511 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 9-15

9-8. General Requirements.

Hot Work

Before hot work begins, ensure the area is free from fire hazards.
Hot Work Permits must be issued and kept on file until the hot work completion, conforming to local policy.
Fire Watches must be in place for a minimum of 30 minutes after exposure to fire hazards has ended.

Burning Operations

Establish burning areas in coordination with the USACE supervisor/KO or COR.
All burning operations must comply with this manual, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
Maintain sufficient force to control and patrol burning operations until the last embers are extinguished.

Hazardous Locations

Use only electrical lighting for artificial illumination where flammable materials are present.
All electrical equipment and installations must comply with the NEC for hazardous locations.
Do not make repairs on electrical circuits until they have been de-energized.

Fire Protection in the Construction Process

Retain fire cut-offs in buildings undergoing alterations or demolition until necessary to remove.
Install water mains and hydrants before or concurrent with construction. Provide a temporary system until the permanent one is operational.
Install and maintain permanent fire extinguishing equipment and water supply as soon as possible.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

9-6. Fire Watches must be in place for a minimum of _____ after exposure to fire hazards has ended.

15 minutes

30 minutes

1 hour

4 hours

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 9-8 (e.–h.).

9-8. General Requirements. (e.–h.).

e.  Hot Work.  Prior to performing any hot work, survey the work area to ensure they are free from fire hazards.  (9-8.e)

(1)  Hot Work Permits.  The USACE supervisor/KO or COR must survey all activities and determine which require a hot work permit.  Hot work permits are required when performing hot work.  Hot work permits must include the date(s) authorized for hot work and identify the objects on which the hot work is to be performed.  Permits must be kept on file until the completion of the hot work.

Note. See NFPA 51B for a sample hot work permit.

(2)  All hot work and hot work permits must conform to local policy when present.

(3)  Fire Watches. Where combustible materials have been exposed to fire hazards, employer will determine how long a fire watch is required to stay in place, but it must be a minimum of thirty (30) minutes after the exposure has ended and documented in the AHA.  Where fire watch personnel or guards are provided, they must make frequent rounds through buildings and storage areas when work is suspended.

(4)  A fully charged fire extinguisher, minimum 10 lbs. (4.5 kg), must be readily available in the immediate area of the hot work.

(5)  Install and maintain smoke detectors where personnel are quartered.

(6)  Hot work is prohibited in the following areas:

(a)  In areas not authorized by USACE supervisor/KO or COR.

(b)  In sprinklered buildings while such protection is impaired unless equivalent protection is provided for the hot work and approved by the USACE supervisor or accepted by the KO or COR.

(c)  In the presence of explosive atmospheres, areas where an explosive atmosphere may develop, or where there is an accumulation of combustible dust.

(d)  In areas near the storage of large quantities of exposed, readily ignitable materials such as bulk sulfur, baled paper, or cotton.

f.  Burning Operations. (9-8.f)

(1)  Establish burning areas in coordination with the USACE supervisor/KO or COR and with the agency responsible for monitoring fire potential at the location of the proposed burning area.

(2)  All burning operations must comply with this manual, applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

(3)  Maintain a sufficient force to control and patrol the burning operations until the last embers have been extinguished.

(4)  Provide bump blocks where trucks back-up to a fire or burning pit.

(5)  Conduct prescribed burning activities for natural resource management according to paragraph 9-8.l.

g.  Hazardous Locations.  (9-8.g)

(1)  Only use electrical lighting as a means of artificial illumination in areas where flammable liquids, vapors, fumes, dust, or gases are present.

(2)  All electrical equipment and installations in hazardous locations must comply with the NEC for hazardous locations.

(3)  Do not remove or replace globe(s) lamp(s) or make repairs on the electrical circuit until it has been de-energized (see chapter 12).

(4)  All miners' lights and flashlights used around explosives or in atmospheres likely to contain explosive vapors, dusts, or gases must be approved by a private sector organization recognized by OSHA’s NRTL Program.

h.  Fire Protection in the Construction Process.  (9-8.h)

(1)  Retain fire cut-offs in buildings undergoing alterations or demolition until operations require their removal.

(2)  Where a water distribution system is required for the protection of buildings or other structures, install water mains and hydrants before or concurrent with the construction of facilities.  Until the permanent system is in operation, an equivalent temporary system must be provided.

(3)  Install permanent (fixed) and functioning extinguishing equipment and water supply for fire protection as soon as possible. The scheduling of sprinkler installation must closely follow the building construction and, following completion of each story, must be placed in service as soon as possible.

(4)  During demolition or alterations, retain service to the existing automatic sprinkler systems if reasonable.  Expedite the modification of sprinkler systems to allow alterations or additional demolition of the system to return service as quickly as possible. Check sprinkler control valves daily at close of work to find out if the protection is still in service.  The operation of sprinkler control valves is allowed only when approved by the USACE supervisor or accepted by the KO or COR.

(5)  During the construction process, prioritize the construction of fire walls and exit stairways required for completed buildings.  Install fire doors, with automatic closing devices, in openings as soon as practical.