TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON HOT WORK OPERATIONS
February 16, 2012
Hilton St. Louis Downtown
St. Louis, MO
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Meeting opening, introduction and attendance
2. Chair's remarks, Mark Blank
3. Staff Liaison update:
a. A2013 Schedule
b. NFPA’s re-engineering of the codes and standards process
4. Smoldering Task Group Report
5. NFPA 51B Report on Proposals (ROP)
a. Review and act on public proposals
b. Develop Committee Proposals (as appropriate)
i. Held Proposal - Ignition Temperature Table (Log #1a)
6. Other business
7. Next meeting – NFPA 51B ROC meeting (Closing date for Public Comments
August 31, 2012). Based on the A2013 schedule, the meeting must occur prior to
November 2, 2012 and discuss possible dates.
8. Adjournment
Attachment:
(1) NFPA 51B - A2013 Proposals
(2) NFPA 51B – Held 2008 ROC on Proposal 51B-10
Report on Proposals – June 2013
NFPA 51B
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #CP1
Final Action:
(Entire Document)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations
Recommendation: Review entire document to: 1) Update any extracted material by preparing separate proposals to
do so, and 2) review and update references to other organizations documents, by preparing proposal(s) as required.
Chapter 2 Referenced Publications
2.1 General. The documents or portions thereof listed in this chapter are referenced within this standard and shall be
considered part of the requirements of this document.
2.2 NFPA Publications. National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471.
NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, 2013
NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, 201108
edition.
NFPA 51, Standard for the Design and Installation of Oxygen–Fuel Gas Systems for Welding, Cutting, and Allied
Processes, 201307 edition.
NFPA 55, Standard for the Storage, Use, and Handling of Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids in Portable and
Stationary Containers, Cylinders, and Tanks, 201305 edition.
NFPA 56 (PS), Standard for Fire and Explosion Prevention During Cleaning and Purging of Flammable Gas Piping
Systems, 2012 edition
NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations, 201304 edition.
2.3 Other Publications.
2.3.1 ANSI Publications. American National Standards Institute, Inc., 25 West 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY
10036.
ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, 2005.
2.3.2 Other Publications.
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, Merriam-Webster, Inc., Springfield, MA, 2003.
2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections.
NFPA 1, Fire Code, 201209 edition.
3.3.4 Permit. A document issued by the authority having jurisdiction for the purpose of authorizing performance of a
specified activity. [1, 201209]
Annex C Informational References
C.1 Referenced Publications.
The following documents or portions thereof are referenced within this standard for informational purposes only and are
thus not part of the requirements of this document unless also listed in Chapter 2.
C.1.1 NFPA Publications. National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169–7471.
NFPA 1, Fire Code, 201209 edition.
NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations, 201304 edition.
NFPA 326, Standard for the Safeguarding of Tanks and Containers for Entry, Cleaning, or Repair, 201005 edition.
NFPA 655, Standard for Prevention of Sulfur Fires and Explosions, 201207 edition.
C.1.2 Other Publications.
C.1.2.1 ANSI Publications. American National Standards Institute, Inc., 25 West 43rd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY
10036.
ANSI/FM 4950, American National Standard for Evaluating Welding Pads, Welding Blankets and Welding Curtains for
Hot Work Operations, 2007.
ANSI Z49.1, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, 20051999.
C.1.2.2 ASME Publications. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Three Park Avenue, New York, NY
10016-5990.
ASME B31.8, Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems, 201000.
C.1.2.3 AWS Publications. American Welding Society, 550 N.W. LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126.
AWS F-4.1, Recommended Safe Practices for the Preparation for Welding and Cutting Containers and Piping ,
20071994.
C.2 Informational References.
The following documents or portions thereof are listed here as informational resources only. They are not a part of the
requirements of this document.
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NFPA 61, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities, 2008
edition.
NFPA 122, Standard for Fire Prevention and Control in Metal/Nonmetal Mining and Metal Mineral Processing Facilities ,
201004 edition.
NFPA 306, Standard for the Control of Gas Hazards on Vessels, 2009 edition.
NFPA 312, Standard for Fire Protection of Vessels During Construction, Conversion, Repair, and Lay-Up, 201106
edition.
NFPA 909, Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties — Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship,
201005 edition.
C.3 References for Extracts in Informational Sections. (Reserved)
Substantiation: To conform to the NFPA Regulations Governing Committee Projects.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #9
Final Action:
(1.1.1)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
1.1.1 This standard shall cover provisions to prevent personal injury, loss of life and/or property from products of
combustion, fire or explosion as a result of hot work.
Substantiation: A hot work operation can also be the source of a personal injury such as burns, blindness and
intoxication.
Products of combustion from these operations that may be harmful include: intense light, heat, toxic fumes, smoke,
metal air bone particles, vapors, dust, and gases.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #10
Final Action:
(1.2)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
1.2 Purpose. This standard shall provide safety guidance for persons, including outside contractors and property
managers, who manage, supervise, and perform request, authorize, perform and supervise hot work.
Substantiation: Provisions presented in the standard are safety-related and need not to be confused with
performance driven provisions.
People who have the empowerment to request and authorize hot work need to be acquainted with the precautions set
forth in the standard.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #11
Final Action:
(1.3.2(8) (New) )
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Add new text to read as follows:
1.3.2 This standard shall not apply to the following:
(7) Lockout / tagout procedures during hot work
(8) Cleaning and purging of flammable gas piping systems in preparation for hot work
Substantiation: NFPA 56 (PS), “Standard for Fire and Explosion Prevention During Cleaning and Purging of
Flammable Gas Piping Systems” covers the referenced topic.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #12
Final Action:
(1.4.1)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Delete the following text:
1.4.1 Unless otherwise specified, the provisions of this standard shall not apply to facilities, equipment, structures, or
installations that existed or were approved for construction or installation prior to the effective date of the standard.
Where specified, the provisions of this standard shall be retroactive.
Substantiation: Hot work is an operation – an “intangible service” rather than a physical product – and unlike facilities,
equipment, structures, or installations; completed hot work operations cannot be modified. It is thus not possible to rule
that a new precaution be provided for a hot work operation that was performed anytime in the past. In this case new
provisions can only be applied to present and future (planned) operations and therefore any retroactive clause does not
apply.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #13
Final Action:
(2.2)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Add new text to read as follows:
2.2 NFPA Publications.
NFPA 55, Standard for the Storage, Use, and Handling of Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids in Portable and
Stationary Containers, Cylinders, and Tanks, 2005 edition.
NFPA 56 (PS), Standard for Fire and Explosion Prevention During Cleaning and Purging of Flammable Gas Piping
Systems, 2012 edition.
Substantiation: Cleaning and purging of flammable gas piping systems is needed prior to conduct any hot work
operation in such systems.
Committee Statement: See action on CP#1.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #14
Final Action:
(3.3.2 Hot Work)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
3.3.2 Hot Work. Work involving burning, welding, or a similar operation that is capable of initiating fires or explosions.
Hot work is defined as an operation that meets the following conditions:
a. It produces heat, flames or sparks
b. It is conducted outside a designated area
c. It is a non-routine operation
Work that it is capable of initiating fires or explosions, such as those listed in Section 1.3.1, are examples of hot work.
Substantiation: Some industrial settings; automobile manufacturing for example; use automated welding extensively
in their production processes. These operations produce heat, flames and sparks but they are conducted in areas with
proper precautions that prevent a fire from occurring. These operations are conducted on a routine basis; a condition
that reinforces the need for a safe environment. Operations conducted under these circumstances do not pose a
significant fire hazard and therefore do not qualify as hot work.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #15
Final Action:
(3.3.4 Permit)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
3.3.4 Permit. A document issued by the authority having jurisdiction for the purpose of authorizing performance of a
specified activity. [1, 2009 2012]
Substantiation: The 2012 edition of NFPA 1 has already been issued.
Committee Statement: See action on CP#1.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #8
Final Action:
(3.3.7 Welding Blanket, 3.3.8 Welding Curtain, and 3.3.9 Welding Pads)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Marcelo M. Hirschler, GBH International
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
3.3.7* Welding Blanket. A heat-resistant fabric designed to be placed in the vicinity of a hot work operation. Intended
for use in horizontal applications with light to moderate exposures such as that resulting from chipping, grinding, heat
treating, sand blasting, and light horizontal welding. Designed to protect machinery and prevent ignition of combustibles
such as wood that are located adjacent to the underside of the blanket.
3.3.8* Welding Curtain. A heat-resistant fabric designed to be placed in the vicinity of a hot work operation. Intended
for use in vertical applications with light to moderate exposures such as that resulting from chipping, grinding, heat
treating, sand blasting, and light horizontal welding. Designed to prevent sparks from escaping a confined area.
3.3.9* Welding Pads. A heat-resistant fabric designed to be placed directly under a hot work operation such as welding
or cutting. Intended for use in horizontal applications with severe exposures such as that resulting from molten
substances or heavy horizontal welding. Designed to prevent the ignition of combustibles that are located adjacent to
the underside of the pad.
A.3.3.7 Welding Blanket. Intended for use in horizontal applications with light to moderate exposures such as that
resulting from chipping, grinding, heat treating, sand blasting, and light horizontal welding. Designed to protect
machinery and prevent ignition of combustibles such as wood that are located adjacent to the underside of the blanket.
Welding blankets are required to be listed, approved, or the equivalent for such use. One such listing includes ANSI/FM
4950, American National Standard for Evaluating Welding Pads, Welding Blankets and Welding Curtains for Hot Work
Operations.
A.3.3.8 Welding Curtain. Intended for use in vertical applications with light to moderate exposures such as that
resulting from chipping, grinding, heat treating, sand blasting, and light horizontal welding. Designed to prevent sparks
from escaping a confined area. Welding curtains are required to be listed, approved, or the equivalent for such use. One
such listing includes ANSI/FM 4950, American National Standard for Evaluating Welding Pads, Welding Blankets and
Welding Curtains for Hot Work Operations.
A.3.3.9 Welding Pads. Intended for use in horizontal applications with severe exposures such as that resulting from
molten substances or heavy horizontal welding. Designed to prevent the ignition of combustibles that are located
adjacent to the underside of the pad. Welding pads are required to be listed, approved, or the equivalent for such use.
One such listing includes ANSI/FM 4950, American National Standard for Evaluating Welding Pads, Welding Blankets
and Welding Curtains for Hot Work Operations.
Substantiation: The NFPA Manual of Style requires definitions to be in single sentences. The added sentences
should not be part of the definition (and in this case they are simply added explanations) but should be in the body of the
document or in an annex note, as recommended in this proposal.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #18
Final Action:
(4.1)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
4.1* Responsibility Management. Management or a designated agent shall be responsible for the safe operations of
hot work activity. along with those who request, authorize, perform and supervise hot work operations, shall all
recognize their responsibility for safety in this type of operations.
Substantiation: As stated in section 4.6, all persons involved in hot work operations should be responsible for safe
practices; there is no need to have two sections with the same provision and section 4.6 should be deleted in favor or a
revised version of section 4.1.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #16
Final Action:
(4.1.1)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Add new text to read as follows:
4.1.1 Management. Management shall issue a hot work policy and help establish formal procedures, form permits and
an audit system to help manage hot work operations.
Substantiation: A policy is needed to prevent discretionary use of the system; formal procedures are needed to
eliminate room for confusion on what needs to be done regarding hot work; form permits are needed to help ensure that
relevant precautions are not being overlooked, through a checklist, and also serve as proof of adherence to the system;
an audit system will help detect and correct any deviations in the use of the established procedures.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #17
Final Action:
(4.1.1(a), (b), and (c) (New) )
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
4.1.1 Management shall establish permissible areas for hot work permission requirements for each area, as follows:
a. Permissible areas. Areas as described in Sections 3.3.1 and 5.2.2.1
b. Permit-required areas. Areas as described in Section 5.2.2.2
c. Non-permissible areas. Areas as described in Section 5.3
Substantiation: Designating a fire hazard level for each area, will help prevent room for confusion as to the safety
precautions required on each of them.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #2
Final Action:
(4.1.6.3)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Robert Bourke, Northeastern Regional Fire Code Development Committee
Recommendation: Add new Section 4.1.6.3 to read as follows:
Individuals involved in hot work operations shall be cognizant of weather conditions such as changes and increases in
the wind that may necessitate the use of a fire watch and/or hot work permits that may otherwise not have been required
prior to the changes in weather conditions.
Substantiation: Information added is of a significant concern regarding fire hazard recognition of those individuals
involved in hot work operations in that weather conditions oftentimes contribute to fires from wind-driven sparks or hot
products that may travel beyond that which was anticipated prior to changes in weather conditions.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #19
Final Action:
(5.2.2.1)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
5.2.2.1 3.3.1 Designated Areas. A designated area shall be a specific area designed or approved for hot work, such as
a maintenance shop or a detached outside location that is of noncombustible or fire-resistive construction, essentially
free of combustible and flammable contents, and suitably segregated from adjacent areas.
Substantiation: The “Designated Area” definition in section 5.2.2.1 is more comprehensive than the definition in
section 3.3.1; there is no need to have two definitions of the same concept in the standard.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #20
Final Action:
(5.2.2.2.1)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Sergio Linan, Zurich Insurance Company
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
5.2.2.2.1 3.3.6 Permit-Required Area. A permit-required area shall be an area that is made fire safe by removing or
protecting combustibles from ignition sources.
Substantiation: Section 5.2.2.1 is a term definition which should be part of Chapter 3.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #4
Final Action:
(5.3(6) (New) )
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: James Everitt, Western Regional Fire Code Development Committee
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
5.3* Nonpermissible Areas. Hot work shall not be permitted in the following areas:
(6) Elevated Locations where wind can carry hot embers beyond the view of the fire watch unless measures are taken.
Substantiation: Personnel experience on a television tower grass fires were breaking out blocks away.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #3
Final Action:
(5.5.1(5))
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Robert Bourke, Northeastern Regional Fire Code Development Committee
Recommendation: Add new Section to read as follows:
Pipes or other metals involved in hot work process are in contact with combustible walls, partitions, ceilings, roofs, or
other combustibles that may cause ignition by conduction.
Substantiation: This new text incorporates fire hazard recognition common to hot work operations and fire causation
resulting from a common heat transfer mechanism.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #6
Final Action:
(7.4.1)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Scott Adams, Western Regional Fire Code Development Committee
Recommendation: Revise text to read as follows:
7.4.1 Fire Extinguishers. Each site shall be provided with a portable fire extinguisher of appropriate size and type in
accordance with NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, and with a pail of water.
Substantiation: Gives guidance to user and PAI on the selection and type of fire extinguishers to be used for the given
situation and hazard.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #7
Final Action:
(7.4.3.1)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Scott Adams, Western Regional Fire Code Development Committee
Recommendation: Add new text to read as follows:
7.4.3.1 Permits. When required by the AHJ, permits shall be obtained from the local AHJ.
Substantiation: In many jurisdictions local fire codes require the AHJ to issue permits for these types of operations in
Public Exhibitions and Demonstrations. By adding this reference, it will assist the user by identifying to PAI to verify that
a permit is needed by AHJ.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #1
Final Action:
(A.3.3.7, A.3.3.8, and A.3.3.9 (New) and A.5.4.2(2)(a), A.5.4.2(3)(a), and A.5.4.2(6) (New))
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: This Proposal originates from Tentative Interim Amendment 51B-09-1 (TIA 909) issued by the Standards
Council on July 24, 2008.
Submitter: Steven E. Daily, Anheuser-Busch Companies
Recommendation: 1. Add the following new annex items to the following definitions:
A.3.3.7 Welding Blanket. Welding blankets are required to be listed or approved or equivalent for such use. One
such listing includes ANSI FM4950, Welding Pads, Welding Blankets and Welding Curtains for Hot Work Operations.
A.3.3.8 Welding Curtains. Welding curtains are required to be listed or approved or equivalent for such use. One
such listing includes ANSI FM4950, Welding Pads, Welding Blankets and Welding Curtains for Hot Work Operations.
A.3.3.9 Welding Pads. Welding pads are required to be listed or approved or equivalent for such use. One such
listing includes ANSI FM4950, Welding Pads, Welding Blankets and Welding Curtains for Hot Work Operations.
2. Add the following new annex items to the following sections:
5.4.2(2)(a)* Combustible floors shall be kept wet, covered with damp sand, or protected by a listed or approved
welding blanket or welding pad or equivalent.
A.5.4.2(2)(a) One such listing includes ANSI FM4950, Welding Pads, Welding Blankets and Welding Curtains for Hot
Work Operations.
5.4.2(3)(a)* If relocation is impractical, combustibles shall be protected by a listed or approved welding curtain, blanket,
or welding pad or equivalent.
A.5.4.2(3)(a) One such listing includes ANSI FM4950, Welding Pads, Welding Blankets and Welding Curtains for Hot
Work Operations.
5.4.2(6)* If hot work is done near walls, partitions, ceilings, or roofs of combustible construction, they shall be protected
by a listed or approved welding curtain, blanket, or welding pad or equivalent.
A.5.4.2(6) One such listing includes ANSI FM4950, Welding Pads, Welding Blankets and Welding Curtains for Hot
Work Operations.
Substantiation: The request is emergency in nature because ANSI FM4950 was not available previously. It is
imperative to public safety that users are aware that there is a standard to which their products (welding pads, blankets
and curtains for welding) can be listed for the use, thereby contributing to lessening a recognized hazard. The standard
is an advance in safeguarding property and life and was previously unavailable to the public.
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_______________________________________________________________________________________________
51B- Log #1a
Final Action:
(Figure A.5)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Note: This proposal appeared as Comment 51B-2 (Log #CC3) which was held from the Annual 2008 ROC on
Proposal 51B-10.
Submitter: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations
Recommendation: Do not incorporate this figure, but consider citing an authoritative reference to add for the next
revision.
Substantiation: As noted in Gus Manz' comments on the affirmative on this proposal, the apparatus doesn't have the
temperature, but rather the flame itself. Additionally, the source should be cited as well as incorporating other
information. A Task Group of Mark Blank and Chris Bloom will work on this and will submit a specific proposal for next
revision.
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application; or equivalent was added to allow other noncombustible materials
to be used to protect the space, such as fire rated drywall.
In (3)(a) and 4, “fire-retardant” was removed because the term “fire-retardant”
if often misused. In (4) and (6) the term “fire-rated” was added to allow
materials with proven performance capabilities.
Number Eligible to Vote: 13
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 12
Ballot Not Returned: 1 Nicholson, III, R.
Comment on Affirmative:
BLANK, M.: For this Log, the Committee agreed to use of the wording
“listed” for hot work blankets/curtains/pads to identify qualifications for safety
products used to isolate hot work activities from combustible construction and/
or occupancies. Since the Committee ROP meeting in February 2007, ANSI
has adopted the FM 4950 standard for hot work blankets/pads/curtains as noted
in the e-mail attached below and the copy of the ANSI standard also included
with this communication.
Therefore, I would like to propose the Committee adopt ANSI FM 4950 as
the required certification in NFPA 51B for acceptable hot work blankets/pads/
curtains used for proper isolation of hot work operations from combustible
construction and/or occupancies.
Note: Supporting material is available for review at NFPA Headquarters.
MANZ, A.: In “welding curtain” section, line 2, insert “essentially” in front of
“vertical”. Some work is not truly vertical or horizontal. Line 3, delete
“horizontal”. For the same reason. Globally- either add a definition that as used
herein the term welding includes cutting, or wherever “welding” is used
replace it with “welding or cutting”.
In “Welding Blanket” section, line 2, insert “essentially” in front of
“horizontal”. Some work is not truly horizontal or vertical. Line 3, for the same
reason delete “horizontal”.
In “welding pads” section, line 1, after “under” insert “or in the path of”.
Some spatter etc. can be ejected wherever the welding or cutting is aimed. Line
2 and 3, delete “horizontal” for the same reason.
_______________________________________________________________
51B-9 Log #CP4 Final Action: Accept
(5.4.2 and A.5.4.2)
________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations,
Recommendation: Modify 5.4.2 and delete A.5.4.2 as follows: A fire watch
shall be maintained for at least ½ hour after completion of hot work operations
in order to detect and extinguish smoldering fires. The duration of the fire
watch shall be extended if the PAI determines the fire hazards warrant the
extension.
Substantiation: The 1/2 hour requirement may not be sufficient for many
hazards. By moving the advisory material to the body, the requirement better
addresses the potential hazard.
Committee Meeting Action: Accept
Number Eligible to Vote: 13
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 12
Ballot Not Returned: 1 Nicholson, III, R.
_______________________________________________________________
51B-10 Log #8 Final Action: Accept in Principle
(A.5)
________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Mark E. Blank, FM Global
Recommendation: Considering adding a reference chart within the Annex
section which provides a comparison of various hot work equipment operating
temperatures vs. ignition temperatures of common combustible materials. An
example might be as follows:
Heat Source Temperature Ratings
Electric Arc Welder
10,900 F (6,038 C)
Oxygen/Acetylene Cutting Torch
6,330 F (3,499 C)
Propane Torch
Welding Torch Slag
3,595 F (1,979 C)
>2,000 F (1,093 C)
Electric Heat Gun
Radial Metal Cutting Saw
600 – 1,350 F (316 – 732 C)
>1,000 F (538 C)
Wheel Grinder
>1,000 F (538 C)
Substantiation: Many individuals who conduct hot work operations as part of
their normal work profession, become complacent to the very real fire potential
that can exist with hot work activities. The suggested comparison chart
provides a clear, mental picture of the very real potential for a fire when hot
work is conducted in the presence of most combustible materials. The intent
of providing such a comparison chart is to consciously raise the hot work fire
hazard awareness whenever this type of activity is conducted.
Committee Meeting Action: Accept in Principle
The table will be added as submitted with the following changes:
The oxygen/acetylene cutting torch will be corrected to read “5615F” and the
Electric Arc Welder will be >10,000F.
Committee Statement: The committee requested that the submitter provide
more material and heats of combustion. This will be provided as a comment.
Number Eligible to Vote: 13
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 12
Ballot Not Returned: 1 Nicholson, III, R.
Comment on Affirmative:
MANZ, A.: The chart is not satisfactory as composed. It is not the “Electric
Arc Welder” that is hot, it is the “electric arc”. The spatter etc., will be at the
melting temperature of the metal etc. Only the arc has such a high temperature.
Also, add the symbol for “greater than”, or the words. Similarly, for all the
other listings. It is not the equipment, but the flame, spark, etc.
Finally, some of the temperatures are incorrect. Flame temperatures depend
on the amount of oxygen present. The AWS usually cites the temperature
of neutral flames, in the case of propane it is 4579F (see the “Welding
Handbook”, volume 2, part 1, page 472). Be extra careful here.
_______________________________________________________________
51B-11 Log #CP5 Final Action: Accept
(Figure A.5.3.1(a))
________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations,
Recommendation: Update the existing Sample Hot Work Permit in Figure
A.5.3.1(a) to make the format more user-friendly, incorporating a single page
format.
Substantiation: The sample permit should only reflect requirements found in
NFPA 51B.
Committee Meeting Action: Accept
Committee Statement: A task group was formed to update the format and
submit the work as a Comment.
Number Eligible to Vote: 13
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 12
Ballot Not Returned: 1 Nicholson, III, R.
_______________________________________________________________
51B-12 Log #CP2 Final Action: Accept
(Figure A.5.3.1(b))
________________________________________________________________
Submitter: Technical Committee on Hot Work Operations,
Recommendation: Delete existing Figure A.5.3.1(b).
Substantiation: FM updated their hot work permit and the older permit is no
longer relevant. The updated permit was not used because there were numerous
requirements on the FM permit that were more stringent than the minimum
requirements in NFPA 51B.
Committee Meeting Action: Accept
Number Eligible to Vote: 13
Ballot Results: Affirmative: 12
Ballot Not Returned: 1 Nicholson, III, R.
Comment on Affirmative:
DAILY, S.: I agree with the concept to create an updated permit. After
the ROP meeting, the task group came up with the following permit for
consideration at the ROC. I am submitting it as my comment so it can have the
benefit of public review.
See Hot Work Permit on the next page.
MANZ, A.: Whatever hot work permit is used, delete trade names such as
COBOL. We should not use trade names.
Ignition Temperature
Styrene
914 F (490 C)
Typical Asphalt
905 F (485 C)
Polyurethane Foam
824 F (440 C)
Lubricating Oil (Motor/Mineral)
500 – 700 F (260 – 371 C)
Mineral Spirits
473 F (245 C)
Wood Products
Corrugated Paper
380 – 800 F (193 – 427 C)
380 – 500 F (193 – 260 C)
51B-