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Fire Safety During Contractor's Operations
Hot Work

Various hazardous activities associated with contractors' operations usually result in a higher than normal level of fire risk during contractors' works. 'Hot work' is a particular concern and has featured in numerous construction site fires.

At some premises, in house technicians undertake similar duties defined as 'hot work'.
 
'Hot work' refers to any activity that produces heat, sparks or flame. It is most commonly associated with the following operations/equipment:
 
  • Cutting and welding
  • Blow lamps and torches
  • Bitumen/tar boilers
  • Brazing and soldering
  • Grinding wheels
 
Such operations commonly form part of construction or refurbishment work, but may also be involved in small works carried out in existing buildings (for example in repairs and maintenance and redecoration). It is, therefore, important to consider 'hot work' when assessing the risks associated with any work undertaken in occupied BBC premises.
 
The dangers that arise from 'hot work' include the ignition of combustible material by sparks and hot metal, which can often travel a long distance, or the conduction of heat away from the working area to adjacent or unseen material. To avoid these dangers, it is essential that staff who undertake 'hot work' are fully trained, that there is effective supervision of the works and that there is a system of management control to minimise the risks.
 

Management Control
A formal system of management control should be applied to any 'hot work' that is undertaken in BBC premises. This involves:
 
  • Undertaking a risk assessment
  • Identifying the hazards arising from the work
  • Ensuring that all possible precautions have been taken prior to the works
  • Establishing that suitable protection measures are provided both during and after the works.
  • Checking the area after the works are complete.
 
In all BBC premises, a 'Permit to Work' (PTW) scheme must be adopted for all 'hot work'.
 
The PTW provides a formal means of recording that appropriate measures have been taken to identify and control the hazards associated with the 'hot work'. Permits should not be issued so as to provide blanket authorisation for any 'hot work'. They should be issued for each item of work.
 
It is essential that the permit identifies:
 
  • the nature of the 'hot work' and where the work is to be carried out
    the time and duration of the work
  • the period for which the permit is valid
  • the name of the person in direct control of the work
  • the arrangements to monitor the work area after completion.
 
An example 'hot work' permit can be found here.
 
Precautions to be Taken During 'Hot Work'
The precautions that should be taken before, during and after any 'hot work' depends upon the nature and scale of the work, and this will need to be considered as part of the risk assessment undertaken prior to the start of the work. These precautions include the following:
 
  • It should be ensured that there is no combustible material in close proximity to the work. Suitable protection should be provided for any combustible items that cannot be moved and for combustible construction such as wooden floors.
  • A check should be carried out on all of the surrounding areas to minimise the possibility of ignition by heat transfer.
  • The area should be suitably ventilated. To avoid false alarms, any smoke detectors in the vicinity may need to be isolated during the period of the work.
  • If the area is protected by a sprinkler system, then sprinklers should be fully operational. Hot work' should not normally be carried out if the sprinklers are shut down.
  • At least one and, preferably two, 9 litre (13A rated) water or 6kg (ABC) powder extinguishers should be provided in the vicinity of the work.
  • A person not directly involved with the work, trained in fire fighting, should stand by during the course of the work and, ideally, for at least an hour afterwards.
  • 'Hot work' should be stopped at least an hour before the end of the working day.
  • A thorough inspection of the area should be undertaken once the work is complete and, again, one hour after completion. Where necessary, a further check should be carried out at the end of the working day.
  • In the case of asbestos enclosures, the person carrying out the inspection should be suitably trained and equipped to enter a contaminated area.
  • A non-combustible (metal or glass fibre) screen should separate any area where welding, cutting of grinding takes place.
  • Gas cylinders should be secured vertically and be fitted with regulators and flashback arresters.
  • Where bitumen/tar boilers are used, they should not be taken on the roof where this can be avoided. Where this cannot be avoided, they should be mounted on a non-combustible, insulating base. The risk of overflow should be taken into account.
  • Gas cylinders should be located at least 3m from the boiler. There should be at least one 9 litre foam or 6kg (ABC) powder extinguisher in the vicinity of the boiler.
  • Care should be taken to ensure that the supply for electrical resistance welding apparatus is rated correctly. Work return leads should be connected as close as possible to the work piece and should be free of breaks or cuts.
  • No boiler or any other 'hot work' apparatus should ever be left unattended when alight.
  • In buildings with out of hours security patrols, areas in which hot work has taken place should be checked periodically throughout the night.
 
It is essential that project managers and others responsible for works in BBC premises should identify whether 'hot work' is likely to be involved and, by reference to the BFM, should inform contractors of the procedures that should be followed. The precautions that should be taken should be incorporated as conditions within the contract.