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Hot Work Permit PresentationUniversity of Colorado at Boulder

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Protect People, Property and Continuity of Building Operations

Fire Safety Objectives

Prevent Fire Ignition

Manage Fire Impact

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Topics Covered

I. Permits and Certificates

II.   Typical List of Hot Works

III.  HWP Objectives

IV. Code Requirements

V. General Hot Work Issues/Guidelines

VI.  Examples of Fires Caused by Hot Work

VII. Quiz

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PERMITS:

HWP’s Are Issued to All Project Contractors, e.g., Hired by Projects, and to Contractors Hired for Non-Emergency Projects by Shops. HWP’s are Generally Valid for One Shift.  Project Contractors Apply for the HWP Using Directions Given on the HWP Form.

I. Hot Work Permits (HWP) and Hot Work Certificates (HWC)

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Hot Work Permits (HWP) and Hot Work Certificates (HWC)

(Continued):

CERTIFICATES:

HWC’s Are Issued to Shops Encompassing Trained Shop Personnel. HWC’s are Issued Annually with Individual Task Authorization by the Shop Supervisor. Campus Personnel: Attend HWP Training. Shops Will Have an Annual Certificate. The Shop Supervisor Authorizes Daily Activities. Contractors Hired During Emergencies by FM Shops: The Shop Supervisor or His/Her Designee Will Authorizes Activities.

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II. Typical List of Hot Works  DEFINITION:

Hot Work Is Any Temporary Operation Involving Open Flames or Producing Heat or Spark Including the Following:

1.   Welding

2.   Heat Treating

3.   Grinding

4.   Thawing Pipe

5.   Hot Riveting

6.   Soldering and Brazing

7.   Powder-driven Fasteners

8. Torch Applied Roofing

9. Similar Activities Involving Spark, Flame, or Heat

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III. The Objectives of a HWP Include: 1. To prevent loss of life and property from fire

and explosion as a result of hot work,

2. To ensure that the work is authorized by responsible personnel including FLS, FSG, EH&S, Shop Supervisors and Project Managers as Clarified Later,

3. To ensure that hazards are identified and removed/isolated, protected or disconnected,

4. To ensure that the operator is trained to perform the work safely,

5. To ensure that appropriate equipment is used,

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The Objectives of HWP (Continued):

6.   To ensure that appropriate fire extinguishing equipment is on hand,

7.   To prevent nuisance fire alarms,

8.   To assist project administrators implement the requirements of HWP codes and

9. The HWP posted at the job site will help building occupants/proctors know that the work is authorized.

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IV. Code Requirements:

1. NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work, Current Edition.

2. Chapter 26 of the 2009 Edition of the International Fire Code (IFC).

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Code Requirements (Continued):

The codes address applicable issues including:A.   Fire WatchB.   Pre Hot Work CheckC.   Prevention ProceduresD.   Fire ExtinguishersE. Post Hot Work Check

NOTES:

1. When Making Decisions on Requirements, Be Conservative. For Example, If a Container Containing Unknown Chemicals is nearby, Assume it Contains Flammables. Likewise, If There Are Holes Through Floors or Walls, Assume That There Are Concealed Combustibles Not Visible From the Work Side.

2. See Handout Containing the HWP Form and a Summary of Requirements and Study the Code Copies Provided to Your Shop.

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V. General Hot Work Issues/Guidelines:

1. Hot Work Permit Is Just a Tool. Using it Incorrectly Will Destroy the Process of Controlling Hot Work.

2. Your First Consideration Should Be to Choose Another Alternative to Hot Work, e.g., Hand Filing Instead of Grinding.

3. Hot Work Should Be the Last Resort.

4. Project Administrators and Shops Are to Enforce the Hot Work Permit System. Supervise All Who Perform Hot Work.

5. Effective Hot Work Loss Prevention Starts with Management and Employee’s Dedication to Total Prevention.

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General HW Issues/Guidelines (Continued):

6. Enforce the 35-Foot Rule; Alternatively, Provide Hot Work/Spark Barriers. Within the Area:A. Sweep Floors Clean. Remove Grease and Oils, Do Not Simply Soak Liquid With Sawdust.

Remove Lint From Machinery.

B. Cover Combustible Floors.

C. Suspend Fire Resistive Tarpaulins Under Hot Work Conducted Near the Ceiling.

D. Place Non-Combustible Screens Around Hot Work Conducted at Floor to Trap Sparks.

E. Move Nearby Combustibles. Protect Combustibles that Cannot Be Moved With Tarpaulins or Shields.

F. Halt Any Process That Produces an Explosive Atmosphere and Continuously Monitor the Area for Such Conditions.

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General HW Issues/Guidelines (Continued):

G. Apply a Hot Work Control Process to Less Obvious Temporary Ignition Sources in Special Hazard Areas, e.g., Electrical Tools and Cell Phones in Hazardous Locations.

H. Cover All Wall and Floor Openings. Plug Holes With Listed Firestop

Material.

I. Seal Ductwork and Duct Openings with Metal Covers or Fire Resistive Tarpaulins.

J. Close All Doors and Fire Doors.

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VI. Examples of Fires Caused by Hot Work:

1. 1953: General Motors Livonia Fire ($300 Million Dollars in 2002)

2. 1999: Hong Kong Hotel Fire

NOTES:

a. Hot Work Fires Are Among the Top Causes of Losses at Properties Insured by Major U.S. Insurance Companies.

b. Hot Work Fires Link Directly to Lack of Supervision.

c. All Hot Work Fires Can Be Prevented by Paying Attention and Following the Procedures and by Using Common Sense.

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VII. Hot Work Permit Fire-Safety Quiz

1. What constitutes the branches of fire-safety?

a. Fire preventionb. Fire protection/ preparednessc. Both a and bd. None of the above

 

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2. Keeping flammables and combustibles away from a soldering area is consistent with which of the following:

a. Fire detectionb. Ignition

preventionc. Fire suppressiond. None of the above

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3. In general, the most important fire-safety objective is:

a. Protection of room contents and operations

b. Prevention of water damage c.Protection of peopled.None of the above

 

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4. Is a “Hot Work Permit” required for using a BBQ grill?

a. Yesb. No

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5. For daily campus shop activities, which one of the following statements is correct?

a. A daily HWP is required.b. An annual HWP/certificate

is required.c. An annual HWP/certificate

is required and the shop supervisor’s authorization for the daily work.

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6. Which one of the following activities is “Hot Work”?

a.   Grindingb.   Thawing Pipec.   Hot Rivetingd.   Powder-driven

Fastenersd.   All of the above

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7. Who is responsible to ensure that contractors hired for emergencies (e.g., by shops) follow Hot Work Permit requirements and procedures?

a.   Project Administratorb.   The Building Proctorc.   The Shop Supervisor Who

Hired the Contractord.   None of the above

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8. Who is responsible to ensure that contractors follow Hot Work Permit requirements and procedures?

a.   The Project Administratorb.   The Shop Supervisor c.   The Building Proctord.   a or b as Applicable

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9. What Should Your First Consideration Be Prior to Starting Hot Work?

a.  Call the Shop Supervisorb.Contact the Fire Systems

Group to Determine Detectors in the Area

c.  Rest and Concentrate d.  Determine Whether

There Is an Alternative to Hot Work, e.g., Hand Filing Vs. Grinding.

e.All of the Above

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10. Explain the 35-Foot Rule.

Clear a 35-ft Surface Area Around the Hot Work Area. Remove All Combustibles Within the Radius of That Area.

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11. Which of the Following Is an Important Hot Work Precaution?

a. Sweep Floors Clean. Remove Grease and Oils, Do Not Simply Soak Liquid With Sawdust. Remove Lint From Machinery. Cover Combustible Floors.

b. Suspend Fire Resistive Tarpaulins Under Hot Work Conducted Near the Ceiling. Place Non-Combustible Screens Around Hot Work Conducted at Floor to Trap Sparks.

c. Move Nearby Combustibles. Protect Combustibles that Cannot Be Moved With Tarpaulins or Shields.

d. Cover All Wall and Floor Openings. Plug Holes With Listed Firestop Material. Seal Ductwork and Duct Openings with Metal Covers or Fire Resistive Tarpaulins.

e. All of the Above.

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Thank you!

For More Information Please Visit the FLS Web Page

http://fm.colorado.edu/firesafety/

Questions?