NIST S 7401-04_Fire Prevention During Welding Cutting and Other Hot Work_01122021.pdf

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 1

FIRE PREVENTION DURING WELDING, 3

CUTTING, AND OTHER HOT WORK 4

NIST S 7401.04 6

Document Date: 01/12/2021 7 Effective Date:1 04/01/2020 8

1. PURPOSE 11

The purpose of this suborder is to establish the requirements and associated roles and 12 responsibilities for performing activities involving hot work in NIST spaces (see Section 7, 13

DEFINITIONS). 14

2. BACKGROUND 17

a. NIST Policy (P) 7400.00, Fire and Life Safety articulates NIST’s commitment to making fire 18 and life safety an integral core value and vital part of the NIST culture, in part by complying 19 with applicable laws, regulations, and other promulgated fire and life safety requirements. 20

b. The content of this suborder was derived primarily from Chapter 35 of the International Fire 22 Code (IFC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard for Fire 23 Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Works (NFPA 51B). 24

3. APPLICABILITY 27

a. The provisions of this suborder apply to all hot work activities performed in NIST spaces 28 with the following exceptions: 29

(1) NIST activities involving cooking operations; 31

(2) NIST activities in laboratories or laboratory-owned shops involving candles2, Bunsen 33 burners, alcohol burners, small hand-held torches, heat or temperature baths, hot plates, 34 furnaces, ovens, small benchtop grinding wheels, or electric soldering irons; 35

1 For revision history, see Appendix A.

2 The use of candles on NIST campuses is prohibited unless related to a laboratory experiment.

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 2

(a) This exception does not apply when such activities generate slag or more than 37 incidental amounts of sparks; and 38

(3) NIST activities in laboratories and laboratory-owned shops where welding does not 40 generate sparks or slag (or generates no more than incidental amounts of sparks) in open 41 air, e.g., enclosed orbital tube welder, small electrical (electric resistance) or water-based 42 spot welders. 43

(4) Laboratory-related fire and combustion experiments conducted in the National Fire 45 Research Laboratory. 46

4. REFERENCES 49

a. 29 CFR 1910, Subpart Q, Welding, Cutting, and Brazing 50

b. 29 CFR 1926, Subpart F, Fire Protection and Prevention 52

c. International Fire Code (IFC), Chapter 33- Fire Safety During Construction and Demolition, 54

2015 edition 55

d. IFC, Chapter 35-Welding and Other Hot Work, 2015 edition 57

e. NFPA 51B, Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work, 2014 edition 59

f. NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations, 61 2013 edition 62

g. ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, 2012 edition 64

h. NCNR-3.7, Policy on Work Requiring a Cutting and Welding Permit 66

5. APPLICABLE NIST OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH SUBORDERS 69

a. NIST P 7400.00: Fire and Life Safety 70

b. NIST O 7401.00: Fire and Life Safety 72

c. NIST S 7401.03: Impairment of Fire Protection and Life Safety Systems (under development) 74

d. NIST S 7101.20: Work and Worker Authorization Based on Hazard Reviews (“Hazard 76

Review”) 77 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=610423d8fbdc264d9183d405a918f058&mc=true&node=pt29.5.1910&rgn=div5#sp29.5.1910.q https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=610423d8fbdc264d9183d405a918f058&mc=true&node=pt29.8.1926&rgn=div5#sp29.8.1926.f

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 3

e. NIST S 7101.21: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 79

f. NIST S 7101.23: Safety Education and Training 81

g. NIST S 7101.61: Compressed Gas Safety 83

6. REQUIREMENTS 86

a. Authorization of Work and Workers Performing Hot Work 87

(1) Hot work in NIST spaces shall be performed only in designated areas and permit-89 required areas approved for the hot work by a NIST Permit Authorizing Individual 90 (PAI) (see Section 7, DEFINITIONS). 91

(2) For hot work to be performed by NIST employees and covered associates: 93

(a) The requirements established by the PAI in designated area certificates and hot work 95 permits (for permit-required areas) (see Section 7, DEFINITIONS) shall be 96 incorporated by the OU into the hazard review or job hazard analysis for the hot 97 work; and 98

(b) The activity involving the hot work and those performing it shall be authorized by the 100

OU in accordance with the requirements of this suborder and NIST S 7101.20: Work 101 and Worker Authorization Based on Hazard Reviews. 102

(3) For hot work to be performed by non-R&D contractors in NIST spaces, the requirements 104 established by the PAI in a designated area certificate or hot work permit shall be 105 incorporated by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) into the non-R&D 106 contractor’s safety plan. 107

(4) The following additional requirements shall be incorporated into the hazard reviews of 109 activities involving hot work performed by NIST employees and covered associates, or 110 into the safety plans for hot work performed by non-R&D contractors, whichever is 111 applicable: 112

(a) Hot work equipment shall be inspected per manufacturer’s instructions by those 114 performing the hot work each time prior to use to ensure that it is in safe operating 115 condition. 116

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 4

i. Equipment with broken, loose, or missing components, which prohibit safe 121 operation of the equipment, shall be placed out-of-service (refer to NIST S 122 7101-56 for Control of Hazardous Energy and NIST S 7101-64 for Electrical 123 Safety). 124

(b) Those performing the hot work and nearby personnel shall be suitably protected 126 against dangers such as heat, sparks, slag, and fumes in accordance with the 127 requirements of NIST S 7101.21: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and 29 CFR 128 1910.252(b). 129

b. NIST Permit Authorizing Individuals3 131

(1) Designated areas and permit-required areas related to research activities in NIST spaces 133

(where a hazard review is required) shall be approved by an Office of Safety, Health, and 134 Environment (OSHE) PAI. 135

(2) Designated areas and permit-required areas related to construction and maintenance 137 activities in NIST spaces shall be approved by an Office of Facilities and Property 138 Management (OFPM) PAI or a NIST Gaithersburg Fire Protection Group (FPG) PAI. 139

(3) Designated areas and permit-required areas related to laboratory activities not requiring a 141 hazard review can be approved by PAIs from any of the above-mentioned organizations. 142

(4) The NIST AHJ may approve the assignment of PAIs outside of the above-mentioned 144 organizations (i.e. within a laboratory OU), where special circumstances exist. 145

c. Process to Obtain a Designated Area Certificate 147

(1) For hot work to be performed by NIST employees or covered associates, a NIST 149 employee from the OU owning the proposed designated area shall contact the PAI to 150 request an inspection of the area. 151

(2) For hot work to be performed by non-R&D contractors in NIST spaces, the COR shall 153 contact the PAI to request an inspection of the proposed designated area. 154

(3) A designated area certificate (see Appendix B) shall be issued by the PAI after inspection 156 of the area and a determination that the requirements for a designated area (see Appendix 157 C) have been met. 158

3 An individual must complete the PAI training module to be an approved PAI as indicated in Section 9f.

https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=610423d8fbdc264d9183d405a918f058&mc=true&node=pt29.5.1910&rgn=div5#se29.5.1910_1252 https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=610423d8fbdc264d9183d405a918f058&mc=true&node=pt29.5.1910&rgn=div5#se29.5.1910_1252

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 5

(a) The PAI shall complete an inspection of the designated area within five (5) business 161 days of the request. 162

i. Requests requiring urgency will be expedited by the PAI. 164

(4) The designated area certificate shall be prominently displayed immediately outside of the 166 designated area. 167

(5) A designated area certificate shall be valid for 1 (one) year. 169

(6) For reissuance of a designated area certificate for hot work to be performed by NIST 171 employees or covered associates, an employee from the OU owning the designated area 172 shall contact the PAI no later than one (1) month prior to the expiration date of the 173 current designated area certificate to request a re-inspection of the area. 174

(7) For reissuance of a designated area certificate for hot work to be performed by non-R&D 176 contractors, the COR shall contact the PAI no later than one (1) month prior to the 177 expiration date of the current designated area certificate to request a re-inspection of the 178 area. 179

(a) After re-inspection of the area and a determination that the requirements for a 181 designated area (see Appendix C) continue to be met, the PAI shall issue a new 182 designated area certificate with a new issuance and expiration date. 183

d. Process to Obtain a Hot Work Permit (for Permit-Required Areas) 185

(1) For hot work to be performed by NIST employees or covered associates, a NIST 187 employee from the OU owning the proposed permit-required area shall contact the PAI to 188 request an inspection of the area. 189

(2) For hot work to be performed by non-R&D contractors in NIST spaces, the COR shall 191 contact the PAI to request an inspection of the proposed permit-required area. 192

(3) A hot work permit (see Appendix D) shall be issued by the PAI after inspection of the 194 area and a determination that the applicable requirements for a permit-required area have 195 been met. 196

(a) The PAI shall complete an inspection of the permit-required area within two (2) 198 business days of the request. 199

i. Requests requiring urgency will be expedited by the PAI. 201

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 6

(3) The hot work permit shall be prominently displayed in the work area during the period of 203 authorized work performance (e.g., issuance to expiration). 204

(4) The PAI shall determine the length of time for which hot work permits are valid, but the 206 time period shall be no longer than seven (7) calendar days. 207

(a) If a hot work permit is going to be needed for longer than seven (7) calendar days, the 209 PAI should consider the establishment of a designated area. 210

(b) If the area cannot be designated as a designated area, a new hot work permit must be 212 issued every seven (7) calendar days for the duration of the hot work. 213

e. Training 215

(1) Training shall be provided, documented, and recorded in accordance with the 217 requirements of the NIST S 7101.23: Safety Education and Training. 218

(2) NIST employees and covered associates who are to perform hot work shall complete: 220

(a) Training provided by OSHE on this program; 222

(b) Activity-specific training, provided by the Organizational Unit (OU), required by 224 applicable hazard reviews; and 225

(c) Training provided, arranged, or approved by OSHE on the use of fire extinguishers 227

(refresher training required annually for continuance of activity). 228

(3) Official first-level supervisors of NIST employees and covered associates who are to 230 perform hot work shall complete the training provided by OSHE on this program. 231

(4) CORs for non-R&D contractors who are to perform hot work shall complete the training 233 provided by OSHE on this program. 234

(5) PAIs shall complete the PAI training module provided by OSHE on NFPA 51B and on 236 this suborder. 237

7. DEFINITIONS 240

a. Associate – An individual conducting work at a NIST workplace who is not a NIST 241 employee. For a list of NIST associate types, click here. 242

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 7

b. Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) – A qualified FPE4 in OSHE designated by the NIST 244 CSO to enforce5 the NIST-adopted codes and standards relevant to fire, electrical, and life 245 safety on NIST-owned and operated sites. 246

c. Covered Associate – A NIST associate permitted to perform work at a NIST workplace and 248 subject to NIST policies and procedures, and to the extent allowed by law and the terms of 249 the associate’s agreement. Covered associates include Foreign and Domestic Guest 250 Researchers (including contractors who perform NIST R&D/technical work); Research 251 Associates; Intergovernmental Agency Personnel Act assignees; Facility Users; Volunteer 252 Students; and other federal employees who perform work at NIST workplaces. 253

d. Designated Area – A specific area, such as a welding shop or a soldering station, in which 255 hot work is regularly performed and which has been approved for such work by a PAI based 256 on their inspection of the area against the requirements of Appendix C. 257

e. Designated Area Certificate – A document issued by a PAI pursuant to approving a location 259 for the regular performance of hot work activities. 260

f. Fire Resistive – Refers to properties or designs to resist the effects of any fire to which a 262 material or structure can be expected to be subjected (extracted from NFPA Glossary of 263 Terms). 264

g. Fire Watch – The assignment of a person (or persons) to an area for the express purpose of 266 notifying the fire department, the building occupants, or both of an emergency; preventing a 267 fire from occurring; extinguishing small fires; or protecting the public from fire or life safety 268 changes. 269

h. Hot Work – Work involving welding, brazing, open flame soldering, heat treating, grinding, 271 thawing pipes, powder-driven fasteners, hot riveting, torch-applied roofing, or any other 272 process requiring use of a spark, flame, or heat that is capable of initiating fires or 273 explosions. 274

i. Hot Work Equipment – Electric or gas welding, cutting, and heating equipment used for hot 276 work. 277

j. Hot Work Permit – A document issued by a PAI pursuant to approving a permit-required 279 area. 280

4 See requirements for Office of Personnel Management Fire Protection Engineering Series 0804.

5 Nature of enforcement is dependent upon the severity of the violation, e.g., stop work, revoke permit, denial of use and occupancy, etc.

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/fire-protection-engineering-series-0804/

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 8

k. NIST Space – A space that is owned, operated, and under the control of NIST. 281

l. Noncombustible – A material that, in the form in which it is used and under conditions 283 anticipated, will not ignite, burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors when 284 subjected to fire or heat. Materials that are reported as passing ASTM E136 shall be 285 considered noncombustible materials (extracted from NFPA Glossary of Terms). 286

m. Non-R&D Contractor – A NIST associate who performs non-R&D work at a NIST 288 workplace in accordance with the safety requirements of a contract or other legal 289 arrangement, such as a Memorandum of Understanding, with NIST Non-R&D contractors 290 include, but are not limited to, construction contractors; facilities contractors; equipment 291 installation, service, and maintenance contractors; Health Unit contractors; contract cafeteria 292 workers; and janitorial contractors. 293

n. Official First-Level Supervisor (of Another Employee or of a Covered Associate) – The 295

Rating Official on the performance plan of another employee or the supervisor of a covered 296 associate. 297

o. Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI) – An individual authorized to approve hot work requests 299 by virtue of completing the training provided by OSHE on NFPA 51B and this suborder 300

p. Permit-Required Area – Any location other than a designated area that has been approved for 302 hot work by a PAI based on their inspection of the area against the requirements of Appendix 303 C. 304

q. Welding Blanket – A heat–resistant fabric designed to be placed in the vicinity of hot work 306 operations. Intended for use in horizontal applications with light to moderate exposures such 307 as that resulting from chipping, grinding, heat treating, sand blasting, and light horizontal 308 welding. Designed to protect machinery and prevent ignition of combustibles such as wood 309 located on the underside of the blanket. (Extracted from NFPA Glossary of Terms) 310

r. Welding Curtain – A heat–resistant fabric designed to be placed in the vicinity of hot work 312 operations. Intended for use in vertical applications with light to moderate exposures such as 313 that resulting from chipping, grinding, heat treating, sand blasting, and light horizontal 314 welding. Designed to prevent sparks from escaping the area. (Extracted from NFPA Glossary 315 of Terms) 316

s. Welding Pads – A heat–resistant fabric designed to be placed directly under a hot work 318 operation such as welding or cutting. Intended for use in horizontal applications with severe 319 exposures such as that resulting from molten substances or heavy horizontal welding. 320 Designed to prevent ignition of combustibles that are located to the underside of the pad. 321 (Extracted from NFPA Glossary of Terms) 322

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8. ACRONYMS 323

a. AHJ – Authority Having Jurisdiction 324

b. ANSI – American National Standards Institute 326

c. CFR – Code of Federal Regulations 328

d. COR – Contracting Officers Representative 330

e. CSO – Chief Safety Officer 332

f. FPG – Fire Protection Group, Emergency Services Office 334

g. NFPA – National Fire Protection Association 336

h. OFPM – Office of Facilities and Property Management 338

i. OSHA – Occupational Safety and Health Administration 340

j. OSHE – Office of Safety, Health, and Environment 342

k. OU – Organizational Unit 344

l. PAI – Permit Authorizing Individual 346

9. RESPONSIBILITIES 349

Roles and responsibilities common to all NIST Fire and Life Safety suborders are delineated in 350 NIST O 7401.00: Fire and Life Safety. The roles and responsibilities specific to this suborder are 351 as follows: 352

a. OU Directors: 354

(1) Ensuring that OU activities involving hot work and those conducting that work are 356 authorized in accordance with the requirements of this suborder and NIST S 7101.20, 357 Work and Worker Authorization Based on Hazard Reviews. 358

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 10

b. Official First-Level Supervisors of NIST Employees and Covered Associates Performing Hot 364 Work: 365

(1) Ensuring that the requirements established by PAIs in designated area certificates and hot 367 work permits are incorporated into the hazard reviews of the activities involving hot 368 work; 369

(2) Ensuring that the requirements of Section 6a(4) are incorporated into the hazard reviews 371 of activities involving hot work; 372

(3) Ensuring that the training specified in Section 6c is completed prior to NIST employees 374 and covered associates engaging in hot work; 375

(4) Completing the training required by Section 6c; 377

(5) Ensuring that designated area certificates are prominently displayed immediately outside 379 the designated area; and 380

(6) Ensuring that hot work permits are prominently displayed in the work area during the 382 period of authorized work performance. 383

c. NIST Employees and Covered Associates Performing Hot Work: 385

(1) Completing the training specified in Section 6c; and 387

(2) Ensuring that the requirements established by PAIs in designated area certificates and hot 389 work permits are followed. 390

d. CORs: 392

(1) Completing the training specified in Section 6c; 394

(2) Submitting requests for designated areas and permit-required areas to an appropriate PAI; 396

(3) Ensuring that the requirements established by the PAI in designated area certificates or 398 hot work permits are incorporated into the non-R&D contractor safety plans; 399

(4) Ensuring that non-R&D contractors are aware of the hazards in the area where hot work 401 will be performed; 402

(5) Ensuring that non-R&D contractors are qualified to do the hot work; and 404

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(6) Ensuring that non-R&D contractors comply with the requirements of hot work permits 406 and their safety plans. 407

e. NIST AHJ: 409

(1) Approving OSHE, OFPM, and FPG PAIs based on their completion of training; 411

(2) Maintaining a current list of approved PAIs; and 413

(3) Annually auditing designated area certificates and hot work permits to ensure that 415 program requirements are being met and records are being appropriately maintained. 416

f. PAIs: 418

(1) Completing the PAI training module provided by OSHE on NFPA 51B and this suborder; 420

(2) Inspecting requested designated areas and permit-required areas against the requirements 422 of Appendix C 423

(3) Upon determining that all applicable designated area or permit-required area 425 requirements have been met, issuing designated area certificates and hot work permits; 426

(4) Maintaining electronic or hard copies of all designated area certificates and hot work 428 permits for a minimum of one (1) year; and 429

(5) Making electronic or hard copies of all designated area certificates and hot work permits 431 available to the AHJ upon request. 432

g. NIST Employees Assigned to Conduct Fire Watches: 434

(1) Completing the training provided by OSHE on this program; 436

(2) Completing annual training provided or approved by OSHE on the use of required fire 438 extinguishers. 439

(3) Stopping hot work and notifying the PAI if unsafe conditions develop; and 441

(4) Knowing how to summon emergency help. 443

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10. AUTHORITIES 448

For authorities applicable to all NIST Fire and Life Safety suborders, see NIST O 7401.00: Fire 449 and Life Safety. 450

a. NIST Employees in OUs Needing to Perform Hot Work: 452

(1) Submit requests for designated areas and permit-required areas to an appropriate PAI, 454 with the understanding that they provide the requirements established by the PAI to the 455 official first-level supervisor for incorporation into the hazard review of the activities 456 involving hot work. 457

11. DIRECTIVE OWNER 460

Chief Safety Officer 461

12. APPENDICES 464

A. Revision History 465 B. Designated area certificate 466 C. Requirements for Designated Areas and Permit-Required Areas 467 D. Hot Work permit 468

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 13

Appendix A. Revision History 471

Revision No.

Approval Date Responsible Person Brief Description of Change; Rationale

0 09/30/17 TBD • None – Initial document

1 1/12/21 April Camenisch Updated CFR links and NIST Suborder links.

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 14

Appendix B: Designated Area Certificate 475

NIST-XXX U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND

TECHNOLOGY

DESIGNATED (HOT WORK) AREA

CERTIFICATE

OSHE-FFSG

A. CERTIFICATE DETAIL

Certificate Number Building Number Room Number Date of Issue Date of Expiration

B. CONTACT INFORMATION

Name of Supervisor or COR: Phone Number:

C. TYPE OF HOT WORK

D. PRECAUTIONS CHECKLIST (TO BE COMPLETED BY PAI)

� Designated area is constructed of noncombustible or fire-resistive materials � Designated area is free of combustible and flammable contents including gases and liquids � No openings, holes, penetrations, or cracks are present in fire-resistive construction within the designated area.

� If enclosed, appropriate ventilation (with noncombustible ducting) is present in the designated area.

� A functional fire extinguisher is mounted in the immediate vicinity of the designated area.

� All combustibles are located at least _____ feet in all directions from the designated area as determined by the PAI.

D. AUTHORIZATION

Signature of Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI): Name (Print) of PAI:

Phone Number:

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Appendix C. Requirements for Designated Areas and Permit-Required Areas 481

a. Designated Areas 483

(1) Designated areas shall be constructed of noncombustible or fire-resistive materials and 485 shall be free of combustible and flammable contents. 486

(a) All openings, holes, penetrations, or cracks in the fire-resistive construction shall be 488 sealed with fire-rated or noncombustible material to prevent the passage of sparks to 489 adjacent areas. 490

(2) Designated areas shall also meet the requirements for permit-required areas listed 492 below. 493

(3) Enclosed designated areas shall have a working ventilation system. The ductwork must 495 be noncombustible and not capable of transmitting sparks out of the area. 496

(4) A fire extinguisher having the appropriate classification for the hazard shall be 498 specified by the PAI for mounting immediately adjacent to the designated area. 499

b. Permit-Required Areas 501

(1) Floors shall be swept clean for a radius of 35 feet6,7 (11 meters) of the hot work site to 503 ensure combustible material, such as paper clippings, wood shavings, or textile fibers, 504 are not present. 505

(2) Floors constructed of a combustible material (e.g., wood) shall be kept wet, covered 507 with damp sand, or protected by a listed or approved welding blanket, welding pad, or 508 equivalent for a radius of 35 feet6, 7 (11 meters) of the hot work site. 509

(3) Walls, partitions, ceilings, or roofs of combustible construction shall be protected from 511 hot works occurring near them by a listed or approved welding curtain, welding 512 blanket, welding pad, or equivalent. 513

6 In instances where the scope of work, tools used to conduct hot work, or size of the room/space in which hot work is conducted, are known to be incapable of generating or allowing slag, sparks, splatter, or similar mobile sources of ignition to travel farther than 35 feet (11 meters) from the hot work site, the PAI shall be permitted to reduce the distance. The approved distance shall be documented on the permit.

7 In instances where the scope of work and tools used to conduct hot work may result in the possible travel of slag, sparks, splatter, or similar mobile sources of ignition farther than 35 feet (11 meters) from the hot work site, the PAI shall extend the distance. The approved distance shall be documented on the permit.

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(4) Ducts and conveyor systems located within 35 feet6, 7 (11 meters) of the hot work site 515 that might carry sparks to distant combustibles shall be shielded, shut down, or both. 516

(5) Openings, holes, penetrations, or cracks in walls, floors, or ducts within 35 feet6, 7 (11 518 meters) of the hot work site shall be covered or sealed with listed or approved fire-rated 519 or noncombustible material. 520

(6) All combustibles within 35 feet6, 7 (11 meters) of the hot work site shall be relocated. 522

(a) If relocation of combustibles is impractical, combustibles shall be protected by a 524 listed or approved welding curtain, welding blanket, welding pad, or equivalent. 525

(b) To prevent the entrance of sparks or slag, the edges of covers at the floor shall be 527 tight, including at the point at which several covers may overlap. 528

(7) For hot work performed in close proximity to a wall, partition, ceiling, or roof, 530 precautions shall be specified by the PAI to prevent ignition of combustibles that may 531 be located on the other side of the wall, partition, ceiling, or roof. 532

(8) For hot work performed in close proximity8 to a fire protection device, precautions 534 shall be specified by the PAI to prevent accidental operation of an automatic fire 535 detection or suppression system9. 536

(9) Fully charged and operable fire extinguishers appropriate for the type of possible fire 538 shall be specified by the PAI and available in the work area (e.g., within the 35-foot 539 perimeter or limits of the room/space). 540

(10) If existing hose lines are located within the hot work area defined by permit, they shall 542 be connected and ready for service but shall not be required to be unrolled or charged. 543

c. Fire Watches 545

(1) The PAI may require a fire watch when hot work is performed under any of the 547 following circumstances: 548

(a) A fire protection system is impaired; 550

(b) A life safety system is impaired; or 552

8 If sufficient heat, smoke, or particulate could be developed such that activation of fire protection devices would be likely, then the hot work would be deemed to be in “close proximity” to the fire protection devices.

9 Where fire alarm or fire suppression system impairments are necessary, the requirements of NIST S7401.03 Fire Protection and Life Safety System Impairments shall be followed.

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(c) The requirements for a hot work permit are met, but the PAI is still concerned that 554 ignition from spark or slag could occur. 555

(2) A fire watch shall be maintained for a minimum of 30 minutes after completion of hot 557 work operations. 558

(a) The duration of a fire watch may be extended if the PAI determines the conditions 560 warrant an extension. 561

(3) The PAI shall determine the number of individuals needed to conduct a fire watch. 563

i. In some cases, it may be necessary to assign more than one employee to conduct 565 fire watch duties, e.g., where multiple floors are affected. 566

(4) The PAI shall determine the location(s) of the fire watch. 568

d. Non-Permissible Areas 570

(1) Hot work shall not be performed in the following areas.10 572

(a) In sprinklered buildings where sprinklers are impaired, unless the requirements of 574 NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based 575 Fire Protection are met and a fire watch is provided; 576

(b) In areas where explosive atmospheres may be present, i.e., where mixtures of 578 flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts with air exist; 579

(c) In areas where contaminated equipment, drums, tanks, or other containers that have 581 previously contained materials that could develop explosive atmospheres may be 582 present; 583

(d) On a partition, wall, ceiling, or roof with a combustible covering and/or insulation, 585 or combustible sandwich-type panel construction; and 586

(e) On pipes or other metal that is in contact with combustible walls, ceilings, roofs, or 588 other combustibles if the work is close enough to cause ignition by conduction. 589

10 In such areas, techniques other than hot works must be utilized.

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Appendix D: Hot Work Permit 591

NIST-XXX U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND

TECHNOLOGY

HOT WORK PERMIT

OSHE-FFSG

A. PERMIT DETAIL

Permit Number Building Number Room Number Date of Issue Date of Expiration

B. TYPE OF HOT WORK

C. PRECAUTIONS CHECKLIST (TO BE COMPLETED BY PAI)

Requirements within _______feet of hot work.

� Flammable and combustible liquids, dust, lint, and oil deposits are removed.

� Flammable and combustible gases are removed.

� Floor is swept clean of combustible materials and trash.

� Wall, ceiling, and floor openings are covered.

Requirements for hot work on walls, ceilings, or roofs ( � N/A)

� Construction is noncombustible and without combustible coverings or insulations � Combustible materials on other side of walls, ceilings, or roofs is moved away.

Requirements for hot work on enclosed equipment (� N/A)

� Enclosed equipment is cleaned of all combustibles � Containers are purged of flammable liquid/vapor � Pressurized vessels, piping, and equipment has been removed from service, isolated, and vented.

Requirements for fire watch (� N/A)

� Fire watch is provided during and for a maximum of 30 minutes after hot work, including any break activity.

� Fire watch is provided with a suitable extinguishment method.

� Fire watch is trained in use of equipment and in sounding alarm.

D. SPECIAL PROVISIONS

� Ductwork blanks required � Overhead spark/slag collection required � Combustible floor wet down required � Welding pads, blankets, or curtains required � Arc-welding screens required � Additional ventilation required � Fire protection system impairment required � Fall protection required � LOTO required � Confined space entry required

NIST S 7401.04 (Uncontrolled Copy in Print) Page 19

� Fire watch is required in adjoining areas above and below hot work location.

� Fire watch is extended beyond 30 minutes. (Fire Watch duration of ________ minutes is required).

� Other:

D. SUPERVISOR OR COR

Signature of Supervisor or COR: Name (Print) of Supervisor or COR: Phone Number:

E. AUTHORIZATION

Signature of Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI): Name (Print) of PAI:

Phone Number:

Appendix A. Revision History