Assigning a fire watch person or individuals during and after actions that include potential heat or ignite sources, often known as hot work, is a crucial fire prevention safety precaution. Workers who are on fire watch can assist prevent accidents that could cause serious injury, property loss, or worse. Check out this page: Fire Watch Guards
The bulk of non-home structure fires involving hot work, according to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), are caused by cutting, welding, or having a heat source too close to combustibles. Open flames or other heat sources that have the potential to ignite flammable materials are frequently used in a variety of construction-related operations. Even with stringent safety precautions, these ignition sources frequently result in smoldering or start a minor fire that, if left unattended, might be disastrous.
A person or group of people designated as a “Fire Watch” is in charge of keeping an eye on any activities that can inadvertently ignite materials and cause a fire.
The following are some instances of duties when a fire watch must be employed to prevent fires:
- Cutting, Brazing, and Welding
- Grinding
- Soldering\Thawing
- In places where there are flammable things that could catch fire within a 35-foot radius of heated operations, a fire watch is particularly crucial and practical.
The location where the work is being done should have a fire watch stationed there, with personnel equipped to spot and put out any stray sparks, slag, or sources of heat before they can start a fire.
Because they will inform nearby workers of a fire and call emergency fire officials if a fire starts to spread out of control, the fire watch should be regarded as an essential component of the fire alert system.
Workers assigned to fire guard duty must have fire-extinguishing supplies on hand for the various kinds of fires they might run into. In particular, if combustible metals, electricity, oils, or grease are present in the work area, the class of fire extinguisher needs to match the type of fire. The fire watch should receive instruction in using the fire extinguishing apparatus.
To be able to provide the fire department with accurate directions and information in the event of a fire, fire watch personnel must be sufficiently familiar with the project site, structure, and location. Before beginning the hot work, fire watch officers should check the task site to make sure that all combustible materials have been eliminated, covered, or secured with fire-safe materials. The person on guard duty ought to be aware of any safety switches, electrical shut-offs, and main power cuts, as well as where to turn off the gas, oil, process water, and any other sources that could endanger people on the premises or spark a fire.
If putting out a fire is within the scope of the fire watch’s training and available resources, they should only try.