Report of the Committee on

Hot Work Operations

Richard S. Anderson, Chair Industrial Risk Insurers, CA [I]

Mark E. Blank, Factory Mutual Engr, IL [I] Chrlstopher J. Bloom, CJB Fire Consultants, OR [SE] Richard J. Clark, Royal Insurance, NY [I]

Rep. American Insurance Services Group, Inc. Stephen E. Daily, Anheuser-Busch Cos., MO [U]

Rep. NFPA Industrial Fire Protection Section Michael P. Eads, Road Sprinkler Fitters Local 669, IN [L]

Rep. UAPPI Frank C. Hill, McDaniels Fire Systems, IN [U]

Rep. Nat'l Fire Sprinkler Assn. August F. Manz, A. F. Manz Assoc., NJ [M]

Rep. American Welding Society Gerald Schuh, Miller Electric Mfr Co., Wl [M]

Rep. Nat'l Electrical Mfrs. Assn. H. Emerson Thomas, Continental Tank Car Corp., NJ [IM]

Rep. Nat'! Propane Gas Assn. Anthony D. Tijerina, Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc., GA [SE] Marjorie E. Wallace, U.S. Nat'l Inst. for Occupational Safety &

Health, OH [SE]

Alternates

Joseph M. Bloom, Bloom Fire Investigation, OR [SE] (Alt. to c~J. Bloom)

Stephen P. Hedrlck, American Welding Society, FL [M] (Alt. to A. F. Manz)

Robert B. Nicholson, II1, Eastern Propane Corp., NJ [IM] (Alt. to H. E. Thomas)

Staff Liaison: Amy B. Spencer

This list represents the membership at the time the Committee was balloted on the text of this edition. Since that time, changes in the membership may have occurred. A key to classifications is found at the back of this document.

Committee Scope: This Committee shall have primary responsibility for documents on the prevention of loss of life and property from fire or explosion as a result of hot work. Hot Work operations include, but are not limited to, cutting, welding, burning, or similar operations capable of initiating fire or explosion.

The Report of the Committee on Hot Work Operations is presented for adoption.

This Report was prepared by the Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations, and proposes for adoption a complete revision to NFPA 51B-1994, Standard for F'tre Prevention in Use of Cutting and Welding Processes. NFPA 51B-1994 is published in Volume 2 of the 1997 National Fire Codes and in separate pamphlet form.

This Report has been submitted to letter ballot of the Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations, which consists of 12 voting members. The results of the balloting, after circulation of any negative votes, can be found in the report.

Mr. Manz made the following comment on the entire document: "The following commentary is to be considered in its entirety as

part of my ballot response for each of the proposal numbers identified with the collected ballot proposals in question.

1. From its inception, the NFPA 51B standard has been harmonized with the safe practices of welding and cutting taught in ANSI Z49.1. In 1958, the NFPA Board of Directors, at the request of the welding and cutting community, authorized the creation of the NFPA Committee on Cutting and Welding Practices. In 1960 the first NFPA 51B, at that time a tentative standard NFPA 51B-T, was published. Since its very inception, NFPA 51B has been harmonized with NFPA 51, Standard for the Installation and Operation of Gas Welding Systems for Weldingand Cutting" and ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes.

These three standards have been harmonized ever since. They serve the basis for the OSHA General Industry Standard, 29CFR1910 Subpart Q, and most of the State and City regulations that are in existence.

By active participation of their members, over the years these three committees have coordinated the content of these documents to avoid conflict and to present a uniform safe practice for the welding and cutting community. At times, the chairs of some of the committees were held by the same individual.

The above information, or its equivalent, should be included in the front matter tided "Origin and Development of NFPA 51B'. It is important to the users of the standard that they understand the history of the document. The same Ufront matter" procedure is used in ANSI Z49.1 and other documents.

2. Because of the impact of the proposed changes on the harmonization discussed in 1 above, changes should be tailored to minimize confusion. One way to lessen the impact of change, this time around, is to modify the title of the document to read as follows:

NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention in Use of Cutting, Welding, and Allied Processes, and Other Hot Work, 1999 edition.

This method of changing a document title was used for ANSI Z49.1 when other processes were added to its coverage.

Also, Chapter 4 of the ballot document is exclusively devoted to welding and cutting.

On line title searches with computers will be much easier when the fide is similar to one with which the user is familiar. They will be able to search out a "welding" or "cutting" NFPA standard. Removing the words cutting or welding from the title will make it much more difficult to locate the material. The addition of hot work to the title will allow others to readily locate the information they seek. Reserve drastic title changes for the future.

3. NFPA 51B has always been cross referenced, in the body of the document, to ANSI Z49.1 and vice versa. Do not relegate the cross reference to the appendices. Place the cross reference back in the body of the standard. It will help preserve the harmonization."

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(Log #CP3) 51B- 1 - (Foreword): Accept SUBMITTER" Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations RECOMMENDATION: Move Foreword to Appendix B and delete or modify portions of the existing text to read as follows:

Appendix B Significant Hotwork Incidents. Hotwork processes are a necessary part of our industrial world.

Too often, however, the persons who use, hire, or supervise the use of these processes do not fully appreciate that their improper use can result in loss of life and property by fire and explosion. In fact, hotwork performed improperly is a major cause of fire.

Appendix B is a collection of accounts of fires and explosions caused by improper control of hotwork. Its sole purpose is to illustrate how such incidents occur and to emphasize the

~ rovisions of this standard. UBSTANTIATION: The existing Foreword is advisory in nature,

and serves as an excellent introductory paragraph to the incidences listed in Appendix B.

Much of the detail in the existing Foreword was removed because the information is already provided by examples or the requirements in the standard. In addition, the text was specific for welding and cutting and did not take into account the expanded scope per Committee Proposal 5113-3 (Log #CP2).

The text estimating that 6 percent of fires in industrial properties are caused by cutting and welding was thought by the Committee to be a low estimate, therefore was also removed. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. N U M B E R OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12 COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:

MANZ: Carefully edit and punctuate the ~roposed text. For example, you do not "hire" a process, you hire a contractor.

(Log #CP4) 51B- 2- (1-1): Accept SUBMITFER: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations

[ RECOMMENDATION: 1-1 Purpose. This standard has been I prepared for the guidance of persons who manage, supervise and I perform hotwork, including outside contractors and property I managers where hotwork is performed.

SUBSTANTIATION: The wording was changed to incorporate hotwork in the new proposed scope [See Committee Proposal 51B-3 (Log #CP2).] The wording was made more user-frlendly. The firewatcher was removed to simplify the text. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMrFFEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12 COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:

MAN-Z: Firewatchers are a very important to the safe practice of hot work. They do not manage, supervise or perform hot work. They should be added back into the text. The benefit of including them outweighs the motive of text simplification.

among many others), refer to NFPA 51B as the document coveting "hotwork" operations, which goes beyond the current scope of the document or committee. NFPA 51B has become the de facto standard for all hotwork. Although the Committee considered creating an all new, separate document for hotwork, it seemed that this would be redundant; the requirements to perform welding and cutting operations in a fire-safe manner are largely the same as those requirements to perform hotwork in a safe manner. In addition, welding and cutting processes will be an integral part of the standard since welding and cutting processes are categories within the term ~hotwork'.

The current scope is too restrictive and does not specifically include requirements for all the hotwork that is occurring and causing fires and explosions, as documented in the NFPA report, "Special Data Information Package: Torches" prepared by the NFPA Fire Analysis Department (Jan. 1997). Processes excluded in the current scope are, among others, soldering, torch applied roofing, grinding, flame removal of paint, and thawing of pipes.

Additional requirements for confined spaces and lockout/tagout are covered by other standards, and it is beyond the scope of this document. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITIT.E MEMBERS ELIGIBLE T O VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 11 NEGATIVE: 1

EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: MANZ: The location of the hot work is unimportant. Therefore,

in 1-2.1.1 delete "in institutional...operations." For example, you did not include farm and dairy operations. Make the text reflect general use by removing reference to spedfic use.

In 1-2.1.2 delete "performed in a non-designated area ". The safe practice of welding and cutting (as well as other hot work) must be considered in all areas. Even designated areas can have hazards, as for example the assembly of panels constructed with flammable insulation.

(Log #CPt) 51B- 4 - (1-3 (New)): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations

] RECOMMENDATION: Add a new section 1-3 to read as follows: I 1-3 Equivalency. Nothing in this standard is intended to prevent I the use of systems, methods of, or devices of equivalent or superior ] quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety I over those prescribed by this standard, provided technical I documentation is submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to I demonstrate equivalency and the system, method, or device is [ approved for the intended purpose.

SUBSTANTIATION: Added to comply with the NFPA Committee Officers' Guide. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. N U M B E R OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE T O VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #CP2) 51B- $ - (1-2 Scope): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations RECOMMENDATION: Change document scope, 1-2 to read as follows:

1-2 Scope. 1-2.1 General. 1-2.1.1 This standard covers provisions to prevent

loss of life and property from fire or explosion as a result of hotwork in institutional, commercial and industrial operations.

1-2.1.2 This standard covers the following processes performed in a non-designated arem

I welding and allied processes; heat treating; grinding; thawing pipe, I torch-applied roofing; powder driven fasteners; hot rivets; drilling; I or similar applications producing a spark or flame. [ 1-2.1.3 This standard does not cover the following: [ candles; pyrotechnics or special effects; cooking operations; design [ and installation of gas cutting and welding equipment covered in I NFPA 51; additional requirements for hot work operations in [ confined spaces; or lockout/tagout procedures during hotwork.

SUBSTANTIATION: NFPA 51B is currently being used by industry and authorities having jurisdiction for hotwork beyond gas and electric cutting and welding. In fact, other NFPA documents (including NFPA 61, 11-2.1; NFPA 241, 9-5.1; NFPA 307, 9-11.2

(Log #CP7) 51B- 5 - (1-4 (New)): Accept SUBMrrTER: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations RECOMMENDATION: Add a section 1-4 to read as follows:

I-4 Retroactivitv. The nrovisions of this document are considere~ necessary to t~rovide a reasonable level of nrotection from loss of life and t)ronertv from fire and exnlosion.- They reflect situations and'thestate-of-the-art nrevalent at the time the

Unless otherwise noted, it is not intended that the nrovisions of this document be annlied to facilities, eouiDment, structures, or installations that were existin~ or annroved'for construction or installatioll prior to the effective da'te of the dootment, excent in those cases where it is determined bv the authority having Jurisdiction that the existing situation involves a distinct hazard to life or adiacent nronertv, v SUBSTA]qTIA'IcIOIq: ~'he statement was added to reflect guidanceprovided in Appendix 13-7 in the NFPA Committee Officers Guide. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.

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NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #CPS) 51B- 6 - (1-5 Allied Processes, Approved, Authority Having Jurisdiction, Designated Area, Hotwork, Management, Permit, Permit Authorizing Individual (PAl) (New)): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations

[ RECOMMENDATION: Add a Definitions section, 1-5, and it shall I read as follows: [ 1-5 Definitions. ] Allied Processes. Those processes such as, thermal spraying,

oxygen cutting, arc cutting, electron beam cutting and laser beam I cutting. I Approved.* Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction. ] Authority Having Jurisdiction.* The organization, office, or

individual responsible for approving equipment, an installation, or a procedure.

Designated Area. Permanent location designed or approved for hotwork operations to be performed regularly.

Hotwork. Any work involving burning, welding or similar operations capable of initiating fires or explosions.

Management. All persons who are responsible for hotwork operations, including, but not limited to, owners and contractors.

Permit. A document issued by the Authority Having Jurisdiction for the purpose of authorizing performance of a specified activity.

PermitAuthorizing Individual(P/M). The individual designated by management to authorize hot work. This individual is permitted to be, among others, the supervisor; foreperson; property owner or representative; or health and safety administrator. The individual is aware of the fire hazards involved and is familiar with the provisions of this standard. The PAl is not to be the hotwork operator.

A-l-5 Approved. The National Fire Protection Association does not approve, inspect, or certify any installations, procedures, equipment, or materials; nor does it approve or evaluate testing laboratories. In determining the acceptability of installations, procedures, equipment, or materials, the authority having jurisdiction may base acceptance on compliance with NFPA or other appropriate standards. In the absence of such standards, said authority may require evidence of proper installation, procedure, or use. The authority having jurisdiction may also refer to the listings or labeling practices of an organization that is concerned with product evaluations and is thus in a position to determine compliance with appropriate standards for the current production of listed items.

A-l-5 Authority Having Jurisdiction. The phrase "authority having jurisdiction" is used in NFPA documents in a broad manner, since jurisdictions and approval agencies vary, as do their responsibilities. Where public safety is primary, the authority having jurisdiction may be a federal, state, local, or other regional department or individual such as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a fire prevention bureau, labor department, or health department; building official; electrical inspector; or others having statutory authority. For insurance purposes, an insurance inspection department, rating bureau, or other insurance company representative, may be the authority haviu, g jurisdiction. . In many circumstances, the property owner or hts or her designated agent assumes the role of the authority having jurisdiction; at government installations, the commanding officer or departmental offficial may be the authority having jurisdiction. SUBSTANTIATION: These terms were previously undefined and used in the standard. The terms were added for clarification. A new term, "PAl ~ was introduced to the standard, and is detailed in Committee Proposal 51B-9 (Log #CP9). COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12 COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:

MANZ: The "Allied Processes" definition is part of the basis for changing the tide of the document as proposed earlier. Delete "electron beam...cutting." There are also used for welding and usually in a controlled environment. Insert "and" before "arc cutting". You can refer to ANSI Z49.1 here, it defines "Allied Processes."

(Log #CPS) 51B- 7 - (Chapter 2, Title): Accept SUBMI'Iq'ER: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations

[ RECOMMENDATION: Change Chapter 2 title to read: I Chapter 2 Responsibility for Hotwork.

SUBSTANTIATION: The hotwork was added to reflect the expanded scope proposed in Committee Proposal 51B-3 (Log #CP2). COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #3) 51B- 8 - (2-1): Accept in Principle SUBMITTER: August F. Manz, A.F, Manz Assoc. RECOMMENDATION: In "2-1 Management" delete "on its

g roperty" UBSTANTIATION: To harmonize with ANSI Z49.1, where

management is used generically and not just for property owners. ANSI Z49.1 states "E3.2.1 management, as used in this standard, includes all persons who are responsible for welding operations such as owners, contractors and others." COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.

2-1" Management. Management shall be responsible for the safe operations of hotwork activity and shall:

(a) Establish permissible areas for hotwork (b) Designate a Permit Authorizing Individual (c) Ensure that only approved apparatus, such as torches,

manifolds, regulators or pressure reducing valves, and acetylene generators, be used,

(d) Ensure all individuals involved in the hotwork operations, including contractors, are familiar with theprovisions of this standard. These individuals shall be trained in the safe operation of their equipment, the safe use of the process, have an awareness of the inherent risks involved and understand emergency procedures in the event of a fire,

(e) Advise all contractors about site specific flammable materials, hazardous processes or other potential fire hazards.

A-2-1 Management should ensure that the contractor has evidence of financial responsibility which may take the form of an insurance certificate or other document attesting to coverage or responsibility. COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The submitter is correct that management does not denote only property owners. Other changes were made to reflect the expanded scope which includes all hotwork.

An appendix item was added to advise the management about carefully choosing contractors that have financial responsibility including insurance certificates. The Committee believes that if the Contractor is insurable, it is more likely that they have a safe ~rformance record.

BER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #CPg) 51B- 9 - (2-2 through 2-2.6): Accept SUBMITTER= Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations RECOMMENDATION: Modify the existing 2-2 through 2-2.6 to read as follows:

2-2 Permit Authorizing Individual (PAl). 2-2.1 In conjunction with the management, the PAl shall be

responsible for the safe operation of hotwork activities. 2-2.2 The PAI shall determine site specific flammable materials,

hazardous processes or other potential fire hazards present or likely to be present in the work location.

2-2.3 The PAI shall ensure protection of combustibles from ignition by the following:

(a) Ensure the work is moved to a location free from combustibles.

(b) If the work cannot be moved, ensure the combustibles are moved to a safe distance or have the combustibles properly shielded against ignition.

(c) Ensure hot work is scheduled such that operations that might expose combustibles to ignition are not started during the hotwork operations.

(d)* Ira, b, or c cannot be met, then hot work shall not be performed.

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A-2-2.3(d). Alternative methods to ho t work should be cons idered whereprac t ica l .

2-2.4 The PAl shall de termine that fire protect ion and extinguishing equipment are properly located at the site.

2-2.5 Where fire watchers are required, (as described in Section 3.4) the PAl shall see that they are available at the site.

2-2.6* Where a fire watcher is no t required, a final check-up shall be made by the PAl a half hour after the complet ion of hotwork operations to detect and extinguish possible smolder ing fires.

A-2-2.6 The inspection is usually made a half hour after the complet ion of hotwork to detect and extinguish possible smolder ing fires. Be alert for circumstances which may require an extension of the final inspection interval. SUBSTANTIATION: The wording was al tered to incorporate the expanded scope [See Commit tee Proposal 5113-3 (Log #CP2)] and to replace the Supervisor with the concept of the PAl. This was done because the term of supervisor does no t adequately describe the tide of the individual who issues the permit . The concept of the PAl can include a supervisor, but is not limited to only the supervisor.

The existing 2-2.5 is el iminated because it is r edundan t to the requirements established for the PAl in 2-2.3 and also for the responsibilities o f the hotwork operator in 2-3.

The existing 2-2.4 is dele ted because the term "supervisor" was replaced with the term, "PAl". As PAl was def ined in the proposed 1-5 definition, the PAl is designated by management and issues the authorization. The Appendix was added because circumstances may require an extension of the half hour period. Many fires have occurred more than a half hour after hotwork was completed. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 11 NEGATIVE: 1

EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: MANZ: Delete 2-2.7 and 2-2.8 as r edundan t to the revised 2-2.5

and 2-2.6.

(Log #CPl l ) 51B- 11 - (24 (New)): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Commit tee on Hot Work Operat ions RECOMMENDATION: Add a new section 2-4 to read as follows:

2-4 The Fire Watch. 24.1 The fire watch shall be aware of the inhe ren t hazards of the

work site and of the hotwork. 2-4.2 The fire watch shall ensure safe condit ions are maintained

dur ing hotwork operations. 2-4.3 The fire watch shall have the authority to stop the hotwork

operations if unsafe condit ions develop. 2.4.4* The fire watch shall have fire extinguishing equipment

readily available and be trained in its use. A-2.4.4 It is desirable for the fire watch to have experience with

test fires. 2-4.5 The fire watch shall be familiar with facilities and

procedures for sounding an alarm in the event of a fire. 2.4.6 Fire watchers shall watch for fires in all exposed areas, and

try to extinguish them first only when obviously within the capacity of the equipment available, or otherwise sound the alarm immediately. SUBSTANTIATION: The responsibilities of all individuals involved in hotwork are now in Chapter 2 for ease of use of the standard. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 11 NEGATIVE: 1

EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: MANZ: In 2-4.5, delete "in the event of a fire". Other

occurrences may warrant the use of an alarm, as for example, and injury.

Add back the original 3-3.4. A min imum time for watching is required. Judgmen t is required on the par t of the watcher to extend the per iod when ffeeded. That is why the original language used "at least".

(Log #CP10) 51B- 10 - (2-3): Accept SUBMITTER= Technical Commit tee on Hot Work Operat ions

I RECOMMENDATION: Modify the existing 2-3 as follows: [ '~The Hotwork Operator . The hotwork operator shall handle the I equ ipment safely and use it so as no t to endanger lives and [ property, as follows: [ (a) Have approval by the PAl before starting hotwork operations [ (b) Cease hotwork operat ions if unsafe conditions develop. I Notify management , area supervisor or PAI for reassessment of the I situation."

SUBSTANTIATION: The existing (b) was dele ted because if the PAl authorized the hotwork, conditions are safe. Also, "safe" provides no additional guidance. Authority for the hotwork operator to cease operations was clarified, and a notification requi rement was added so the hotwork situation can be reassessed; therefore (c) was deleted. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 11 NEGATIVE: 1

EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: MANZ: The operator is no t expected to have the training and

qualifications to make the j u d g m e n t that "unsafe conditions develop". That is the funct ion of the new PAL Therefore, add back the original item 2-3(c). The operator will know when conditions change, someone that is t ra ined can make the

j udgmen t that the change is unsafe.

(Log #CP12) 51B- 12- (2-5 (New)): Accept SUBMITI'ER: Technical Commit tee on Hot Work Operat ions RECOMMENDATION: Add a new section 2-5 to read as follows:

2-5 Mutual Responsibility. Management , contractors, the PAl, the fire watch and operators

shall recognize their mutual responsibility for safety in hotwork operation. SUBSTANTIATION: The Commit tee wished to emphasize that per forming hotwork in a safe manne r is a team effort, and all Pcarties involved are responsible for ensuring safe operations.

OMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #CP13) 51B- 13 - (3.1 and 3-1.1 ): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Commit tee on Hot Work Operat ions RECOMMENDATION: Replace existing 3-1 and 3-1.1 with the following text, and add a new section 3.1.2.

3-1 Permissible Areas. Hotwork shall be allowed only in areas that are or have been made fire safe. Hotwork shall be per formed in either designated areas or permit-required areas

3-1.1 Designated Are~ A designated area shall be a specific area des igned or approved for such work, such as a main tenance shop or a de tached outside location that shall be of noncombust ible or fire-resistive construction, essentially free of combustible and flammable contents, and suitably segregated from adjacent areas

3.1.2 Permit-required Area- A permit-required area shall be an area made fire safe by removing or protect ing combustibles f rom

~ ition sources. BSTANTIATION: The proposed text is an expansion and

clarification of the existing text incorporat ing the new definition of "designated" in proposed Section 1-5. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept.

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NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #CP14) 51B- 14- (3-1.1 through 3-2): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Commit tee on Hot Work Operat ions RECOMMENDATION: Move and modify the existing sections 3- 1.1 through 3-2 and r enumber the existing 3-2 and subsequent sections and Appendix items accordingly. The sections will read as follows:

3-9* Non-Permissible Areas. Hotwork shall no t be allowed: (a) In areas not authorized by management . (b) In sprinklered buildings while such protect ion is impaired. (c) In the presence of explosive a tmospheres (e.g., mixtures of

f lammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts with air) or explosive a tmospheres that can develop inside uncleaned or improper ly prepared drums, tanks, or o ther containers and equ ipmen t that have previously conta ined such materials or that can develop in areas with an accumulat ion of combustible dusts.

A-3-2 For additional information on cutting and welding of containers that have held f lammable materials, see NFPA 327, Standard Procedures for Cleaning or Safeguarding Small Tanks and Containers Without Entry, and AWS F-4.1, R e c o m m e n d e d Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cutting of Containers and Piping that Have Held Hazardous Substances. Additional considerat ion should be given when per forming hotwork in areas near the storage of large quantities of exposed, readily ignitible materials such as bulk sulfur, baled paper, or cotton. SUBSTANTIATION: The existing 3-1.1 is a subsection of 3-1 Permissible Areas; when it is no t permissible. A new section was created to address non-permissible areas. The note and (d) were moved to the Appendix because they are advisory in nature. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 11 NEGATIVE: 1

EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: MANZ: Add back the original 3-1.1(d) "In areas near the storage

of large quantities of exposed, readily ignitable materials such as bulk sulfur, baled paper, or cotton." The consequences of a fire in these locations are too great, not to give them special at tention as was done in the original text. Do not place this in the appendix A-3-2.

Correct the title ofAWS F4.1 as in Appendix C.

(Log #CP15) 51B- 15 - (3-2): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Commit tee on Hot Work Operat ions RECOMMENDATION: The existing 3-2 arid associated subsections will be moved [See Commit tee Proposal 51B-14 (Log # CP14)] to 3-3 and the subsequent sections renumbered . The text is as follows:

3-3 Hotwork Permit. 3-3.1 Before hotwork operations begin in a non-designated

location, a written perntit by the PAl shall be required. 3-3.2 Before a permit is issued the following conditions shall be

verified by the PAl: (a) Hotwork equ ipmen t to be used shall be in satisfactory

operat ing condi t ion and in good repair. (b) Where combustible materials such as paper clippings, wood

shavings, or textile fibers are on the floor, the floor shall be swept clean for a radius of 35 ft (11 m). Combustible floors (except wood on concrete) shall be kept wet, covered with damp sand, or protec ted by non-combust ible or fire re ta rdant shields. Where floors have been wet down, personnel operat ing arc welding or cutting equ ipment shall be protec ted f rom possible shock.

(c)* All combustibles shall be relocated at least 35 ft (11 m) horizontally from the work site def ined by the permit. Where relocation is impractical, combustibles shall be pro tec ted with fire resistant covers or otherwise shielded with metal or fire-resistant

guards or curtains. Edges of covers at the floor shall be tight to prevent sparks f rom going under them. This precaution is also impor tant at overlaps where several covers are used to protect a large pile.

A-3.3.2(c) W h e n hotwork is per formed at an elevated level, it should be no ted that the falling sparks or slag may fall at a trajectory and land fur ther than 35 feet horizontally from a point directly unde r the ho t work operator.

(d) Openings or cracks in walls, floors, or ducts within 35 ft (11 m) of the site shall be tightly covered with fire re tardant or non- combustible material to prevent the passage of sparks to adjacent areas.

(e) Conveyor systems that might carry sparks to distant combustibles shall be shielded.

(t-)Where hotwork is done near walls, partitions, ceilings, or roofs of combustible construction, f lre-retardant shields or guards shall be provided to prevent ignition.

(g) If hotwork is to be done on a wall, partition, ceiling, or roof, precautions shall be taken to prevent ignition of combustibles on the o ther side by relocating combustibles. Where it is no t practical to relocate combustibles a fire watch on the opposite side f rom the work shall be provided.

(h) Hotwork shall not be a t tempted on a partition, wall, ceiling, or roof having a combustible covering or insulation, nor on walls or partit ions of combustible sandwich-type panel construction.

(i) Hotwork pe r fo rmed on pipes or other metal in contact with combustible walls, partitions, ceilings, roofs, or o ther combustibles shall not be under taken if the work is close enough to cause ignition by conduct ion.

(j) Fully charged and operable fire. extint~.uishers, a. ppiro p date for the type of possible fire, shall be Immediately available at the work area- Where existing hose lines are located within the hotwork area def ined by the permit, they shall be connected and ready for service, (but shall not be required to be unrol led or charged).

(k) During hotwork, special precautions shall be taken to avoid accidental operat ion of automatic fire detect ion or suppression systems (e.g., special extinguishing systems or sprinklers).

(l) Nearby personnel shall be suitably protected against heat, sparks, slag, etc.

3-3.3* Based upon local conditions, the PAl shall de termine the length of the per iod for which the permi t is valid.

A-3.3.3 It is advisable that the permit should be issued for a maximum per iod of 24 hours.

3-3.4*The area shall be inspected by the PAI at least once per day whUe the permit is in effect to ensure that it is a fire safe area.

A-3.3.4 In some situations, it is advisable to inspect once per shift if condit ions warrant. SUBSTANTIATION: Flame proofed was changed to fire retardant.

(d) Fire re tardant or non-combustible" was added because it provided more guidance so combustible materials are no t used thereby contributing to the fire hazard.

(e) and (f) Separated out different requirements . (g) "Metal" was removed because this requi rement applies to

more than jus t metal wall. The conduct ion and radiation comments were also removed since they appl ied pdmari ly to metal wall.

(h) Same as (g) for metal. Insulation was added because it is a h idden hazard that must be considered and was not addressed in the existing text.

(i) Or o ther combustibles was added to address area content hazards as well as building structures.

(k) A wet rag may no t be the best way to prevent the sprinkler f rom activating during hotwork operations. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 11 NEGATIVE: 1

EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: MANZ: 3.3.1 The original text permi t ted "equivalent means" for

the permit. The requi rement of a written permit places an undue financial and record keeping burden on the thousands of small businesses and contractors that provide welding and cutting services. These small operations should be permit ted to use managemen t controls to provide equivalent permi t means. The original text gave that permission. I n many cases the management , supervision, and even the newly created posit ion of PAI, may be in the hands of one or two people. These small concerns will not have a demonstrable benef i t f rom the imposit ion of a written hot work permit system.

430

N F P A 5 1 B m F98 R O P

In 3-3.2(c) delete the word "horizontally". In many areas the flammables are located inside a 35 ft sphere, and are subject to flying sparks and spatter from cutting processes.

(Log #4) 51B- 16- (3-2.8): Accept in Principle SUBMITFER: William Kelly, Sun Co. Inc. RECOMMENDATION: Revise 3-2.8 to read as follows:

3-2.8 Fullv charged and ooerable fire extinguishers, apprgpriat~ for the tvoe of t)ossible fire. shall be availableat the work area. Where hose lines are available, they shall be connected and ready for service. SUBSTANTIATION: Here in the Refinery, it is s tandard practice to require a dedicated fire watch with a 20 Ib cartridge or pressurized fire extinguisher available at the immediate work site of any burn ing or welding. Because of the nature of the oil refining process, much of the repair or modification work can no t be removed to a specia l izedwelding or burning location and is done on the uni t after the process and environment have been made safe. In instances when the Operat ion or Safety Depar tment feels that the area has an extenuating circumstance making it improbable to the complete control of a changing environment or if the generat ion of sparking has the potential of throwing a distance vertically or horizontal ly or the work is located in an overhead location, the fire watch is required to have a charged 1.5 in. hose with nozzle connec ted to a fire hydrant and ready for immediate use.

All of our process units are exposed and not contained inside of any structure. Therefore, there is negligible or no class "A" combustibles or the real danger of any smolder ing or deep seated fire hazard associated with indoor burn ing and welding. Additionally, file water source is not a stand pipe system associated with structures but is the underg round fire water hydrant system located th roughout the refinery. These hydrants have the potential of being several hund r e d feet from the area making the use of a hose impractical for situations that do not possess the extenuat ing circumstances no ted above. Additionally, our process units have strategically placed fire moni tor guns that are available for immediate service and piped in to the fire water system along with the hydrants.

Since the s tandard does no t identify what is mean t by "where hose lines are available", (i.e., source distance, min imum diameter of line and quality of stream), one could make an issue that a hose line, no matter how poor the performance of the system or availability could be available at almost any industrial site regardless of the difficulty or impracticality of providing same.

It seems impractical that the in tent of the s tandard would require both extinguisher and hose line for every condition. The intent o f the standard should be that a ready and appropriate fire extinguisher be immediately available and if an evaluation by a qualified person dictates fur ther protect ion then the hose lines should be made available for use in conjunct ion with or instead of the fire extinguisher. Additionally, this hose line must be connec ted and ready for immediate use. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle.

Change the existing 3-2.8 to a new section 3-3.2(j): 3-3.20) Fully charged and operable fire extinguishers,

appropriate for the type of possible fire, shall be immediately available at the work area. Where existing hose lines are located within the hotwork area def ined by the permit, they shall be connec ted and ready for service, (but shall not be required to he unrol led or charged). COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The Commit tee created text to address the the concerns since the submit ter did no t provide suggested text.

It was noted that the in tent of existing 3-2.8 is not to require both an extinguisher AND a fire hose. The fire hose is only required if it exists in the work area. In many occupancies, the hose will result in water damage that may not be necessary if the fire can be extinguished with a fire extinguisher. For this reason, both a fire extinguisher and hose are required if the hose is available. It is also no ted that the Commit tee is no t dictating which method is better in all situations to use to extinguish the fire first. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #CP16) 51B- 17- (3-3): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Commit tee on Hot Work Operat ions

I RECOMMENDATION: Modify the text of existing section 3-3 to read as follows:

3-4 Fire Watch. 3-4.1 A fire watch shall be required by the PAI wherever hotwork

is per formed in a location where other than a minor fire might develop, or where:

(a)Combustible material in building construction or contents is closer than 35 ft (11 m) to the point of operat ion.

(b) Combustibles are more than 35 ft (11 m) away but are easily ignited by sparks.

(c) Wall or floor openings within a 35-ft ( l l -m) radius expose combustible mater ia l in adjacent areas, including concealed spaces in walls or floors.

(d) Combustible materials are adjacent to the opposite side of partitions, walls, ceilings, or roofs and are likely t o b e ignited.

3-4.2 A fire watch shall be mainta ined for at least a half hour after complet ion of hotwork operations to detect and extinguish smoldering fires.

3-4.3* More than one fire watch shall be required if where combustible materials that could be ignited by the hotwork operat ion cannot be directly observed by the initial fire watch.

A-3-4.3 Situations where additional fire watch(es) may be necessary include, but are not l imited to, hotwork near open shafts, elevated heights, where sparks can travel through openings, etc .

SUBSTANTIATION: The te rm "appredable" was r emoveds ince it provided no guidance and is unenforceable. In (d), "metal was removed because the requi rement applies to all walls and conduct ion and radiation was removed because it applies primarily to metal wails. The dele ted text outl ined the responsibilities of the fire watch, therefore was moved to Chapter 2. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #1) 51B- 18 - (3-3.4): Accept in Principle Note: This Proposal appeared as C ommen t 5113-1 which was he ld

from the Fall 93 TCD on Proposal N/A. SUBMITTER: C. Andrew Caplinger, Perry Power Plant RECOMMENDATION: Add the following new text:

~¢¢here the location of the fire watch presents physical safety concerns for the fire watcher, the fire watcher may relocate to a place of safety and perform the last check one-half hour after complet ion of the ho t work." SUBSTANTIATION: Present wording does no t take into consideration physical or environmental challengers to the fire watcher. The health and safety of the worker requires the ability of the supervisor to utilize his judgment . COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept in Principle. COMMI'Iq'EE STATEMENT: The Commit tee agrees that the fire watch should no t be exposed to unreasonable a n d unavoidable physical or environmental challenges. For this and other reasons, an Equivalency s ta tement was added [see Commit tee Proposal 51B-4 (Log #CP6)] in p roposed Section 1-4 which would allow the same result by different methods. An example of an equivalent me thod might be a remote control video camera continuously moni tored by the fire watch. It should also be no ted that a fire watch is no t necessary for all hotwork, as no ted in proposed in new section 3-4 which was proposed in 5113-17 (Log #CP16). NUMBER OF COMMrlWEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMI'I'17EE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #'2) 51B- 19- (3-3.4): Reject SUBMITI'ER: August F. Manz, A.F. Manz Assoc. RECOMMENDATION: The following text appeared as the r ecommenda t ion in C ommen t 5113-1, which was he ld dur ing the processing of the Fall 93 TCD:

Add the following new text: "Where the location of the fire watch presents physical safety

concerns for the fire watcher, the fire water may relocate to ap l ace of safety and perform the last check one-half hour after complet ion of the hot work."

431

N F P A 5 1 B - - F9 8 R O P

Delete the words "and per form the last check one-half hour after complet ion of the ho t work." SUBSTANTIATION: To avoid potential conflict by requir ing the fire watcher to return. COMMITTEE ACTION: Reject. COMMITTEE STATEMENT: The language in the original proposal (which was held for fur ther study) that the submitter is referring to was no t adopted, therefore this proposal is no longer applicable. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #CP19) 51B- 21 - (A-I): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Commit tee on Hot Work Operations RECOMMENDATION: Delete A-1 General. SUBSTANTIATION: The first par t was deleted because it was incorporated into the body of the standard to Chapter 2 for the PAl.

The second par t was deleted because the mutual responsibility section was added in Commit tee Proposal 51B-12 (Log #CPI$) which discussed many of the same issues. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #CPI 8) 51B- 20- (4-5.6): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Commit tee on Hot Work Operat ions

] RECOMMENDATION: Modify the existing 4-5.6 to read: ] '%Vhere cylinders are designed to be equipped with valve

protection, caps, such caps shall be in p, lace except, where,, the I cyhnders are in service or connected ready for serwce.

SUBSTANTIATION: As this section is currendy written, if the cap is missing, it could be deemed "unavailable". It is impor tant if the valve protect ion caps are in tended for use, that they be in use except when the cylinders are in service or connected for service. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12

(Log #CP20) 51B- 22 - (A-3-3.1 (New)): Accept SUBMITTER: Technical Commit tee on Hot Work Operations RECOMMENDATION: In Appendix A, move the existing 2-sided permit to be the Appendix of p roposed 3-3.1. Also add a new second figure as another example of a permit. The text will read as follows:

A-3-3.1 Examples of permits are shown in Figures A-3-3.1(a) below and A-3-3.1 (b) on page 433. SUBSTANTIATION: The existing example of a permit is not directly associated with any text in the body of the standard, as is required for inclusion in Appendix A; this was changed, in addition, the Commit tee thought it would be useful to add another generic example of a permit that can be used with all hotwork. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12 COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:

MANZ: Requires editing, spell check and definition of terms for those who expected NFPA 51B to be a welding and cutting document . The new Figure A-3-3.1(b) shou ld re f l ec t the terms used in the new scope.

s

Side 1

PERMIT FOR CUT'r ING AND WELDING

WITH PORTABLE GAS OR ARC EQUIPMENT

Date Building Dept. Floor Work to be clone

Special precautions

Is fire watch required? The location where this work is to done has been examined, necessary precautions taken, and permission is granted for this work. (See other side.) Permit expires

Signed (Individual responsible for

authorizing welding and cutting)

Time Started Completed

FINAL CHECK

Work area and all adjacent areas to which sparks and heat might have spread (including floors above and below and on opposite side of waU(s) were inspected 30 minutes after the work was completed and were found firesafe.

Signed (S~0~rvisor of Fire Watcher)

Side 2

ATTENTION Before approving any cutting and welding permit, the fire safety supervisor or appointee shall inspect the work area and confirm that precautions have been taken to prevent fire in accordance with NFPA 51B.

PRECAUTIONS O Sprinklers in service O Cutting and welding equipment in good repair

WITHIN 35 FT OF WORK O Floors swept clean of combustibles Q Combustible floors wet down, covered with damp sand,

metal, or other shields. All wall and floor openings covered

O Covers suspended beneath work to collect sparks WORK ON WALLS OR CEILINGS

Q Construction noncombustible and without combustible covering

O Combustibles moved away from opposite side of wall WORK ON ENCLOSED EQUIPMENT

(Tanks containers, ducts, dust collectors, etc.) O Equipment cleaned of all combustibles O Containers purged of flammable vapors

FIRE WATCH O To be provided during and 30 minutes after operation O Supplied with extinguisher and small hose O Trained in use of equipment and in sounding fire alarm

FINAL CHECK O To be made 30 minutes after completion of any

operation unless fire watch is provided.

Signed (Supervisor)

4 3 2

N F P A 5 1 B - - F9 8 R O P

HOT W O R K P E R M I T BEFORE INITIATING HOT WORK, ENSURE PRECAUTIONS ARE IN PLACE!

MAKE SURE AN APPROPRIATE FIRE EXTINGUISHER IS READILY AVAILABLE!

Th i s Hot W o r k Perm i t Is r e q u i r e d fo r a n y o p e r a t i o n i n v o l v i n g open f l a m e s or p r o d u c i n g hea t e n d / o r s p a r k s . Th i s I nc l udes , bu t Is no t l i m i t e d to : B raz ing , C u t t i n g , G r i n d i n g , S o l d e r i n g , T h a w i n g Pipe, Torch A p p l i e d Roo f ing , e n d C e d w e | d l n g .

PART1 INSTRUCTIONS

A. Verify precautions II~tod at r ight (or do not pmu,ee ~th the v,o~).

B. Complete end mhdn PART t . C. Issue PART 2 to person doing Job.

HO r WORK BEING DONE BY [3 EMPLOYEE C~ CONTRACTOR

DATE J JOB NO

t CCMION/~J¢O~G & FLOOR

NATURE OF JOB~OBJECT

N~ E OF PERSON DOING HOt WORK

t w ~ y the ebove tocatlon has been exanlned, the pmc= ~tlon $ che~kld on the Required Pre~uflo4ts Cheddlst have beam tllmm to p ~ t tim, sad pennis*iDa ta I uUtodzed tot wed(.

SIGNED

THIS PERMIT IS GOOD FOR ONE DAY ONLY!

Requ i red Preceu t lons Check l i s t

[3 AvailaUo ¢4)fi~k)rs, hose sires/ha a~d extl lguishws are in seccice/opwabte

[3 Hot Walk equipment in goal rq~air. Requlrement= w l ~ l n 35 ft ( I0 ;11) of work ~1 F~anmable Iklolas, dust, lint and oil dapoota

removed r~ Explosive almor~hore in area ~minated. n Floors swept clean. [3 Coml0us~ble flo<xs was down. ¢ovwed with damp

sa~KI ot flre-redstant sheets. (3 Ram Dye oth~" c o m l ~ s l l ~ whwe p e s t l e .

O t t ~ s e protect with ~e-r e~stant ~rpaulins or metal shields.

[3 All wall ~md foot" ope~ngs cov~e~. [3 F¢e-resistant tarpauins suspended ~th work. Work on wMIs or mtNngw'en~oead equipment [3 Coastru~on is nonoambu~e and w~out

combusWle covetin 9 ot insulation. [3 C o m b ~ i ~ e s on ~ side of wa|$ moved away

Dar, g~- .)dst by cc~ ttoctk~-i of he~t into at, oriel area.

[3 Enclosed e¢lpipmerlt cleaned o/all co~but4iUes [3 Cortta~n~s purged of |ammaf~le lquklr~vapors. Flm wltoh/Hot Work ere l nt ot+tltorlng [3 Fire watch ~II be provided dudrlg ~ for

~30 minutes) altw work, Including any ~offoq o¢ lunch breaks.

[3 F ie watch m supplied wHh suita~e ex|n~u~shers. [3 Fwe watch is Ifain~cl in USe ot ~liS ~u ip~ent

and in sounding =dam. Q Fire watch mey be requlled ~ a~o~ning ate~s,

above, and below. [3 Monitor Hot W~rk area fo~ 30 minuta~s al t~ job

is ¢ompleled. O'dter Pm~SohsT~kea [3 Confined space er~y permit required. r~ Is area protectad wi~ smoke or heat dol~eo~. [3 Am~e venBalt~n to remove smoke~ap~/t(mt

w ~ are~. n Lo~kout/ta~out requited.

(Log #CP17) 51B- 23 - (A-3-4.1 (a) (New)): Accept SUBMITTER: Technica l Commi t tee on Hot Work Opera t ions RECOMMENDATION: Add an Append ix i tem to newly p roposed 3-4.1 (a). This i t em will also inc lude a new figure. T he text will read as follows:

A-$-4.1 (a) The Figure A-3-4.1 (a) demons t r a t e s the hotwork 35 ft rule.

Fke wall Fire wall

Cett of canned paint

i

~ ~ ' ~ O door

/ -.,,,°,/ \

70 It (2~ m)

• P,w~ovo or tlhleld gem ~fl~s. ~1 potenMai fuels

n~$ ft ~11.m) oflhe wo¢~ et~. fn 811= ¢.eso, ~ paint cart and pdleUzed

Pallelzed St(X~e. • Empty rocks on whi~ the

woOt m tO b* dor~ of ail t, to~e*

• Close ire doors and t, eai fin~ opening~ =uclt as I',e area ~ n g i~ooer~

• Cover heavy cott2.=ebie st0r~ge Ihaf Is knpraofcaJ to rnove wtlh 1he |re- tect~ew ~ l n .

Figure A-3-4.1 (a)

S U B S T A N T I A T I O N : T he Commi t t ee wished to add a d iag ram to illustrate the hotwork 35 ft rule. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE T O VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 10 NEGATIVE: 2

EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: MANZ: Figure does no t inc lude a sphere of protection, such as

overhead storage in m a n y facilities. WALLACE: After a second review, I am unc lear on Figure

A-3-4.1(a). In the first bul le t i t em it implies tha t the pa in t cart and palletized storage shou ld be removed or shielded, however they are no t within the 35 f t area. Shou ldn ' t those i tems be cons idered

outside the "danger" area? Shou ldn ' t the no te imply that these i tems do N O T have to be removed or shielded? The rest of the bullets do address the 35-ft rule in tha t the rack storage, heavy storage and process pipe be the i tems are r e c o m m e n d e d to be removed or shielded.

(Log #CP21 ) 51B- 24 - (C-1-2.2): Accept SUBMITTER: Technica l Commi t t e e on Hot Work Opera t ions

[ RECOMMENDATION: In Append ix G-1.2.2, upda te the tide an d l add an addit ional tide to read as follows: I ANSI/AWS F-4.1 R e c o m m e n d e d Safe Practices for the I Preparat ion for Weld ing a n d Cutt ing Containers and Piping. [ ANSI Z49.1-1994, Safety in Welding, C u t d n g a n d Allied Processes.

S U B S T A N T I A T I O N : The reference was updated , and the ANSI d o c u m e n t was added. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE T O VOTE: 12 VOTE ON COMMITTEE ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 12 COMMENT ON AFFIRMATIVE:

MAN'Z: Correct the tide of Z49.1 this is an ANSI/ASC d o c u m e n t no t an ANSI/AWS documen t .

(Log #CP1) 51B- 25 - (Entire Documen t ) : Accept SUBMITTER: Technica l Commi t t ee on Hot Work Opera t ions RECOMMENDATION: The Technica l Commi t tee on Hot Work Opera t ions proposes a comple te revision on NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevent ion in Use of Cut t ing and Welding Processes, 1994 edit ion as it is shown at the end of this report . SUBSTANTIATION: The Commi t t ee wishes to revise the entire d o c u m e n t because the scope was widened. The inclus ion of hotwork may in t roduce o ther necessary changes tha t the Commi t tee did no t foresee that the review process may review. COMMITTEE ACTION: Accept. NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE T O VOTE: 12 V O T E ON C O M M r l q ' E E ACTION:

AFFIRMATIVE: 10 NEGATIVE: 2

EXPLANATION OF NEGATIVE: MANZ: For the reasons e n u m e r a t e d in the preceding

commentary . This is a major depa r tu re f rom the past practice. I want to see a final draft, with all changes r e c o m m e n d e d by the m e m b e r s before accept ing the entire documen t .

GENERAL: In pa ragraph A-3-2 correct the tide of F4.1 to agree with Append ix C

I n Figure A-3-3.1 (b) the te rm "Cadwelding" is used. This t e rm does n o t appear in any NFPA handbooks tha t I have a n d is no t an Amer ican Weld ing Society t enn . Do no t use terms tha t are proprietary, unde f ined or no t readily f o u n d in s tandard references.

WALLACE: I sul~gest that the following example be ad d ed to Appendix B as it ctemonstrates the dange r of thawing f rozen pipes. Text was submi t t ed f rom an article in the "Torches - Special DAta Informat ion Package", d is t r ibuted by NFPA.

B-27 M i c h i ~ a . Res tauran t v A nlumber , at temDtin~ to thaw some frozen water n ines in a

newly const ructed restaurant , inadver tendv started a 'f ire with an

oPen-flame torch. TL : res tauran t was a one-storv 7200 ft2. wood building. The torch i~nited insulat ion material a r o u n d the pip¢~ which were located above the ki tchen ceiling. T h e n l u m b e r an d several res taurant workers a t t emnted to ext inguish ~ e fir¢ with two 10-1b dry chemical fire extin~uisilers. W h e n ~ i s did no t work, the v local fire deDar tment was contacted as the fire moved ouicklv to the attic. The res tauran t was d e t e r m i n e d to t)¢ ~ t~Otal Io~. at value of $525.000 and never even qpene0 for busingss.

433

N F P A 5 1 B - - F 9 8 R O P

NFPA 51B

Standard for

Fire Prevention in Use of

Cutting and Welding Processes

1999 Edition

NOTICE: An asterisk (*) following the number or letter designating a paragraph indicates that explanatory material on the paragraph can be found in Appendix A. Information on referenced publications can be found in

Appendix C.

Chapter 1 General

1-1 Purpose. This standard provides guidance for persons, including outside cona'actors and property managers, who manage, supervise, and perform hot work.

1-2 Scope.

1-2.1 This standard covers provisions to prevent loss of life and property from fire or explosion as a result of hot work in institutional, commercial, and industrial operations.

1-2.2 This standard covers the following processes performed in a nondesignated area:

(a) Welding and allied processes

(b) Heat treating

(c) Grinding t.....,~ ~

(d) Thawing pipe and torch-applied roofing ~ii', ~

(e) Power-driven fastening _ ~ ~ ' ~ "

(0 Hot riveting ~ h . . ~".,'.'.'~

(g) Drilling "~ "~i~ $ ~ ( , ~ :

'/-~ ~.~ ~ . ~ (h) Similar applications p rodudng : ~ . ~ "~N.~_~

,-2.s This s, dard does not cover

(a) Candies ~

(b) Pyrotechnics or special effects 'v~..~. ,_6:x:.g ~

(c) Cooking operations A~~:+"

(d) Design and installation of gas cutting a~d welding equipment covered in NFPA 51

(e) Additional requirements for hot work operations in confined spaces

(f) Lockout/ tagout procedures during hot work

1-3 Equivalency. Nothing in this standard is intended to prevent the use of systems, methods of, or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety over those prescribed by this standard, provided technical documentation is submitted to the authority having jurisdiction to demonstrate equivalency and the system, method, or device is approved for the intended purpose.

1-4 Retroactlvity. The provisions of this document are considered necessary to provide a reasonable level of protection from loss of life and property from fire and explosion. They reflect situations and the state-of-the-art prevalent at the time the standard was issued.

Unless otherwise noted, it is not intended that the provisions of this document be applied to facilities, equipment, structures, or installations that were existing or approved for construction or installation prior to the effective date of the document, except in those cases where it is determined by the authority having jurisdiction that the existing situation involves a distinct hazard to life or adjacent property.

1-5 Definitions.

Allied Processes. Those processes such as thermal spraying, oxy-fm gas cutting, electric arc cutting, electron beam cutting, and laser bea cutting.

Approved.* Acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

Authority Having Jurisdiction.* The organization, office, or individual responsible for approving equipment, an installation, or procedure.

Designated Area. Permanent location designed or approved for h o work operations to be performed regularly.

Hot Work. Any work involving burning, welding, or similar operations that is capable of initiating fires or explosions.

Management. All persons, including owners, contractors, and so oJ who are responsible for hot work operations.

Permit. A document issued by the authority having jurisdiction for the purpose of authorizing performance of a specified activity.

Permit Authorizinglndividuai (PAl). The individual designated by management g ~ thorize hot work. This individual is permitted to be, a m o n g . ~ L % h e supervisor, foreperson, property owner or r e p r e s e ~ o r health and n ~ . safety administrator. The PAl is aware the f i r e ~ : ~ [ n v o l v e d and is familiar with the provisions of this

not be tho hot work operator. ~ ' . ~:-.':.-::'x .~..-

.~ndtcates ~ d a t o r y requirement.

~ .~ ; . t an~ . A d o c ~ e n t , the main text of which contains only ~ i ~ provisions using the word "shall" to indicate r .r.:ements and which is in a form generally suitable for man ~'~%~.eference by another standard or code or for adoption into Ig~-~,.'~onmandatory provisions shall be located in an

:~3ppen~, foomote, or fine-print note and are not to be considered ~ . ~ f the reuuirements of a standard.

Chapter 2 Responsi~ifity for Hot Work

2-1" Management. Management shall be responsible for the safe operations of hot work activity.

2-1.1 Management shall establish permissible areas for hot work.

2-1.2 Management shall designate a permit authorizing individual (PAl).

2-1.3 Management shall ensure that only approved apparatus, such as torches, manifolds, regulators or pressure reducing valves, and acetylene generators, be used.

2-1.4 Management shall ensure that all individuals involved in the hot work operations, including contractors, are familiar with the provisions of this standard. These individuals shall be ga ined in the safe operation of their equipment and the safe use of the process. These individuals shall have an awareness of the inherent risks involved and understand the emergency procedures in the event of a fire.

2-1.5 Management shall advise all contractors about site-specific flammable materials, hazardous processes, or other potential fire hazards.

2-1.6 Management shall advise all contractors with regard to flammable materials or hazardous conditions.

2-2 Permit Authorizing Individual (PAl). In conjunction with the management, the PAl shall be responsible for the safe operation of hot work activities.

2-2.1 The PAl shall determine site-specific flammable materials, hazardous processes, or other potenual fire hazards present or likely to be present in the work location.

2-2.2 The PAl shall ensure the protection of combustibles from ignition by the following means:

(a) Ensure the work is moved to a location free from combustibles.

(b) If the work cannot be moved, ensure the combustibles are moved to a safe distance or have the combustibles properly shielded against ignition.

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N F P A 5 1 B - - F 9 8 R O P

(c) Ensure hot work is scheduled such that operations that might expose combustibles to ignition are not started during hot work operations.

2-2.3* If (a), (b), or (c) cannot be met, then hot work shall not be performed.

2-2.4 The PAI shall determine that fire protection and extinguishing equipment are properly located at the site.

2-2.5 Where a fire watcher is required, (see Section 3-4) the PAI shall see that the fire watcher is available at the site.

2-2.6" Where a fire watcher is not required, the PAI shall make a final checkup 1/2 hour after the completion of hot work operations to detect and extinguish possible smoldering fires.

2-3 Hot Work Operator. The hot work operator shall handle the equipment safely and use it as follows so as not to endanger lives and property:.

(a) The operator shall have the PAl's approval before starting hot work operations.

(b) The operator shall cease hot work operations if unsafe conditions develop and notify management, area supervisor, or PAl for reassessment of the situation.

2-4 Fire Watch.

2-4.1 The fire watch shall be aware of the inherent hazards of the work site and of the hot work.

2-4.2 The fire watch shall ensure that safe conditions are maintained during hot work operations.

2-4.3 The fire watch shall have the authority to stop the hot work operations if unsafe conditions develop.

2-4.4* The fire watch shall have fire-extinguishing equipment readily available and shall be trained in its use.

2-4.5 The fire watch shall be familiar with the facilities and procedures for sounding an alarm in the event of a fire.

2-4.6 Fire watchers shall watch for fires in all exposed areas and try to extinguish them only when the fires are obviously within the capacity of the equipment available. If the fire watchers determine that the fire is not within the capacity of the equipment, they shall sound the a lam immediately.

2-5 Mutual Responsibility. Management, contractors, the P.AJ~.-':,t~. fire watch, and the operators shall recognize their mutual .~ responsibility for safety in hot work operations. ~x¢.#."

Chapter 3 Fire Prevention Pr < e ~ ~ % 2 ~ ~ . . @

~ e " " ¥" 3-, . o r work shall be . . d o . .

either designated areas or permit-required a r ~ . ~

e a~ l~ f iT i area 3-1.1 Designated Area. A designated area shall b, * designed or approved for such work, such as a mail ze shop or a detached outside location that is 'e-resistive of noncombustible4 construction, essentially free of combustible and flammable contents, and suitably segregated from adjacent areas.

3-1.2 Permit-Required Area. A permit-required area shall be an area made fire safe by removing or protecting combustibles from ignition sources.

3-2* Nonpermissible Areas. Hot work shall not be allowed in the following areas:

(a) Areas not authorized by management

(b) Sprinklered buildings while such protection is impaired

(c) In the presence of explosive atmospheres (that is, where mixtures of flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts with air exist)

(d) In explosive atmospheres that can develop inside uncleaned or improperly prepared drums, tanks, or other containers and equipment that have previously contained such materials

(e) In explosive atmospheres that can develop in areas with an accumulation of combustible dusts

3-3 Hot Work Permit.

3-3.1" Before hot work operations begin in a nondesignated Iocatiot a written permit by the permit authorizing individual (PAI) shall be required.

3-3.2 Before a permit is issued, the following conditions shall be verified by the PAI:

(a) Hot work equipment to be used shall be in satisfactory operating condition and in good repair.

(b) Where combustible materials, such as paper clippings, wood shavings, or textile fibers, are on the floor, the floor shal lbe swept clean for a radius of 35 ft (11 m). Combustible floors (except wood on concrete) shall be kept wet, covered with damp sand, or protecte by noncombustible or fire-retardant shields. Where floors have been wet down, personnel operating arc welding or cutting equipment sh be protected from possible shock.

(c)* All combustibles shall be relocated at least 35 ft (11 m) horizontally from the work site. Where relocation is impractical, combustibles shall be protected with fire-retardant covers or otherwi shielded with metal or fire-retardant guards or curtains. Edges of covers at the floor shall be tight to prevent sparks from going under them, including where several covers overlap when protecting a larg, pile.

(d) Openings or cracks in walls, floors, or ducts within 35 ft (11 m) of the site shall be tightly covered with fire-retardant or noncombustible material to prevent the passage of sparks to adjacen a r e a s .

(e) Conveyor s, combustibles shall

(0 Where ~ : ~ roofs of c o n ~ t i l : shall be nr.o.~.H t

$~-.~k is done near walls, partitions, ceilings, or til~"~.9.nstruction, flre-retardant shields or guards t to ~ n t ignition.

,rk ~ ~ e on a wail, partition, ceiling, or rooi I be take~.~/'~i prevent igaaition of combustibles on th, locating c'%mhusfibles. "~fit is impractical to relocate fire watch on the opposite side from the work shall

.~..(h) H o t ' ~ ' s h a l l not be attempted on a partition, wall, ceiling, ~ . ' g~ . . . tha t ~ a combustible covering or insulation, or on walls or p @ ~ . . . ~ co" mbustible sandwich-type panel construction.

~ (i) bI~'t work that is performed on pipes or other metal that is in ~ n ~ c t with combustible walls, partitions, ceilings, roofs, or other ~ u s t i b l e s shall not be undertaken if the work is close enough to

se ignition by conduction.

(j) Fully charged and operable fire extinguishers that are appropriate for the type of possible fire shall be available immediate at the work area. Where existing hose lines are are located within the hot work area defined by the permit, they shall be connected and ready for service, but shall not be required to be unrolled or charge,

(k) Where welding or cutting is done in close proximity to a sprinkler head, a wet rag shall be laid over the head and then remov* at the condnsion of the welding or cutting operation. During hot work, special precautions shall be taken to avoid accidental operatio of automatic fire detection or suppression systems (for example, special extinguishing systems or sprinklers).

(I) Nearby personnel shall be suitably protected against heat, sparks, slag, and so on.

3-3.3* Based on local conditions, the PAI shall determine the lengt~ of the period for which the permit is valid.

3-3A* The area shall be inspected by the PAl at least once per day while the permit is in effect to ensure that it is a fire safe area.

Fh-e Watch.

8-4.1 A fire watch shall be required by the PAl when hot work is performed in a locatign where other than a minor fire might develo 1 or where the following conditions exist:

(a)* Combustible materials in building construction or contents are closer than 35 ft (11 m) to the point of operation.

(b) Combustible materials are more than 35 ft (11 m) away but are easily ignited by sparks.

435

N F P A 5 1 B - - F9 8 R O P

(c) Wall or f loor openings within a 35-ft ( l l -m) radius expose combustible materials in adjacent areas, including concealed spaces in walls or floors.

(d) Combustible materials are adjacent to the opposite side of partitions, walls, ceilings, or roofs and are likely to be ignited.

3-4.2 A fire watch shall be mainta ined for at least 1 /2 hour after complet ion of ho t work operations in order to detect and extinguish smolder ing fires.

3-4.3* More than one fire watch shall be required if combustible materials that could be ignited by the ho t work operat ion cannot be direcdy observed by the initial fire watch.

3-5* Hot Tapping. Hot tapping or o ther cutting and welding on a f lammable gas or l iquid transmission or distribution utility pipeline shall be per formed by a crew that is qualified to make hot taps.

Chapter 4 Public Exhibitions and Demonstrations

4-1 Scope. The following provisions shall apply to oxy-fuel gas welding and cutt ing operat ions at public exhibitions, demonstrat ions, displays, and trade shows (referred to herein-after as the "site") in order to p romote the safe usage of compressed gases in public gatherings.

4-2 Supervision. Installation and operat ion of welding, cutting, and related equipment shall be done by, or under the supervision of, a competen t operator to ensure the personal protect ion of viewers and demonstra tors as well as the protect ion from fire of materials in and around die site and the building itself.

4-3 Site.

4-3.1 Location. Sites involving the use and storage of compressed dgases shall be located so as not to interfere with the egress of people

uring an emergency.

4-3.2 Design. The site shall be constructed, equipped, and operated in such a manner that the demonstra t ion will be carried out so as to minimize the possibility of injury to viewers.

4-4 Fire Protection.

4-4.1 Fire Extinguishers. Each site shall be provided with fire extinguisher of appropriate size and type and with a ~

4-4.2 Shielding. The public, combustible materials, ~ l~i gas cylinders at the site shall be protected from flames, sl: molten metal. , ~ .~ : . . : : .

4-4.3 Fire Depar tment Notification. The fir~e:'par~":-:"" " "-:':~'" notified in advance of such use of the site..:~i!~:.. ':~

46 Cylinders.

4-5.1 Gas Capacity Limitation. Cylinders c o n t a i n i n ~ ' p r e s s e d gases for use at the site shall not be charged in exce~i~i~'i ° one-half their maximum permissible content . Cylinders of nonliqu~fied gases and acetylene shall be charged to no t more than one-half their maximum

~i ermissible charged gauge pressure (psi or kPa). Cylinders of queried gases shall be charged to no t more than one-half the

maximum permissible capacity in pounds (kilograms).

4-5.2 Storage. Cylinders located at the site shall be connec ted for use; enough additional cylinders shall be permit ted to be s tored at the site to furnish approximately one day's consumpt ion of each gas used. Other cylinders shall be s tored in an approved storage area, preferably outdoors, but no t near a building exit.

4-5.3 Transpor t ing Cylinders. Cylinders in excess of 40 lb (18 kg) total weight being t ransported to or from the site shall be carried on a hand or motor ized truck.

4-5.4 Process Hose. Hose shall be located and protected so that they will not be physically damaged.

4-6.5 Cylinder Valves. Cylinder valves shall be closed when equipment is unat tended.

4-5.6 Valve Caps. Where cylinders are des igned to be equipped witt • ralveprotect ion caps, such caps shall be in place except when the cylinders are in service or are connec ted and ready for service.

4-5.7 Cylinder Protection. Cylinders shall be secured so that they cannot be knocked over.

Appendix A Explanatory Material

Appendix A is not a part of the requirements of this NFPA document bu is included for informational purposes only. This appendix contaim explanatory materia~ numbered to correspond with the applicable text paragraphs.

A-1-5 Approved. The National Fire Protection Association does no~ approve, inspect, or certify any installations, procedures, equipment or materials; nor does it approve or evaluate testing laboratories. In de te rmin ing the acceptability of installations, procedures, equlpmen or materials, the authority having jurisdict ion may base acceptance c compliance with NFPA or o ther appropriate standards. In the absence of such standards, said authority may require evidence of proper installation, procedure, or use. The authority having jurisdiction may also refer to the listings or labeling practices of an organization that is concerned with product evaluations and is thus i a position to determine compliance with appropriate standards for the current produc~!!:p. .f listed items.

..f.::- --::~::-::.. "'" iurisdictiou. The phrase "authority having At -5 Auth o r i t ~ . ~ . i n g

jurisdiction" i$'~.~s~i~ IQFPA documents in a broad manner , since jurisdictions ~ a p ' ~ agencms vary, as do their responsi~..~?:W~eri~:.!~b~i.c:..::safe .ty is primary, the authority having:.~!~'~isd[C-~fion may B:~:i~-~deral, state, local, or other regional d e p ~ e n t ~ : . o r individual #i:fih as a fire chief; fire marshal; chief of a t ~ . " ~ . ~ , e v e ~ n bureau,':|~.bor depar tment , or health depar tment : bu]ld~'~:x.:ffi"i~]:~|}:~ electrical inspector; or others having statutory authori ~.or insurance purposes, an insurance inspection depar tme ~i~.fi....~ bureau, or other insurance company

i:'.~..~i~resentati~;~:"~'~ be the authority having jurisdiction. In many :~..:.:~c.eg.':ih6 property owner or his or he r designated agent ass~i~'i~i:.'t~#"l'ole of the authority having jurisdiction; at government

ii:.~..~:{~tllat~'s, the commandin,~ officer or depar tmental official may ~:e the ~ t h o r i t y having jurisdiction.

~ .~ : " Management should ensure that the contractor has evidence o: i!~:~ncial responsibility, which can take the form of an insurance i!~certificate or o ther documen t attesting to coverage or responsibility.

A-2-2.$ Alternate methods to hot work should be considered where practical.

A-2-2.6 The inspection is usually made a 1 /2 hour after the complet ion of ho t work to detect and extinguish possible smolderin I fires. The inspector should be alert for circumstances that can require an extension of the final inspection interval.

A-2.4.4 It is desirable for the fire watch to have experience with test fires,

A-3-2 For additional information on cutting and welding of contain~ that have held flammable materials, see NFPA 327, Standard Procedu for Cleaning or Safeguarding Small Tanks and Containers Without Entry and AWS F-4.1, Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cutting of Containers and Piping that Have Held Hazardou Substances.

Additional consideration should be given when pe r fo rming hot work in areas near the storage of large quantifies of exposed, readily ignitible materials such as bulk sulfur, baled paper, or cotton.

A-3-3.1 Examples of permits are shown in Figures A-3-3.1 (a) and

A-3-3.1 (b). These permits can be modif ied to suit local conditions.

436

N F P A 5 1 B ~ F9 8 R O P

Side 1

PERMIT FOR CUTrlNG AND WELDING

WITH PORTABLE GAS OR ARC EQUIPMENT

Date Building Dept. Floor Work to be done

Special precautions

Is fire watch required? The location where this work is to done has been examined, necessary precautions taken, and permission is granted for this work. (See other side.) Permit expires

Signed (Individual responsible for

authorizing welding and cutting)

Time Started Completed

FINAL CHECK Work area and all adjacent areas to which sparks and heat might have spread (including floors above and below and on opposite side of wall(s) were inspected 30 minutes a ~ the work was completed and were found flresafe.

Signed

HOT WORK/t This Hot W o r k Permit I= required for eny operetlol~"~ heat end/or sperks. Thle Include=, but Is not l imited ti So lder ing ,Thawing Pipo,Torch Appl ied Roof ing, and

pART t INSTRUCTIONS

/L Vedfy pmcauUon~ l l l~d I t dcht (or do no{

BL Com~ets ins mt~. PART 1. luue PART 2 to lmelon do~g lob.

HOT WORK BE I1~10ONE BY EMPLOYEE

[3 CONTRACTOR DATE i JQB NO

I t OCATION/BUIL DING & FLOOR.

NAP-JR E OF JD~/OBJEC7 "

NN4 E OF PER~3N DOIN~ HOT WORK

1 verily Ihe Ibov* ImmUc~ hel, bwn lemmlned, Ihe i~e¢lmlon s ~ e ~ , ~ d on Ihe Req~dr~d Prom uUoas

SK~IED

PE I lal I DArE

I NDTEuEsI~E~R~EI~p%NPR%~RTE%~OO%~OUNR 'BA~LO~'FOR"

THiS PERMIT IS GOOD FOR ONE DAY ONLYI

r~ Available ~0drdde~ hoe~ s k e i n s and sx~gdshors Ire n N~t~e/ol~rd0b.

[3 HOf Work equ~ment b g~d rq~r. Rsqub~mentl ~dl~ln s5 f l (10 m) O{ w(wk r~ Flammable Ik~ds, ~,,s¢ lint and DE depo~s

removed, Q F.~04os~o ~mosph~xe ~ ~ eimim~ed.

Floors i n e p t d e m . r~ Ccmbus | ide lloors wet down. ¢ov~ed with damp

sand o~ f~e-redstmt sheels . Rein Dye olher ¢ort~us|lWw, wh~oB po~sitde. OIMeM~, protect wilt ~rlmistsnt tsrl0~Urlr~ or racial lldeld s. AI wall w,d |oor openings ¢~verot. F ~ o - t ~ lupaulm ~Jspmdid ~ work,

Work on wlf l l or ¢ ~ l ~ O l ~ o l l d o q O l ~ C o n s l n ~ o n Is r, oncombuo{ble and wifaout ~ l k t d ~ , cowrin O or inmJiaScr,,

n Combl~ltd~ on o~w ~de d w l h moved away. 0 Dan~e~ e)dst by c~iduclo~ of h ~ t into ~o~ec

O Enclosed equi~ ent deened Of d corn but~101e~. r~ Contmr~s Wged ¢4 laminate I~dsN~X~$ P~l w l l ¢ ~ o l Wock ~ m o ~ I

Fie watch ~11 be p ¢ o ~ during I M fi~ (SO m ~ l ~ ) ~ work, ~du,Sn 9 any coff~ or lunch ~ k s .

rl Fie WitCh k= tiN@d ~1 USe Of ~8 ~llJip111¢t in eoundlrt g d~m.

O Fire watch may be required for s ~ d r ~ areas, alx~e, md bdow.

0 Monitor Hot Work area for 30 rninu~ attic job is com~l~d.

Other PmcauSonsT=ken [3 C~f~ed space en W permit required.

is uea protected with smd(e or beet detsclion. [3 Am~e venla~on to remove m okeNq)or ~om

worn aree. 0 Lo~outJtagout requked.

F'tgure Ao3-3.l(b) Sample of a hot work permit.

Side 2 ATTENTION

Before approving any cutting and welding permit, the fire safety supervisor or appointee shall inspect the work area and confirm that precautions have been taken to prevent fire in accordance with NFPA 51B.

PRECAUTIONS Q Sprinklers in service Q Cutting and welding equipment in good repair

WITHIN 35 FT OF WORK Q Floors swept clean of combustibles Q Combustible floors wet down, covered with damp sand,

metal, or other shields. Q All wall and floor openings covered Q Covers suspended beneath work to collect sparks

WORK ON WALLS OR CEILINGS Q Construction noncombustible and without combustible

covering Q Combu.~,!.es moved away from opposite side of wall

~'~"@'~Jr~nk~ ~hn ON ENCLOSED EQUIPMENT ~ k s containers, ducts, dust collectors, etc.)

n~qui~ cleaned of all combustibles ~ n t a i ~ u r g o d of flammable vapors ~ " ~ FIRE WATCH

To be ~¢]ufing and 30 minutes after operation Oe provid~pclun plied wi~extinguisher and small hose

~"rf~ined in use of equipment and in sounding fire alarm ~.-~ FINAL CHECK ~ . ~ made 30 minutes after completion of any

.~'~:~eration unk~s fire watch is provided.

~" Signed (Supervisor)

a hot work permit.

A-3-3.2(c) When hot work is performed at an elevated level, it shouk be noted that the falling sparks or slag can fall at a trajectory and la~ further than 35 ft (11 m) horizontally from a point directly under th( hot work operator.

A-3-3.3 It is advisable that the permit should he issued for a maximu period of 24 hours.

A-3-3.4 In some situations, it is advisable to inspect once per shift ff conditions warrant.

A-3-4.1(a) Figure A-3-4.1(a) demonstrates the hot work 35-ft ( l l -m) rule.

S - - ~ e d ~ r Fire wall Fire wall

dp~id Iu~t o{ t /n 3S t ( t t m) Oft~* wed~ area. in thi6 ease, th4 ~ u .~ a rd p a ~ . d storage.

Cattot Pdk~zed • Er~qradcsonwNchlhe esm, ed ~ w ~ to be done Of d

• Cbse ~e doors and seal

• C ~ w ~ ,

70 R (21 m) redsl~w taqmdln.

Figure A-3-4.1 (a) The hot work 35-ft (1 l-m) rule.

A-~-4.3 Situations where an additional fire watch(es) might be necessary include hot work near open shafts, elevated heights, or where sparks can travel through openings, and so on.

4S7

N F P A 51B - - F98 R O P

A-3-5 For a gas pipeline, see ANSI/ASME B31.8, Gas Transmission and Distribution 7'ipfng Systems, 841.27.

Appendix B Significant Hot Work Incidents

This appendix is not a part of the requirements of this NFPA document but is included for informational purposes only.

Hot work processes are a necessary part of our industrial world. Too often, however, the persons who use, hire, or supervise the use of these processes do not fully appreciate that their improper use can result in loss of life and property by fire and explosion. In fact, hot work performed improperly is a major cause of fire.

Appendix B is a collection of accounts of fires and explosions caused by improper control of hot worL Its sole purpose is to illustrate how such incidents occur and to emphasize the provisions of this standard.

Kaukauna, WI, Warehouse

While an arc welder was being used on the second floor, sparks dropped through an opening to cardboard boxes below and the boxes ignited. There was no fire watch on the first floor, and when the fire was discovered 15 minutes later, employees could not put it out. They finally called the fire department, but were too late to save the two-story building of ordinary construction. Loss was $1.6 million.

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Food Processing

While an employee was using an oxyacetylene cutting torch to modify a bracket in the boiler room, hot slag ignited canvas and PthlyWood that were being used as a temporary covering over a hole in

e wall between the fire-resistive boiler room and the storage room. Fire then spread to waxed cartons and plastic bags in the storage room. Fire fighting was impeded by the windowless walls andth ick black smoke. Loss was $650,000.

Halsey, OR, Rolled Paper Storage

A bracket was being welded onto a column adjacent to an aisle, with rolled paper storage not more than 5 ft (1.5 m) away. A welding permit was reportedly issued for the work, but the standard permit form clearly stated that combustibles within 35 ft (11 m) of the work should be removed or shielded. The permit also required 1 ~ 3 . signature of the supervisor certifying that a check of the ar~ ~les~,en made. In this case, there was no protection for the c o m ~ ~" d no signature.

The fire quickly spread into the interior of the stora ¢-~:.p ~ q ~ . k ~ t ~ sprinklers operated, roof vents were opened, and , l~ re ~ r e brought into play as the smoke cleared a l i t t l e . , ~ burned beyond salvage and other rolls wereA,.~..~.,.~ Los

Atlanta, GA, Poultry Processing ~-~-*'~ !

employee using an electric arc welder was above a refrigerated room, which was insulated wil ~re thane a foam sandwiched between sheets of aluminum. Spar! :11 on the exposed ends of the insulation, causing a severe nre. 'he heat was sufficient to bring about collapse of exposed metal bar jolst roof framing, and the total loss was $250,000.

Ontario, OR, Food Processing

An oxyacetylene cutting torch was being used in a metal-lined freezing tunnel, with some pipespassing through the walls of the tunnel and making a loose fit with these walls. Sparks evidently passed through a crack to ignite polystyrene foam insulation. This event happened during a rest period and was no t discovered until the rest period was over. Further time was lost during a fruitless effort to extinguish the fire with extinguishers and a small hose. The fire department, when finally called, was confronted with a tough task due to the heavy smoke and the fire spreading to the concealed and undivided attic space. Loss was $2.3 million.

San Pedro, CA, Wharf

Workers were using a gasoline-powered chain saw and cutting torch to repair pilings on a 3700-ft (1128-m) long w~harf. While some of the workers were refueling the chain saw from a 2-gal (7.6-L) can, another worker was using a cutting torch far too close to the refueling operation. Gasoline vapors ignitedand, during efforts to extinguish

the fire, the can was kicked into the water. Burning gas in the water ignited the pilings, and flames spread 570 ft (115 m) along the underside of the wharf before fire fighters could control the fire.

Portland, OR, Lumber Mill

Workers had shut down one of several sprinkler systems in the plant to remove branch lines to facilitate removal of a conveyor. Whi workers were cutting bolts from the conveyor with welding equipmel some of the sparks went through cracks in the floor and landed in sawdust accumulations below. Smoldering occurred for 3 hours without being noticed by the maintenance employees, who were the only people in the plant. Meanwhile, the area in the region of the cutting operations, but not the floor below, had been washed down and visited regularly at 1/2-hour intervals.

When the fire was finally noticed, some time was spent in trying tc extinguish it before the fire department was called. By the time the fi department arrived, it was too late to save the lumber storage and stacker buildings. Destruction caused loss of $1.25 million.

Austin, TX, University Library

Workers were using an acetylene torch to remove old heating duc in a utility shaft between the twentieth and twenty-first stories o f the tower of a twenty-seven-story university library building. Flying sparks fell through a vent and ignited papers stacked against the vent in a storage room on the twentieth floor. Apparently the fire burned for : to 30 minutes before discovery.

There was no fire protection in the upper stories except for portable fire extingu[ standpipes in the ti~.~ enclosed s t a l r w a ~ controlled t h e ~ stories w h e n ~ s~ elevator

The g ~ $ i ~ be" work~ o~cont~c~ c o ml.$'~ti bl &'~a at eri al

ers, and fire fighters had to connect to the ~nd fourth stories and pull hose lines up the i.~-~wentieth and twenty-first stories. They final 1/2 hours, but damage extended to four [ by way of nonfirestopped utility shafts and

in

' two air installation ~ossibilit,p of ~atin~ duct on

~LgO~mal/ ir~,~tarted on the mill's built-up wood roof while repairs ~ ' w w ~ . ~ . g ~ n g an acetylene torch for welding. The workers makin

~elieved that they had extinguished the fire, but 3 1/2 : the fire broke out again and spread on an accumulation

~Let~. dust on overhead beams throughout the unsprinklered, ~ d e d single-story structure. Loss was $2.3 milh'on.

~"~ovo'1 , UT, Hardware Warehouse

An employee was welding a broken metal roof beam in the attic c a one-story brick, wood:joisted, wholesale hardware building. A spa~ fell through a crack in the attic floor and ignited cardboardboxes in the shelving below. No precautions had been taken to guard against fire, and the welder did not realize that there was a fire until he felt the heat coming up from below. Loss was $131,000.

Thomson, N-Y, Paper Mill

Production lines were shut down in a tissue paper mill so that maintenance workers could use a cutting torch to remove a drive rol for repairs. The area where the cutting was to be done was cleaned t and wet down as a precaution against flying sparks. Also, an employ~ with a portable extinguisher acted as fire guard during the cutting operation.

A stray spark ignited paper dust on the floor at the adjacent machine. When the fire watch attempted to extinguish the small blaz he found that his portable extinguisher was empty. The blaze spread to paper dust and lint on to ,of an unused. . overhead heating duct, which was 2 ft (0.6 m) to 5 ~ (1.5 m) m dmmeter. It took fire fighter about 3 hours to extinguish the blaze in the unsprinklered duct. The damage to tissue paper by fire-fighting Operations amounted to $25,OOO.

Jacksonville, IL, Pavement Manufacturing

After partially unloadinga tanker of MC 800 road oil at a temperature of about 290°F, two employees went to the top of the asphalt tank to straighten a pipe through which they measured the o level. They were using an acetylene torch for this repair work. The torch so heated the top of the tank that flammable vapors within the

438

N F P A 5 1 B - - F 9 8 R O P

tank exploded and tore up a large part of the top. Both men were thrown long distances and killed.

Toledo, OH, Tar Manufacturing

Welders were repairing a leak in an odor-scrubbing system when an explosion occurred in a tank connected with the system and containing naphthalene vapors above the hot tar level. It is believed that heat from the torch ignited flammable vapors within the pipe and that the flame was propagated to the tank. Spread of hot tar when the tank ruptured handicapped fire fighters in gaining quick access to the area. Three workers were killed and property damage was $110,000.

New Orleans, LA, Office Building

An outside contractor installing new elevator equipment in a seven- story office building with 13lank floors set a number of fires as a result of cut t ingand welding operations, but the contractor's employees extinguished all but one. That fire occurred toward the e n d o f the day's work, and the four employees, without discovering it, went home. Later in the evening, the night porter noticed the old elevator penthouse, par@ of wooden construction, ablaze as he was summoning the elevator to perform his normal duties. Two hours later, the fire department, using many large hose lines, brought the fire under control. The loss, mainly to the top story from fire and to lower stories from water, was $530,000.

There was no formal fire watch nor, following the last use of the welder, was there any inspection of the area during a set period after the welding.

Hatboro, PA, Chemical Plant

Workers were welding some additional fill-line supports on a 6000- gal (22,713-L) vertical tank containing 3000 gal (11,356 L) of alcohol. Heat transmitted through the metal of the tank ignited alcohol vapors inside, and the tank was blown into the air. Alcohol was dumped into two diked areas containing eight tanks of high-fiashpoint liquid, but heavy use of hose streams kept other tanks from rupturing. Loss was $100,000.

New Orleans, LA, Candy Storage

The outside of the walls of this sprinklered metal-frame warehouse~ were lined with a combustible laminated paper-asphalt vapor barrier and a 1/2-in. layer of foamed polystyrene insulation. A worker was welding metal plates to the base of the structural member when the combustible vapor barrier ignited. While the welder ran to t alarm and to get a portable extinguisher, seven sprinklers : ~ . t t ~ _ . o . r e

Billings, MT, Audltorium

While remodeling the auditorium at the f a i r g ~ . ~ , g r k ~ h

welding strans on channel iron, which had h . ~ p l a c e ~ : a c h of 12-in. × l~-in. <S0.5 cm × S0.5 cm) woo~tt'h~agh~ t ~ c , ~ d , more strength to these columns. Heat f ro~ t l ~ r c h app "al~ntly

r ' ~ . tel-y-5 ~c urs later, caused some smoldering in the columns. Appl the caretaker noticed that the roof was ablaze. It ~ : then to

constructi: save the building, which was of ordinary u ~ . . ~ ~ nonsprinkiered. Loss was $266,000. ~:-

Sorel, P.Q., Passenger Ship Under Construction

A shipyard worker was welding a steel bracket beneath the steel deck of a stateroom when the hot deck plate ignited paper on the floor of the stateroom, Flames then spread to wooden paneling and other combustibles and soon reachedsynthetic rubber insulation on electrical cables and also resin-impregnated glass fiber ducts carrying 3000 ftS/min (85 m /min) of warm air. Although a worker discovered the fire within a few minutes and the fans for the air ducts were quickly shut off, the heat and dense smoke from the burning resin and synthetic rubber prevented control. The fire spread from the promenade deck to three other decks. Damage to the vessel was $4 million.

,San FranCisco, CA, Marine Terminal

The reinforced concrete dock had a tar paper vapor barrier beneath the concrete and a wooden fenderline around the outside of the apron. Workers had a 30-day "blankeC welding and cutting permit but had not notified the port authority fire marshal that they planned to do cutting in the known dangerous area. They had also failed to take a portable extinguisher to the job with them. The two workers, while in a boat, were cutting a reinforcing rod beneath the apron

when f lameor sparks from the torch ignited the tar paper, and the fi spread overhead so fast that the two men had to jump into the water to save themselves. The loss was estimated at $200,000.

Searcy, AR, Missile Silo

A welder in a missile silo under repair inadvertently included a temporarily installed steel-braided hose containing hydraulic oil under 500 psi pressure in the range of the electric arc, and caused rupture of the steel braid and of t~e Teflon ® inner tube. The escapir oil ignited at the arc and a very severe fire resulted in the conf ined underground space, fatally trapping 53 workers. The hose was only 1 in. (36 cm) away from the work being done, and working condition: were crowded and cramped.

After the accident, conditions were duplicated as nearly as possib at another site with proper protection ~f personnel. The time from the beginning of the arc at the hose to rupture was 0.69 seconds, an~ from rupture to ignition 0.02 seconds.

River Rouge, MI, Metal Working

A worker was cutting an object with a torch, using the top of a drum containing kerosene as a workbench, when the torch cut into the drum and caused an explosion in the partially full interior. The worker was fatally burned.

Port Maitland, Ontario, Fertilizer Manufacturing

Workers had been welding on a rubber-lined steel separator vesse Reportedly, the rubber lining inside the vessel had been~ stripped fro the metal tank wall ~ j~re welding was to be done; however, a short time later, w o r k e ~ smoke and discovered that the lining ~ras burning. The firjk$~'~gread from the vessel through several feet of rubber-lined . ~ t ~ e c t e d to the vessel, andemployees were unat

s l ~ e f ~ a l ~ t _ _ e vessel for approximately 45 minutes. Th, • ~fi#ent a ~ remained out of service for two weeks.

to extingu~ process c~

E!

torch 15~ cellulose

~ D ~ ~ u c t i o n of a new hospital wing, sparks from a cuttin 8 ,rch ~ g s e ~ to cut a steel beam in an existing wall ignited .qlulose ~'.l,atiogi in the attic of the existing single-story building.

.~though w6 . ~ i % x t i n g u i s h e d the fwe before the fire department ~ f ~ . > (limi~f~ firespread to a 20-ft × 4-ft area of insulation), it tool 2 ~ ~ t h o v e smoke from the maternity ward.

~ e ~ u l o s e insulation was treated with a fire retardant when ~stalle/~ 7 years prior to the fire. However, tests showed that much c

.f@e-retardant ~roperty had been lost.

~ x a s , Building Under Construction

During a late stage of construction of an apartment complex consisting of 23 two-story wooden buildings, heat from a plumber's torch ignlted exterior low-density fiberboard sheathing on one of the buildings. The plumber had left the site approximately I hour befor, the fire was discovered and had not noticedfire or smoke in the are: at that time. There was no fire watch procedure in effect.

A watchman and a construction worker made an unsuccessful attempt to extinguish the fire before notifying the fire department. This delay and fire department operational problems with the new hydrant and yard main system resulted in extensive firespread, injuri to four fire fighters, and damage estimated at $400,000.

Montana, Lumber Mill

A fire in this lumber mill started when sparks from a welding tore ignited a smoldering fire in a pile of sawdust. The night watchman who discovered the fire in the sawdust pile at 6:10 a.m. attempted to extinguish it using one of the hose lines but, due to lack of maintenance, the hose burst. The watchman ran to another section the building to get another hose. When he returned, the fire had spread and was out of control. He telephoned the fire department a 6:15 a.m. Officials stated that repair work, using a welding torch, wa being done in the area of fire origin and had been completed approximately 1 hour prior to the discovery of the fre .

Contributing to the mill's destruction was the high concentration of unfinished lumber and sawdust, which helped increase the fire's ~pread. Fire officials stated that, if the occupant fire hose had been maintained, the loss, which was estimated at $500,000, might have been minimized.

Tennessee, Building Under Construction

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N F P A 5 1 B - - F9 8 R O P

A welder on the third floor of this construction project unknowingly started a fire on the floor below, which th rea tened other workers as well as the entire complex. The welder did not realize how far the globules of mol ten metal from his operat ion were travelihg until another construction worker spot ted a fire in some combustible material on the second floor at 1:44 p.m. The wind had carried the mol ten metal to the lower east wing and ignited one of four cardboard and wood crates, each of which conta ined a 100-gal (379- L) water heater. The workers tr ied to control the fire with portable extinguishers, but winds gusting up to 40 m p h ended that prospect quickly. Someone on the site t e l ephoned the fire depa r tmen t arid fire fighters had the situation stabilized soon after they arrived.

No one was injured, and only the building's contents were damaged. The loss was estimated at $10,000.

Appendix C Referenced Publications

C-I The following documents or port ions the reof are referenced within this s tandard for informational purposes only and are thus nc considered part of the requi rements o f this standard. The edition indicated here for each reference is the current edition as of the dat, of the NFPA issuance o f this standard.

C-I.1 NFPA Publications. National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101.

NFPA 51, Standard for the Design and Installation of Oxygen-Fuel G* Systems for Welding, Cuttin~ and Allied Processes, 1997 edition.

NFPA 327, Standard Procedures for Cleaning or Safeguarding Small Tanks and Containers Without Entr3, 1993 edition.

C-1.2 Other Publications.

C,1.2.1 ASME Publication. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, 345 East 47th Street, NewYork, NY 10017.

ASME B31.8-1992, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systerm

C-1.2.2 AWS Publications. American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.

ANSI/AWS F-4.1, Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cutting Containers and Piping that Have Held Hazardous Substances.

ANSI/AWS Z49.1-1994, Safoty in Weldin~ Cutting and Allied Processes.

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