CHFM Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Guide

A fire watch is a critical safety protocol implemented when fire protection systems, such as sprinklers or alarms, are temporarily out of service. This situation creates a heightened risk for potential fire hazards, making it imperative to establish a fire watch to mitigate those risks. The designated personnel are tasked with monitoring the area, ensuring that any signs of fire are quickly reported and addressed, thus providing an extra layer of safety for patients and staff in a healthcare facility.

Fire systems can be out of service for a variety of reasons, including maintenance work, upgrades, or unforeseen malfunctions. During such times, the standard fire safety measures are compromised, which is why a fire watch becomes necessary to maintain a safe environment.

In contrast, open house events, regular inspections, and patient admissions do not typically warrant a fire watch as they do not inherently involve disabling fire protection systems or significantly increasing fire risk. Regular inspections are part of routine procedures designed to ensure fire safety systems are functional, while open houses and patient admissions generally do not impact the existing safety measures in place.