Hot Work Permits & Fire Watch
Hot work (welding, cutting, brazing, grinding, torch-applied roofing and soldering) causes many fires in buildings under construction and renovation. A permit system makes everyone stop and check before the sparks fly.
- Construction
- General Industry
Photo: fire watch standing by with an extinguisher while a welder works
Before hot work
- Can the work be done another way (cold cutting, mechanical joining) or moved to a safe shop area?
- Hot work permit completed and signed by the authorized person
- Combustibles moved at least 35 feet away, or covered with fire-resistant blankets or shields
- Floor and wall openings, cracks and ducts within 35 feet covered so sparks can’t drop through
- Floors swept; combustible floors wet down or protected
- No flammable vapors or dust; test the air if needed
- Fire extinguisher at the work area
- Fire watch assigned when required
- Check the other side of walls, floors and ceilings
Fire watch duties
- Watch for sparks and fires during the work, including on the other side of walls and floors below.
- Have an extinguisher ready and know how to sound the alarm.
- Stay at least 30 minutes after the hot work ends (OSHA minimum). Many permits and NFPA 51B require a longer watch and monitoring period.
- Don’t do other tasks while on fire watch.
Never do hot work on drums, tanks or containers that held flammables until they’ve been cleaned and tested, or in confined spaces without testing, ventilation and a permit.
Standards & references
- 29 CFR 1910.252(a): Fire prevention and protection (welding)
- 29 CFR 1926.352: Fire prevention (construction welding)
- NFPA 51B: Fire prevention during welding, cutting and other hot work
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