Fire Watch Questions

We offer a one-hour response for urgent fire watch. Call (704) 617-1047 and speak directly with Josh about your location, the system issue, and the coverage you need. Calling is the fastest way to get a firewatcher on site.

We provide dedicated on-site fire watch when an alarm or sprinkler system is out of service, including during repairs and at construction properties. Fire watch is our sole service: patrols, observation, emergency notification, and patrol records. We do not provide hot-work fire watch, general security guarding, firefighting, system repairs, equipment rentals, or customer training.

We provide overnight fire watch as well as continuous 24/7 coverage. The schedule can fit your property's needs, provided it meets the Fire Marshal's requirements. Continuous assignments are staffed in rotating eight-hour shifts, with a handover between firewatchers.

Typical rates are $35–$40 per hour. Your rate depends on the property's size, whether it is residential, the fire hazard involved, and the coverage required. Josh asks a few questions over the phone, gives an initial estimate, and follows up with a written quote. Rush charges and billing through the end of the final scheduled shift are explained before service.

Call (704) 617-1047 if you need fire watch now. We are on call around the clock. For a future assignment or a detailed quote, use the simple request form or email joshua@palmettocoastfirewatch.com. We can collect the property address, occupancy, system issue, start time, and on-site contact during a phone call.

We serve Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Murrells Inlet, Garden City, Pawleys Island, Conway, Georgetown, and Hilton Head. Call with your property address so Josh can arrange coverage for your location. Charleston is not currently part of our service area.

Your local Fire Marshal determines the fire watch requirements for your property. Tell Josh what instructions you have received so he can coordinate the coverage with you and the Fire Marshal's office. We follow those instructions; hiring fire watch does not by itself authorize a building to remain occupied or open.

Patrols include the assigned floors, hallways, stairwells, accessible affected areas, and exterior, with attention to signs of smoke, fire, and unsafe conditions. The local Fire Marshal sets the required patrol frequency and site instructions. Some properties require checks every 15 minutes, while others have different intervals. Your property's requirements guide the assignment.

We use GPS-based geofencing for on-site clock-ins and attendance monitoring. Josh receives an alert if an on-duty firewatcher leaves the assigned property, and he also makes unannounced site visits. Our scheduling system supports shift handovers, and an on-call staff member is available if a scheduled firewatcher cannot attend.

Firewatchers complete the patrol log format required by the local Fire Marshal. Entries include the date, time, firewatcher's name, areas patrolled, and any issues observed. A copy of the logs is available on request after the fire watch assignment has ended, including assignments that run for several weeks. Required on-site records and submissions to the fire authority follow the instructions for your property.

Our team includes off-duty firefighters and people with relevant fire-safety experience. Firefighters on staff also train team members who are new to fire watch. New hires must pass a background check and complete the training required for their role, followed by the instructions for their assigned property.

Yes. Palmetto Fire Watch carries general liability and workers' compensation insurance. Ask Josh about the insurance information needed for your property's service arrangements.

The firewatcher calls 911 immediately, identifies the property and fire watch assignment, and follows the emergency dispatcher's instructions. They alert Josh through our emergency communication line and assist with occupant notification and evacuation as conditions allow. Josh coordinates with the on-site team and property management. Fire watch is a monitoring service, not a firefighting response; call 911 for an immediate fire or life-safety emergency.

Urgent assignments carry a rush charge of $5 per hour for the first eight hours. For example, a quoted base rate of $35 per hour becomes $40 per hour for those first eight hours. The rush charge is included in the service terms so you know what to expect.

Billing continues through the end of the scheduled shift in which the fire watch is released. Our shifts run from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Let Josh know as soon as repairs are complete so he can confirm the Fire Marshal's sign-off and arrange the end of coverage.

A repair being finished does not automatically end the watch. Notify Josh when your repair contractor has completed the work. He contacts the Fire Marshal's office directly to verify that the required sign-off has been given before releasing the firewatcher from the property.