR DIRECTIVES
PATROL FREQUENCY:
Every 15 minutes
Every 30 minutes
Every 60 minutes
Continuous (no unattended intervals)
Other
COVERAGE SCHEDULE:
24 Hours / 7 Days
Designated hours only
FIRE WATCH NOTICE AND COMPLIANCE FORM
SECTION 4 — FIRE WATCH PROVIDER REQUIREMENTS
THE INSPECTOR HAS DETERMINED THE FOLLOWING:
Self-performed fire watch is permitted
A qualified third-party fire watch provider is required
Third-party provider list provided
PROJECTED/SUBMITTED PROVIDER INFORMATION:
Provider / Company Name
Primary Contact Name
Phone
Email
Certification / License #
Expected Start Date
STATUS:
Pending
Attached
Submitted
Posting
SECTION 5 — PROPERTY OWNER / RESPONSIBLE PARTY OBLIGATIONS
Ensure all fire watch personnel are trained and aware of the building layout, emergency procedures, and notification protocols.
Maintain fire watch coverage for the duration and schedule specified in Section 3 — 24/7 unless otherwise directed.
Make all fire watch logs available to the AHJ upon request.
Contact the fire department immediately upon discovery of fire, smoke, or any emergency condition.
Comply with any third-party provider requirements specified in Section 4, including submission of all required documentation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY RESPONSIBLE PARTY
Name
Date
Signature: ___________________________________
FIRE INSPECTOR / ISSUING OFFICIAL
Name
Date
Signature: ___________________________________

FIRE WATCH COMPLIANCE GUIDE

Step-by-step guidance for staff, contractors, and property managers responsible for fire watch.

WHAT TO DO NOW
1.Confirm a fire watch personnel coverage schedule and assign trained personnel to each shift.
2.Post this Fire Watch Notice and Compliance Form at each affected building entrance and in the fire command center.
3.If using a third-party provider, engage them as quickly as possible — submit information in Section 4.
4.Obtain blank fire watch log sheets from thefirewatchlog.com, or begin using the site's free digital log immediately.
5.Begin patrols at the frequency and schedule directed in Section 3 (do not wait for documentation to be complete).
6.Complete patrol logs during each watch period. Do not fill out logs retroactively or from memory.
7.Contact the issuing inspector with your contractor information when coverage is confirmed.
FIRE WATCH LOG REQUIREMENTS

Each fire watch log must be maintained for the duration of the fire watch and made available to the AHJ.

Each log entry must include:

Date and time of each patrol
Name or initials of the fire watch personnel on duty
Area of the building covered during each patrol
Any actions taken in response to observations
Confirmation that no emergency conditions were observed, or details of any emergency conditions
Signature or digital verification of the patrol personnel
DIGITAL LOGGING OPTION — TheFireWatchLog.com
A free digital fire watch log is available at thefirewatchlog.com — AHJ-ready format, printable, and documented.
TRAINING & STAFFING REQUIREMENTS
All fire watch personnel must understand their responsibilities before deployment.
Understanding of when and how to contact the fire department.
Proper documentation procedures for each patrol.
Familiarity with the building layout, evacuation routes, fire extinguisher locations, and alarm pull stations.
TRAINING RESOURCE — FireWatchAcademy.com
A fire watch training course is available at firewatchacademy.com for training and certification.
SELECTING A QUALIFIED THIRD-PARTY PROVIDER
A third-party provider must be a licensed fire watch or security company authorized to operate in your jurisdiction.
Verify that all fire watch personnel provided have completed fire watch training and hold any required certifications.
Ensure the provider can begin coverage as quickly as possible to engage. Delays in starting fire watch may result in violations.
Proper documentation procedures for each patrol.
FIRE WATCH COMPLIANCE GUIDE (continued)
MAINTAINING DOCUMENTATION
Maintaining documentation protects the property owner (AHJ, your insurer, and your own records).
Be able to provide proof of training, certification, or licensure upon request.
Can provide proof of training, certification, or licensure upon request.

IMPORTANT — If a Third-Party Provider is Required:

If the inspector has determined that a third-party provider is required, it is the responsibility of the property owner or agent to ensure that qualified fire watch coverage is in place BEFORE coverage lapses. Unauthorized providers, or those failing to meet coverage requirements, are not considered compliant and will not satisfy the fire watch order.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT THE ISSUING INSPECTOR
Inspector
Office / Department
Phone
Email

Generated at thefirewatchlog.com — Retain this notice on-site for AHJ inspection.

> Fire Watch Notice and Compliance Form

Fire Watch Notice and Compliance Form

Complete this form to generate a Fire Watch Notice documenting the reason for fire watch, coverage requirements, provider information, and responsible party obligations. Print when ready.

Compliance notice: This form is a general-purpose fire watch notice template. Requirements vary by jurisdiction. Confirm with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) before use. Browse jurisdiction guidance.

How to use: Fill in each section below, then print. The printed document includes a compliance guide with step-by-step instructions for maintaining fire watch coverage.

Property & Date

Section 1 — What is Fire Watch?

During a fire watch, trained personnel must continuously patrol the affected area(s), monitor for fire hazards, and be otherwise able to provide their immediate level of fire protection when systems — fire alarms, sprinklers, or suppression systems — are impaired, offline, or otherwise unable to function. Requirements are governed by NFPA and applicable local fire codes.

Section 2 — Reason This Property Has Been Placed on Fire Watch

Check all that apply.

Section 3 — Coverage Requirements — Inspector Directives

Section 4 — Fire Watch Provider Requirements

Provider Information

Section 5 — Property Owner / Responsible Party Obligations

When a fire watch order is in effect, the responsible party must:

  • Ensure all fire watch personnel are trained and aware of the building layout, emergency procedures, and notification protocols.
  • Maintain fire watch coverage for the duration and schedule specified in Section 3 — 24/7 unless otherwise directed.
  • Make all fire watch logs available to the AHJ upon request.
  • Contact the fire department immediately upon discovery of fire, smoke, or any emergency condition.
  • Comply with any third-party provider requirements specified in Section 4, including submission of all required documentation.

Acknowledgment

Responsible Party

Fire Inspector / Issuing Official

Contact the Issuing Inspector

Related resources

Fire Watch Log SheetPre-Patrol ChecklistJurisdiction RequirementsFire Watch Training Courses

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