Preventing Fires from Hot Work

Essential Safety Measures

Hot work activities, such as welding, cutting, and other operations involving open flames or high heat, remain a leading cause of fires in various industries. Despite established safety guidelines, neglecting basic precautions often results in costly damage, operational delays, and even loss of life.

The Ongoing Risk

Data shows a persistent trend of fires caused by hot work, especially on construction sites where inexperienced workers and corner-cutting contractors increase the risk. Hot work involves tasks that generate heat or flames, posing significant fire hazards. For instance, roofing work near combustible materials requires special attention to prevent fires.

Overcoming the Challenges

Even with regulations in place, safety measures are often ignored. Before starting hot work, always consider safer alternatives, such as machining or relocating the task to a safer area. If hot work is necessary, thorough planning and preparation are crucial.

The top priority should always be to stop fires from starting in the first place, secondly, measures to reduce the impact of a fire should be implemented.

Implementing Controls

A Hot Work Permit system, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is vital for managing risks. NFPA 51B outlines the requirements for hot work safety, emphasising the need for proper planning, permitting, and monitoring. A task-specific permit should be issued to ensure that work is conducted safely. Adequate training for all personnel, including external contractors, is essential. Choosing experienced contractors can further reduce risks.

Accountability and Vigilance

Management must ensure that competent personnel issue Hot Work Permits and oversee compliance with safety procedures. Monitoring the area during and after hot work is critical. Automatic fire protection systems should be reconnected immediately after the work is completed, as per NFPA guidelines.

4,580 fires in the US per year

According to data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• H ot work activities in the United States cause an estimated 4,580 fires per year.
• These fires result in an average of 22 civilian deaths, 171 civilian injuries, and $484 million in direct property damage annually.
• The majority of these fires occur in non-residential properties, including industrial, manufacturing, and construction sites.

Checklist for Safe Hot Work - LINK

1. Evaluate Alternatives : Can the task be done without hot work? (NFPA 51B suggests assessing all alternatives before proceeding with hot work.)
2. Plan Thoroughly : Remove combustible materials and ensure equipment is in good condition.
3. Implement a Hot Work Permit System : Task-specific permits should be issued by trained, competent personnel. (e.g. NFPA 51B or use 21RISK hot works permit.)
4. Ensure Proper Training : All workers, including contractors, should be trained in hot work safety according to NFPA guidelines.
5. Monitor During and After Work : Keep a fire watch for at least one hour post-completion, as recommended by NFPA 51B.
6. Reconnect Fire Protection Systems : Immediately restore systems after hot work is finished, in line with NFPA requirements.
7. Inspect and Document : Regularly inspect the work area and document all safety measures, as per NFPA 51B.

Conclusion

Hot work is inherently risky, and it is unfortunate that we are seeing a trend in construction site fires across the world that are causing injuries, loss of life, and property damage. - With careful planning, adherence to e.g. NFPA 51B standards, proper controls, and continuous vigilance, these risks can be minimised.

Examples of Hot-Work fires

1. Water-Park fire (2024)

• Location: Goteberg, Sweden
• Incident: On February 12, 2024, a raging inferno erupted at a new water park in Sweden, with flames decimating a number of under-construction outdoor waterslides and related facilities. The massive blaze ripped through several yet-to-be-opened waterslides, including one with a drop of 43 feet, at the Oceana waterpark in Goteberg — sending plumes of black smoke over Sweden's second-largest city. Harrowing footage shot by witnesses showed the slides, which had been scheduled to open in the coming months, engulfed by flames as several firefighting vehicles descended on the area. The cause of the fire was welding.
• Impact: The fire started at one of the water rides outside the building and then spread to the entire building leading to significant financial loss, and sadly one person has been reported dead.

2. The Notre-Dame Cathedral Fire (2019)

• Location: Paris, France
• Incident: On April 15, 2019, a devastating fire broke out at Notre-Dame Cathedral. The fire, which destroyed much of the cathedral's roof and spire, was linked to ongoing renovation work. Investigations suggested that the fire might have been started by a hot work operation, such as welding or grinding, although the exact cause remains undetermined.
• Impact: The fire caused extensive damage to one of the world's most famous landmarks, leading to a significant cultural and financial loss.

3. The Deutsche Bank Building Fire (2007)

• Location: New York City, USA
• Incident: On August 18, 2007, a fire broke out on the 17th floor of the Deutsche Bank Building (130 Liberty Street) in Lower Manhattan, which was being dismantled due to damage sustained during the 9/11 attacks. The fire was caused by workers who were using a torch to cut steel beams as part of the demolition work.
• Impact: The fire resulted in the deaths of two firefighters and exposed serious safety lapses, including inadequate oversight of hot work operations.

4. The Glasgow School of Art Fire (2014)

• Location: Glasgow, Scotland
• Incident: On May 23, 2014, a fire broke out in the Glasgow School of Art's Mackintosh Building, a renowned architectural masterpiece. The fire was caused by a spark from a hot work operation during renovation work, which ignited foam insulation.
• Impact: The fire caused extensive damage to the building, particularly its library, which housed rare and valuable materials. The building suffered a second, even more devastating fire in 2018 during the ongoing restoration.

5. The Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery Fire (2019)

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• Incident: On June 21, 2019, a series of explosions and a massive fire occurred at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery. The fire was reportedly caused by a spark during hot work, which ignited flammable vapours in the vicinity.
• Impact: The incident resulted in the complete closure of the refinery, which had been the largest on the East Coast of the United States, and it had a significant impact on the local economy and fuel supply.

6. The Texas City Refinery Explosion (2005)

• Location: Texas City, Texas, USA
• Incident: On March 23, 2005, a catastrophic explosion occurred at BP's Texas City Refinery, resulting in 15 deaths and over 170 injuries. The explosion was not directly caused by hot work, but improper hot work practices had contributed to a culture of safety complacency at the site.
• Impact: The explosion led to significant regulatory changes in the industry, emphasising the need for rigorous safety practices, including hot work management.

These examples highlight the severe risks associated with hot work when safety protocols are not strictly followed. Each of these incidents underscores the importance of careful planning, monitoring, and adherence to safety standards during hot work operations.