Potential Hazards

• Combustible materials cannot be removed, protected or shielded.
• Climbing ladders with heavy fire extinguishing equipment.
• Possible exposure to welding or toxic fumes.
• Transfer of heat from one space to another or to spaces below.
• Fire in adjacent spaces.
• Coverings used to protect equipment may not be fire retardant.

Requirements and Example Solutions

• For employees performing fire watch activities, a written policy must be created and maintained specifying: [1915.504(a)]
  • Each employee must be provided training, including detailed fire watch requirements. [1915.504(a)(1)]
  • Duties to be performed. [1915.504(a)(2)]
  • Equipment to be used. [1915.504(a)(3)]
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) required to be made available and worn. [1915.504(a)(4)]
• 
  A fire watch (Figure 2) must be posted during hot work when any of the following conditions are present: [1915.504(b)]
  • Slag, weld splatter, or sparks might pass through an opening and cause a fire (Figure 3). [1915.504(b)(1)]
  • Fire-resistant guards or curtains are not used to prevent ignition of combustible materials on or near decks, bulkheads, partitions, or overheads. [1915.504(b)(2)]
  • Combustible material closer than 35 feet to the hot work cannot be removed, protected with flame-proof covers, or shielded with metal or fire-resistant guards or curtains. [1915.504(b)(3)]
  • 
    Hot work is performed on or near insulation, combustible coatings, or sandwich-type construction that cannot be shielded, cut back, or removed, or in a space within a sandwich type construction that cannot be inerted. [1915.504(b)(4)]
  • Combustible materials adjacent to the opposite sides of bulkheads, decks, overheads, metal partitions, or sandwich-type construction may be ignited by conduction or radiation. [1915.504(b)(5)]
  • Hot work is close enough to cause ignition through heat radiation or conduction on: [1915.504(b)(6)]
    • Insulated pipes, bulkheads, decks, partitions, or overheads (Figure 4). [1915.504(b)(6)(i)]
    • Combustible materials and/or coatings. [1915.504(b)(6)(ii)]
  • Work is close enough to unprotected combustible pipe or cable runs to cause ignition. [1915.504(b)(7)]
  • A Marine Chemist, a Coast Guard-authorized person, or a shipyard Competent Person requires that a fire watch be posted. [1915.504(b)(8)]
• 
  A fire watch must not be assigned to other duties while hot work is in progress. [1915.504(c)(1)]
• A fire watch must: [1915.504(c)(2)]
  • Have a clear view of and immediate access to all areas included in the fire watch. [1915.504(c)(2)(i)]
  • Be able to communicate with workers exposed to hot work. [1915.504(c)(2)(ii)]
  • Be authorized to stop work if necessary and restore safe conditions within the hot work area. [1915.504(c)(2)(iii)]
  • Remain in the hot work area for at least 30 minutes after completion of the hot work unless the employer or its representative surveys the exposed area and makes a determination that there is no further fire hazard. [1915.504(c)(2)(iv)]
  • Be trained to detect fires that occur in areas exposed to the hot work. [1915.504(c)(2)(v)]
  • Attempt to extinguish any incipient stage fires in the hot work area that are within the capability of available equipment and within the fire watch's training qualifications. [1915.504(c)(2)(vi) and 1915.508]
  • Alert employees of any fire beyond the incipient stage. [1915.504(c)(2)(vii)]
  • Activate the alarm if unable to extinguish fire in the areas exposed to the hot work. [1915.504(c)(2)(viii)]
  • Be physically capable of performing fire watch duties. [1915.504(c)(3)]
• 
  Assign additional fire watch in adjacent spaces.
  • See Fire Protection FAQs: B-9 for a multiple fire watch solution

• When a fire occurs, attempt to extinguish. If not successful, evacuate space and sound the alarm. [1915.504(c)(2)(vi) and (viii)]
• Fire watch should ensure that protective covers remain in place and watch where sparks are flying.
• Have appropriate carrier for fire extinguishing bottles (Figure 8) when climbing ladders.
• Fire watch has appropriate PPE for the condition such as:
  • respiratory protection equal to the protection for the welder
  • eye protection and shielding allowing them to evaluate the surrounding area
• Use adequate protective covering that is flame-resistant when conducting hot work.
• Train workers to recognize protective coverings that are not fire retardant.
• Label fire retardant coverings for easy recognition.
• Sample Fire Safety Plans. Shipbuilders Council of America, (2006).