What is the primary purpose of a fire watch?

The primary purpose of a fire watch is to provide ongoing surveillance for fire hazards. This role is critical in situations where fire protection systems, such as sprinklers or alarms, are compromised or undergoing maintenance. A fire watch serves as a vigilant observer, monitoring for any signs of fire and ensuring that immediate action can be taken if a fire is detected. The individual is responsible for maintaining awareness of fire risks, alerting personnel, and typically communicating with emergency services if necessary.

While the other options touch on various aspects of fire safety, they do not specifically encapsulate the essence of a fire watch's responsibilities. The execution of fire drills, handling fire extinguishing equipment, and leading safety training sessions are important elements of a comprehensive fire safety program, but they do not define the primary function of a fire watch, which is focused specifically on active monitoring and hazard detection.