8443 - HOT WORK PERMIT PROGRAM
PURPOSE: To establish and implement an effective Hot Work Permit Program. To provide guidelines and check-off forms and confirm that precautions have been taken to prevent a fire or mishap in accordance with NFPA 51B and OSHA Standards 29 C.F.R. 1910.252 and/or 29 C.F.R. 1926.352. The Argos Community Schools shall appoint the Director of Maintenance and Grounds as the Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI).
The following items must be verified by the (PAI) before a Hot Work Permit can be issued.
Hot work equipment to be used is approved, in satisfactory condition and in good repair.
Where combustible materials are on the floor, the floor is swept clean for a radius of thirty-five (35) feet.
Combustible floors and floor coverings are kept wet covered with damp sand or protected by noncombustible or fire-retardant shields.
Openings or cracks in walls, floors or ducts within thirty-five (35) feet of the site are tightly covered with fire- retardant or noncombustible materials to prevent the passage of sparks to adjacent areas.
Where hot work is done near walls, partitions, ceiling or roofs of combustible construction, fire retardant shields of guards are placed to prevent ignition.
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 construction.
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.
This includes pipe-thawing operations.
Fully charged and operable fire extinguishers that are appropriate for the type of possible fire must be available immediately at the work area. Extinguishers should have a current inspection and service tag.
If hot work is done in close proximity to a sprinkler head, a wet rag shall be laid over the head and then removed at the conclusion of the welding or cutting operation.
Persons working in the area must be protected against heat, sparks, slag, and so on.
The PAI shall determine the length of the period for which the Hot Work Permit is valid.
The PAI shall inspect the work area at least once per day while the hot work is in effect to ensure that it is a fire- safe area.
A Fire Watch is required whenever hot work is performed in a location where other than a minor fire might develop, or where the following conditions exist:
Combustible materials in building construction or contents are closer than thirty-five (35) feet to the point of the operation.
Combustible materials are more than thirty-five (35) feet away but are easily ignited by sparks.
Wall or floor openings within a thirty-five (35)-foot radius expose combustible materials in adjacent areas, including concealed spaces in walls or floors.
Combustible materials are adjacent to the opposite side of partitions, walls, ceilings, or roofs and are likely to be ignited.
If required, the fire watch shall be maintained for at least one-half (1/2) hour after completion of hot work operations in order to detect and extinguish smoldering fires.
More than one (1) fire watch shall be required if the initial fire watch cannot directly observe combustible materials that could be ignited.
Administration
Establish permissible areas for hot work. Designate areas where hot work is prohibited.
Designate one (1) individual in the organization as the Permit Authoring Individual (PAI).
Ensure that only approved apparatus including torches, manifolds, regulators and related equipment is used.
Ensure that anyone involved in hot work operations, including contractors are familiar with, and follow the provisions of the Hot Work Permit Policy.
Specify that any contractor bidding on work include a copy of their Fire Safety Program and Hot Work Permit Program, as required by OSHA standards, along with their quote.
Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI):
Determine Site-specific flammable materials, hazards processes, or other potential fire hazards present or likely to be present in the work location.
Ensure the protection of combustibles from ignition by the following means:
Move work to a location that is free from combustibles.
If the work cannot be moved, ensure the combustibles are moved to a safe distance or have the combustibles properly shielded against ignition.
Ensure that hot work is scheduled such that operations where combustibles materials may be exposed to the hot work are delayed until the area is safe.
Determine that fire protection and extinguishing equipment are properly located at the site.
Make a final checkup thirty (30) and sixty (60) minutes after the completion of the hot work operations to detect and extinguish possible smoldering fires.
Fire Watch
Maintain an awareness of the inherent hazards of the work site and of the hot work.
Ensure that safe conditions are maintained during hot work operations.
Have the authority to stop the hot work operations if unsafe conditions develop.
Have fire-extinguishing equipment on hand and be well trained in its use.
Be familiar with the facilities and procedures for sounding an alarm in event of a fire.
Watch for fires in all exposed areas and try to extinguish them only when the fires are obviously within the capacity of the equipment available.
Where fires are not within the capacity of extinguishing equipment sound the alarm without delay and notify the fire department.
HOT WORK PERMIT PROGRAM CHECKLIST
Before approving any HOT Work Permit, the PAI shall inspect the work area and confirm that precautions have been taken to prevent fire in accordance with NFPA 51B and OSHA Standards 29 C.F.R. 1910.252 and/or 29 C.F.R. 1926.352.
Note: This checklist is not all-inclusive. The Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI) has the responsibility to review all fire exposures and safety measures and to require or take appropriate action to prevent fires. The PAI also has the responsibility and authority to stop any work where s/he feels that precautions are not adequate.
PRECAUTIONS
____ Fire sprinkler systems are in service if applicable.
____ Hot work equipment is in good repair.
WITHIN THIRTY-FIVE (35) FEET OF WORK
____ Floors are swept clean of combustibles.
____ Combustible floors are wet down, covered with damp sand, metal or other fire resistive shields.
____ All wall and floor openings are covered.
____ Covers are suspended beneath work to collect sparks.
WORK ON WALLS OR CEILINGS
____ Construction is noncombustible and without combustible coverings.
____ Combustibles are moved away from the opposite of the wall.
WORK ON ENCLOSED EQUIPMENT
(tanks, containers, ducts, dust collectors, etc.)
____ Equipment is cleaned of all combustibles.
____ Containers are purged of flammable vapors.
FIRE WATCH
____ To be provided during and thirty (30) minutes after operation.
____ Supplied with a fully charged and operable fire extinguisher.
____ Trained in use of equipment and in sounding fire alarm.
FINAL CHECK
____ To be made thirty (30) minutes and sixty (60) minutes after the completion of any operation.
Signed: ____________________________________
Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI)