Hot Work Permits

Contractors conducting hot work

Contractors performing hot work shall maintain a Hot Work Permit Program and employee-training program that meets the OSHA requirements found in 29 CFR 1926.352 and ANSI Z49.1-88 and NFPA 51B. Examples of hot work include, but are not limited to, the use of open flames, compressed gases or supplied fuel burning, brazing, cutting, grinding, soldering, thawing pipe, torch-applied roofing, and welding.

A copy of the canceled permit(s) shall be provided to the project manager, hot work coordinator, or Environmental Health & Safety (upon request) no more than five (5) working days after completion of the work.

Fire prevention and suppression procedures for hot work operations

If not properly controlled, hot work operations present serious fire hazards that can lead to significant property damage, injury, and/or loss of life. To ensure safe hot work activities, procedures for obtaining a temporary or permanent hot work permit and required precautions must be followed for all work performed on university property.

Policy for work performed outside a designated area and/or temporary operation

A Hot Work Permit must be issued for any temporary operation that may produce high heat, sparks, and/or open flames. These operations include but are not limited to, the use of open flames, compressed gas or supplied fuel burning, brazing, cutting, grinding, torch soldering, thawing pipe, torch-applied roofing, and welding.

Procedure to secure a Hot Work Permit: 

1. Any university employee performing work requiring a Hot Work Permit must secure the permit BEFORE any work is to begin. This will require advance notice. A Hot Work Permit can be obtained from the designated hot work coordinator(s), fire safety engineer or fire safety inspector. A listing of hot work coordinators, who will issue Hot Work Permits, can be obtained from the fire safety engineer.
2. Hot work cannot begin until the worksite has been inspected for safety and the fire safety engineer, fire protection Inspector or hot work coordinator issuing the permit has signed the Hot Work Permit. All applicable safety precautions listed on the permit must be followed at all times during the hot work operation. The fire safety engineer, fire protection inspector, or hot work coordinator will inform you of the procedures to follow if the worksite is located in a building with a fire detection system.
3. Persons doing hot work must indicate on the permit a start time and expiration date. The permit must be posted in plain view at the hot work location during the entire operation. After the Hot Work is completed the permit must be returned to the fire safety engineer, fire protection inspector, or hot work coordinator that issued the permit to indicate the job is completed. The fire safety engineer, fire protection inspector, or hot work coordinator (whoever issued the permit) will assure the worksite is free of any hot spots or potential fire hazards from the work done for up to 1 hour after work completion.
4. It is important that the permit specifically states the location and start time of the hot work. This will allow the fire safety engineer, fire protection inspector, or hot work coordinator to respond to the permit as quickly as possible so the work process will not be delayed.
5. Long-term jobs (of more than one workday) may have a permit issued for the entire work schedule but for no more than one month. The fire safety engineer, fire protection inspector, or hot work coordinator will routinely check the worksite to ensure the safety of the hot work being performed. If the work extends beyond the initial completion date, another permit must be secured for the additional time period.

Policy for work performed in shops and other designated hot work areas

Campus departments that perform hot work on a routine basis in a permanent shop or another designated work site will be exempt from the above permit requirements only if the area is inspected, approved, and issued a permit by the designated hot work coordinator. These permits must be renewed on a yearly basis (old permits should be kept in a file for 5 years) or when changes in the shop warrant a repeat inspection. When approved by the inspector a sign will be posted at the worksite that reads "Hot Work Approved Area." The Coordinator will re-inspect these areas during his or her annual fire and/or shop inspection of the approved area. Any deficiencies to the designated hot work area or shop must be corrected to continue the designation of "Hot Work Approved Area."