Services
Fire Watch Services in Chicago, IL
Narrow Security provides licensed fire guard services in Chicago, including fully licensed fire watch coverage. Our guards are rigorously trained to meet all fire safety requirements and comply with Illinois fire guard regulations, ensuring your site is always safe and compliant.
Whether you’re managing a construction site, commercial building, or public event, our team delivers rapid response, proactive monitoring, and complete documentation, helping you prevent incidents, avoid violations, and maintain peace of mind on every assignment.
Professional Fire Guard Services in ILLinois
Our Chicago fire guards are skilled in both scheduled and emergency deployments, protecting high-rises, schools, warehouses, hotels, and special events throughout the city. When fire alarm systems are offline, sprinklers are under maintenance, or renovations increase fire risk, our guards provide a visible presence, proactive monitoring, and thorough documentation, ensuring your site stays compliant, safe, and ready for inspection.
What Is a Fire Guard in Chicago?
A fire guard is a licensed security professional trained to perform fire watch duties whenever sprinkler systems or alarms are offline. Our professionals conduct continuous patrols, identify potential fire hazards, document conditions, and coordinate emergency responses if necessary. In Chicago, fire guards must be licensed by the Bureau of Fire Prevention, ensuring that every fire guard is fully qualified to protect your property, people, and compliance standing.
Chicago Fire Watch Requirements
Narrow Security helps you navigate Chicago fire watch requirements with confidence.
According to Chicago Fire Department (CFD) regulations, a fire watch must be in place immediately when:
A fire alarm or sprinkler system is out of service for more than 4 hours in a 24-hour period in an occupied building.
Hot work (such as welding or cutting) is being performed.
Construction activities create a potential fire hazard.
A fire marshal mandates a fire watch for safety reasons.
Our team is trained in local codes and procedures, ensuring your site remains fully compliant, continuously monitored, and protected from both risk and regulatory penalties.
Fire Guard vs Fire Watch – What’s the Difference?
Clients often ask, “What’s the difference between a fire guard and a fire watch?” It’s an important distinction:
A fire guard is a licensed security professional assigned to monitor specific areas.
A fire watch is the safety protocol or service implemented when fire protection systems are offline or impaired.
In other words, fire guards carry out the fire watch. At Narrow Security, we handle both, providing licensed personnel and a customized fire watch plan built around your site’s risks, regulations, and operational needs. We take the complexity out of compliance so you can focus on running your business with confidence.
When Do You Need a Fire Safety Guard in Chicago?
You might need a fire safety guard in Chicago for several reasons, each tied to specific fire safety codes and risk factors:
Fire protection systems are offline — If your sprinkler or alarm systems are down for maintenance, repair, or replacement.
Hot work is in progress — Activities like welding, soldering, or torch cutting require continuous fire watch coverage.
Public events or gatherings — Concerts, festivals, or other large events that use open flames, generators, or pyrotechnics.
Construction or demolition projects — Especially when there’s limited visibility, debris buildup, or increased ignition risks.
Official mandate — When a Chicago Fire Department (CFD) fire marshal issues a notice requiring a fire watch.
In all of these cases, mandates require the presence of licensed fire guards to identify hazards, respond to incidents, and maintain full compliance with city fire codes.
Areas We Serve
Protecting your property, people, and operations from fire hazards is critical—and Narrow Security makes it seamless. We provide exceptional fire watch services in Chicago, combining highly trained personnel, rapid deployment, and tailored solutions to keep your site safe and compliant with all local fire regulations.
Whether you need fire watch coverage for construction projects, special events, or ongoing facility management, our team brings expertise and proactive monitoring to every assignment. We understand the unique challenges businesses face in Chicago, which is why our services are designed to mitigate risks, ensure compliance, and give you peace of mind. Trust us to protect your assets and enhance your operational safety in Chicago.
Areas Within Chicago, IL
- Downtown Chicago
- River North
- Loop
- South Loop
- North Side
- Lincoln Park
- Lakeview
- Ravenswood
- West Side
- Austin
- Humboldt Park
- West Town
- South Side
- Hyde Park
- Englewood
- Chatham
Our fire watch guards are trained to provide a visible presence, vigilant monitoring, and thorough documentation, ensuring compliance with CFD regulations and local fire codes. From occupied buildings to construction sites and large events, we deploy quickly and efficiently, tailoring our approach to the unique risks of your site.
With Narrow Security, you’re not just hiring fire guards—you’re partnering with a team that delivers professional, reliable, and fully compliant fire watch solutions, keeping your assets protected and your operations running smoothly.
CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES
Contact Narrow Security for Chicago Fire Guards
When it comes to fire safety, compliance and protection are non-negotiable. Narrow Security is a leading provider of fire guard services in Chicago, helping businesses, property managers, and event organizers maintain full compliance with CFD fire watch regulations while safeguarding people and property.
We provide:
Licensed fire guards with extensive experience across Chicago’s neighborhoods and facilities.
24/7 rapid deployment for urgent or emergency fire watch situations.
Complete compliance with Chicago fire watch requirements, including thorough documentation.
Real-time reporting and detailed patrol logs to satisfy inspectors and ensure accountability.
Reliable protection across all neighborhoods of Chicago.
Our fire guards are available for short-term, long-term, or emergency coverage, with service extending across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, including Evanston, Skokie, Oak Park, Schaumburg, Naperville, Des Plaines, Tinley Park, Arlington Heights, Orland Park, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Hoffman Estates, Elmhurst, Glenview, Brookfield, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Lombard, Cicero, and Berwyn.
Don’t leave fire safety to chance. With Narrow Security, you get trained, licensed professionals ready 24/7, ensuring your site stays compliant, protected, and prepared for any situation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Can Narrow Security provide short-term coverage for last-minute needs?
Absolutely. Whether it’s a planned renovation, emergency system outage, or temporary event, we provide flexible short-term fire watch solutions that are fast, reliable, and fully compliant with Chicago fire codes.
Are Narrow Security fire guards trained to handle unique or high-risk Chicago locations?
Yes. Whether it’s a high-rise in River North, a historic building in the Loop, or an industrial site in the West Side, our guards are trained to adapt to unique layouts, fire risks, and operational challenges.
What are Chicago fire watch requirements for construction sites?
Construction sites must have a fire watch in place during all hot work operations or when fire suppression systems are inactive. Licensed guards must be present at all times, and detailed fire watch logs must be maintained for inspector review.