Hot Work Permit Program

Risk Management

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Hot Work Permit Program
Risk Management
July 2019
Table of Contents

I. Program Goals and Objectives ...................................................................................................................3

II. Scope and Application ................................................................................................................................3
III. Definitions ..................................................................................................................................................3
IV. Responsibilities ...........................................................................................................................................4
V. Record Keeping ..........................................................................................................................................4
VI. Procedures .................................................................................................................................................5
VII. Hot Work Permit Form...............................................................................................................................8
VIII. Regulatory Authority and Related Information .........................................................................................9
IX. Contact .......................................................................................................................................................9

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Hot Work Permit Program
Risk Management
July 2019
I. Program Goals and Objectives
This program establishes the minimum safe working procedures and guidelines for the operation
of cutting, welding, brazing, grinding and soldering or any other similar operation throughout
Northwestern. It also covers the control of ignition sources such as spark-producing tools and
devices in hazardous areas.

II. Scope and Application

These procedures are intended to protect life, health and property from fire and the products of
combustion, which might result from the use of welding and cutting equipment, open flames and
ignition sources. All employees of Northwestern and outside contractors/sellers/service companies
involved in the use of flame or spark-producing equipment on Northwestern premises are
required to conform to these guidelines. These procedures do not apply to Northwestern
University Chemistry or Research Labs related to teaching or research activities.

III. Definitions
Hot Work: Any temporary operation involving open flames or producing heat and/or sparks. This
includes, but is not limited to: brazing, cutting, grinding, soldering, torch-applied roofing and
welding.
Fire Watch: Is a worker whose job it is to watch for fires during hot work, and try to extinguish
them if possible or sound the fire alarm. The fire watch must have immediate access to
appropriate fire extinguishers and be trained on the use of the equipment. The fire watch must
be kept in place for at least one hour after completion of the hot work to detect and extinguish
any smoldering fires.
Areas having a "standing" Hot Work Permit: Designated areas where hot work is performed
routinely. These areas should be controlled by the Facilities Operations, and may include
mechanical spaces, metal shops, and heating plants.

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IV. Responsibilities
Risk Management:

1. Oversee the development and implementation of the Hot Work Permit Program.
2. Provides Hot Work Permits to Facilities Operations.
3. Review and revise this program to reflect changes in regulatory requirements as
necessary.
4. Review and investigate hot work incidents (injuries, fires, and explosions). Report
root cause and corrective action to prevent a reoccurrence.
5. Provide guidance and consultation for any questions about the Hot Work Program.

Facilities Operations:

1. Issue Hot Work Permits.

2. Designate areas where a "standing" Hot Work Permit shall be in effect.
3. Inspect Hot Work Areas after completion of the hot work.

Hot Work Permit Holders:

1. All contractors and employees involved in the use of flame or spark producing
equipment must have a copy of the Hot Work Permit and the signage posted when
working. Before starting work they must ensure to Facilities Operations that they
have trained personnel and qualified Fire Watch Person on premises.
2. Follow all Fire Safety Procedures and Limitations listed in VI. Procedures.

V. Record Keeping
Completed forms, including hot work designated area inspections and hot work permits shall
be maintained by Facilities Operations for an annual audit or one year.

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Hot Work Permit Program
Risk Management
July 2019
VI. Procedures

A. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1. When means other than gas or electric arc cutting or welding could provide
equal or superior work quality, the least hazardous means of performing the job
should be used.

2. Facilities Operations shall be notified in writing by the Project Manager or Contractor

Supervisor at least 48 hours in advance of intended Hot Work operation.

3. The Hot Work Permit shall be valid for the day and the operation for which it is issued.
Jobs requiring more than one day shall require a separate permit for each day's work.

4. A Hot Work Permit shall be issued by Facilities Operations before any operation involving
welding or cutting, or use of flame or spark-producing equipment in the areas not
specifically designated for such use.

5. Whenever a question arises pertaining to the advisability of issuing a permit to any party
involved, work shall NOT begin until the Facilities Operations Supervisor has completed an
on-site inspection and has concluded it is safe to proceed.

B. FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

1 Separation from combustibles

Hot work areas shall not be less than 35 feet from combustible materials and combustible
waste or shall be provided with appropriate shielding to prevent sparks, slag or heat from
igniting exposed combustibles.

2 Openings
Openings or cracks in walls, floors, ducts or shafts within 35 feet of the hot work area
shall be tightly covered (with non-combustible materials or sealed) to prevent the
passage of sparks to adjacent combustible areas, or shielded by metal fire-resistant
guards, or provided with curtains to prevent passage of sparks or slag.

3 Housekeeping
Combustible waste shall not be allowed to accumulate on floors and other surfaces within
the hot work area. Contractors working in hot work permitted areas must regularly clean
and lawfully dispose of combustible waste.

4 Partitions
Partitions segregating hot work areas from other areas of the building shall be of

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Hot Work Permit Program
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July 2019
noncombustible construction. Partitions shall prevent the passage of sparks, slag, and
heat from the hot work area.

5 Precautions in hot work

Hot work shall not be performed on a container or equipment that contains or has
contained flammable liquids, gases or solids until the container or equipment has been
thoroughly cleaned, inerted or purged.

6 Sprinkler protection
Sprinkler system protection shall not be shut off or impaired while hot work is performed.
Where hot work is performed close to sprinklers, noncombustible barriers or damp cloth
guards shall shield the individual sprinkler heads and shall be removed when the work is
completed. If the work extends over several days, the shields shall be removed at the end
of each workday.

7 Construction sites and torch-applied roof systems

A Fire Watch shall be provided for each torch operation at a construction site and in
connection with torch applied roofing system operations. A Fire Watch shall be provided
for each torch in operation when the hot work area and person performing the hot work are not
visible from a single vantage point. An additional Fire Watch shall be provided on the floor
or level below the torch operation.

8 Fire detection systems

Approved special precautions shall be taken to avoid accidental operation of automatic
fire detection systems.

C. DESIGNATED HOT WORK AREA

Designated Hot Work Areas should be controlled by Facilities Operations and consultation with
Risk Management. Designated Hot Work Areas may include mechanical spaces, metal shops,
and heating plants. Designated areas should be free of combustible materials, including
stored materials and construction material components. A standing permit shall not be in
effect in any areas where gaseous fuels, hazardous vapors and fumes from liquid fuels or
other flammable/combustible liquids and gases may be present or there is a potential for
accumulation.
“Standing Hot Work Permit Areas”:
2145 Sheridan Road – Technological Institute:
NB02 Plumbing Cage and Engineers Cage
NG36 Electronics Design Shop
NG40 Instrument Shop
NG46 – 57 Research Shop – Design and Engineering Shop – Graduate
Student Shop – Professional Shop
2026 Campus Drive – Central Utility Plant

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1949 Campus Drive - Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts
Scene Shop

D. HAZARDS

When welding and cutting is to be done in a location not designated for such purpose, e.g.,
stairwell, inspection and authorization by the Facilities Operations Supervisor shall be
required before such an operation begins. When necessary, EH&S should be consulted. In
confined spaces or other such hazardous areas, use of gas and electric arc welding or cutting
equipment shall not be permitted until the Facilities Operations Supervisor has inspected the
area. EH&S shall be consulted, if necessary. A separate confined space entry permit may be
needed, when necessary.

E. LIMITATIONS

A Hot Work Permit will be issued with the understanding that the contractor shall NOT perform
such activities when:

• Facilities has not authorized to perform torch work in a given area.

• A qualified Fire Watch person is not assigned during operation.
• Sprinkler protection is impaired.
• Appropriate fire extinguisher equipment is not readily available.
• Explosive, flammable or other hazardous vapors, gases or dusts may be present in the
area.
• There is a potential for heat transfer along or through walls, pipes, tanks or other metal
surfaces that may cause ignition or decomposition of ignitable or toxic substances in
contact with the metal.
• There is potential for production of sparks, slag or molten metal by welding or cutting
within 35 feet of unprotected combustible or flammable substances that may cause fire.
• The area is a confined space area without proper ventilation and if the operation could
result in the accumulation of smoke and hazardous gases in that space.
• The person issuing the permit or the employee performing the work believes that the
issuing of a permit would or could result in undue hazards of any nature.
• Proper signs and placards are not placed to inform people in the area.
• Proper engineering controls are not in place to prevent exposure to fumes of adjacent
area occupants.
• Proper barriers are not in place to prevent people inadvertently entering into the area.

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VII. Hot Work Permit Form
The below Hot Work Permit form must be obtained from Facilities, 2415 Sheridan,
Technological Institute, Rm NB02. It must be completed and signed by the Facilities
Operations Supervisor and the contractor. A signed copy shall be posted near the work
site. Hot Work Permits will be maintained by Facilities until the permits are audited.

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Hot Work Permit Program
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VIII. Regulatory Authority and Related Information
OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration 29 CFR 1910.252.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and
Other Hot Work. NFPA 51B.
FM Global Property Prevention Data Sheets 10-3 Hot Work Management.

IX. Contact
For questions contact the following:
Risk Management
Gwen Butler – Director, Environmental Health & Safety
[email protected]
847-491-4936

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Hot Work Permit Program
Risk Management
July 2019