FMMC 10-30 – FIRE WATCH

PURPOSE

The Physical Plant Division – Medical Center has established a Fire Watch Policy to assist members of the university to continue business in a safe manner both during hot work operation or if the fire alarm and/or fire suppression system (i.e. sprinkler systems, gaseous extinguishing systems, etc.) in any building becomes inoperable.

SCOPE

All employees of the Physical Plant Division Medical Center, the University of Kentucky and contractors involved in Emergency and Scheduled repair work as well as Routine Maintenance that require the shutdown of the required fire alarm systems are responsible for compliance with this policy and procedures.

INFORMATION

The term “Fire Watch” is used to describe a dedicated person or persons whose sole responsibility is to look for fires within an established area

There are at least two general types of Fire Watches:

1.    Building Wide Fire Watch which may include all interior and exterior areas of a building.

2.    Partial Building Fire Watch which shall involve a significant area, floor, wing, or some other significant portion of a building

There are many steps taken to provide fire safety when the integrity of the fire alarm system has been compromised.  Some of these steps are:

• Providing alternative fire safety protection
• Initating the use of a Fire Watch Form as an exclusive document used to communicate Fire Watches. (See Appendix A “Fire Watch Notification Form”)
• Facilitate communications for those involved in the Fire Watch Policy and Procedures

Program Oversight and Coordination

The Physical Plant Division – Medical Center is responsible for the management of the Fire Watch Policy.  They will work with Hospital Safety Officer, Environmental Health & Safety, Campus Fire Marshal, Office of Facilities and Planning and Development, Capital Project Management, and other groups as appropriate to ensure successful program coordination and implementation.  The elements of this program will be evaluated for effectiveness on an annual basis.

Duration

Any emergency repair, outage, or shutdown that affects the fire suppression system or fire alarm system for the durations noted below shall require that a fire watch be initiated and the campus Fire Marshal be notified.  Every effort shall be made to accomplish this work within the operational shift period as to not exceed an 8 hours. The campus Fire Marshal shall be notified when the system is re-enabled.

• Fire Suppression System - Out of service or impaired for greater than 10 hours in a 24-hour period.
• Fire Alarm System - Out of service or impaired for greater than 4 hours in a 24-hour period.

Fire Watch Implementation

When a fire watch is required appropriate personnel will be notified as needed.  The following matrix is to guide to be used to help determine if a fire watch is required.

Fire Watch Matrix

Procedure

A Fire Watch will be required when: 

• Hot Work is being done.
• Fire System Interruption where temporary failure of the alarm system or where activities require the interruption of any fire detection, suppression or alarm system component which would conflict with the intent of NFPA 72.

Hot Work: During Hot Work Operations, the Fire Watch is to perform the following functions.

• The personnel performing the fire watch shall not be permitted to perform any other duties
• Fire watch personnel are to inspect the site prior to hot work activities utilizing the checklist on the right side of the permit to ensure that combustibles are removed or covered and that any nearby holes or penetrations in the floor and walls are sealed or covered with fire-safe materials (link to Hot Work Program)
• Fire watch personnel are to have fire extinguishing equipment readily available and be trained to its use.
• Fire watch personnel are to keep diligent watch for fires in the general area where the hot work is being performed. If a fire is discovered, fire watch personnel shall carry out fire response (R.A.C.E.)

1.    Rescue in immediate danger of the fire

2.    Activate the fire alarm system (If Fire Alarm system has been completely disabled, the fire watch personnel shall contact Dispatch via radio to contact emergency response personnel of an event)

3.    Contain the fire

4.    Evacuate or Extinguish

§  Fire watch personnel are not required to fight fires and may only use a fire extinguisher if trained to do so and if the fire is the size of a small wastebasket or smaller.

• Fire watch personnel is to continue fire watch for an additional 30 minutes after hot work has been completed in the area in which hot work was performed as well as any adjacent area searching for signs of combustion.

Fire System Interruptions: Fire watch requirements for an unplanned fire alarm system outage(s) will be determined on a case by case basis based on extent of the  interruption, building use, number of occupants and expected outage time. However, in general a fire watch shall always fulfill the intent NFPA 72

·         Fire watch personnel are to obtain and complete a Fire Watch Notification Form. (See Appendix A “Fire Watch Notification Form)

·         Fire watch personnel shall maintain a fire watch log which shall be turned in to PPDMC Facilities Compliance Officer upon completion of Fire Watch. (See Appendix C “Fire Watch Log”)

·         The personnel performing the fire watch shall not be permitted to perform any other duties

·         The personnel performing the fire watch shall be familiar with the facility.

·         Fire watch personnel are to conduct an inspection of each area in order to detect any signs of smoke, fire or any other life safety hazard that might exist in any room. The inspections will occur on a schedule as determined by the ILSM assessment, and at a minimum, once per hour. These results are documented. (See Appendix C “Fire Watch Log”)

·         Fire watch personnel shall report to the supervisor or Dispatch on an hourly basis.

• If a fire is discovered, fire watch personnel shall carry out fire response (R.A.C.E.)

1.    Rescue in immediate danger of the fire

2.    Activate the fire alarm system (If Fire Alarm system has been completely disabled, the fire watch personnel shall contact Dispatch via radio to contact emergency response personnel of an event)

3.    Contain the fire

4.    Evacuate or Extinguish

§  Fire watch personnel are not required to fight fires and may only use a fire extinguisher if trained to do so and if the fire is the size of a small wastebasket or smaller.

Training

Training will be conducted annually by the Physical Plant Division – Medical Center as well as with new hire orientation.

Appendix A

Fire Watch Notification Form

This form must be completed whenever a Fire Watch is implemented as specified in the PPD Fire Watch Program. This along with the Fire Watch Inpection Log will be turned in to PPDMC Facilities Compliance Officer.

Appendix B

University of Kentucky Physical Plant – Medical Center

Fire Watch Inspection Log

During the patrol of the area, the personnel performing the Fire Watch will be looking for fire and/or hazardous conditions and making sure that other fire protection features of the building such as egress routes, fire/smoke door operation and any other fire protection systems are available and functioning properly