• Designate the precautions to be followed in the form of a hot work permit obtained from Fire Protection, when granting authorization for hot work operations to proceed; and conspicuously post the permit at all hot work sites, unless specifically waived by the site fire marshal.
• Maintain permits for the duration of hot work activity, which should not exceed the periods for which the permit was issued.
• Ensure that areas are inspected for adherence to the requirements listed on the hot work permit.
• Ensure that necessary mechanical ventilation is provided.
• Ensure that the division ES&H team industrial hygienist is contacted to complete an occupational exposure assessment (OEA) before a hot work permit for activities involving brazing, thermal cutting, or welding is requested.
• For personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, see ESH100.2.IS.3, Weld, Cut, and Braze Safely.
• Ensure that the division ES&H team industrial hygienist documents the required controls and PPE and provides a report.
• Obtain authorization, approval, or waiver for any of the situations below (noted in the Special Conditions section of the hot work permit):
  • Consult the explosives contact for authorization for any hot work operations in an area where explosives are used or stored.
  • Consult the site fire marshal or the fire protection contact for approval of any hot work operations that must be performed within 35 feet of flammable liquids and motor vehicles, other than the equipment being used on the job.
  • Consult the site fire marshal for written approval before performing open-flame soldering, welding, or cutting operations on used containers.
  • Consult the site fire marshal for a waiver if a hot work permit is not required to be obtained and posted at the hot work site.

• Ensure that fully charged and operable fire extinguishers, appropriate for the type of possible fire, are available at the work area.
• Ensure that appropriate CAUTION signs are posted.
• Ensure that fluxes, coatings, coverings, and filler metals that are transferred to a secondary container are labeled in accordance with ESH100.2.IH.4, Evaluate and Control Chemical Hazards. Note: A number of potentially hazardous materials are incorporated into fluxes, coatings, coverings, and filler metals. Manufacturers of this material have strict labeling requirements).
• Ensure that pre-hot work checks, area reviews, and final area inspections are performed and documented.

• Work on objects to be welded or cut in a designated welding area or an area that satisfies the requirements of the hot work permit and WCBC permit.
• Post a conspicuous sign stating, “CAUTION - HOT WORK IN PROGRESS - STAY CLEAR.”
• Station at least one person (the fire watcher) to watch for and extinguish any spot fires at locations that are not permanent hot work locations. At SNL/CA, posting of fire watchers is determined by the site fire marshal.
• Ensure that the fire watcher is present at all times during the hot work activity. If the operator is found to be performing hot work activities without the fire watcher present, the hot work permit is forfeited and the operator’ manager must apply for a new permit.
• Conduct a pre-hot work check prior to any hot work and complete the pre-hot work checklist on the back of the permit.
• Do not perform hot work within 35 feet of flammable/combustible material. If the material cannot be moved, protect it with a noncombustible shield, curtain, or appropriate fire-resistant material.
• Prevent the passage of sparks or slag to adjacent areas containing combustible materials through openings or cracks in walls, floors, ducts or shafts within the hot work area by one or more of the following:
  • Tightly covering openings and cracks with non-flammable/non-combustible material.
  • Shielding them with metal fire-resistant guards.
  • Providing curtains that prevent the passage of sparks or slag.
• Consult the facilities support contact at least 24 hours in advance to arrange for smoke detection devices to be blocked out for the duration of hot work operations. At SNL/CA, consult the fire protection contact.
• Protect or shutdown ducts and conveyors.
• Provide warning of hotspots to subsequent shifts.
• Ensure that all gas cylinders are labeled (e.g., supplier labeling or Chemical Information System (CIS) label).
• Remove all electrodes from the holders, locate the holders carefully so that accidental contact cannot occur, and disconnect the machine from the power source when electric arc hot work or cutting is to be suspended for any substantial period of time, such as during lunch or overnight.
• Conduct a final area inspection, sign the hot work permit, and return the completed permit to the Department of Building and Fire Safety.
• See Table 1, Hot Work Requirements, for more information.

Consult with the fire protection contact for assistance during the planning stage of activities that require hot work to be conducted in one of the following high-fire-risk locations:

• Fuel gas generator tanks and piping in rooms where fuel gas is generated.
• Exhaust ducts attached to wood, rubber, or fiber working machines and other ducts that may be coated on the inside with a flammable residue.
• Ducting in which flammable, toxic, or explosive vapors have been, or may be, present.
• Areas where combustible fibers are used or stored.
• Woodworking areas.
• Impregnating tanks where flammable liquids are involved.
• Any area where wet-cell batteries are present.
• Outdoors where dry brush and vegetation are present.

• Station at least one person (the fire watcher) to watch for and extinguish any blazes. At SNL/CA, posting of fire watchers is determined by the site fire marshal.
• Ensure that:
  • Fire watchers are provided during hot work activities and continue for 30 minutes after the conclusion of hot work activity and during the operator's breaks (lunch, coffee, and restroom) to ensure that sparks do not start a fire.
  • Fire watches include the entire hot work area.
• Assign additional personnel as fire watchers when hot work is conducted in areas with vertical or horizontal fire exposures that are not observable by a single individual to ensure that all exposed areas are monitored.

• Remain in the hot work area during hot work activities and for a minimum of 30 minutes after the conclusion of hot work activity, and during the operator's breaks (lunch, coffee, and restroom) to ensure that sparks do not start a fire.
• Perform fire watcher duties to include the entire hot work area.
• Ensure that additional fire watchers are assigned when hot work is conducted in areas with vertical or horizontal fire exposures that are not observable by a single individual to ensure that all exposed areas are monitored.
• Perform a pre-hot work check prior to any hot work and complete the pre-hot work checklist on the back of the permit.
• Ensure you have all required training.
• Ensure you have the appropriate fire extinguishers and are trained annually.
• Be familiar with the operation of fire alarms.
• Be able to activate an alarm in the event of a fire.
• Warn operators if hazardous conditions develop.
• Be cognizant of the surroundings to ensure facility safety and property protection.
• Provide for the safety of the operator by carefully observing the operator for clothing fires that may go unnoticed while the operator is focusing on the hot work task.
• Perform a final area inspection, sign the hot work permit, and return the completed permit to The Department of Building and Fire Safety. Note: If a fire watcher is found delinquent in his/her duties, the hot work permit is forfeited and the fire watcher's manager must apply for a new permit.

• Shut down all hot work operations.
• Evacuate the building.
• Report immediately to a Security Officer or the Incident Commander the exact location and state of the hot work operation.
• Do not re-enter the building until authorized to do so by emergency response personnel. Hot work shall not commence until the Department of Building and Fire Safety has been contacted to verify that the emergency did not cause any impairment to fire protection systems.

Summary

Administrative

Modified

• Corrected link to "industrial hygienist." (Requirements & Instructions)
• Updated SAPLE link to subject matter expert for system consistency.
• Un-merged cells in Requirements & Instructions for display purposes.
• Updated all dictionary terms to contain term identification numbers for system consistency.

Administrative

Modified

• In the Implementing Tools Section, added Sandia Fire Protection Program and its link.
• Added Aden Jackson as the Sandia California contact. The new CA SME to replace Marty Gresho has not been decided.

Administrative

Modified

• Corrected link to ESH100.2.FP.1 (formerly ESH100.2.OTH.1).

Administrative

ESH100.2.OTH.2 was relocated from 'Other Hazards and Controls' and placed under 'Fire Protection' and renumbered to ESH100.2.FP.2.

Administrative

Deleted

• Under "Training Requirements" deleted:
  • Propane-fired barbecue grills.   FRP106