S02 FS 04 Hot Work.pdf

Hot Work Permits

MCP FS-04

Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center Coatesville, PA 19320

Signatory Authority:

Coatesville VAMC Director

Responsible Owner:

Fire Chief

Rescinded Document:

FS-04-16

Effective Date:

July 22, 2021

Recertification Date:

July 30, 2026

1. POLICY

The Medical Center shall establish and maintain a standardized system to prevent injury, loss of life, and loss of property from fire or explosion as a result of hot work projects such as welding, heat treating, grinding, and similar applications or using sparks, flames or heat.

2. JUSTIFICATION

This Medical Center Policy complies with The Joint Commission, Hospital Accreditation Program (HAP) Standard EC.01.01.01.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

a. VA Medical Center Fire Department.

(1) Survey the area where Hot Work will be performed and make any recommendations appropriate to make the area safe before a permit is issued, as well as ensuring that a check of the area has been made after the work is completed.

(2) Supply VA personnel with extinguishers, when necessary, and verify that contractors have fire extinguishers on site for duration of the work.

(3) Secure all fire alarm devices, such as smoke detectors, in the area to prevent false alarms and instruct contractors on the proper procedures to follow in case of a fire.

(4) Log all permits issued in the Hot Work Log and complete information on permits as required.

b. Chief -Facilities Engineering Service. Responsible for ensuring that all employees under his/her supervision, who are responsible for construction activities involving cutting and welding, fully adhere to the requirements of this policy.

c. Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative.

July 22, 2021 MCP FS-04

(1) Shall furnish a copy of this document to all contractors engaged in maintenance or construction projects at this hospital to ensure compliance with this program.

(2) Responsible for ensuring full compliance in accordance with NFPA 51B and 29 CFR 1910.252 by contractor employees, with all requirements of this chapter. Refers contractors to VA Fire Department for proper permit issuance, prior to any “hot” work in construction areas.

4. OTHER PARAGRAPHS

a. Procedure

(1) All contractor and maintenance personnel engaged in cutting and welding operations must fully comply with NFPA 51B and OSHA 29 CFR 1910 / 1926.

(2) The Fire Department must be notified to determine if a fire watch is required.

(3) Contractor and maintenance personnel will report to the CVAMC Fire Station, Building 12, to obtain a permit for cutting and welding daily.

(4) Operation of welding, cutting and related equipment shall be done by, or under the supervision of, a competent person.

(5) Each hot-work site shall be equipped with a portable fire extinguisher of appropriate size and type for the work being done. The fire extinguisher shall have the proper maintenance and inspection performed in accordance with NFPA 10.

(6) Combustibles shall be protected from ignition by the following:

(a) Having the work moved to a location free from dangerous combustibles.

(b) If the work cannot be moved, having the combustibles moved to a safe distance from the work or having the combustibles properly shielded against ignition.

(c) Providing that the cutting and welding are scheduled to ensure operations which may expose combustibles to ignition are not performed during the cutting or welding process.

(7) Cutting and welding equipment to be used shall be in satisfactory operating condition and in good repair.

(8) Openings or cracks in walls, floors, or ducts within 35 ft. of the site shall be tightly covered to prevent the passage of sparks to adjacent areas.

(9) Where cutting or welding is done near walls, partitions, ceilings, or roofs of combustible construction, fire-resistant shields or guards shall be used to prevent ignition.

(10) If applicable, smoke detectors shall be covered to prevent inadvertent alarms.

(11) If work requires the deactivation of the Medical Center’s fire detection or suppression systems, the Facilities Engineering Service and Fire Department must be notified so that appropriate personnel can deactivate the affected systems.

(12) Inspect all leads, grounds, torches, and cylinders before use and assure that all fittings, couplings, and connections are tight.

(13) Assure that work area has adequate ventilation established.

(14) Assure that welding equipment is away from aisles and walk-ways and that exit passageways are not obstructed.

(15) Assure that welding equipment is away from aisles and walk-ways and that exit passageways are not obstructed.

5. DEFINITIONS

Hot work - Any work that involves burning, welding, using fire- or spark-producing tools, or that produces a source of ignition

6. REFERENCES

a. ANSI Z49. 1-2005 Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes

b. National Fire Protection Association, 51B Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work. 2019 Edition

c. Occupational Safety and Health Standards 29 CFR 1910.252 Welding, Cutting, and Brazing

7. ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A: Hot Work Permit

8. RESCISSION

FS-04-16

9. REVIEW

This MCP is to be recertified every five years at a minimum.

10. RECERTIFICATION

This MCP is scheduled for recertification on or before the last working day of July 2026.

This MCP will continue to serve as local policy until it is recertified or rescinded. In the event of contradiction with national policy, the national policy supersedes and controls.

11. SIGNATORY AUTHORITY

Jeffrey Beiler II Coatesville VAMC Director Date Approved: July 22, 2021