OSHA and the NFPA have specific guidance and safeguards that must be followed when performing hot work operations. This can most readily be achieved by instituting a hot work permit program/system at your facility or within your community. This slideshare provides an overview of the hot work process and considerations. This presentation is based on the requirements found in NFPA 1:41 and NFPA 51B.

1. Hot Work Permits
NFPA 1:41 and NFPA 51B

2. When is a permit required?
➔welding
➔heat treating
➔grinding
➔thawing pipe
➔powder-driven
fasteners
➔hot riveting
➔torch applied
roofing (NFPA 1:16.6)
➔similar applications
causing spark,
flame, heat

3. Non-permissible Areas
➔unauthorized areas
➔sprinklered
buildings with
impaired system
➔explosive
atmospheres
➔in the presence of
damaged or
improperly stored
equipment, tanks,
containers
➔combustible dusts

4. Program Manager Responsibility
➔examine equipment for any defects
➔determine the presence of flammable
materials
➔ensure fire protection and fire extinguishers
are available
➔maintain proper fire watch
➔inspect area at least once per day and ½
hour after work is completed

5. Operators Responsibility
➔get approval prior to starting hot work
➔maintain all equipment in proper working
condition
➔shall cease work if unsafe condition
develops
➔shall notify proper authority (fire department)
➔hot work area to be reassessed

6. Fire Watch Personnel Responsibility
➔be aware of potential hazards and personnel
➔maintain safe condition
➔stop work if situation becomes unsafe
➔have fire extinguishing equipment ready
➔watch for fires in all exposed areas

7. Is a fire watch required?
➔combustible material within 35’ of operation
➔combustible materials easily ignited by
sparks
➔wall/floor openings expose combustibles
➔combustibles adjacent to opposite side of
wall/ceiling/floor and likely to be ignited

8. Writing the
Permit

9. Writing the Permit
➔general precautions
➔within 35’ of hot work
➔on walls, ceilings, or roofs
➔on enclosed equipment
➔fire watch requirements

10. Permit Process
➔visit the site
➔inspect equipment
➔fill out permit
➔leave permit card on-site
➔retain top portion for permanent record
➔retain middle portion as reminder, until work
is complete and final site visit made

11. Why Hot Work Permits Matter