Fire safety is a legal responsibility for every business in Alberta. When fire protection systems stop functioning or when risks rise, property owners must take immediate action to stay compliant. Fire watch security guards fill that gap.
These trained professionals monitor buildings, prevent hazards, and provide early response during periods when automated fire systems cannot offer protection.
Many property owners look for support through alarm response security guard services in Edmonton to maintain compliance during periods of increased fire risk.
Fire watch becomes a legal requirement during specific situations that affect life safety and property protection. These situations often involve outages in fire systems, elevated fire hazards, or direct orders from local authorities.
In this blog, you will learn when a fire watch is required and why trained guards play such an important role during these periods.
What Fire Watch Services Do
Fire watch services provide continuous monitoring of areas where fire risk exists. Guards walk through buildings and outdoor areas.
They look for smoke, sparks, blocked exits, or overheating equipment. They maintain a log of their patrols and record all observations. They also contact local fire departments immediately when they identify any sign of danger.
The role is important because many businesses depend on alarms and sprinkler systems to keep people safe. When these systems become unavailable, human monitoring becomes the only protective layer.
Fire watch guards act quickly and stay alert. Their presence reduces the chance of unnoticed fire hazards and ensures that staff and residents remain safe until systems return to normal.
Situations That Require Fire Watch
Fire watch becomes legally required when buildings operate without working fire protection systems or when fire hazards reach a level that demands human supervision. Canadian fire codes place a strong focus on life safety.
Fire protection requirements exist because they support the protection of people and property. Smoke alarms save lives by providing early warning, which helps get people out safely. This reinforces why a human fire watch becomes essential when automatic fire detection systems are unavailable.
Understanding these situations helps businesses act without delay when fire systems go offline.
- System Failure
Fire alarms and sprinkler systems are the core components of fire safety. When these systems fail, fire watch becomes mandatory.
Failure may occur due to electrical issues, water supply problems, equipment damage, or scheduled maintenance. During these periods, a property has no automated protection.
Fire alarm and detection systems are intended to alert occupants to the presence of fire so that they can evacuate the building.
When this system cannot perform its role, fire watch guards ensure evacuation can still happen in time. Their patrols provide real-time monitoring until the system is restored.
- Construction Work
Construction sites present high fire risks. Workers use power tools, cutting equipment, and electrical sources that generate heat.
Many construction areas do not yet have active sprinkler or alarm systems. Renovations and repairs may also require the temporary shutdown of fire protection equipment.
During these times, many businesses rely on trained guards to monitor hot work operations. Fire departments often require a fire watch during welding, grinding, or roofing work.
The increased combustion risk makes human supervision necessary. Fire watch guards remain present during work and stay on site after the activity ends to watch for hidden embers.
- High Occupancy Buildings
Buildings that hold many people must follow strict fire safety rules. These spaces include hotels, apartments, hospitals, senior care facilities, and industrial camps. When any part of the fire protection system stops working, fire watch becomes mandatory.
High-occupancy buildings rely on fast detection to allow safe evacuation. Human monitoring supports this requirement when systems are down.
The Government of British Columbia notes that the Fire Safety Act is essential in occupied buildings. Fire safety plans are required in many buildings to ensure safe evacuation and the control of fire hazards.
This requirement shows why continuous human monitoring is necessary when systems fail. Fire watch guards protect both staff and residents during these periods.
- Fire Code Orders
Fire inspectors have the authority to issue fire watch orders. These orders appear when they identify unsafe conditions.
Examples include blocked fire exits, disabled fire systems, excessive storage near ignition sources, or major electrical hazards. An order requires the property owner to place trained guards on duty until risks are corrected.
Failure to follow an order may lead to fines, business closure, or legal consequences. Fire inspectors issue these orders to protect the public.
Fire watch guards make sure buildings remain safe until all violations are resolved.
- Hazardous Operations
Some activities increase the chance of fire. These include fuel handling, chemical storage, and the use of high-heat equipment.
Work environments with flammable materials must follow strict safety guidelines. When hazard levels rise, fire departments may require a continuous fire watch.
Environmental conditions can also increase risk. Dry seasons, heat waves, or nearby wildfire activity may require additional supervision.
Fire watch guards look for signs of smoke, overheating, or ignition sources. They eliminate risks quickly and work closely with site managers to maintain a safe environment.
Many property owners refer to professional video monitoring services in addition to fire watch for added safety and oversight during high-risk periods. This combination offers both real-time observation and immediate physical response.
Legal Risks of Ignoring Fire Watch
When a fire watch is legally required, failure to implement it places a property owner at serious risk. Penalties often include fines and forced closure.
Insurance companies may also refuse coverage after a fire if the required fire watch was ignored. Legal liability may increase if lives are placed in danger due to non-compliance.
Fire watch is not optional in these situations. It is a legal responsibility tied directly to public safety. Businesses that respond quickly avoid compliance issues and protect employees, residents, and assets.
Why Businesses Rely on Trained Fire Watch Guards
Fire watch guards provide more than simple oversight. They bring experience and training. They understand site layouts, common ignition points, and procedures for emergency response.
Their documentation provides clear proof of compliance with fire codes. Their constant presence lowers risk and supports safety across the entire property.
Businesses choose trained guards because they offer active protection. Automated systems cannot provide this level of human observation when offline. Guards respond immediately and ensure that any hazard is identified and addressed.
Final Takeaway
Fire watch services become legally required during system failures, construction work, high occupancy activity, fire code orders, and elevated fire risks.
Understanding these situations helps property owners act quickly. Trained fire watch guards provide safety, compliance, and peace of mind.
Their presence supports fire departments and protects lives until systems return to normal. Fire watch remains one of the most important safety measures for any business that experiences temporary gaps in fire protection.
About Us
At GPS Security, we provide a full range of security services designed to protect people and property in Alberta and Western Canada.
Our trained teams support commercial, industrial, construction, and institutional clients. We deploy guards quickly and ensure compliance with all fire safety requirements.
You can contact us or request support for any kind of security services.
