Hot work refers to any activity or process that generates heat or sparks that can potentially ignite flammable materials or gases in the surrounding area. Some common examples of hot work include welding, cutting, grinding, and soldering. Hot work is often carried out in industrial settings such as construction sites, manufacturing plants, and oil refineries. 

These activities require the use of tools and equipment that generate high temperatures and sparks, which can pose a serious fire risk if not managed properly, this is where Fire Watch comes in

What Is a Fire Watch?

Fire watch is the person or persons responsible for continuously monitoring a property with a high risk of fire or when firefighting or fire hazard equipment is unfunctional.

A fire watch is needed for hot work as it involves high-heat activities that can potentially cause fires, making it extremely dangerous without licensed professionals supervising the area. Fires can start suddenly and spread rapidly, making it critical to have trained professionals on hand to detect potential hazards during Hot Work and respond appropriately.

Read more on this topic here: What Is a Fire Watch?

Required By Law and OSHA

A fire watch is required by California law for a property where hot work is being carried out. Based on the standards found in The United States Department Of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers are required to post a fire watch during hot work if any of the following conditions are present:

1. “Slag, weld splatter, or sparks that might pass through an opening and cause a fire.
2. Fire-resistant guards or curtains are not used to prevent the ignition of combustible materials on or near decks, bulkheads, partitions, or overheads.
3. Combustible material located closer than 35 feet to the hot work area, in either the horizontal or vertical direction, that cannot be removed, protected with flame-proof covers, nor otherwise shielded with metal or fire-resistant guards or curtains.
4. Hot work occurs on or near insulation, combustible coatings, or sandwich-type construction that cannot be shielded, cut back, or removed, or in a space within a sandwich-type construction or inter-barrier space that cannot be inserted.
5. Combustible materials adjacent to the opposite sides of bulkheads, decks, overheads, metal partitions, or sandwich-type construction may be ignited by conduction or radiation.
6. The hot work is close enough to cause ignition through heat radiation or conduction on the following:
7.  

• Insulated pipes, bulkheads, decks, partitions, or overheads;
• Combustible materials and/or coatings; or
• Unprotected combustible pipes or cable runs.”

For more information on OSHA Fire Watch Standards, visit https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1915/1915.504

For more information on OSHA general requirements for Hot Work, visit https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.252

For more information on OSHA Hot Work definition and standards, visit https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1917/1917.152Conclusion

When it comes to hot work, there is no room for error. Hiring fire watch services can help ensure that your business remains safe and that all hot work activities are performed in a secure and controlled environment. So, if you have hot work on your site, don’t hesitate to consider hiring fire watch guards to ensure the safety and security of your employees and property.