Fire Safety Guard
From LoveToKnow Safety
Come find out more about the duties of a fire safety guard.
What is a Fire Safety Guard?
If you've ever been to a public building, or attended an event, chances are very good you've benefitted from the skills of a fire safety guard.
Fire guards are the people who make sure that a municipality's fire safety codes and regulations are obeyed, and their presence is required in many places including hotels, office buildings, construction sites and public assembly halls. Their main objective is to ensure the safety of any building's occupants in the event of a fire.
What Does a Guard Do?
It is the job of the fire guard to inspect and maintain all fire protection devices under his or her jurisdiction.
A fire guard must:
- Know the location of all fire exits
- Make sure the exit lights in those locations are in good working order
- Post fire safety posters in designated areas of building or venue
- Know the location of all smoke and fire alarms, and make sure they are installed at regulation height, and spaced according to regulations
- Know how to operate each type of fire alarm, whether it's a simple pull-down handle model or one that requires the breaking of a protective glass cover
- Know the location of all fire extinguishers and how to use them
- Know the phone numbers of the local fire department and police agency, and keep those numbers posted near the phone(s) most likely to be used
- Notify the fire department quickly, by alarm, phone or both as the situation allows
- Make sure the key to the fire alarm control panel is kept near the main control panel in case the alarm needs to be shut off
- Understand how to operate a walkie-talkie for emergency communications
- Carry a bullhorn so his or her directions can be clearly heard in the event of an emergency
- Evacuate persons threatened by a fire emergency, beginning with those on or above the floor where the fire is occurring and working down from there
- Remain calm and present a confident demeanor to reassure citizens and reduce the chance for a panic
Additionally, fire guards must make regular inspections of their jurisdiction to eliminate potential fire hazards.
Inspection duties include:
- Monitoring hallways, stairways and fire exits to make sure they remain free from blockages
- Maintaining a three-foot-wide aisle for fire officials
- Make sure all public exits remain unlocked during hours of operation
- Check for and eliminate possible fire hazards such as frayed wires or combustible materials
- Make sure self-closing doors are closed to prevent the spread of fire from one area to the next
- Inspect sprinkler systems for leaks/breaks
- Inspect fire extinguishers every six months, and recharge each one after use
- Keep inspection logs, certificates and permits current and readily available to fire department officials
Requirements
Each municipality has its own individual requirements for becoming a fire safety guard, but most have a few general guidelines in common.
Applicants must:
- Be at least eighteen years old to apply
- Understand and adequately speak the common language of the area
- Supply two forms of photo identification
- Display basic knowledge of fire fighting techniques
Additionally, applicants will be given a study guide and must pass a written test unless they have served a specified number of years as a fire fighter. In such a case, the written test may be waived.
Most municipalities charge a nominal application fee in the range of $25.00 to $50.00. Fees will vary.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 2,070 times. This page was last modified 17:58, 11 September 2007.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
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