In some situations, enlisting fire watch services is a requirement for fire safety compliance. The 2015 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC) states that a fire watch is necessary when: a building’s fire alarm system or sprinkler system will be out of service for more than four hours; when “hot work” is taking place within a premises; during some building demolitions; when it is an essential safety measure in a place of assembly or congregation due to the number of persons, nature of performance, exhibition, display, content or activity.