Fire Watch Training

The Real Cost of Fire Incidents
• Common causes of workplace fires in Ireland
• Fire incidents associated with hot work activities
• Impact on employees, contractors, visitors, and organisations
• Property damage, operational downtime, and business interruption
• Legal consequences and lessons learned from workplace fire incidents

Understanding the Fire Watch Role
• What is a Fire Watch Person?
• Why Fire Watch procedures are required
• Responsibilities before, during, and after hot work activities
• Limitations of the Fire Watch role
• Supporting workplace fire prevention measures

Fire Science & Fire Risk Awareness
• The fire triangle and fire development process
• Common workplace ignition sources
• Fuel sources and combustible materials
• Understanding fire spread risks
• Recognising high-risk work environments

Hazard Identification & Fire Prevention
• Identifying fire hazards before work begins
• Assessing surrounding work areas
• Housekeeping and combustible material control
• Fire barriers and fire separation awareness
• Recognising changing workplace conditions

Hot Work Safety Awareness
• Understanding hot work activities
• Welding
• Grinding
• Cutting
• Soldering
• Brazing
• Other spark or heat-producing activities
• Hot work permits and authorisation systems
• Pre-work inspection requirements
• Fire prevention controls during hot work

Fire Watch Duties During Hot Work
• Monitoring work activities safely
• Maintaining vigilance throughout operations
• Recognising signs of ignition or fire development
• Communication with operators and supervisors
• Escalating concerns appropriately

Fire Extinguishers & Initial Response Awareness
• Types of fire extinguishers commonly used in workplaces
• Understanding extinguisher suitability
• Principles of safe extinguisher use
• Personal safety considerations
• When evacuation is the safest response

Post-Work Fire Monitoring
• Importance of post-work inspections
• Monitoring areas following hot work completion
• Identifying smouldering materials and hidden fire risks
• Documentation and reporting requirements
• Supporting organisational fire prevention procedures

Emergency Procedures & Incident Response
• Raising the alarm effectively
• Workplace emergency procedures
• Evacuation awareness and assembly points
• Supporting emergency services response
• Preventing escalation of fire incidents

Organisational Responsibility & Fire Safety Culture
• Employee responsibilities
• Supervisor responsibilities
• Contractor responsibilities
• Management responsibilities
• Supporting a proactive fire safety culture

Fire Watch as an Ongoing Risk Management Activity
• Maintaining awareness and vigilance
• Monitoring workplace fire risks
• Supporting permit-to-work systems
• Continuous improvement in fire prevention practices
• Embedding fire safety into daily operations

This course is suitable for personnel responsible for monitoring hot work activities or supporting fire prevention on worksites.

Participants may include:

• Construction workers
• Maintenance personnel
• Welders and fabrication staff
• Contractors performing hot work
• Health & Safety representatives
• Supervisors and team leaders
• Facilities and operations staff
• Individuals assigned fire watch responsibilities

No prior fire safety training is required.

Fire Risk Reduction
Hot work is one of the leading causes of workplace fires. Proper fire watch procedures significantly reduce fire risks.

Workplace Safety
Trained personnel help prevent fires and protect employees, property, and operations.

Legal Responsibility
Employers must ensure safe working practices and fire prevention measures are implemented in the workplace.

Incident Prevention
Early detection of fire hazards can prevent major incidents and reduce potential damage.

Participants will:

• Understand the role and responsibilities of a fire watch attendant
• Identify common fire hazards associated with hot work
• Monitor work areas effectively during hot work activities
• Recognise early signs of fire risk
• Implement fire prevention measures
• Respond appropriately to fire emergencies
• Support workplace fire safety procedures

Instructor-led training with practical examples and discussions.

Includes:

• Fire hazard awareness training
• Fire watch responsibility guidance
• Emergency response discussions
• Fire prevention strategies

Delivered:

• Onsite at client premises, or
• Online Webinar

This training supports employer obligations under:

• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007
• Fire Services Acts 1981 & 2003

Irish legislation requires employers to:

• Identify and manage fire risks in the workplace
• Implement fire prevention measures
• Provide appropriate training and information to employees
• Ensure safe systems of work during high-risk activities such as hot work

Samson Training delivers practical workplace safety training designed to address real operational risks.

Our training focuses on:

• Practical fire hazard awareness
• Real workplace scenarios
• Clear responsibilities for fire watch personnel
• Fire prevention and monitoring procedures
• Building safety awareness across teams

Our instructors combine professional safety knowledge with practical site experience to ensure training is relevant and effective.

What is fire watch training?
Fire watch training teaches individuals how to monitor hot work activities, identify fire hazards, and respond quickly if a fire risk develops.

Who needs fire watch training?
Employees responsible for monitoring welding, cutting, grinding, or other hot work activities should receive fire watch training.

How long does Fire Watch training take?
The course is delivered as a half-day training programme.

Is fire watch required after hot work activities?
Yes. Fire watch monitoring often continues after hot work has finished to ensure no delayed ignition occurs.