Seattle Emergency Firewatch Resource Center

[S] 403.11.1 Fire watch and standby fire personnel. Where, in the opinion of the fire code official, it is essential for public safety in a place of assembly or any other place where people congregate, because of the number of persons, or the nature of the performance, exhibition, display, contest or activity, the owner, agent or lessee shall provide, at no cost to the City, one or more fire watch or standby fire personnel, as required and approved. Fire watch personnel shall comply with Sections 403.11.1.1 and 403.11.1.2.

   403.11.1.1 Duty times. Fire watch personnel shall remain on duty while places requiring fire watch are open to the public, or when an activity requiring fire watch is being conducted.

   [S] 403.11.1.2 Duties. On-duty fire watch personnel shall have the following responsibilities:
   1. Keep diligent watch for fires, obstructions to means of egress and other hazards.
   2. Take prompt measures for remediation of hazards and extinguishment of fires that occur.
   3. Take prompt measures to assist in the evacuation of the public from the structures.

    Fire watch personnel and standby fire personnel are subject to the fire code official's orders at all times; shall remain on duty during the times such places are open to the public or as otherwise required by the fire code official; and shall not be required or permitted, while on duty, to perform any duties other than those specified by the fire code official.
   When a fire protection system is out of service, the procedures detailed in Administrative Rule 9.04.21, Impaired Fire Protection Systems and Emergency Responder Radio Amplification Systems and any future revisions of this rule adopted by the fire code official shall be implemented.