Fire alarms, sprinkler systems, standpipes, extinguishers, and emergency plans help protect a building. When a required system is out of service or a particular occupancy or operation requires active monitoring, trained personnel may also be needed to patrol for hazards and respond quickly. In New York City, those personnel are often Fire Guards holding the appropriate FDNY Certificate of Fitness.

A Fire Guard does not replace the FDNY and is not a substitute for an operational fire-protection system. The role is to maintain the required fire watch or patrol, identify dangerous conditions, keep accurate records, make immediate notifications, and support the site’s emergency procedures.

What is a Fire Guard

A Fire Guard is a person assigned to perform fire-watch or occupancy-specific patrol duties under the New York City Fire Code and FDNY rules. The exact certificate and duties depend on the location and assignment. A single certificate does not cover every type of Fire Guard work.

When are Fire Guards required

Fire Guard requirements depend on the occupancy, work being performed, size of the affected area, and status of the building’s fire-protection systems. Common situations include:

  • A required sprinkler, standpipe, fire-alarm, or other fire-protection system is out of service
  • A homeless or emergency shelter requires regular Fire Guard patrols
  • A construction or demolition site is subject to fire-watch requirements
  • Hot-work operations require assignment-specific fire-watch coverage
  • A place of assembly or special event requires designated safety personnel

For an impaired required fire-protection system, FDNY’s F-01 guidance allows the impairment coordinator or another trained and knowledgeable person designated by the owner to conduct fire watch during the first four hours only when the affected area does not exceed 50,000 square feet. After four hours, the patrol must be conducted by an F-01 Certificate of Fitness holder. Larger affected areas require certified coverage sooner and may require more than one Fire Guard.

What does a Fire Guard check

The patrol route and inspection frequency are established for the assignment. For an F-01 impairment fire watch, the affected areas generally must be patrolled at least once every hour. The Fire Guard receives a site orientation and checks conditions including:

  • Smoke, fire, unusual heat, or other signs of an emergency
  • Clear exits, stairways, aisles, and other means of egress
  • Exit and fire doors that are available and operating as required
  • Visible, accessible, unobstructed, and properly mounted fire extinguishers
  • Accessible fire-alarm pull stations and a working means of contacting 911
  • Unsafe storage, exposed wiring, ignition sources, smoking violations, or accumulated trash
  • Changes in construction conditions, hazardous-material locations, or the impaired area

A Fire Guard should know which system is impaired and the area it normally protects, but must not perform testing, maintenance, or supervision that requires a different Certificate of Fitness or licensed technician.

Fire-watch patrols and documentation

Fire Guards must stay focused on the assigned fire-watch duties. During an F-01 patrol, the Fire Guard cannot be assigned unrelated responsibilities that interfere with inspecting the affected area.

A Fire Guard log should document the required information, including:

  • The date and time of each inspection
  • The area or route inspected
  • Any defect, hazard, or violation discovered
  • Actions taken and the person notified
  • The Fire Guard’s name, Certificate of Fitness number, and signature

The log must remain available for FDNY inspection and be retained according to the rules that apply to the occupancy and assignment.

How a Fire Guard responds to an emergency

When a Fire Guard discovers smoke or fire, the first priority is immediate notification. FDNY’s F-01 guidance instructs the Fire Guard to call 911 without delay, activate the fire alarm when available, and then notify the impairment coordinator, Fire and Life Safety Director, Construction Site Fire Safety Manager, or other responsible on-site personnel.

Depending on the site plan and assigned duties, the Fire Guard may also:

  • Warn occupants and communicate clear instructions
  • Help direct occupants to the appropriate stairs or exits
  • Meet arriving emergency responders and provide relevant information
  • Use a portable extinguisher only on a small, contained fire when trained and when it is safe to do so

F-01 and F-02 Fire Guard certificates

F-01 Fire Guard for Impairment

The F-01 is a citywide Certificate of Fitness for Fire Guards performing fire watch when required fire-protection systems are out of service. FDNY’s January 2026 study material says the exam contains 20 multiple-choice questions, allows 30 minutes, and requires a score of at least 70 percent.

F-02 Fire Guard for Shelters

The F-02 is required for Fire Guards in buildings or parts used as homeless or emergency shelters. FDNY guidance requires every area of a shelter to be patrolled at least once every hour. F-02 holders help eliminate hazards, assist during drills and emergencies, understand the shelter’s alarm systems, and maintain patrol records.

Do you need training to become a Fire Guard

You must meet FDNY’s application requirements and pass the exam for the Certificate of Fitness that matches your assignment. FDNY does not list a mandated classroom-training prerequisite for the F-01 certificate. Preparation courses are optional, but they can help candidates organize the material, understand the responsibilities, and prepare for the exam format.

Radiant’s F-01 and F-02 courses are exam-preparation courses, not FDNY certification and not FDNY-mandated coursework. Candidates still apply through FDNY, pay the applicable FDNY fee, bring the required identification and documentation, and pass the FDNY exam. Always read the latest FDNY Notice of Exam and study material before testing because requirements can change.

Why Fire Guards are essential

An impaired alarm, sprinkler, or standpipe removes a layer of automatic protection. A properly assigned Fire Guard provides human monitoring until the system is restored or the fire watch ends. In shelters and other regulated occupancies, regular patrols also help identify hazards before they block egress or contribute to an emergency.

Fire Guards support safety by:

  • Finding and reporting hazards early
  • Keeping exits and critical fire-safety equipment accessible
  • Maintaining documented patrols and regulatory accountability
  • Starting emergency notifications without delay
  • Supporting orderly evacuation and communication

Fire Guard qualifications and career opportunities

A Fire Guard Certificate of Fitness can support roles in building operations, shelters, security services, construction, hospitality, and other regulated workplaces. The correct certificate does not guarantee employment, and job duties, pay, and eligibility requirements vary by employer and assignment.

Security professionals often pursue Fire Guard qualifications when an employer or assignment requires them. Before registering for a preparation course, confirm whether the position calls for F-01, F-02, F-60, F-03/F-04, or another specific FDNY credential.

Ready to prepare for your Fire Guard exam

Radiant Training & Consulting offers focused preparation for the FDNY F-01 and F-02 Certificate of Fitness exams. Start with the course that matches the work you plan to perform, then follow the current FDNY application and testing instructions.