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NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work

2019 NFPA 51B Standard - Current Edition
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  • Description

    NFPA 51B is the nation’s most comprehensive document on hot work safety.

    Stay up-to-date and help keep personnel safe.

    Hot work can be dangerous, especially when combustible materials are in the area. NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work helps you reduce the risks associated with hot work projects. Requirements cover welding, heat treating, grinding, and other applications likely to produce sparks or flames.

    The current edition of NFPA 51B is a must-have resource for anyone conducting hot work operations in any setting.

    This trusted welding standard provides general requirements to help ensure that those involved with hot work are addressing fire and explosion hazards, prevention, and safety practices in areas where combustible materials could spark or ignite from the hot work being performed. It also offers clear guidance on managing the activities and safety requirements of permit-authorizing individuals (PAIs), fire watch, welders, fire marshals, and hot work operators -- in any setting where hot works are done.

    NFPA 51B covers the safe use of welding, cutting, heat treating, grinding, and hot work equipment.

    Whether you're a contract welder or a fire chief, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the current requirements for hot work safety. NFPA 51B covers far more than permit areas -- this document also pertains to areas that are designed for hot work. Reference this standard for clear instructions and the latest information on the use of equipment such as welding blankets, curtains, and pads.

    Changes in the 2019 edition help users identify and efficiently mitigate hazards:

    • New definitions for fire protection system, fire monitoring, and in Chapter 5 help you differentiate between fire watch and fire monitoring requirements
    • An added requirement for fire extinguishers complies with NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
    • Reorganized coverage helps clarify the permit issuance process
    • Fire watches are now required to remain onsite for a least 1 hour (revised from a half-hour) after hot work is complete

    Other changes affect annex material. Revisions to the annexes:

    • Address proper preparation of areas deemed impermissible due to impaired fire protection systems
    • Clarify the process for reinspections of hot work areas during each shift
    • Provide comparisons between hot work by-product temperatures and combustible material ignition temperatures

    Learn precisely what's required in any kind of hot work, and comply with the latest requirements using the 2019 edition of NFPA 51B, your comprehensive resource. (Print, 28 pp., 2019)

  • Table of Contents (2019 Current Edition)

    NFPA® 51B Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work, 2019 Edition

    Chapter 1 Administration
    1.1 Scope.
    1.2 Purpose.
    1.3 Application.
    1.4 Retroactivity.
    1.5 Equivalency.
    1.6 Units and Formulas.
    Chapter 2 Referenced Publications
    2.1 General.
    2.2 NFPA Publications.
    2.3 Other Publications.
    2.4 References for Extracts in Mandatory Sections.
    Chapter 3 Definitions
    3.1 General.
    3.2 NFPA Official Definitions.
    3.3 General Definitions.
    Chapter 4 Responsibility for Hot Work
    4.1 Management.
    4.2 Permit Authorizing Individual (PAI).
    4.3 Hot Work Operator.
    4.4 Fire Watch.
    4.5 Contractors.
    4.6 Mutual Responsibility.
    Chapter 5 Fire Prevention Precautions
    5.1 Personal Protective Clothing.
    5.2 Fire Extinguishers.
    5.3 Permissible Areas.
    5.4 Nonpermissible Areas.
    5.5 Hot Work Permit.
    5.6 Fire Watch and Fire Monitoring.
    5.7 Hot Tapping.
    5.8 Cylinders.
    Chapter 6 Sole Proprietors and Individual Operators
    6.1 Assignment of PAI and Fire Watch.
    6.2 Written Hot Work Permit.
    Chapter 7 Public Exhibitions and Demonstrations
    7.1 Application.
    7.2 Supervision.
    7.3 Site.
    7.4 Fire Protection.
    7.5 Cylinders.
    Annex A Explanatory Material
    Annex B Significant Hot Work Incidents
    Annex C Informational References
  • Prior Editions

    2014 Edition

    NFPA 51B is the nation's most comprehensive document on hot work safety.

    Hot work can be dangerous, especially when combustible materials are in the area. NFPA 51B, Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work helps reduce the risks associated with hot work projects such as welding, heat treating, grinding, and other applications likely to produce sparks or flames.

    Trust the 2014 NFPA 51B to help clarify activities and safety precautions for anyone conducting hot work operations, in any setting!

    This welding standard provides general requirements to help ensure those involved with hot work are addressing fire and explosion hazards prevention and safety practices in areas where combustible materials could spark or ignite from the hot work being performed. It also offers clear guidance on managing the activities and safety requirements of permit-authorizing individuals (PAIs), fire watch, welders, fire marshals, and hot work operators -- in any setting where hot works are used.

    NFPA 51B provides clear instruction on safe use of welding, cutting, heat treating, grinding and hot work equipment such as blankets, curtains, and pads.

    Whether you're a contract welder or a fire chief, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the current requirements of hot works safety. Many people don't realize that NFPA 51B covers far more than permit areas -- this document also pertains to areas that are designed for hot work. If you're seeking clear instructions and the latest information on the use of equipment such as welding blankets, curtains, and pads, you'll need to reference this manual often.

    Changes in the current standard include:

    • Better defined requirements for designated areas where hot work is performed without need of a permit
    • Clearer language underscoring that all hot work falls under this standard

    Do you want to learn precisely what's required in any kind of hot work, prevent associated hazards, and comply with the latest requirements? Then order the 2014 NFPA 51B, a comprehensive resource for hot codes, today. (Softbound, 18 pp., 2014)

     

    Interested in other editions of NFPA 51B? Use the drop down menu above to select the edition year you need.

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  • Also in NFPA 51B: Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work