601: Security Services in Fire Loss Prevention

Help ensure security service professionals have the knowledge and training to perform fire loss prevention duties to the highest standard.

Facility security staff are positioned to play an integral role in mitigating risks and protecting people and property from fire and related hazards. NFPA^? 601, Standard for Security Services in Fire Loss Prevention, provides comprehensive requirements for determining and confirming the qualifications and readiness of personnel in these critical positions. The standard covers everything from the duties and fire protection functions of security officers to reporting and communications, selection and conduct, and training and site-specific knowledge.

NFPA 601 applies to the following three categories of applicable fire loss prevention responsibilities:

• Property protection, including intervals with no other personnel or representation of management on site
• Controlling access and means of egress entering and inside of the protected property
• Overseeing procedures for the organized execution of a broad range of security operations and functions

NFPA 601, 2020 edition, features extensive revisions to bring the standard current with the latest industry information, trends, and technology.

It is critical users and enforcers of NFPA 601 are up-to-date with modern security methods, terminology, and techniques for security services involved in fire loss prevention. Notable changes to the 2020 edition of the Standard for Security Services in Fire Loss Prevention include:

• Addition of language to Chapter 3 to provide a definition for fire loss prevention plan that includes guidance for developing parameters for a site-specific plan
• New guidance in Chapter 5 for security officers who observe hazardous areas remotely
• Updated language in Chapter 5 to reflect flexibility for stakeholders when they are setting security rounds for special or exceptional hazards that may exist on a premises
• New requirement for electronic access control gates to comply with applicable standards to provide direction and assure reliability
• Inclusion that security officers must not report for duty under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other impairing substances per the management’s code of conduct
• Clarification that management will provide applicants with the necessary skills, abilities, and information they need to protect their facilities from fire hazards
• Expanded Section 6.6, General Conduct of Security Officers, to include language prohibiting the use of illegal drugs while on duty and to clarify what is and what is not allowed during a work shift
• Added provision that in the event of an incident on the premises, security officers will not be allowed to release information to the public regarding the incident to protect stakeholders from potential erroneous multimedia dissemination
• Amended Chapter 8 to feature language stating security officers be provided with the contact information of vendors and contractors providing emergency response services for the premises, so they can be contacted directly by security as needed

Access the requirements and best practices for defining and verifying the competencies of security officers in the fundamentals of fire loss prevention.

Fire, explosion, and related dangers are among the most significant risks to occupant and facility safety. Provide the most relevant resource for assisting in determining whether personnel are prepared to perform their duties proficiently with NFPA 601, Standard for Security Services in Fire Loss Prevention, 2020 edition.