When is it necessary to have a fire watch?

Having a fire watch during and after hot work operations is essential for ensuring safety and preventing fire hazards. Hot work operations include processes that generate sparks or open flames, like welding, cutting, or grinding. These activities pose a significant risk of igniting nearby combustible materials.

The role of the fire watch person is to monitor the area for signs of fire during the operations. This vigilance is crucial as fires can occur shortly after hot work has concluded, especially if materials have been heated. The fire watch continues after the work is finished to ensure that no smoldering fires go unnoticed that can result from hot slag or other leftover hot materials.

This ongoing observation helps mitigate the risk of a fire emergency, as potential ignition sources can materialize after the initial operations have ceased. Thus, maintaining a fire watch during and after hot work operations is a key safety practice mandated by fire safety regulations.