Fire watch · Arizona
Fire Watch Services in Arizona
When a sprinkler or fire alarm system goes down, the fire code usually gives you two choices: clear the building, or put a trained person on patrol until the system is back. That person is your fire watch.
Honeybadger Solutions provides fire watch guards for building owners, general contractors, property managers and facilities teams across Arizona. We are a veteran-led security company based in Casa Grande, and we operate under Arizona DPS security guard agency licence 1759798. We can often start same-day when staff are available.
The rules
When Arizona fire code requires a fire watch
Arizona does not have one fire watch rule. The State Fire Marshal and most Arizona cities use the International Fire Code (IFC), each with its own edition and local changes. The main triggers are much the same everywhere. Your local fire department (the fire code official, or AHJ) decides the details for your site.
1. A fire protection system is out of service
This is the most common reason. Under IFC Section 901.7, when a required sprinkler, fire alarm or other fire protection system is out of service:
- The fire department and the fire code official must be told right away.
- If the fire code official requires it, you must either evacuate the building or provide an approved fire watch.
- The fire watch needs at least one approved way to reach the fire department, such as a working phone.
- Patrolling and watching for fire must be the fire watch’s only job.
- The watch continues until the system is back in service.
Sections 901.7.1 to 901.7.6 cover the paperwork. The owner names an impairment coordinator (or is the coordinator by default), tags the out-of-service system, notifies the fire department, insurer and alarm company, and confirms testing when protection is restored.
For sprinklers, NFPA 25 (2017 edition, Chapter 15) adds that when a system is out of service for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period, the impairment coordinator must arrange one of several measures, including a fire watch.
2. Hot work such as welding, cutting or grinding
Under IFC Section 3504.2 (2018 edition), a fire watch must be in place during hot work and for at least 30 minutes after the work ends. The fire code official or your hot work program manager can extend it. The fire watch must cover the whole hot work area, keep an extinguisher ready and be trained to use it. OSHA (29 CFR 1910.252) also requires at least half an hour after welding or cutting. Newer standards ask for more: NFPA 51B (2019 edition) calls for at least one hour, so check your permit and your insurer.
3. Buildings under construction or demolition
Under the 2018 IFC (Section 3304.5), the fire code official can require a fire watch for demolition, risky construction work, and nonworking hours on new buildings taller than 40 feet.
The 2021 IFC (Section 3305.5) and the 2024 IFC (Section 3303.5) go further. Outside working hours, a fire watch is required on new construction more than 40 feet tall, or on new multistory construction with more than 50,000 square feet per story, or wherever the fire code official calls for one. On construction sites, the code allows one person to do both fire watch and site security, which is different from the rule for occupied buildings.
4. Events and places of assembly
The fire code official can require fire watch personnel at concerts, trade shows, festivals and other gatherings because of crowd size or the type of activity (IFC Section 403.12.1 in the 2018 edition and Section 403.11.1 in the 2021 edition). These personnel stay on duty while the venue is open to the public. Their job is to watch for fires, blocked exits and other hazards, act quickly on hazards, and help get people out if needed.
5. Any time the fire department says so
Fire officials can also order a fire watch for public safety. Phoenix’s fire code allows it where the fire code official considers it essential, or after a fire that could rekindle.
By city
Which code edition applies where you are
Code editions change. The table shows what we found on official sources as of October 2026. Always confirm with your fire department before you rely on it.
| Jurisdiction | Fire code in use | Local fire watch notes |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State Fire Marshal | 2018 IFC, with state changes | Applies where no local fire code has been adopted. |
| Phoenix | 2024 IFC with Phoenix amendments, effective February 17, 2026 | Section 117 sets fire watch qualifications, duties and logs. A copy of the log goes to the Phoenix Fire Department Fire Prevention Division. |
| Mesa | 2024 ICC codes, effective January 8, 2026 | Confirm fire watch details with Mesa Fire and Medical. |
| Chandler | 2021 IFC with Chandler amendments | The whole building must be checked at least every half hour, or as the Fire Marshal directs. Logs are emailed to the Fire Prevention office at the end of each shift or day. |
| Scottsdale | 2021 IFC with Scottsdale amendments | Confirm fire watch details with Scottsdale Fire. |
| Tucson | 2024 IFC with Tucson amendments (listed as adopted) | Only a Tucson Fire inspector can set up or release a fire watch. The fire watch does no security or maintenance work and needs a stand-in during breaks. |
| Casa Grande | 2018 IFC with city amendments | Confirm fire watch details with Casa Grande Fire. |
Tempe, Gilbert and Pinal County fire districts adopt their own editions too. Not sure who your fire code official is? We can help you find out.
On every round
What our fire watch guards do on every round
A fire watch is a walking patrol with a clear route and a written record, not a guard sitting by the door. Before the first round, we brief each guard on why the watch is needed, the building layout and your fire department’s instructions.
On every round, our guards:
- Patrol the assigned areas. They walk every floor, stairwell, mechanical room and work area named in the fire watch plan, at the interval your fire code official sets.
- Check for smoke, fire and heat. They look and smell for smoke, burning, hot surfaces, sparks and electrical problems.
- Look for fire hazards. They report open flames, piled-up trash, leaking fuel, damaged wiring and blocked fire department connections.
- Keep exits clear. They check that exit doors open, corridors and stairs are not blocked, and exit signs are visible.
- Write it down. They log the time of each round, the areas checked and what they saw.
- Raise the alarm fast. If they find smoke or fire, they call 911 first. Then they pull the fire alarm where one works, or warn people directly, and help them get out.
- Use extinguishers only when safe. Our fire watch guards are trained to use portable fire extinguishers, as the code requires. They will only tackle a small fire when it is safe, and never instead of calling 911 or evacuating.
Our guards do not reset alarm panels, silence alarms or operate sprinkler valves. That work belongs to the fire department and licensed fire protection contractors.
How often do rounds happen?
The IFC asks for “constant patrols” without setting a number of minutes. Some fire departments set one: Chandler requires a check of the entire building at least every half hour unless the Fire Marshal directs otherwise. We patrol at the interval your fire code official requires. If none is set, we agree one with you in writing before the shift starts.
Paper trail
Fire watch logs
The log is the proof that the fire watch happened. Fire officials can ask to see it at any time.
Each log we keep includes:
- The name and address of the building or area under watch
- The reason for the fire watch and the system that is out of service
- The date and time each round was completed
- Areas checked and what the guard observed
- Any hazards found and who was told
- The guard’s printed name and signature for each entry
- Emergency contacts for the site
Phoenix requires a copy to go to its Fire Prevention Division, and Chandler wants logs emailed after each shift or day. We use your fire department’s log form if it has one, and keep the log on site for inspectors.
Services
Our fire watch services
Impaired sprinkler and fire alarm systems
For planned shutdowns, repairs, failed panels, closed valves and water supply problems. We staff the watch until the system is restored and your fire department says the watch can end. This is a dedicated post. If you also need security at the same building, we staff that as a separate post.
Hot work fire watch
For welding, cutting, brazing, torch-applied roofing and grinding. Our guard watches the work area and any spaces above, below or behind it, keeps an extinguisher ready, and stays for the full time after work ends that your permit or insurer requires.
Construction fire watch
For nonworking hours on mid-rise and large-footprint projects, demolition, and phases where standpipes or sprinklers are not yet in service. We follow your site safety plan, log each patrol and each building entry, and work with your site safety director. Where the code allows, the same guard can combine fire watch with site security. See our construction and development security page for full site coverage.
Event and assembly fire watch
For concerts, festivals, trade shows, temporary venues and any event where the fire department requires fire watch personnel. Guards stay on duty while the event is open and focus on fires, blocked exits and crowd hazards. We can pair this with event security staff, who handle crowds and access separately.
After a fire, flood or power outage
When damage takes systems offline, a fire watch keeps the building protected during repairs. Our emergency and surge staffing team can cover security separately.
Getting started
How fast we can start
Fire watch calls are usually urgent. We can often deploy same-day when staff are available, and we will tell you honestly what we can staff and when. Have this ready when you call:
- The site address and the best entrance for the guard
- Which system is down and why
- Any patrol interval or instructions from your fire department
- Your site contact and expected duration
Coverage
Areas we serve in Arizona
Our guards work in Arizona only. We provide fire watch across:
- Phoenix metro and West Valley — see Phoenix and West Valley security
- East Valley, including Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe and Scottsdale — see East Valley security
- Pinal County, including our home base of Casa Grande — see Casa Grande and Pinal County security
- Tucson and Southern Arizona — see Tucson security
Not sure if we cover your site? Call and ask.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is a fire watch legally required in Arizona?
Usually when a required sprinkler or alarm system is out of service (IFC 901.7), during and after hot work (Chapter 35), on certain construction sites after hours (Chapter 33), and at events where the fire department requires it (Section 403).
Who has to tell the fire department that our system is down?
The building owner or their impairment coordinator, immediately (IFC 901.7). We can help you work out who to call.
Can our security guard also do the fire watch?
Usually not in an occupied building. IFC 901.7 says patrolling for fire must be the fire watch’s only job, and Phoenix, Chandler and Tucson all say no other duties. Construction sites are different: the code allows fire watch and site security to be combined there.
How often does a fire watch guard patrol?
As often as your fire code official requires. Some cities set a number, such as Chandler’s whole-building check at least every half hour. If no number is set, we agree an interval with you in writing before we start.
How long does a fire watch last?
Until the system is repaired, tested and back in service, and your fire department releases the watch. In Phoenix and Tucson, only the fire department can end it.
Do your guards fight fires?
No. They find fire early, call 911, raise the alarm and help people out. They may use an extinguisher on a small fire when safe, never ahead of calling 911.
Will you give us the fire watch log?
Yes. It stays on site during the watch, and you get a complete copy when it ends.
How quickly can you get a guard on site?
We can often deploy same-day when staff are available. Book a consultation online and we will tell you plainly what we can do.
Get a fire watch in place
System down now? Call us. Planned shutdown, hot work or construction phase coming up? Let us walk the site first so the plan is ready before work starts.
Honeybadger Solutions LLC is a veteran-led security company based in Casa Grande, Arizona, operating under Arizona DPS security guard agency licence 1759798. This page is general information, not legal advice; confirm requirements with your local fire department.