Preparing the Work Area — Fire Prevention

Whenever you can, take the object being cut or welded to a designated safe area. When the object can't be moved and it has combustibles nearby, then all movable fire hazards within 35 feet get taken to a safe place.

Anything combustible that can't be moved gets protected instead:

• Cover it with flame-resistant blankets, tarps, or metal guards.
• Close or cover floor and wall openings within 35 feet so sparks can't drop through to a lower level or the other side.
• Protect combustible floors — wet them down, cover with damp sand, or lay fire-resistant shields.
• Cover ducts and conveyors that could carry sparks to distant combustibles.

Remember sparks fall and roll. A gap in the floor, a wall penetration, or a stack of pallets two rooms over can all be in play.

Fire extinguishing equipment has to be right there and ready — not down the hall. Depending on the job that means a charged extinguisher rated for the hazard, a charged fire hose, buckets of water or sand, or a combination.

Whoever's doing the fire watch needs to know how to use it and be able to reach it in seconds. Confirm the extinguisher is charged and the right class before work starts, not while something's already burning.

Before you fire up, walk the area and rule out the things that turn routine hot work into a disaster:

• Flammable liquids, vapors, or gases — the atmosphere has to be clear.
• Combustible dust on beams, ledges, and equipment that a spark can ignite.
• Coatings, linings, or insulation that can burn or give off toxic smoke.
• Hidden combustibles inside walls, above ceilings, or below grated floors.

If any of these can't be controlled, the work doesn't start until they are. Preparation is the main control — once the sparks are flying, it's too late to see what you missed.