G-FIWA Firewatch

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.