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College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

Hot Work Permits

The Hot Work Permit Program is to ensure that construction and maintenance activities do not present an undue fire hazard to the people and property of The Ohio State University.
Hot work includes any operation producing flame, sparks, smoke, extreme dust or heat.  Examples of hot work include but are not limited to torch cutting, welding, brazing, grinding, sawing, torch soldering, thawing frozen pipes, and applying roofing materials.

Who needs a permit?  All OSU employees or contracted workers doing work that creates flame, sparks, or heat on university property.  

Permit and requirements:

  1. Can the object needing hot work be moved to a designated hot work area*?  If not, then proceed to the next step.  
  2. Contact CFAES Safety & Compliance to schedule an onsite inspection of the permit area.  This inspection allows technicians to take precautions with building HVAC and Fire Alarm/Sprinkler Systems, as well as communicate with building tenants and safety personnel before work begins. 
  3.  Relocate all combustible materials at least 35’ (11 meters) horizontally from the work area.  Where relocation is impractical,protect combustibles with fire-resistant covers, metal guards/shields, or curtains.
  4. Properly cover all openings or cracks in walls, floors, or ducts within 35’ (11 meters) of the work area to prevent the passage of sparks into adjacent areas.
  5.  Display the hot work permit in a conspicuous area during all hot work activities.
  6. Have a fire watcher present wherever hot work is being performed.  The fire watcher will have fire extinguishing equipment readily available and will be trained it its use, including practice on test fires if necessary, and will be familiar with the facilities and procedures for sounding an alarm in the event of a fire.
  7. The fire watcher will remain in the hot work area for a minimum of 30 minutes after the completion of hot work activities.
  8.  Conduct a final check of the hot work area and all adjacent areas at the end of the work day to ensure there are no materials left behind that could ignite.
  9. Return signed Hot Work Permit to CFAES Safety & Compliance.