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