G-FIWA Firewatch

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Questions and Answers

Who is responsible for verifying the extinguishment of fire at an incident?

Platoon Chief

Incident Commander (correct)

District Chief

Captain of firewatch apparatus

What should TFS personnel assigned to firewatch responsibility do at thirty (30) minute intervals?

Complete a walking inspection of the premises (correct)

Document the incident over radio

Verify the placement of firefighting equipment

Conduct a radio inspection

What is the minimum duration of a fire watch implemented by the Platoon Chief?

24 hours

12 hours (correct)

48 hours

6 hours

What should captains of firewatch apparatus do before transferring command?

Do a face-to-face update with relief apparatus Signup and view all the answers

Who should be assigned to firewatch at incidents?

Contamination-free crews Signup and view all the answers

What is a consideration for Chief Officers when selecting apparatus for firewatch?

Duration of assignment Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a walking inspection of the premises?

To identify potential hazards Signup and view all the answers

When can apparatus assigned to firewatch leave the scene?

When the next scheduled apparatus arrives Signup and view all the answers

What is a firewatch in a building typically conducted in compliance with?

The Fire Safety Plan approved for the building Signup and view all the answers

What is a building owner required to do as part of a firewatch?

Complete a walking inspection of the premises at sixty (60) minute intervals Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for notifying the TFS Communications Centre over the radio when a firewatch has been assigned?

The TFS Incident Commander Signup and view all the answers

What is required to be in possession of during a firewatch?

A two-way radio communicating directly with a communications center or a cellular telephone capable of immediately notifying TFS of any hazardous situations Signup and view all the answers

What information shall the Incident Commander obtain from the building owner or a responsible person in writing?

Name of the person(s) assuming responsibility for providing the firewatch, address of building, and telephone contact numbers Signup and view all the answers

Why may a building owner or other responsible person be assigned firewatch responsibilities?

If the alarm system in a high-rise or other building is not operational and an alarm technician has been contacted and is responding Signup and view all the answers

What is included in the Officer's Narrative of the Emergency Incident Report?

All relevant information of the firewatch Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Thermal Incident Camera (TIC)?

To conduct a search of the area of origin and all other impacted areas of the building Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to fire department connections if plugs or caps are missing?

Examine them for obstructions, back flush when conditions warrant and replace the plugs or caps Signup and view all the answers

Who should be notified in the event of a shutdown of a standpipe and hose system?

The fire department, building occupants, and supervisory staff Signup and view all the answers

How often should hose stations be inspected?

Monthly Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to hose valves?

Inspect them annually and ensure they are tight Signup and view all the answers

What should a building owner do after a standpipe and hose system is used by firefighting personnel?

Maintain the standpipe and hose system Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to standpipe hose after use?

Unrack, unreel or unroll and inspect it Signup and view all the answers

Who should be notified when alterations, additions or repairs are to be made involving interruption to a sprinkler system?

The Chief Fire Official Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to closed control valves?

Tag or identify them Signup and view all the answers

What is part of a Fire Safety Plan?

Providing alternative measures for the safety of occupants during a shutdown of fire protection equipment or systems Signup and view all the answers

Where should a Fire Safety Plan be maintained?

In the building or premises in an approved location Signup and view all the answers

What is the responsibility of building owners in terms of fire protection equipment?

To maintain the equipment in operating condition Signup and view all the answers

Who should report any extended shutdown or dismantlement of fire protection equipment and systems?

Company Officers Signup and view all the answers

How should the reporting of fire system shutdowns be done?

By checking the Fire Prevention Notes box of the Fire R.M.S. Incident Report Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for standpipe systems during construction or demolition of a building?

To install or dismantle the system progressively Signup and view all the answers

What should be maintained in operating condition in all buildings with standpipe and hose systems?

Standpipe and hose systems Signup and view all the answers

How should fire department connections be secured?

With plugs or caps that are secured wrench-tight Signup and view all the answers

What action will the Fire Prevention Division take upon receipt of the notification from Operations?

Follow up with the owner and take appropriate action Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of progressively installing or dismantling standpipe systems during alteration of a building?

To provide protection to all floor areas Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Guidelines for Firewatch

Contaminated crews should not be held on scene to start a firewatch; instead, assign firewatch to contamination-free crews to relieve decontamination-requiring crews.

Firewatch at Incidents

Incident Commanders are responsible for verifying extinguishment of fire.
Firewatch personnel must:
- Be in possession of a radio.
- Complete a walking inspection of the premises upon assuming firewatch responsibility and every 30 minutes thereafter.
- Document inspections over the radio.
- Verify placement of all firefighting and detection-related components.
Apparatus assigned to firewatch cannot leave the scene until the next scheduled apparatus arrives and announces assumption of firewatch command.
Captains of firewatch apparatus must do a face-to-face update on arrival of relief apparatus before transferring command.

Apparatus Selection for Firewatch

Factors to consider when selecting apparatus for firewatch include:
- Apparatus/equipment requirements
- Duration of assignment
- Geographic location
- Shift call-volume of selected apparatus

Termination of Firewatch

Termination of a TFS firewatch is at the discretion of the Platoon Chief.
Requirements for termination include:
- Implementation of fire watch for at least 12 hours (24 hours for Cellulose Insulation).
- Complete search of the area of origin and impacted areas with a Thermal Incident Camera (TIC).
- Arrival of TFS investigators and/or Toronto Police Service at suspicious fires.
- Announcement over the radio of completion of the same.

Assigning Firewatch to Building Owners

Building owners or responsible persons may be assigned firewatch responsibilities if the alarm system is not operational and an alarm technician has been contacted.
Firewatch in a building must comply with the approved Fire Safety Plan, which typically requires:
- Instruction in firewatch procedures.
- Possession of a two-way radio or cellular telephone for direct communication with a communications center.
- Completion of walking inspections every 60 minutes.
- Verification of firefighting and detection-related components.
Incident Commanders must obtain written information from building owners, including:
- Name of person assuming firewatch responsibility.
- Address of building.
- Telephone contact numbers.
- The Incident Commander shall notify the TFS Communications Centre over
  
  the radio when a firewatch has been appropriately assigned to and assumed
  
  by the building owner or responsible person.
  
  The TFS Incident Commander shall include in their memo books all relevant
  
  information of the firewatch. This information will also be added into the
  
  Officer’s Narrative of the Emergency Incident Report.

Fire Protection Systems Shutdown

Building owners are required to maintain fire protection equipment in operating condition.
Company officers must report extended shutdown or dismantlement of fire protection equipment and systems to the Fire Prevention Division and the Communications Centre.

Standpipe System

During construction or demolition, the standpipe system must be installed or dismantled progressively to provide fire protection to the remainder of the building.
Standpipe and hose systems must be maintained in operating condition at all times.
Fire department connections must be maintained and equipped with plugs or caps that are secured wrench-tight.
In the event of a shutdown, the fire department, building occupants, and supervisory staff must be notified.
Hose stations must be inspected monthly to ensure equipment is in place and operable.

Additional Standpipe System Requirements

Standpipe hose stations must be conspicuously identified and unobstructed.
Hose valves must be inspected annually to ensure they are tight and do not leak water into the hose.
Standpipe hose must be unracked, unreeled, or unrolled and inspected annually, and any worn hose or gaskets must be replaced.

Sprinkler System

The Chief Fire Official must be notified when alterations, additions, or repairs involve interruption to a sprinkler system.
Sprinkler control valves and sprinkler water supplies must not be shut down or disconnected for more than 24 hours without notifying the Chief Fire Official.
Closed control valves must be tagged or identified in an approved manner.
In the event of a shutdown, the fire department, building occupants, and supervisory staff must be notified.

Fire Safety Plan

A Fire Safety Plan is required for buildings with fire protection equipment and systems, including sprinkler systems, standpipe and hose systems, fire alarm and voice communication systems, and fire pumps.
The plan must provide alternative measures for the safety of occupants during a shutdown of fire protection equipment or systems.
The Fire Safety Plan must be maintained on site in an approved location.

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Description

Learn about the firewatch procedures and guidelines for incident commanders and TFS personnel, including responsibilities and safety protocols.