When must fire watch be provided concerning the alarm system?

Fire watch must be provided when the alarm system is off-line because, during this time, the automatic detection and notification systems for fire hazards are not operational. The fire watch serves as a crucial safety measure, ensuring that personnel are on-site and vigilant, ready to respond to any potential fire incidents that may occur while the alarm system is disabled. This is essential to protect life and property when typical fire detection measures are not available.

When the alarm system is being tested or undergoing scheduled maintenance, fire watch protocols may also be invoked, but the critical aspect of fire watch is specifically tied to the system being completely offline, meaning there is no monitoring capability at that time. In the event that the fire alarm has been activated, emergency protocols would already be in place, making a fire watch less relevant at that moment.