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I. SCOPE ..................................................................................................................................... 1
III. PROCEDURES....................................................................................................................... 2
H. Fire Watch.................................................................................................................... 9
I. Contractors .................................................................................................................. 9
I. SCOPE
This Bulletin provides the procedures for safe hot work operations. It provides
guidance for personnel performing hot work and their supervisors, fire watchers,
permit issuers, and facility management. This Bulletin supplements and expands upon
the requirements of the 2019 Edition NFPA 51B, “Standard for Fire Prevention During
Welding, Cutting and Other Hot Work”.
Hot work operations cause approximately 5-10% of fires in industry and 20% of fires
at Ford Motor Company facilities. These fires have caused significant property
damage and production interruption to Ford facilities.
Implementing safe hot work procedures can prevent a majority of hot work related
fires. These procedures will also reduce the damage and minimize production loss
from hot work related fires that may occur.
Information related to Personal Protective Equipment and safety procedures are not
covered in this document. Requirements are documented by Ford Occupational
Health & Safety in FAS08-121 which can be found at http://www.ohs.ford.com.
This Bulletin and any associated topics are owned by Ford Fire Protection
Engineering, Corporate Security and Fire.
These requirements apply to all Company owned and leased facilities including
subsidiaries of Ford Motor Company. Where Local, State, Federal, or National codes
are more stringent than these standards, or other Company standards referenced here,
the more stringent requirements shall be followed.
During construction prior to the acquisition of a certificate of occupancy, it is the
responsibility of the contractor’s safety team to issue hot work permits. The
contractor’s representative issuing the hot work permit will follow the policies and
procedures outlined in Bulletin 38. The contractor’s representative will be
responsible for the management of the hot work job.
Written approval is required from Fire Protection Engineering or the Regional Fire
Protection Engineer for deviations from these requirements.
II. DEFINITIONS
Certificate of Occupancy
A certificate of occupancy is a document issued by a local government agency or
building department certifying a building's compliance with applicable building codes
and other laws, and indicating it to be in a condition suitable for occupancy.
Fire Monitoring
Fire monitoring are provisions implemented to provide early warning of smoldering fire
conditions in the hot work area following completion of the established fire watch time
period.
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Fire Standby
A Fire Standby is normally done in conjunction with Fire Watch Personnel. This can be
someone from local skilled trades or contractor personnel who are performing the Hot
Work (applicable to Research and Engineering VEV only).
Fire Watch
A Fire Watch is a qualified person whose primary responsibility is to monitor the hot
work area for developing fires. A Fire Watch is performed by someone representing the
Ford Motor Company who has met the minimal requirements to perform said duties
outlined in the Bulletin within Section H, 1 through 4.
Hot Work
Hot work operations include welding, brazing, flame or plasma cutting, hot riveting,
grinding, soldering, powder driven fasteners, reciprocating power saws (Sawzall), and
other activities that produce sparks, generate heat or use flame.
Designated Hot Work Area
A permanent area designed or approved for hot work operations. Designated areas
may be established for production hot work or for maintenance hot work.
Permit Required Area
An area that shall be fire safe by removing combustibles and/or protecting them from
ignition sources.
III. PROCEDURES
These procedures apply to all areas of owned and leased facilities and encompass all roof
and exterior areas of the facility including existing construction, new construction and
demolition.
A. Designated Hot Work Area
Hot work shall be performed in a designated hot work area when possible. Hot
Work Permits are not required in designated hot work areas.
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1. Production Hot Work Area
Areas where hot work is performed, as part of the production process
shall be of noncombustible or fire resistive construction, essentially free
of combustible or flammable contents, and suitably segregated from
adjacent areas. The production hot work area should be separated from
combustible storage by space, noncombustible partitions, or flexible
industrial partitions that conform to Ford Fire Protection Bulletin 11.
2. Maintenance Hot Work Area
Areas where hot work is performed for repair or maintenance purposes
shall be of noncombustible or fire resistive construction, essentially free
of combustible or flammable materials, and suitably separated from
surrounding areas.
3. Requirements
a. Production Hot Work Areas and Maintenance Hot Work Areas
shall be maintained free of combustibles such as cardboard or
similar packaging materials.
b. If combustibles are found in a designated Hot Work area, one of
the following shall be required
1) Hot Work operations shall be discontinued until the
combustibles are removed from the area.
OR
2) Implement Hot Work Permit procedures for High Hazard
Work Areas per Section III. D. below.
B. Prohibited Areas
Hot work is prohibited in the following areas:
1. Gas meter houses or where flammable gases, vapors, liquids, or dusts are
commonly present.
2. In sprinklered buildings when sprinklers are temporarily impaired. Work
should be deferred until protection is restored.
3. In areas not authorized by management.
If Hot Work is essential, contact Fire Protection Engineering.
C. Areas Requiring Hot Work Permits
Consideration should be given to less hazardous ways to accomplish tasks. Alternatives
include using a less hazardous process or relocating the work to a designated hot work
area. Permits are required whether the facility or area is operating or not operating.
1. Very High Hazard Areas
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Each site shall be responsible to perform a risk assessment to identify Very
High Hazard Work areas. Typical Very High Hazard Work areas (permit
required) include:
Fire System Impaired - i.e. Fire System out of service, fire pump out of
service, special hazard system out of service
Paint Shop
Paint repair booths
Tank Farms
Gasoline Stations
Dust Collectors
Paint Sludge Areas
Duct Work
Any area where combustible dust is present (plastic, metallic, fibers)
Any area within 11 m (35 ft) of the above
2. High Hazard Work Areas
Each site shall be responsible to perform a risk assessment to identify High
Hazard Work areas. Typical high hazard areas (permit required) include:
Confined Spaces
On a wall or the roof of a facility
Oil House
Nonsprinklered Building
Warehouse or any other storage areas
Basements of Stamping Plants
Within 11 m (35 ft) of any floor opening
Parts Machining areas
3. Moderate Hazard Areas
All plant areas not identified as Production Hot Work or Maintenance Hot
Work, Prohibited Areas, Very High Hazard, or High Hazard Work areas are
considered Moderate Hazard Areas (Permit Required).
Maintenance work in Body Shops
Body Assembly areas
Engine Assembly areas
Outside Storage Areas
4. Low Hazard Areas
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Hot Work Permits are not required in the following areas:
Designated Maintenance Hot Work areas
Designated Production Hot Work areas
D. Permit System
1. Each facility shall use a hot work permit system. This system shall meet or
exceed all the requirements in this Bulletin.
2. The hot work permit shall include the following information:
a. Date work is performed
b. Start time and estimated completion
c. Location of work (Building name or number, floor number, column
numbers, department, etc.)
d. Description of work to be performed
e. Locations of nearest fire extinguisher, phone, emergency phone number,
and/or alarm pull box
f. Person doing the work
g. Person assigned as fire watch
h. Person issuing the permit
i. Clearly defined expiration time and date
2. Each facility shall maintain a log of permit issuers. This log shall be available
for review by the Property Loss Prevention Consultant.
3. Separate hot work permit issuers may be responsible for issuing permits in High
Hazard areas, High Hazard and Moderate Hazard areas.
4. The hot work permit issuer shall have training that has been approved by the
Fire Protection Engineering Office, which includes the following:
Fire hazard recognition
Fire suppression training, extinguishers
Emergency Procedures
Use of air sampling equipment
The person responsible for fire protection at the site may require additional
training for persons authorized to issue Hot Work Permits for High Hazard areas.
5. The hot work permit issuer shall first consider all less hazardous alternatives to
hot work operations. This should be done in the planning stages, not as last
minute changes. These alternatives may include:
a. Less hazardous processes.
Bolting or mechanical clamps versus welding
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Hydraulic shears or reciprocating saw (Sawzall or similar) versus
torch or radial saw cutting
Threaded pipe or mechanical coupling connections versus torch
soldered joints
A roof covering system that can be applied without the use of a
torch
Hand filing versus mechanical grinding
b. Move work to a designated hot work area.
c. Reschedule work for a shutdown or non-production period (Note that a
permit will still be required).
Note: A permit will be required when hot work is rescheduled for a shutdown
or non-production period and may be required for other alternatives such as
reciprocating saws, hydraulic shears or hand filing.
The permit issuer may decline to issue a permit if, in the opinion of the permit
issuer, a hazard exists. Contact the person responsible for fire protection at the
site for guidance. Document the reason for the declined permit request on the Hot
Work Permit Log.
If the permit issuer believes that all hazards have been controlled, follow steps
6, 7, and 8 below and issue the permit.
6. Prior to issuing a permit, the permit issuer shall physically inspect the hot work
area using the hot work permit checklist described in Section III.D.2.k. A
permit shall not be issued until all checklist items are addressed. No hot work
permits shall be issued until an area is inspected.
7. The permit issuer shall revoke a hot work permit if informed conditions in the
hot work area have changed from those under which the permit was issued. A
new permit shall not be issued until the area is re-inspected.
8. When a hazardous or unknown situation is encountered beyond the permit
issuers level of training, consult with plant safety and fire protection personnel
and obtain their agreement prior to issuing a hot work permit.
9. The permit issuer shall physically inspect the hot work job site between 25 and
30 minutes after completion of the fire monitoring period. After the final
inspection of the hot work area, the permit is closed by the permit issuer. The
objectives of this inspection are to detect smoldering fires and, if none, release
the fire watch. If the permit issuer determines that addition precautions should
be taken, a fire monitoring period will be established for a period of 1 to 3 hours
after the predetermined fire watch time period has expired.
10. For Ford Construction green sites where a “Certificate of Occupancy” has not
been issued, permits are to be issued by the authorized and trained member of
the contractor’s safety team in accordance with Bulletin 38. The contractor
representative issuing the permit will be responsible for management of the hot
work job.
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Exception: Where Ford employees conduct hot work, permit will be issued by
facility security.
12. Do not perform welding, burning (torch cutting) grinding, or abrasive blasting
on painted surfaces unless there is documentation that the paint does not
contain any detectable amount of lead or chromium; OR that a risk assessment
(PTA/MSRA) for the task at hand has been completed to acknowledge and
address the potential hazard..
G. Personnel Performing Hot Work
1. It is the responsibility of the person performing hot work outside a designated
area to obtain a Hot Work Permit prior to starting work.
2. The operator is responsible to implement the required precautions shown on the
Hot Work Permit.
3. The operator is responsible for inspecting hot work tools and equipment to
assure they are in good repair.
4. The hot work operator shall use equipment according to required safety
procedures.
5. The hot work operator shall not begin or continue work if conditions in the area
have changed from those under which the permit was issued.
H. Fire Watch and Monitoring
A fire watch is a qualified person whose primary responsibility is to monitor the hot
work area for developing fires throughout the duration of the hot work. This person shall
have the authority to stop hot work if a hazard is recognized or conditions change, to
notify emergency personnel for assistance, and to extinguish the fire if within his/her
capabilities.
1. A fire watch is required in all high hazard and very high hazard areas and in
other areas as designated by the local fire, security, safety, or person
responsible for fire protection. Predetermined areas of known hazards should
be identified as needing special precautions for fire watch and extended
monitoring (reference table below).
2. Where it is necessary to observe areas that are hidden from the view of a single
fire watch person (below roofs or mezzanines or the other side of partitions,
walls, ceilings, etc.) additional fire watch personnel shall be posted.
3. The qualified fire watch shall have training that has been approved by the
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Fire Engineering Office, which includes the following:
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Fire
Fire Watch
Preliminary Monitoring
Hot Work Zones Final Approver/Permit Issuer Typical Example Minimum
Approver Minimum
Duration
Duration
Paint Shop, Paint Kitchen/Lab,
Paint Repair Booths, Tank
Farms, Gasoline Stations (i.e.
Gas Fill), Gas Meter House,
None, work approved
Paint Sludge Areas, Duct Work.
based upon the Task
Based Risk
Any area where combustible dust
Assessment. Safety Engineer with
is present (plastic, metals, fibers,
concurrence of Regional Safety
etc.)
Very High Permitted work can Office and National Fire
1 Hour 3 Hours
Hazard take place after a Protection Engineer or
Any area within 11 Meters (35
thorough review of the Corporate Fire Protection
feet) of the above.
work being Engineering.
conducted. All
Other items for consideration:
permits to be issued
Fire System(s) out of service, fire
by a Permit Issuer.
pump(s) out of service, special
hazard system out of service.
Guidelines in Bulletin 02 should
be followed.
All hot work on a wall or roof of a
facility. All hot work taking place
in a Confined Space.
None, work approved
based upon the Task Hot work in an oil house, or any
Based Risk storage area.
Assessment.
Hot work in any nonsprinklered
Permitted work can Plant Safety Engineer/Plant building.
High Hazard 1 Hour 1 Hour
take place after a Fire Protection Officer
thorough review of the Basements in Stamping Plants.
work being
conducted. All Hot work occurring within 11
permits to be issued Meters (35 feet) of any floor
by a Permit Issuer. opening.
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I. Contractors
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1.
Is there an Complete job with
acceptable alternative Yes cold work. No hot work
to hot work? permit is needed.
No
2.
Can hot work be Examine designated
performed in a designated Yes area; then complete hot
area (e.g., maintenance hot work there. No hot work
work area)? permit is needed.
No
3.
Is the proposed work Hot work and permit are
to be performed in a Yes not authorized.
prohibited area?
No
4.
Is the proposed work
to be performed in a high Obtain a written
hazard or general area Yes hot work permit.
(e.g., NOT in a
maintenance shop)?
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Door or Opening
Wall or Partition Wall or Partition
Cart of
flammable
liquids
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Appendix E
Spray Booth Hot Work Checklist
This Appendix provides a checklist to be followed when performing hot work in or around a paint spray booth.
This information applies to all hot work operations in paint spray booths. The checklists provided covers the usual
situations found when working on or in paint spray equipment. It is the responsibility of each location to address
issues not covered in this appendix.
Preplanning:
Task Assigned to: Date/Time Completed
Notify Security/ Fire section before any hot work starts.
Use hot work procedures and issue hot work permits for
all hot work inside and around a spray booth.
Determine if the spray booth detection system needs to be
disabled during the hot work operation. If disabling is
required determine how to disable only the specific
detection system(s) in the hot work area. Determine if the
spray booth detection system needs to be disabled during
the hot work operation. If disabling is required Arrange
for impairment procedures to be followed
Use fire protection impairment procedures if any the
booth deluge system, the booth sprinkler system, the
building sprinkler system, or the booth fire detection
system is removed from service during the hot work
period.
Brief contractors and maintenance personnel on the
emergency evacuation routes and fire response
procedures for the location where they are working
Identify location of fire extinguishers and fire hose in
the vicinity of the spray booth where hot work
operations will occur.
Identify the location deluge system manual release
stations, building fire alarm system pull stations and the
spray booth fire detection panel for the spray booth
where hot work operations will occur.
Determine which electrical systems have to be shut down
during the hot work operation. Verify that proper ECPL
procedures are to be followed.
Confirm that arrangements have been made to clean the
entire spray booth area where hot work operations will
occur. Verify that the booth has been cleaned and free of
residue.
Check spray booth and adjacent areas for cleanliness
using only authorized plant personal
(Safety, Fire or Security).
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Logging of declined permits is an important part of hot work permit issuing because:
a. Have record of which burning & welding employees haven't been ready for the permit.
b. Know history of why the hot work permit wasn't issued the first time, so if a different permit
issuer was called to issue the permit, he/she would know why it wasn't issued the first time.
c. Used for training purposes. Having a log shows fellow hot work permit issues reasons why
permits weren't issued.
Permit #001-1 Suggested to welder that in the future, attempt to use methods other than utilizing torch to cut
bolts from floor.
Permit #001-2 Permit declined due to never allowing burning & welding in active Paint Kitchen
Permit #001-3 Permit declined due to combustibles in pit below and near area in question
Permit #001-3 Permit issued next day due to area being cleaned of combustibles as well as within drive pit
Permit #001-4 Permit declined due to gas fill area close to area in question for Hot Work Permit.
Permit #001-4 Permit issued due to adequate precautions taken and fire standby in area.
Permit #002-1 Permit declined due to sprinkler system in affected area drained and being repaired.
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