Fire Watch Duties
Sparks from welding, cutting and grinding can travel 35 feet or more and smolder for hours. A fire watch is a trained person whose only job is to look for fires started by hot work and put them out. A fire watch who is distracted or leaves early is a leading reason hot work fires get out of control.
- Fire Watch
- Welders
- Supervisors
When a fire watch is needed
- Whenever hot work is done where more than a minor fire might develop: combustibles within 35 feet, openings in walls or floors that let sparks reach combustibles, or combustible materials adjacent to the other side of walls or ceilings (1910.252(a)(2)(iii) and NFPA 51B).
- Whenever the hot work permit says so. See Hot Work Permits.
- In construction, see 1926.352 and the employer's program.
Who can be a fire watch
- Trained in the fire hazards of the work, in using extinguishers and in sounding an alarm. See Incipient Fire Training
- Authorized to stop the work if conditions become unsafe
- Not assigned other duties while watching, such as operating equipment or carrying tools
- Able to see all areas where sparks can go, with a way to communicate (radio, phone)
- Knows the extinguisher location and the exit routes
What to watch
- The work area, around and below it, including cracks, floor openings, pipe penetrations, ducts, conveyors and walls that conduct heat to the other side.
- Floors above and below, and adjacent rooms where sparks could drop.
- Combustibles such as wood, paper, insulation, plastic, dust, oil, flammable liquids and coverings. See Sparks & Fire Risk.
- Clothing and the welder's PPE for smoldering.
Duties
- Have a charged extinguisher of the right type within reach, and a water source or hose where required. See Fire Extinguishers.
- Watch continuously during the hot work.
- Put out small fires only if safe. For anything larger, sound the alarm, call 911 and evacuate.
- Stay at least 30 minutes after the hot work ends (NFPA 51B; some permits or jurisdictions require longer, such as an hour) to catch smoldering fires. Do a final check, and consider a further check an hour or more later.
- Document the times and areas checked as the permit requires.
- Do not leave early or leave to do other tasks.
- Do not rely on a fire watch who cannot see the area or who is also welding.
Standards & references
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