Construction EHS Exhibit: Fire Prevention and Protection
Construction fire prevention and protection requirements, including egress and hot work
Cutting, Welding, and Hot Work
Summary
How to assess hot work risks, request permits, and follow local fire department requirements (including paid fire details).
Who is this for?
- Building managers, facility managers, and trade supervisors.
- Harvard construction project managers.
Hot work at Harvard
Hot work includes any work activity that could create ignition sources or excess heat, such as cutting, welding, burning, brazing, or soldering.
Not following hot work management and regulations is the leading cause of fires.
In Massachusetts, hot work activities include:
- Grinding.
- Heat treating.
- Hot riveting.
- Powder-driven fastening.
- Thawing pipes.
- Torch-applied roofing.
- Welding and related processes.
- Any similar activity that produces or uses sparks, flame, or heat.
Hot work requirements
Any person or company performing, supervising, or delegating hot work activities must:
- Successfully complete a hot work training program approved by the State Fire Marshal.
- Obtain a hot work permission letter (if required by the local fire department).
- Receive a hot work permit from the local fire department (if required).
- Use a Harvard hot work permit and follow Harvard’s hot work protocols for all hot work activities.
These requirements apply to anyone responsible for securing a permit to conduct hot work.
To be considered a qualified person, you must provide proof that you successfully completed an approved training program to perform, supervise, or delegate hot work.
Hot work training
In Massachusetts, you must successfully complete a hot work training program if you:
- Perform hot work.
- Serve as a Permit Authorizing Individual to perform, supervise, or delegate hot work.
- Perform as a fire watch (except for fire department fire details).
- Need a permit from the local fire department to conduct hot work.
The State Fire Marshal has a list of approved training programs.
You must receive a certificate of completion with your name, the completion date, and the provider’s or instructor’s signature acknowledging you attended and completed the program.
You must renew your National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) hot work safety certification every three years.
Use the NFPA Hot Work Certificate Database to verify certificates.
Hot work permits
Before the local fire department issues a hot work permit, you must provide written authorization signed by the Harvard property owner or their agent. The authorization must describe the scope and specific locations of the work.
If you are working under a specialized code permit (such as for a licensed plumber or electrician), you do not need an additional hot work permit from the authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) such as the local fire department. If you secured an appropriate permit for your specialized code, you can work within the scope of your trade without a separate local hot work permit.
Even if you do not need a hot work permit from the AHJ, you must still follow Harvard’s hot work protocols and use a Harvard hot work permit for all hot work activities.
In Boston, hot work permits can be valid for up to six months. The contractor is responsible for posting and maintaining all original permits on the jobsite.
All permit applications for cutting, welding, or other hot work in Boston must have a permission letter from the property owner, manager, or agent at the time of submittal.
Submit hot work permit applications to the Boston Fire Department.
You must write all applications on letterhead and include:
- Date.
- Exact work location, including street number, street name, and all specific locations on the property.
- For work in areas like a basement, elevator lobby, or roof, specify each location and the reason for the work.
- Individually list each floor and area where work will take place (do not just state all floors).
- Name of each contractor performing hot work on the property.
- Complete scope and description of work.
- Clear list of the reasons for the work.
- For emergency work, the permit application and letter must state that it is emergency work.
- Signature of the Harvard property owner, manager, or agent.
Emergency work
Emergency work includes life safety issues such as:
- No heat in the winter.
- No water or hot water.
- No air conditioning in the summer.
- Unusable handicapped facilities.
- Unsafe conditions.
Work that is time-sensitive or fiscally sensitive to the contractor or property owner does not qualify as emergency work.
Your permit approval indicates if you need a Boston paid fire detail.
Permit extensions
To accelerate a permit extension application request, you can create a copy of your permit application and select extension if it meets these criteria:
- The location and scope of work are the same as the existing permit.
- You provide your original, unexpired permit number.
- You have a valid permission letter.
Otherwise, you must submit a new permit application to request an extension.
Submit hot work permit applications to the Cambridge Fire Department.
All applications must include:
- Time work will take place.
- Exact location where the work will take place.
- Nature of the work.
- Any special precautions during work.
You must write all applications on letterhead and include:
- Written authorization signed by the Harvard property owner or their agent.
- Description of the scope and specific locations of the work.
Paid fire details
The Cambridge Fire Department requires a paid fire detail for:
- All hot work inside or on the exterior structure of occupied buildings.
- Cutting or burning in buildings being demolished.
Hot work in unoccupied buildings under construction may not need a paid fire detail, but the welding contractor must provide a fire watch. Cambridge determines this requirement during permitting.
Related resources
Find documents and online tools to manage cutting, welding, and hot work.
Construction Fire Prevention and Protection Plan Form
Form to authorize an energized electrical work permit for a construction project
Construction Hot Work Permit Form
Form to authorize a hot work permit for a construction project
Hot Work Fire Watch Form
Form to certify a hot work fire watch
Hot Work Permit Form
Form to authorize a Harvard hot work permit
EHS support
Contact EHS for more information about hot work at Harvard, including:
- Designated hot work areas.
- Hot work fire watches.