Introduction A hot work management system and associated permit is a formal recorded process used to help control work which is identified as potentially hazardous, and is an important part of an organisation s loss prevention strategy. Experience has shown that a satisfactory standard of care and supervision is far more likely to be achieved where a formalised written permit to work system is in force, under competent supervision with the authority to ensure compliance with procedures. Hot work includes any activity which generates or requires the use of flame, heat or sparks. Common hot work processes include: gas and electric welding and cutting equipment; blow lamps and blow torches; electric or gas hot air guns, heaters or blowers; bitumen and tar boilers; angle grinders and grinding wheels; brazing and soldering; and drilling. Use of hot work is a major cause of losses within commercial properties, especially during construction schemes, maintenance or refurbishment projects. Many of these losses are the result of carelessness and ineffective supervision. Hot work activities may ignite adjacent or unseen material, heat may be conducted away from the working area by metal components and sparks, or hot metal may travel a long distance whilst retaining the potential to ignite combustible materials. Frequent training should be provided to all relevant personnel to make them aware of the risks associated with hot work. In addition to controlling hot work operations undertaken by their own staff, organisations should also be aware that it is vital to control the hot work operations of third parties, contractors and sub-contractors. Strict supervision of hot work completed by contractors is critical and should follow the hot work permit authorising procedures and fire watch protocols detailed within the organisation s operational instructions. Regular inspection of the hot work operation should be carried out and where the task is located in a high risk area, own staff supervision of the contractors should be completed. Page 1 of 10
Hot Work Safe System of Work General Precautions Hot work should be considered as the last resort and work should not default to such hazardous activities. It should only be authorised where a safer method of work is not available, and where possible, alternatives should be sought or the work moved to an area specifically designated for such works. For example, pipe jointing may be possible without soldered fittings; pipes could be cut using cold cutting techniques or items to be the subject of hot work could be removed to a safe area designated for that purpose, and for which no permit is required, such as a dedicated workshop welding bay. Hot work should only be undertaken by trained and competent individuals. In premises protected by sprinkler systems, hot work should not be carried out when the sprinkler system or water supply is shut off (impaired). When hot work is being undertaken in premises fitted with automatic fire detection systems, only the local detectors or the zone where the work is being carried out should be isolated (impaired). The zone or detectors should be reinstated as soon as the task has been completed. Appropriately trained person(s), not directly involved with the work, should provide: a continuous fire watch during the work; and an additional 60 minutes continuous monitoring immediately after completion of the work. Depending on the exposure, risk or hazard, following this 60 minutes continuous monitoring, a further 180 minutes of intermittent checks should also be provided. In some circumstances, following a risk assessment, it may be determined that extended continuous monitoring or a further intermittent checking period may be required. This fire watch is to detect and extinguish any incipient burning materials in the work area, and in all adjoining areas to which sparks and heat may spread. These could include the floors above and below, and areas on the other sides of walls from where the work is being carried out. Therefore more than one trained fire watch could be included. The trained person should have at least two appropriate fire extinguishing appliance to hand at all times and be trained in their selection and use. Trained persons completing the hot work and those providing the fire watch should be familiar with the means of escape, and the method of raising the alarm and notifying the Fire Brigade. Hot work permits should only be issued for one shift. Where the work goes across shifts, then a new permit should be authorised and responsibilities formally reconfirmed or reassigned. Alternatively the start time of the work should be managed to fit more appropriately with the operating hours/shifts of the area involved. Hot work should be prohibited on combustible construction. Prior to the commencement of work Before any attempt is made to start the proposed hot work, a formal risk assessment should be carried out and the results recorded, to assess the possible consequences of the task. The following questions should be considered, together with specific questions according to the actual conditions: Is it necessary for hot work to be carried out? Would it be practical to transfer the item being worked upon to a safer area, e.g. a workshop, or perhaps employ an alternative solution, e.g. use of bolts or compression joints rather than the use of hot work? Page 2 of 10
If the hot work task resulted in a fire: o Who or what is at risk in the room? o Could fire spread out of the room, and if so what other occupancies could be involved? Is there any incompatible process in progress in the relevant area, such as the use of flammable solvents to lay flooring? Is the hot work planned to be in or on combustible construction materials, such as composite panels with combustible insulation? o If so then this work should not start. Hot work should be prohibited on all combustible construction. Is there a backup for any mechanical or electrical equipment, computer systems and data which could be damaged by fire? Are there any personnel who are required to use the area at the same time as the hot work is being carried out? Can alternative arrangements be made? Could the work lead to the organisation s security being compromised? Are the fire protection/detection systems in full working order in the area the work is to be completed (no impairments)? Clear the area within 10 metres of the hot work process. The distance may need to be more than 10 metres in some circumstances, especially where overhead work is to be undertaken. All items of combustible materials, flammable liquids, and all elements of combustible construction and surface finishes should be protected, as should any openings, holes or gaps in walls, floors and ceilings through which sparks could pass. Floors should be swept clean and flammable solvents must not be used to clean surfaces immediately before work commences. Where combustible materials within 10 metres cannot be removed, they should be protected by the use of non-combustible or purpose-made blankets, drapes or screens. Combustible floors within the area should be covered with overlapping sheets of non-combustible material or wetted and liberally covered with sand. Care should be taken to ensure that any gaps in flooring are adequately covered, and flammable liquids should always be removed from the area. Good ventilation should be provided in all areas where hot work is to be carried out, as the task may produce volumes of smoke and fumes. Hot work should not be undertaken in an atmosphere containing flammable vapours or dusts or on or near equipment or tanks containing flammable/combustible liquids or materials. Where a hazardous atmosphere is suspected, air samples should be taken and work only commenced when the atmosphere has been certified to be non-hazardous. Any pipes, equipment or tanks containing flammable liquids should be appropriately purged and tests completed to confirm no flammable liquid or vapour is present. If there is a risk that the hazardous atmosphere may recur, the job should not commence until further precautions are implemented and additional testing completed. Before carrying out work on one side of a wall or partition, an examination should be made of the area on the other side to ensure that any combustible materials are not in danger of ignition by direct or conducted heat. Heat may be readily conducted where walls are metal or where metal items such as beams, bolts, ducting, cable trays or pipes etc., penetrate to the other side. Page 3 of 10
Where work is to be undertaken on composite building panels or similar constructions, the type of insulating or other materials behind metal or other non-combustible surfaces should be assessed. If combustible materials are identified or suspected, hot work should be prohibited and alternative methods employed. If in doubt, it should be assumed that panels have a combustible core. Cold stores, in particular, may incorporate large amounts of combustible insulating materials in both wall and ceiling panels. An inspection should be carried out for voids above, below or around the work area, such as false ceilings, cable ducts or other cavities, which may be able to transmit flames or smoke from one area to another. Care must be taken when working in or on timber frame structures, such as roofs and buildings where a timber frame form of construction may have been adopted, e.g. angle grinding of old pipes. Caution must also be taken in heritage properties where voids are commonly encountered, for example, behind panelling in window frames. Liaison should be established in multiple occupancy buildings before work commences, to enable contractors or others to be effectively controlled, and access made available to areas adjacent to where work is being undertaken. A secure area should be provided for any items removed from the area being worked upon. Upon completion of hot work When work is complete, paint strippings, hot stub ends of welding rods and other hot waste materials should be removed and disposed of safely. All equipment, including gas cylinders etc., should be removed to a secure area at the end of the working period or when the task is completed, if this is sooner. Where work has been undertaken, a continuous fire watch should be maintained for at least 60 minutes following cessation of hot work operations, or for an additional period as determined by the fire risk assessment. Following the continuous fire watch an intermittent fire watch of up to 180 minutes should be employed. This should be based on the risk to the building and the business. It should consider the occupancy, construction, continuity of combustible materials, threat to the business and exposures to the site etc. The frequency of the checks should be between 15 and 30 minutes, based on a risk assessment. Based on the completion of formal risk assessments, the 180 minutes intermittent fire watch can, on occasions either be reduced or even increased. If reduced, the risk assessment should indicate why the fire watch is reduced and what additional, alternative or mitigating measures are in place. It is far safer to start with the 60 minute (continuous) + 180 minute (intermittent) fire watch and risk assess down, as appropriate. A fire watch must be maintained during lunch or tea breaks or any other temporary cessations of work. Once the fire watch is completed and there are no signs of fire, the permit can be finally signed off. Page 4 of 10
Equipment used for hot work - Precautions All hot work procedures should only be carried out by trained personnel, using equipment which is in good condition and being used in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions. Any equipment and hoses should be checked prior to each period of use, and any gas cylinders should be adequately supported, preferably by mounting on purpose-built trolleys. When using oxy-fuel gas equipment, flashbacks can occur. Hose check valves, which prevent back-feeding (one of the main causes of flashback), should be fitted to hoses for oxygen and fuel applications, such as acetylene or propane. Flashback arrestors, designed to quench flashback, should also be fitted to all gas, including oxygen, supply lines. Wherever possible, the use of acetylene should be avoided and an alternative solution provided. Acetylene is a flammable gas that is unstable and liable to decomposition at elevated temperatures and pressures. As a result, acetylene in cylinders, once suspected to be unstable, constitutes a unique firefighting hazard in comparison with other gas cylinders. Where the use of acetylene cannot be avoided, only the minimum number of cylinders should be present on site, and these should be removed as soon as their work is complete. The cable connecting any electric welding apparatus to the source of electrical supply should be as short as possible. Care should be taken to ensure that all wiring is of suitable design and construction to carry the heavy currents required, and all connections must be correctly made so that they cannot give rise to overheating or sparking. Operators should be made aware of the importance of three connections (welding lead, welding return and welding safety earth) for every welding circuit. Before each period of use, the electric cables should be inspected visually to ensure that they have not been damaged by heat or abrasion, and all welding and cutting equipment should be periodically inspected and tested by a competent person. LPG blow lamps, blow torches and heaters should be extinguished and allowed to cool before changing cylinders. Paraffin or petrol blow lamps should only be filled and lit in the open, and should not be refilled when hot. Blow lamps and blow torches should be lit as short a time as possible before work commences, and extinguished immediately the work ceases they should not be left unattended when alight or hot. Lighting of the torch should only be carried out in accordance with manufacturer s instructions. Electrically powered hot air guns or blowers are a particular source of danger as no flame is apparent. When using these appliances the same safety measures should be observed as when undertaking other forms of hot work. The electrical cable to the blower should be inspected visually prior to each period of use, and the equipment periodically inspected and tested by a competent person. Bitumen and tar boilers, along with similar equipment, should only be taken onto roofs in exceptional circumstances, when a non-combustible heat insulating base must be provided to prevent heat igniting the roof. The boiler should always be on a firm and level surface where spilled material can easily be controlled, and the equipment must be supervised by an experienced operator at all times. Gas cylinders must be at least three metres from the burner and gas hoses checked to ensure they are in good condition and properly fitted prior to each period of work. Additional gas cylinders not in use should be stored away from the working area. The bitumen level and its temperature should be monitored and the lid normally kept on the boiler. The burner should be turned off before transporting the boiler on a lorry or trailer. Page 5 of 10
In respect of angle grinders and grinding wheels, the correct grade of wheel or disc must be used for the task, and before each period of use the wheel or disc checked to ensure that it is securely fastened, in good condition, and that the electric cable has not been damaged. Contracted work Prior to entering into a contractual arrangement with contractors, advice should be obtained from your insurer or insurance adviser, as the adequacy of contractor s insurance arrangements may vary considerably. Contractors should be made aware of the specific site hazards and the fire safety procedures to be adopted, including the hot work permit system and fire watch requirements. A written undertaking to observe the precautions should be obtained from the contractor(s) prior to commencement of work. Procedure for hot work permits Persons nominated to authorise hot work, must have experience or training in the problems associated with hot work, and be of suitable status to ensure compliance with the procedures. Prior to work commencing, a hot work permit must be obtained from the authorised person an example permit is included within this document (see Appendix 1) and an interactive version can also be found at: Aviva RC7 Interactive Hot Work Permit. A separate permit should be used on every occasion that hot work of any type is undertaken, and must not be issued without considering the significance of any other permits to work in the vicinity. It should be issued for a specific task that is to be undertaken in a clearly identified area. Hot work permits should not be issued for protracted periods, and separate permits should normally be issued for work which extends across shifts. Before issuing a permit, a check should be made to ensure that the hot work will be completed in time for any shift change-over, end of shift/work day or for the appropriate post-work fire watch to take place see previous section on fire watch requirements. If this is not the case then additional precautions and alternative arrangements will need to be implemented. Before completing the first part of the hot work permit, the work place area needs to be visited by all parties involved. The person responsible for issuing the permit for the work should then complete the checklist, a copy is attached see Appendix 2, in conjunction with the person responsible for carrying out the work, to indicate that fire protection measures are adequate, suitable precautions have been taken and the equipment to be used is safe. If the person authorised to issue the hot work permit is not satisfied with the arrangements, further measures may be requested, and any additional conditions entered in the space provided. The earliest time at which a final fire-check should be made will also be specified. This will normally be at least 60 minutes after the time of expiry of the hot work permit, when work must be complete. If trained individuals will not be available to make this check, e.g. in the case of a permit issued late in the day, work must not be commenced. The hot work permit should be completed in duplicate, with the top copy handed to the person responsible for carrying out the work. The second copy should be retained by the issuer who may wish to inspect the site of the work, or instigate spot checks to ensure that conditions have been met and that work is complete before the hot work permit expires. The completed form should be returned to the issuer and retained for future references. The hot work permit system should be regularly audited to ensure compliance with procedures. Page 6 of 10
Acknowledgements RC7 Recommendations for hot work: RISCAuthority Further risk management information can be obtained from Aviva Risk Management Solutions Please Note This document contains general information and guidance and is not and should not be relied on as specific advice. The document may not cover every risk, exposure or hazard that may arise and Aviva recommend that you obtain specific advice relevant to the circumstances. AVIVA accepts no responsibility or liability towards any person who may rely upon this document. Page 7 of 10
Appendix 1 Sample Hot Work Permit A copy of the completed permit should be retained for auditing purposes. ISSUING COMPANY PERMIT NUMBER A. PROPOSAL (to be completed by the person responsible for carrying out the work). BUILDING EXACT LOCATION OF PROPOSED WORK NATURE OF WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN I have completed and submitted the Checklist and understand the scope of work and precautions to be taken. SIGNED DATE BLOCK CAPITALS POSITION CONTRACTOR COMPANY (WHERE APPLICABLE) B. AGREEMENT (to be completed by Company Safety Officer or other nominated person the Issuer of the Permit ) This Hot Work Permit is issued subject to the following conditions: DATE & TIME PERMIT ISSUED: EXPIRY OF PERMIT** (TIME): ** It is not desirable to issue permits for protracted periods. Fresh permits should be issued where, for example, work extends from morning to afternoon. A FINAL CHECK OF THE WORK AREA SHALL BE MADE, NOT BEFORE (TIME): ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS REQUIRED: The above location has been examined and the precautions checklist that accompanies this form has been complied with. I have carried out a risk assessment and consider that there is no reasonably practical alternative to doing the job using hot work. I have been provided with evidence of appropriate Public Liability Insurance. SIGNED DATE BLOCK CAPITALS POSITION C. FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF WORK (to be completed by member of staff or contractor responsible for the work. The permit should then be returned to the issuer) The work area and all adjacent areas to which sparks and heat might have spread (such as floors below and above and areas on other sides of walls) have been inspected and found to be free of smouldering materials and flames. Stub ends of welding rods and other hot waste materials have been removed and disposed of safely. Any isolated automatic fire detectors or detection zones have been reinstated. All equipment, including gas cylinders, has been removed to a safe area. TIME INSPECTION COMPLETED (this must be at least 60 minutes after work has been completed as determined by the fire risk assessment for the task): D. SIGN OFF BY ISSUER OF PERMIT The hot work has been completed. Any detector(s) or zones of the fire alarm system that were isolated have been fully reinstated. SIGNED BLOCK CAPITALS DATE Page 8 of 10
Appendix 2 Sample Hot Work Permit Checklist The following checks should be carried out by the hot work operative at the hot work site prior to commencing hot work. The person carrying out these checks should tick the appropriate boxes, and then return the Checklist to the Hot Work Permit Issuer. ISSUING COMPANY PERMIT NUMBER GENERAL Wherever practicable the use of hot work should be avoided and a safer way employed. If you cannot comply with the following points, do not go ahead with the hot work. FIRE PROTECTION: Where sprinklers are installed, they are operative. (In sprinklered premises, hot work should not be carried out when the water supply to the sprinkler system is shut off.) Where an automatic fire detection system has been installed, it will be kept operative. Only the zone where the hot work is being carried out will be isolated for the period whilst hot work is in progress. A trained person not directly involved with the work will provide a continuous fire watch during the period of hot work. Following completion of each period of work, the continuous fire watch will remain in place for at least 60 minutes, with further checks at regular intervals up to 180 minutes, or a period as determined by the fire risk assessment, after completion to ensure that the working area and all adjacent areas, including the floors below and above, and areas on the other side of walls, screens, partitions and above false ceilings, are free of smouldering materials and flames. At least two appropriate extinguishers are immediately available. The personnel undertaking the work and providing the fire watch are trained in their use. Personnel involved with the work and providing the fire watch are familiar with the means of escape and method of raising the alarm/calling the fire brigade. PRECAUTIONS WITHIN 10 METRES (MINIMUM) OF THE WORK AREA: Combustible materials have been cleared from the area. Where materials cannot be removed, protection has been provided by non-combustible or purpose-made blankets, drapes or screens. Flammable liquids have been removed from the area. Floors have been swept clean. Combustible floors have been covered with overlapping sheets of non-combustible material or wetted and liberally covered with sand. All openings and gaps (combustible floors or otherwise) are adequately covered. Protection (non-combustible or purpose-made blankets, drapes or screens) has been provided for: walls, partitions and ceilings of combustible construction or surface finish; and all holes and other openings in walls, partitions and ceilings through which sparks could pass. Where work is being carried out on building panels, an assessment has been made of insulating or other materials behind or forming the core of the panels. Combustible materials have been moved away from the far side of walls or partitions where heat could be conducted, especially where these incorporate metal. Enclosed equipment (tanks, containers, dust collectors etc.) has been emptied and tested, or is known to be free of flammable concentrations of vapour or dust. EQUIPMENT: Equipment for hot work has been checked and found to be in good repair. Gas cylinders have been properly secured. SIGNED BLOCK CAPITALS DATE Page 9 of 10
Appendix 3 Common Hot Work Permit Failings Lack of procedures to assess whether hot work is necessary i.e. can the task be completed using alternative measures which do not require the need for hot work. Inappropriate dedicated hot work areas where formal permits deemed unnecessary, e.g. maintenance workshop - same assessments, procedures and controls should be applied. If large numbers of permits are regularly issued, their use may be seen as a formality meaning that an appropriate assessment of the area/risk may not be completed. Conversely, if an organisation rarely carries out hot work, they may be inclined not to implement a permit system given the infrequency of such work. Hot work permit form is poorly designed. Contractors not adequately monitored as they are deemed by an organisation to be the experts in the type of work they are undertaking. The same robust procedures should apply to both own employees and contractors. Contractors are not employees of the organisation where they are undertaking hot work, have no direct investment in the company and so may be inclined to work faster, increasing the possibility of cutting corners, resulting in an increased loss potential. Contractors should be able to demonstrate their ability to carry out the work safely, complying with your organisation s hot work system. Hot work permit procedures and guidelines not adhered to. Permit does not identify all the potential hazards e.g. not inspecting for combustible insulation in nearby composite panels or combustible materials on lower floors where stray sparks could travel, or failure to consider conduction as a means of heat transfer especially on ducting systems and steel construction fires have occurred where heat conducted has ignited combustible materials located more than 10 metres away from the hot work location. Competent individual not inspecting the area where the work will be completed prior to issuing the permit, e.g. to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place. Permit remains open for a shift/day rather than being restricted to the shortest period required for the task to be completed. No formal communication of the hot work task between different teams when there is a handover/shift change. Inadequate property loss prevention procedures. Lack of appropriate training for all those individuals involved in the permit process. No dedicated fire watch with appropriate portable fire extinguishers, to monitor the area both during the work and also for a defined period after completion of the work. Fire watch duration inadequate for the work being completed. Number of fire watches and their location not consistent with the risk and/or location of hot work, e.g. on the floor of the hot work area; on the floor/level below; on the other side of a non-full height wall. Hot work task completed at the end of the working day and so not allowing sufficient time for appropriate fire watch duration. Fire watch responsibility not formally signed-over following personnel change. Poor enforcement of the permit to work system. Hot work permit form not signed-off correctly following completion of the work. Fire protection/detection systems not restored following completion of the work. Inadequate auditing of the hot work permit system. Page 10 of 10