What is the role of a fire watch?

The role of a fire watch is primarily to monitor an area for signs of fire, ensuring that any potential threats are identified early and addressed before they escalate. Fire watches are essential during operations that could generate sparks, heat, or other ignition sources, particularly in areas where flammable materials may be present. By maintaining vigilance and observing for smoke, hot surfaces, or other indicators of a fire, a fire watch can promptly raise the alarm or initiate immediate action if a fire does occur.

This preventative oversight is crucial in maintaining safety and minimizing risks during operations. While extinguishing a fire is important, it is typically the responsibility of firefighting teams, not the fire watch. Similarly, conducting fire safety drills and reporting hazards are essential safety practices but are distinct functions separate from the immediate observational duties of a fire watch.