017350 Fire Prevention Precautions for Hot Work.pdf

Robert C Weaver Federal Building, Granite Façade Repairs, Phase 2 Washington, DC Project Number # VDC00213

FY15 Update Oct. 1, 2014 Fire Prevention Precautions for Hot Work 017350 - 1

SECTION 017350 - FIRE PREVENTION PRECAUTIONS FOR HOT WORK

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 SUMMARY

A. This section applies to safeguards to be observed in performing hot work, including welding, soldering, brazing and other operations where open flames or implements utilizing heat are used.

B. Hot Work Permit: Comply with NFPA 51B. Do not conduct operations involving the use of open-flame, electrical arc equipment, or flammable substances until a permit for welding, cutting, and burning has been issued by the Government.

1. GSA will identify and delineate the responsibilities of the Government permit authorizing individual before or during the Preconstruction Meeting.

C. Hot work permit duration shall be one work shift for a specific location unless otherwise agreed to by the Government and Contractor.

1.2 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

A. Prior to operations, the site shall be visited and suitable locations established for the portable equipment storage during non-working hours. The Contractor and the Government shall coordinate and designate such locations.

B. The Contractor shall ensure that operations involving the use of open-flame, electrical arc equipment or flammable substances are not conducted until a permit for welding, cutting, and burning has been completed, signed and issued by the GSA Building Manager.

C. Prior to commencing operations, a positive determination shall be made that it is impractical to conduct the hot work in a shop area or outside of the building. Coordinate suitable locations for hot equipment operations agreeable to the Contracting Officer’s Representative.

1.3 NOTIFICATON

A. The Contractor shall notify GSA’s Building Manager at least 72 hours in advance of the area of operations for each day and of all subsequent changes that occur.

B. The Contractor shall notify the GSA Building Manager of all locations where hot work has been performed not less than 30 minutes before the work or no more than 90 minutes after work is completed or stopped for the day.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS (Not Applicable)

PART 3 - EXECUTION

3.1 INSPECTION

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A. Before starting operations, the Contractor shall furnish trained personnel to provide fire watches for locations where hot work is to be performed. One fire watcher may observe no more than two (2) locations if in a relatively small contiguous area if approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative and in compliance with applicable fire codes. Contractor shall furnish suitable type, fully-charged, operable portable fire extinguisher to each fire watcher. The Contractor shall provide fire watchers who know how to operate the fire extinguisher, how to initiate a fire alarm and how to summon the fire department.

B. Before starting operations, take suitable precautions to minimize the hazard of a fire communicating to the opposite side of walls, floors, ceilings and roofs from the operations.

3.2 SAFETY MEASURES

A. Hot work shall not be done in or near rooms or areas where flammable liquids or explosive vapors are present or thought to be present. A combustible gas indicator (explosimeter) test shall be conducted to assure that each area is safe. The Contractor is responsible for arranging and paying for each test.

B. Insofar as possible, the Contractor shall remove and keep the area free from all combustibles, including rubbish, paper and waste within a radius of 25 feet (7.62 m) from hot operations.

1. If combustible material cannot be removed, the Contractor shall furnish fireproof blankets to cover such materials. At the direction of the Building Manager or Contracting Officer's Representative, floors, walls, and ceilings of combustible material shall be wetted thoroughly with water before, during, and after operations sufficiently to afford adequate protection.

2. Where possible, the Contractor shall furnish and use baffles of metal or gypsum board to prevent the spraying of sparks, hot slag and other hot particles into surrounding combustible material.

C. The Contractor shall prevent the spread of sparks and particles of hot metal through open windows, doors, and holes and cracks in floors, walls, ceilings and roofs.

D. Cylinders of gas used in hot work shall be placed a safe distance from the work. The Contractor shall provide hoses and equipment free of deterioration, malfunction and leaks. Suitable supports shall be provided to prevent accidental overturning of cylinders. All cylinder control valves shall be shut off while in use with the gas pressure regulator set at 15 psi (103 kPa) or less.

E. When hot work operations are completed or ended for the day, each location of the day’s work shall be inspected by the Contractor 60 minutes after completion of operations to detect for hidden or smoldering fires and to ensure that proper housekeeping is maintained. Contractor shall cleanup the area of work at the end of each shift or workday. Contractor shall provide a continuous fire watch at least 24 hours after the burning work has been completed.

F. Where sprinkler protection exists, the sprinkler system shall be maintained without interruption while operations are being performed. If operations are performed close to automatic sprinkler heads, gypsum board sheets or damp cloth guards may be used to shield the individual heads temporarily. The heads shall be inspected by the Contractor immediately after hot work operations cease, to ensure all materials have been removed from the heads and that the heads have not been damaged.

G. Suitable type, fully-charged, operable portable fire extinguisher shall be available at all times during hot work operations.

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H. If any of the above safeguards are not employed or are violated, the Government may verbally stop the Work followed by written notice until compliance is obtained. Such stoppage shall not relieve the Contractor form performing his work within the Contract period for the Contract price.

END OF SECTION 017350