Fire Watch Guards in Sacramento, CA
When a fire alarm or sprinkler system is down, or the fire marshal orders a fire watch, GPI puts licensed security officers on site fast, day or night. They patrol on a set schedule, keep a timestamped log and call 911 the moment they see smoke or fire.
- 24/7 coverage
- PPO# 120206
- Same day starts
- California PPO 120206
- PI 188419
- BBB A+ accredited
- Greater Sacramento coverage
When a fire watch is needed
A fire watch is a trained person whose only job is to walk the property, look for fire and raise the alarm. It stands in for the protection your building has lost. The most common reasons:
Fire alarm or sprinklers out of service
Under California Fire Code Section 901.7, when a required fire protection system is out of service, the fire department must be notified, and the fire code official can require the building to be evacuated or an approved fire watch to be provided until the system works again.
Hot work
Welding, cutting, brazing and torch work throw sparks that can smolder long after the job stops. Hot work permits and insurers often require someone watching the area during the work and for a set time afterward.
After a fire
A building that has just had a fire may have no working alarm, broken doors and windows, and open access. An officer watches for flare ups and keeps people out until the building is boarded up, secured and handed back.
Construction and demolition
Buildings under construction often have no working fire protection yet, and they are full of lumber, fuel and debris. Fire officials can require a fire watch during construction or demolition.
Events ordered by the fire marshal
Crowded venues, temporary stages and tents, or special effects can lead the fire marshal to require a fire watch as a condition of the event.
What our fire watch officers do
Our officers follow your fire code official's instructions and your site rules. On every shift they:
Patrol continuously on a set interval. They walk every floor and area that lost protection, as often as the fire official or your insurer requires. The watch is their only job.
Keep a timestamped log. Each round is written down with the time, the areas checked and anything found. Patrols are GPS tracked with checkpoint scans, so you can see the officer was where the log says.
Keep an extinguisher on hand. Officers carry or stage a portable fire extinguisher and learn where the building’s extinguishers, alarm pull stations and shutoffs are before the first round.
Call 911 and notify. If they find smoke or fire, they call 911 first, warn the people inside and help them out, then notify the fire department as instructed and call you, the owner or manager.
Check exits and hazards. They make sure exit doors open and exit paths stay clear, and they look for new hazards like stored materials near heat, open flames, leaking fuel or blocked hydrants.
Document everything. Officers wear body cameras, and you receive daily activity reports and incident reports with photos.
Fast start, 24/7
Same day and short notice coverage, any hour, including nights, weekends and holidays. Call (916) 588-3359 with the address, which system is down and what the fire department asked for, and we will tell you when an officer can be there.
- Armed or unarmed officers
- One shift or until the system is repaired
- Logs and reports sent to you
How to start a fire watch
- 01
Call or send the form
Tell us the address, what is out of service or what work is planned, and any written instructions from the fire department, your insurer or the permit.
- 02
We confirm the plan
Together we set the patrol route, the round interval, who to call in an emergency and where the logs go.
- 03
An officer arrives
A licensed GPI officer is briefed on the building, finds the exits and extinguishers, and starts the first round.
- 04
The watch ends on your word
Coverage continues until the system is repaired and signed off or the fire code official releases the watch. Then you call us and we stop.
Fire watch plus security
A fire watch officer is also a uniformed presence that helps keep trespassers out of a damaged or empty building. If you need more, we can add patrol visits, remote camera monitoring or a second officer for security.
Running a job site? See construction site security. Planning an event where the fire marshal wants a watch? See event security. Need regular overnight checks after the watch ends? See mobile security patrol.
Common questions
What is a fire watch, and when does California require one?
A fire watch is a trained person who patrols a building to look for fire and warn occupants while its fire protection is not working. Under California Fire Code Section 901.7, when a required fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service, the fire code official (usually the fire marshal or the fire department that covers your building) can require a fire watch until the system works again. Insurers and hot work permits can also require one. We build the patrol route and log around the instructions you were given.
How fast can a fire watch officer get to my site?
We take same day and short notice requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Arrival time depends on the hour and location, so call (916) 588-3359 for a straight answer.
Can my own employees do the fire watch instead?
Sometimes. Some fire officials accept trained staff, others want a person whose only job is the watch. Ask your fire code official what they will approve. A GPI officer has no other duties during the watch and logs every round.
How long does a fire watch last?
Until the fire protection system is back in service or the fire code official says the watch can end. That can be one shift or several weeks. You can extend or end coverage with a phone call.
Do fire watch officers put out fires?
Their first job is to call 911 and warn the people in the building. They keep a portable fire extinguisher on hand and can use it on a small fire when it is safe to do so, but they are not firefighters and will not put themselves or others at risk.
Will I get a log I can show the fire marshal or my insurer?
Yes. You receive the round by round logs and any incident reports with photos, ready for the fire department or your insurer.
Request Fire Watch Coverage
Tell us the address and what is out of service. For same day coverage, call the new customer line now.
Licensed and insured. California PPO 120206. Sacramento, CA
Fire watch guards near you
GPI provides fire watch guards in Sacramento and nearby cities. Pick your area:
Other services
- Armed security guards
- Unarmed security guards
- Mobile security patrol
- Event security
- Executive protection
- Camera monitoring
- Special response team
- K9 security
- Drone security
Need a quote? Get a Quote or call new customers at (916) 588-3359.