HSE-SAF-PPT-00-0088

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT Rev. 5

20-Sept-2017
FIRE/HOLE WATCH Page 1 of 75

FIRE/HOLE WATCH

Training Program
1 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4
Scope

 This procedure is applicable to all Q-Chem

manufacturing facilities both at Mesaieed and
Ras Laffan for employees and contractors who
will be assigned the role of Fire watch/Hole
watch.

2 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Objectives
 To provide a general understanding of the Fire/ Hole watch roles &
responsibilities.
 To provide general knowledge of the equipments used for
Fire/Hole watch role.
 To provide knowledge on different gas monitoring techniques.
 To provide general knowledge on the emergency actions while
performing the duty of Fire/Hole watch.

3 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course Employee should know:
 Expectation on Fire/Hole watch
 Requirements to be Fire/Hole watch
 Responsibilities of a Fire/Hole Watch
 Types of equipment use and it’s applications
 Gas Monitoring Techniques
 Properties & Hazards of Gases
 Alarm conditions & Actions
 Sampling Requirement
 Proper Care & Maintenance

4 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Fire/Hole Watch Definitions
 “Fire Watch: is a trained person dedicated to provide a continuous
watch for open flame hot work and also acts as a standby person
with a fire extinguisher for all jobs requiring open flame hot work
permits.

 Hole Watch is the person stationed outside the entry point of a

confined space. Hole watch is responsible for monitoring the
authorized entrants and performs all duties assigned in this
procedure including but not limited to communicating with
entrants, and tracking the entry and exit of entrants from the
confined space and ensure that Entry Points are blocked with
Physical Barriers and Lock before leaving the Confined Space
unattended.

5 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Fire/Hole Watch Responsibilities
 Shall Speak and read English well enough to
communicate and comply with all instructions.
 An assessment will be done on those employees that
show some language problem before the training starts.

English

6 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Fire Watch Responsibilities
 Ensure all hot work area is free of ignition
sources before leaving the work area (special
attention to scaffolding).
• Must inspect area before leaving.
 Under Scaffolds, Platforms, etc.

Hot Surfaces

Fire, flames,
smoldering material

Static electricity
(spark discharge)
Static electricity
(brush discharge)

Mechanically Electrically
Generated Sparks Generated Sparks
7 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4
Fire Watch Responsibilities
 Ensure fire box integrity. If sparks from grinding and welding observed to be coming out
from the fire box, stop the work and inform lead worker for firebox modification.
 Watch for unplanned fires in all the vicinity of the activity. If fire is observed, stop the
work and attempt to extinguish only those within the capacity of equipment available,
otherwise sound alarm.
 Have fire extinguisher equipment or fire hoses readily available, and be trained in their
use.
• Fire Extinguisher Training is one of the requirements to be a Fire/Hole watch.

8 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Fire Watch Responsibilities
 Be properly trained on the Fire/Hole Watch requirements
listed here.
 Once all this is completed a Training Card will be issue.

9 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

COMPLIANCE CARDS LEVELS
The levels on the card identifies the area and the type of
training the employee or contractors received. Red colored
card are Level I contractors that are allowed to work in the
process areas and green card holders are Level II
contractors that can only work on non process covered
areas.

10 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Fire Watch Responsibilities

 Be familiar with the emergency

alarm points in the facility for
sounding any alarm in the event of a
fire
 This must be covered by permit
issuers as part of the PTW
discussions before jobs are started
(tool box talk).
 Assembly Points
 Evacuation Routes
 Jobs going on in the vicinity
 Emergency Equipment Location
 Should know how to communicate
in case of emergency.

11 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Fire Watch Responsibilities

 Have no other responsibility

than to fill the duties of
Fire/Hole watch & will
remain on the job site at all
times during the activities
and will not assist in any
other task.
• Must remain alert at all
times and be prepare for
any unexpected situation
that may arise.

12 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Fire Watch Responsibilities
 Ensure all sewer
openings in the area
remain covered and
wetted down.
 Fire blankets could be
used to cover openings
 Ensure that only Qchem
approve fire blankets are
used to build the fire box.
 Ensure fire box is
approved by FSC.
 No sparks are coming out
of the Fire box during the
hot work

13 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Fire Watch Responsibilities
 Perform continuous gas monitoring and document the results in the
PTW.
 Stop work and instruct workers to shutdown equipment if
hazardous conditions occur.
 NOTE: In case of fire watch on IC Engine being use for lighting
inside in a confined space, do not turn off the IC engine until unless
Hole watch confirms that all entrants are out of the confined space.

14 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Fire Watch Responsibilities
 Remain on-site for 30 minutes after the
completion of the open flame hot work to avoid
the potential of fire due to falling of hot slug
come in contact with any combustible materials.

15 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Fire Watch Responsibilities
 Barricade area and ensure non-essential personnel
remain outside barricades at all times.

16 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hole Watch

17 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hazards of confined space
 Knows the Hazard of the confined space.
Toxic Atmosphere
 A toxic atmosphere may cause various acute effects, including
impairment of judgement, unconsciousness and death. A toxic
atmosphere may occur due to the presence or ingress of hazardous
substances. These substances may be present in the Confined Space for
various reasons such as:
 remaining from previous processing or storage
 arising from the disturbance of sludge and other deposits
 the presence of a fire or flames within the space
 seepage from improperly isolated adjoining plant
 formation during the work processes carried out in the space
 being released from under scale and in brickwork as a result of the work process

18 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hazards of confined space
Oxygen Deficiency
 Oxygen can be lacking a confined space for the following reasons:
 displacement of air by another gas like nitrogen or those use in welding works.
 various biological processes or chemical reactions (such as rotting of organic
matter, rusting of metals, burning, etc)
 absorption of air onto steel surfaces, especially where these are damp

Oxygen Enrichment
An excess of oxygen, in the presence of combustible materials, results in an
increased risk of fire and explosion. Some materials, which do not burn in air,
may burn vigorously or even spontaneously in an enriched oxygen atmosphere.
Engulfment (in the cases of excavation)
An excavation work that is classified as confined space has the potential to have
an engulfment hazard when not properly mitigated. A loose soil can easily
collapse and trap those inside the CSE..

19 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hole Watch Responsibilities
Flammable or Explosive Atmospheres
 A flammable atmosphere presents a risk of fire or explosion. Such an
atmosphere can arise from the presence in the confined space of flammable
liquids or gases or of a suspension of combustible dust in air. If a flammable
atmosphere inside a confined space ignites, an explosion may occur,
resulting in the expulsion of hot gases and the disintegration of the structure.

Flowing Liquid or Free Flowing Solids

 Liquids or solids can flow into the confined space causing drowning,
suffocation, burns and other injuries. Solids in powder form may also be
disturbed in a confined space resulting in an asphyxiating atmosphere.

Excessive Heat
 The enclosed nature of a confined space can increase the risk of heat stroke or
collapse from heat stress, if conditions are excessively hot. The risk may be
exacerbated by the wearing of personal protective equipment or by lack of
ventilation

20 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hole Watch Responsibilities
 Knows the Emergency action required for the activity
 In case of plant emergency, stop all activities and ask all entrants to get out of the
confined space.
 Once entrants are all out, leave the area as is required by the plant emergency
protocol.
 In case of plant emergency, installation of physical barrier to the hole is not required.
 Once plant emergency is normalized, discuss situation with entry supervisor and wait
until the CSE permit is revalidated before resuming work.
 In case of emergency inside the confined space e.g. man down or major injury, ask all
entrants to come out of the confined space and inform emergency board through
radio channel 111 by phone dialling 555. Inform permit issuer or area operator as much
as possible.
 Do not attempt to conduct any rescue by yourself or any member of your group. Let
the assigned rescue team or response team to do their job. Remember that you are not
trained to respond or perform a rescue. This is a major safety violation and not
tolerated in Qchem.
 In case of fire, if entrants can extinguish the fire using the dedicated fire extinguisher
in the confined space, let them do that. If not, ask everyone to come out and sound
the alarm for the emergency.

21 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hole Watch Responsibilities
 Ensures that entrants knows the condition of PTW, JSA and rescue
plan. Verifies that entrants are having the correct PPE as required by
JSA, PTW or rescue plan.
 Hole watch should know the conditions listed in PTW, rescue plan or JSA before allowing
any entrants into his entry point. He should verify that entrants has the right training by
verifying his training cards and proper PPE for the entry.
 If Respiratory protection is required for the job, an entrant should be RPP trained with his
updated training and clean shaven all the time before entering the hole.
 Always ensure to verify rescue requirement for the entry by checking the rescue plan. Do not
hesitate to ask permit issuer for any clarification if required.

 Knows how to interpret gas test results and ensuring that reading are
log in the Hole watch entry log sheet
 Hole watch should be familiar in gas testing and should be able to interpret and act depends on
his instruments reading.
 If portable gas detector alarm activates, stop the confined space activity and ask all entrants to
come out of the hole. Ask all entrants to standby a safe location. Inform area operator of the alarm
and get every
 Ensure portable gas detector battery is healthy. If portable gas detector battery runs out, stop the
activity and ask all entrants to come out of the hole. Inform area operator and get a replacement
gas detector.

22 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hole Watch Responsibilities
 Does not leave the hole unattended unless he is relieve by a back up
hole or entry point is provided with physical barrier and green lock.
 Hole watch should not abandon his post at any time unless relieve by a back up hole
watch. A back up hole watch need to be mention in both JSA and PTW.
 During work stoppage, except in event of a plant emergency, install physical barrier and inform
equipment owner.

 Knows how to interpret gas test results and ensuring that reading are
log in the Hole watch entry log sheet
 Hole watch should be familiar in gas testing and should be able to interpret and act depends on
his instruments reading.
 If portable gas detector alarm activates, stop the confined space activity and ask all entrants to
come out of the hole. Ask all entrants to standby a safe location. Inform area operator of the alarm
and get every
 Ensure portable gas detector battery is healthy. If portable gas detector battery runs out, stop the
activity and ask all entrants to come out of the hole. Inform area operator and get a replacement
gas detector.

23 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hole Watch Entry Log Sheet

24 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hole Watch Responsibilities
 Communicate with entrants by
visual, audible or mechanical
means.

 Hole watch should always have

visual, audible or mechanical means
of communicating with the entrants. Track personnel – record their entry & exit
 Both entrants and hole watch should on the confined space entry log sheet and
know the mode of their keep track of compliance cards on the
communication.
Confined Space Access Board.
• The entrant must surrender his Training
Compliance Card to the attendant. The
attendant will place the Training card on the
Confined Space Board.
• The Compliance Card will remain on the board
the entire time that the employee is inside the
confined space.
• Once the entrant has exited the Confined
Space the hole watch will remove the
employees’ card from the board and return it
to the employee.

25 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hole Watch Responsibilities
Hole watch/ back up hole watch must fill the entry log
sheet
To document his/her Name, Staff No, Radio No, Date
and duration of job (by writing Start and End time with
initial).
CSE Entry Log Sheet to be filled by trainees

26 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Things to always remember:
 Hole watch should never leave the hole unattended.
 If hole watch is to go on a break, the back up hole watch should
replace him( if available) and it should be properly documented
in the Hole watch entry log sheet. If no back up is available, stop
the activity and ask all entrants to come out and call the Permit
issuer to follow hole securing.
 Install protective barrier and call equipment owner. Wait until
equipment owner install green lock and then sign the “Confined
space ownership tracking sheet”

27 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hole Watch Responsibilities
Many times it is observed that CSE Permit was not Revalidated
when the Hole watch changed.
• CSE Permit shall be revalidated with the
required sign-off at Section H of the field
copy any time there is a change in Entry
Supervisor / Hole watch during the
validity of the permit. Outgoing Hole
Watch shall document his/her duty end
time with initials in Entry Log Sheet Form.
New Hole Watch’s information shall be
updated in Entry Log Sheet Form prior to
start the job.
• In case a back up hole watch is available
as per agreed and noted in section D of
the CSE permit, no revalidation is
required when back up hole watch takes
over the hole. Hole watch and back up
hole watch rotation should be
documented in Hole watch entry log
sheet.

28 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Back up Hole Watch guidelines:
A Back-Up Hole Watch is allowed to take charge of Confined Space with
following conditions are complied with:
• where the Hole Watch cannot stop the job to get a break for himself or
could not follow the work rest cycle as per Q-Chem heat stress
mitigation program.
• Both Hole Watch and Back-Up Hole Watch shall comply with all the
Safety Requirements as specified in Confined Space Entry Procedure.
• Both Hole Watch and Back-Up Hole Watch shall take part in the CSE
permit receiving process (i.e. Job scope discussion/joint job site
inspection with PTW Issuers and hazard/mitigation identification/tool
box talk).
• Both Hole Watches shall put their initials and sign on CSE permit.
• Hole Watch/Back-Up Hole Watch cannot work with other PTW/job
while current CSE permit is live.
• Back-Up Hole Watch requirements shall be documented in the CSE
JSA.

29 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Definition
• Gas Test is an atmospheric test using a direct reading instrument to
detect the concentration of target gases in the atmosphere.

• Authorized Gas Tester is a Q-Chem employee (Direct hire or

Secondee) who has successfully completed the Q-Chem Gas Detection
and Monitoring training and is certified by the Training Department.

• Continuous Gas Monitoring is gas testing conducted continuously at

the location where the task is in progress.

 Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to repair the portable gas

monitor. Only personnel with proper training should do the repair of
the portable gas monitor.

30 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Standard Detectors Used
at Q-Chem

IBRID MX6 VENTIS MX4

31 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch  Rev. 4

Detector Applications

• Detects the Combustible Gases (Fuel)

• Detects the Oxygen Level (Air)

• Detects the Toxic Gases (CO, SO2 & H2S)

Note: All our instruments/detectors are intrinsically

safe (will not produce a source of ignition)

32 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Oxygen Deficiency
Risk of asphyxiation caused by consumption from;
 people
 oxidation

Displacement by;
 humidity
 Decomposition 19.5%
 Inertion (purging)

Oxygen
33 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4
Oxygen Enrichment
• Serious fire hazard
• Materials burn much more rapidly Oxygen
Caused by
• leaking valves
• leaking cylinders 23.5%

34 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Carbon Monoxide Data
• Properties: Colorless, odorless,
byproduct of incomplete
combustion

• Hazard: Flammable, LEL 12.5%

• Health: Very Toxic (can be absorbed

200-300 times faster than oxygen by
the hemoglobin)

35 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Hydrogen Sulfide Data
• Properties: Colorless, Rotten egg
smell, appears naturally from
decomposition

• Hazard: Flammable, LEL 4.0%

• Health: Extremely Toxic, has a

paralyzing effect on the nervous
system that controls breathing.

36 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Detector Operations

37 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch  Rev. 4

IBRID MX6 Features
Pump Inlet (Filter Beneath)

Sensors
(Beneath Visual Alarm
Sampling (Beneath Sensor
Pump) Openings)

Chassis
LCD

Wrist Strap
Connector 5-Way
(Not Shown) Navigation
Button

Battery Charging IR Communications

Contacts (Not Shown) Port (Not Shown)

38 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

VENTIS MX4 Features

Number Feature
1 Visual Alarm Indicator
2 Pump Inlet
3 LCD Display
4 Audible Alarm Port
5 On/Off Mode Button
6 Enter Button
7 IrDA Interface
8 Charging Contacts

Figure-1
Diffusion monitor,
Equipment without Pump
Figure-2 Aspirated monitor
(Equipment with Pump)

39 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Getting Started

Four steps of operations(IBRID MX6 and VENTIS MX4):

1. Turn on and check battery status

2. Zero (in fresh air)
3. Bump Test (functional test, Shall be every shift)
4. Clear Peaks

Note: The calibration date shall be verified to ensure it’s still valid
BEFORE instrument is use.

40 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Battery Status of iBRID MX6
When battery remains > 5 % will indicate yellow bar on runtime display
located in the lower left hand corner of the display. It indicate battery
pack is down and soon show low battery indication.

>100%
>75%

>50%

>25%

>5%

41 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Battery Status of iBRID MX6
With less then 10 minutes of runtime remaining, the instrument will alert
the user of impending shutdown by displaying Low Battery. At this
point the instrument should no longer be used and placed back on a
charger or the battery pack should be replaced.

42 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Battery status of VENTIS MX4

This screen means(three bars) 100% battery

This screen means(three bars) 50% battery

This screen means(three bars) 25% battery

An empty battery icon will flash for approximately

1 hours. With 10 minutes of life remaining an
audible low battery warning alarm will occur every
30 seconds until shut down.

43 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Gas Detection Techniques
Sampling Requirements for Confined Space Entry
 Continues gas monitoring to be conducted by hole
watch
 Gas testing sample to be drawn form the source of work
 Hole watch need to record hourly readings of
continuous gas testing. An extension tube of sufficient
length shall be used to draw the sample from the
working space so it can draw representative sample.

44 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Gas Detection Techniques
Sampling Requirements for Confined Space Entry
 Hole watch need to record hourly readings of continuous
gas testing on Hole watch entry log sheet.

45 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4

Gas Detection Techniques
Continuous Gas Monitoring Requirements
in Confined Space Entry

 Even when the confined space is tested and certified safe for any person
to enter, at least one person in a group working in the same vicinity shall
be equipped with a suitable multi-gas detector for measuring oxygen,
combustible and the identified toxic contaminants

Note: Continuous gas testing shall be conducted within the vessel / confined
space for all confined space jobs.
46 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4
Questions
For any questions related to this training program,
please contact your DSR or training section at
44767623.

47 HSE-SAF-MDL-00-0088 – Fire / Hole Watch Rev. 4