Transformer Technology

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Hot Work Permit Presentation University 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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I. Hot Work Permits (HWP) and
Hot Work Certificates (HWC)

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

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

• CERTIFICATES
• HWCs Are Issued to Shops Encompassing Trained
  Shop Personnel. HWCs 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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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, EHS,
  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 2003 Edition of the
  International Fire Code (IFC).

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Code Requirements (Continued)

• The codes address applicable issues including
• A.   Fire Watch
• B.   Pre Hot Work Check
• C.   Prevention Procedures
• D.   Fire Extinguishers
• E. 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 Employees 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 prevention
• b. Fire protection/ preparedness
• c. Both a and b
• d. 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 detection
• b. Ignition prevention
• c. Fire suppression
• d. 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 people
• d. None of the above 

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

• a. Yes
• b. 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 supervisors authorization for the daily
  work.

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

• a.   Grinding
• b.   Thawing Pipe
• c.   Hot Riveting
• d.   Powder-driven Fasteners
• d.   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 Administrator
• b.   The Building Proctor
• c.   The Shop Supervisor Who Hired the Contractor
• d.   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 Administrator
• b.   The Shop Supervisor
• c.   The Building Proctor
• d.   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 Supervisor
• b. 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?