Hot Work

Hot work and fire systems isolation's

Hot work, including welding, thermal or oxygen cutting or heating and other related heat or spark producing operations, are not to take place in any building without a Isolation / Hot Work Permit having been approved by the Estate & Built Environment (EBE) Fire and Engineering Coordinator.

The only exception to this are Contraction Sites where the principal contractor has control of the entire site until such time the project is completed & the site is handed back to UNE .

The EBE Project Manager is responsible for ensuring Contractors & their staff submit a Hot Works permit to the Fire and Engineering Coordinator & have it approved prior to the commencement of any hot work.

We welcome contractors & staff suggestions on how hot work can be avoided by using alternative methods. However, if hot work cannot be avoided, contractors are expected to follow the procedures below to assist us with maintaining high safety standards and protecting infrastructure against loss from possible fires.

The isolation & de-isolation of Fire Panels is to be undertaken by authorised personnel only. As a general rule this task will be carried out by the company that has the Life Safety Contract during business hours & Safety, Security & Information after hours & weekends.

Hot Work Guidelines

1. A Hot Work Permit is required for any maintenance or construction procedure involving hot work in any area. Hot work includes, but is not limited to, heat, open flames, sparks or other ignition sources which may cause smoke or fire, or which may trigger detection systems. Examples are oxyacetylene heating, cutting and welding, arc welding, thawing pipes, sweating pipes or applying roofing materials with torches.

2. Construction Site Managers or EBE Project Managers will determine if welding, cutting, soldering and heating must be done as part of the work order or project.

3. Hot Work Permit form must be submitted to & authorised by the Fire and Engineering Coordinator prior to the commencement of any hot works.

4. The form may be obtained from the EBE Forms web page.

5. The details of the hot work must be recorded by EBE in the Hot Work Register.

6. Fire Panel isolation's / de-isolation's are to be coordinated through UNE & not directly by the contractor.

7. Controls must be in place for the prevention & containment of fire or explosion. These could include:

  • immediate availability of appropriate fire-fighting equipment.
  • Provision of a competent fire watch person to monitor the area around the hot work whist it takes place

8. Where hot work will be performed in a confined space, a confined space permit is also required. Hot work in confined spaces must be performed in accordance with WHS Regulations 62 - 77, the Code of Practice - Confined Spaces, AS 2865 "Confined Space" and AS 1674 "Safety in welding and allied processes".

9. Fire detection systems (smoke or thermal) must be isolated prior to hot works commencing.

10. A Total Fire Ban Day may be imposed by the NSW Rural Fire Service  at any time. On days where a total fire ban has been imposed, no hot work shall be conducted outdoors, unless an exemption is obtained from the NSW Rural Fire Service.

11. All hot works activities requires a risk assessment to be conducted in the area where the hot work is to be performed to identify, mitigate or control all possible hazards.