Hot Work Safety

The permit issuer (PAI) must assign a fire watch during or at the conclusion of hot work activities where there is a potential of anything other than a minor fire developing. The person performing the hot work can serve as fire watch if they are properly trained and are able to continuously monitor their work area for signs of a fire. A fire watch is also required if: combustible materials in building construction are located less than 35 feet from the hot work site combustible materials are located more than 35 feet away from the hot work but are easily combustible. Wall or floor openings within 35 feet of the hot work 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 The fire watch must arrive at the worksite before hot work begins and stay in position during all hot work, during all breaks for lunch or other reasons, and for 1 hour after hot work has been completed. The permit issuer may require the fire watch to stay in position for longer than 30 minutes if fire hazards merit the extension. If one fire watch cannot directly observe all combustible materials that the hot work can ignite, one or more additional fire watches will be required.