Before any welding is conducted outside of a designated welding area, a responsible individual must inspect the area and identify precautions to be taken preferably on a written Hot Works permit. Fire extinguishers must be ready for immediate use. A fire watch lasting at least 30 minutes after the welding or cutting operations is required if more than a minor fire might develop. All combustibles must be moved 35 feet away or properly protected or shielded.
Prohibited areas for welding include:
- Areas unauthorized by management
- Areas where sprinklers are impaired
- Areas in explosive atmospheres
- Areas near storage of large quantities of readily ignitable materials
Source: WW Grainger
