How long must a fire watch continue after the conclusion of hot work?

The duration of the fire watch after hot work has concluded is set at 30 minutes. This period is critical for ensuring that any potential smoldering fires or heat sources that may have been ignited during the hot work are fully extinguished or have enough time to cool down before leaving the area unattended.

During this 30-minute fire watch, the individual assigned to the task remains vigilant for any signs of smoke, fire, or residual heat, as certain materials can take time to ignite after being subjected to high temperatures. This time frame is widely accepted and serves as a safety measure in accordance with fire safety protocols in many industries.

Having this specific duration also highlights the importance of maintaining utmost caution after hazardous activities, as many fires can start after operations have concluded if materials that were hot are not monitored appropriately.