What is the main purpose of a fire watch?

The main purpose of a fire watch is to monitor for emergencies during system shutdowns. This is crucial in situations where fire protection systems, like sprinklers or alarms, are temporarily out of service due to maintenance or repair work. During these times, there is an increased risk of fire, and having a fire watch in place ensures that personnel are actively observing the area for any signs of fire or emergency situations. They are trained to respond quickly in the event of a fire, helping to mitigate damage and protect lives until the fire protection systems are operational again.

While activating fire alarms, conducting fire investigations, and performing regular maintenance on fire systems are all important tasks within the realm of fire safety, they do not encapsulate the specific and immediate role of a fire watch during vulnerable periods when system protections are disabled.