Hot Work Program
& Operational Guidelines
Beth Clark
Safety Inspector,
Occupational Safety & Health
clarkbs@[Link]
262-4007
HOT WORK
INTRODUCTION
Purpose: This program is designed to recognize the
potential fire and explosion hazard and to
minimize or eliminate fire hazards associated with
hot work operations.
HOT WORK
INTRODUCTION
This program applies to all ASU Employees
conducting hot work, on University owned or leased
property.
Note: This program is intended for areas that
are not specifically designated as permanent hot
work sites (i.e. mobile operations, construction &
maintenance operations, etc.).
APPLICABLE REGULATIONS
• NC OSH Standard for General
Industry1910.252
• NC Fire Prevention Code Chapter 26
• NFPA 51B
This program guide is provided as a general guideline for
Hot Work operations and does not cover all code
compliance issues.
HOT WORK IS DEFINED AS:
Operations including cutting, welding, thermit
welding, brazing, soldering, grinding, thermal
spraying, thawing pipe, installation of torch-
applied roof systems or any other similar situation.
HOT WORK PROCEDURES
When it is necessary for an employee to perform
any work such as welding, soldering, cutting,
brazing, heating metal, etc., he/she is required to
obtain a Hot Work Permit. The permit will only
be valid until completion of the current job. Each
new job will require a new permit.
HOT WORK PROCEDURES
Hot Work Permits will be issued and signed by
the supervisor or designee. After the
permit precautions have been initiated and
completed, the permit will be posted at the work
site. At the completion of the work, the permit
will be retained in the departmental files for a
period of one year.
HOT WORK PROCEDURES
Hot work shall not be conducted in any area other
than those specifically intended and designed for
conducting hot work unless the area has been
inspected and a Hot Work Permit has been issued
to the person(s) who will be conducting the actual
work.
HOT WORK - RESPONSIBILITIES
It is the responsibility of the employee(s)
conducting Hot Work and their supervisor(s) to
ensure fire protection and prevention procedures
are applied to all Hot Work operations.
YOU YOU YOU
YOU
SUPERVISOR
YOU YOU YOU
YOU
YOU YOU YOU YOU
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
CUTTING-WELDING-HOT WORK PERMIT
HOT Date ___________________________________________________
WORK Building ________________________________________________
Floor & Department _______________________________________
PERMIT Work to be done __________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Time Start _______________ Completed _______________
This permit expires ________________________________________
The precautions listed on the reverse side have been completed.
Permission therefore is granted for this work.
Signed ____________________________/______________________
Title
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUPERVISOR/EMPLOYEE:
1. Confirm the precautions shown on next page.
2. Complete and retain form in departmental file for a period of one year.
SUPERVISOR/EMPLOYEE - MAINTAIN PERMIT IN CONSPICUOUS
LOCATION DURING WORK
IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO THIS JOB IN THE MAINTENANCE SHOP?
DO NOT CUT, WELD, OR USE OTHER OPEN–FLAME OR SPARK-PRODUCING
EQUIPMENT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEN CHECKED.
Flame/spark-producing equipment has been inspected and found in good repair.
Sprinklers are operational and will be in service during hot work.
HOT No sources of ignition are within a 35 foot radius of the work zone. Area is free of debris,
including flammable liquids/vapors, lint, dust, or combustible materials. Non-removable items
have been shielded/covered with metal guards or flame proofed curtains/covers (not ordinary
WORK tarpaulins).
All floor and wall openings within 35 feet of hot work have been tightly covered.
PERMIT Surrounding floors have been swept clean and, if combustible, wet down.
Combustibles on the opposite side of wall, partition, ceiling or roof have been relocated or a
fire watch provided.
Work is not being performed on walls, ceilings or roofs with combustible coverings or
insulation.
Work is not being performed on pipes or other metal in contact with combustible walls,
partitions, ceilings, roofs, or other combustibles located close enough to cause ignition by
conduction.
Tanks/equipment previously containing materials that could develop explosive atmospheres
have been purged. The absence of gases/vapors was verified by a combustible gas detection
instrument. If there is a possibility of a leak developing in nearby piping, equipment, or tanks,
the area will be continuously monitored.
Ample extinguishing equipment (hand hose or extinguishers) have been provided for
immediate use.
Appropriate dept./bldg. personnel have been notified where/when hot work will be conducted.
Appropriate personal protective equipment (goggles, shields, helmets, etc.) will be used by hot
work employees and adequate ventilation has been provided.
Responsible personnel assigned to watch for dangerous sparks in work area, and on floors
above and below work zone. Personnel will patrol all areas, incl. floors above and below, during
lunch and rest periods, and at least ½ hour after work has been completed.
TO REPORT A FIRE SHOULD ONE OCCUR PHONE 9-262-8000 or 8000
OR USE THE ALARM BOX LOCATED AT _________________________
EQUIPMENT INSPECTION
The hot work operator shall handle equipment
safely so as not to endanger lives and property:
Only approved apparatus such as torches, regulators,
pressure reducing valves, acetylene generators,
machines, manifolds, cables and hoses in good repair
will be used. Equipment must be inspected by
the operator prior to use.
SPRINKLER PROTECTION
In buildings where sprinkler
protection exists it will be fully
operational while hot work is being
performed. If hot work is to be
done within 3 feet of automatic
sprinkler heads, noncombustible
sheet material or damp cloth guards
will be used to temporarily shield
the individual heads.
SOURCES OF IGNITION
Remove all sources of ignition (combustible and
flammable materials) within a 35 foot radius of the
work area/hazard zone. Ensure that the area is free
of debris and that flammable liquids or vapors, lint,
dust, or combustible materials/storage are not at
risk of ignition from sparks or hot metal.
NON-REMOVABLE ITEMS
If all fire hazards cannot be removed or relocation
is impractical, then appropriate shielding or covers
shall be provided to prevent sparks, slag, or heat from
igniting fire hazards.
WALL AND FLOOR PROTECTION
Openings or cracks in walls,
floors, ducts and shafts within
35 feet from the operation
must be tightly covered to
prevent the passage of sparks
or slag.
Surrounding floors must
be swept clean and,
if combustible, wet down.
WALL & FLOOR PROTECTION
If hot work is conducted on one side of a
wall, partition, ceiling, or roof, one of the
following criteria shall be met:
• Precautions shall be taken to prevent
ignition of combustibles on the opposite
side by relocating combustibles.
• If it is impractical to relocate
combustibles, a fire watch shall be
provided on the opposite side from
where the Hot Work is being performed.
HOT WORK PRECAUTIONS
Hot work shall not be attempted on a partition,
wall, ceiling, or roof that has a combustible covering
or insulation, or on walls or partitions of
Combustible sandwich-type panel construction.
HOT WORK PRECAUTIONS
Hot work that is performed on pipes or other metal that
is in contact with combustible walls, partitions, ceilings,
roofs, or other combustibles, shall not be undertaken if
the work is close enough to cause ignition by conduction
unless shields or guards are provided to prevent ignition.
HOT WORK PRECAUTIONS
Hot work shall NOT be permitted in the following
situations:
• In areas not authorized by management
• In sprinklered buildings where sprinklers are
impaired.
• Where mixtures of flammable gases, vapors, liquids,
or areas with an accumulation of combustible dusts
which could develop explosive atmospheres.
HOT WORK PRECAUTIONS
Hot work shall not be permitted in the following
situations:
• In the presence of uncleaned or improperly
prepared drums, tanks, or other containers
and equipment that have previously
contained materials that could
develop explosive atmospheres
HOT WORK PRECAUTIONS
• Smoke detectors in the immediate area may be bagged in
order to prevent contamination of the head and reduce
nuisance alarms.
• When a sprinkler or detector head is covered or bagged
the personnel performing the work necessitating the
covering/bagging will remove the cover/bag
immediately after finishing the work.
HOT WORK PRECAUTIONS
If work will extend throughout an entire day or for
multiple days, the covers/bags will be removed
any time the personnel conducting the work will
be away from the work site for more than 30 minutes.
HOT WORK PRECAUTIONS
• Fully charged and operable fire extinguishers that are
appropriate for the type of possible fire shall be
immediately available at the work area.
• The employees and/or supervisor shall be
responsible for notifying appropriate
department/building personnel of the location(s)
where hot work will be conducted in their building.
NOTICE:
PHYSICAL PLANT
WILL BE
CONDUCTING
HOT WORK IN
FOUNDERS HALL
ON JULY 12TH,
2008.
HOT WORK PRECAUTIONS
Appropriate personal
protective equipment such
as goggles, shields, helmets,
etc. shall be utilized by the
operator(s).
Adequate ventilation shall
be provided during hot
work operations.
HOT WORK PRECAUTIONS
Appropriate shielding
shall be provided to
protect non-workers
from exposure to arcs
(flash burn), slag, etc.
HOT WORK PRECAUTIONS
The operator shall cease hot work operations if
unsafe conditions develop and shall notify
management, or the area supervisor for a re-
assessment of the situation.
HOT WORK –FIRE WATCH
A fire watch shall be provided during Hot Work
activities, during lunch or rest periods and shall
continue for a minimum of 30 minutes after the
conclusion of the operation.
HOT WORK - FIRE WATCH
Fire Watch is defined as:
• Trained personnel who continuously
patrol the effected area.
• Personnel should have immediate
access to fire extinguishers and the
ability to promptly notify
University Police if needed
(Dial 8000 from campus telephones).
HOT WORK – FIRE WATCH
Responsibilities of Fire Watch Personnel:
• Ensure safe conditions are maintained
during hot work operations.
• Have fire-extinguishing equipment
readily available. Personnel should be
trained in the use and capabilities of
extinguishing equipment as well as
the potential fire hazards associated
with the hot work activities.
HOT WORK – FIRE WATCH
Responsibilities of Fire Watch Personnel:
• Ensure that egress routes and alarm systems are
ready and available.
HOT WORK – FIRE WATCH
Individuals designated for the fire watch shall:
• Have the authority to stop the hot work operations if
unsafe conditions develop.
• Be familiar with the facilities, procedures for sounding
an alarm and contacting emergency personnel in the
event of a fire.
IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE:
•Activate the fire alarm system
•Have others evacuate
•Report the fire to University Police at 8000
(They will contact Boone Fire Department)
USE AN EXTINGUISHER ONLY IF:
•It won’t place you in immediate danger
•The fire is in the incipient stage
(trash can size or smaller)
•You know how to use it and you feel
comfortable doing so
CLASSES OF FIRE
Class A: Wood, Cloth, Paper
Class B: Flammable Liquids (gasoline, diesel, oil,
tar, oil based paints and lacquers)
Class C: Energized electrical equipment
Class D: Combustible Metals: Magnesium
Class K: Deep Fat Fryer Oils
MOST PORTABLE EXTINGUISHERS ON
CAMPUS ARE
ABC EXTINGUISHERS
Type of How to use the
extinguisher
extinguisher
HOW TO USE A PORTABLE
EXTINGUISHER:
ull the pin
im at the base of the fire
queeze the handle
weep the nozzle from side to side
WHEN USING AN EXTINGUISHER:
•Always keep an exit to your back and never attempt to
use an extinguisher on a fire that could block your exit.
•If the extinguisher malfunctions or fails to extinguish the
fire, evacuate the building immediately. Never go in
search of a second extinguisher.
ALL fires no matter how small must be immediately reported
to University Police and checked by the fire department.
HOT WORK IN CONFINED SPACES
The written Hot Work Permit shall be attached
to the Confined Space Entry Permit. The Hot
Work Permit becomes part of the written Entry
Permit record that is reviewed annually. ASU’s
Confined Space Program can be obtained by
contacting Mary Cavanaugh, ASU Industrial
Hygienist at 262-6838.
HOT WORK IN CONFINED SPACES
• Must have constant powered ventilation
• No compressed gas cylinders, other than SCBA’s
(utilized by rescue personnel) are allowed in confined
spaces. Check hoses & leads for leaks & damage
• Must have approved Confined Space & Hot
Work Permits before starting hot work
ASU - HOT WORK
Any
Questions?
ASU’s Hot Work Program
can be found at
[Link]
This has been a presentation of the
Appalachian State University
Occupational Safety & Health
For more information, please contact us at:
Dr. Evan Rowe, Safety Director 262-6120
Mary Cavanaugh, Ind. Hygienist 262-6838
Beth Clark, Safety Inspector 262-4007
Ronnie Riddle, Safety Trainer 262-7649
Debbie Trivette, Safety Coordinator 262-4008