Insights

FDNY Fire Guard Requirements: F-01, F-03, F-04 and F-60 Explained

What the FDNY requires for fire guards in New York City, the four Certificates of Fitness most sites need and what to have ready when you request coverage.

In New York City, a fire watch is called a fire guard, and the FDNY decides who may stand one. Building owners, property managers and retailers usually need fire guards on short notice, when a sprinkler or alarm system fails, when an event is planned or when contractors start hot work. This guide explains the four FDNY Certificates of Fitness that come up most often and what to have ready when you request coverage.

When a Fire Guard Is Required

When a required fire protection system, such as a sprinkler or fire alarm system, is out of service, the building must keep a fire watch. For an outage in a space of 50,000 square feet or less, the impairment coordinator or a trained person named by the owner may make the patrols for the first four hours. After that, the patrols must be made by fire guards who hold an FDNY Certificate of Fitness.

The Four Certificates Most Sites Need

• F-01, Citywide Fire Guard for Impairment. Fire watch while a sprinkler, fire alarm or other required fire protection system is out of service.
• F-03, Indoor Place of Assembly Safety Personnel. Fire safety at an approved indoor place of assembly, such as a venue, ballroom or event space.
• F-04, Temporary Indoor/Outdoor Place of Assembly Safety Personnel. Fire safety at temporary events held at different locations, such as product launches, tents and pop-ups.
• F-60, Fire Guard for Torch Operations. Watching for fire during and after welding, torch cutting, grinding and other hot work.

Each certificate covers a specific type of work. A fire guard who holds F-01 is not automatically qualified to serve as F-03 safety personnel at an event, so the post must be matched to the right certificate before the shift starts.

What a Fire Guard Does on Post

• Patrols the areas named in the Post Orders at the required interval.
• Keeps a fire guard log with the time and conditions of each round, available to the FDNY.
• Checks that exits, stairways and paths of travel are clear and reports obstructions.
• If a fire is found, calls 911, alerts occupants and follows the site emergency plan.

Fire guards are not firefighters. They do not fight fires, certify code compliance or decide when a fire watch may end. The building owner, the impairment coordinator and the FDNY set those requirements.

What to Have Ready When You Call

Coverage starts faster when the request includes the address, the system that is out of service, the floors and square footage affected, the expected repair time and any instructions from the FDNY or your impairment coordinator. These details go into the Post Orders before the first shift.

Fire Guard Coverage from MGP

McCray Global Protection assigns officers who hold the FDNY certificate each post requires, checks certificates before assignment and keeps them on file. See Fire Watch and Fire Guard Services in New York City and Fire Watch Security, or call 833-832-6647.