The California Fire Code and local ordinances allows for the fire code official to require a fire watch be put into effect when a fire & life safety system is out of service. This fire watch is a way to provide prompt notification of a fire for both the occupants of the structure and the responding fire crews.

The requirements assigned to the individual preforming the fire watch are to provide a regular patrol of the property, a working knowledge of the available fire extinguisher(s), and a means of notifying both occupants and emergency response as soon as any fire are discovered.

If a fire inspector determines that a fire watch is warranted to provide coverage over a void in a faulty of failed system, then the owner of the business and/or building will be responsible to provide an adequate level of fire watch. This can come in the form of re-assigned staff (now dedicated away from all other duties) or hired a security firm to provide 24 hour coverage. This must last, as specified by the inspector, until the system is put back in service. 

Failure to provide a fire watch may result in additional fines and fees. The fire department has established a fee for fire watch conducted by department/district staff. Please review the Fire Prevention Fee Schedule to determine what this fee is.