F-03 Hot Work Permits and Fire Watch 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Who is authorized to issue a hot work permit on an NYC construction site?

Any construction worker
The site safety manager or designated permit authority (Correct answer)
The building owner only
FDNY directly

Correct answer: The site safety manager or designated permit authority

Hot work permits must be issued by the site safety manager or a designated permit authority who has verified safe conditions before work begins.

Under NYC Fire Code §3504, hot work permits must be issued by a responsible person — typically the site safety manager or hot work supervisor — who has inspected the area, confirmed fire watch arrangements, and verified that flammable materials have been cleared. FDNY does not issue daily hot work permits; that responsibility belongs to site management.

Question 2: How long must fire watch be maintained after hot work operations cease?

15 minutes
30 minutes
1 hour (Correct answer)
2 hours

Correct answer: 1 hour

Fire watch must continue for at least 1 hour after hot work ends to detect any smoldering or delayed ignition.

NYC Fire Code and NFPA 51B require fire watch to be maintained for a minimum of 1 hour after hot work is completed. This is because heat can transfer through walls, floors, or insulation and cause smoldering combustion that only becomes apparent well after the work stops. The fire watch person must remain in the immediate area and monitor for smoke or fire.

Question 3: What is the minimum clearance of combustible materials required around hot work operations?

10 feet
25 feet
35 feet (Correct answer)
50 feet

Correct answer: 35 feet

A minimum 35-foot radius around hot work must be cleared of combustibles, or fire-resistant shields must be used.

NFPA 51B and NYC Fire Code require that all combustible materials within 35 feet of hot work be removed or protected with fire-resistant blankets or barriers. Sparks from grinding and cutting can travel significant distances and ignite materials even when the work area appears clear. If materials cannot be moved, the area must be shielded with non-combustible barriers.

Question 4: Which acronym describes the proper technique for using a portable fire extinguisher?

RACE
PASS (Correct answer)
PULL
STOP

Correct answer: PASS

PASS stands for Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

PASS is the universally recognized technique: Pull the safety pin to unlock the extinguisher; Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, not the flames; Squeeze the handle to discharge the agent; Sweep the nozzle side to side at the base of the fire until it is out. Directing the stream at the flames instead of the fuel source is a common error that reduces effectiveness.

Question 5: What type of fire extinguisher is required at hot work operations involving metal cutting and welding?

Class A water extinguisher
Class B CO2 extinguisher
Class ABC dry chemical extinguisher (Correct answer)
Class D metal fire extinguisher

Correct answer: Class ABC dry chemical extinguisher

Class ABC dry chemical extinguishers are the standard requirement at hot work sites because they handle ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and electrical hazards.

At hot work operations, a Class ABC dry chemical extinguisher rated at minimum 2-A:10-B:C must be immediately available. This covers ordinary combustibles (Class A), flammable liquids that may be present (Class B), and energized electrical equipment (Class C). Class D extinguishers are reserved for combustible metals like magnesium or titanium and are not the standard requirement for general welding/cutting operations.

Question 6: What must the fire watch person do if they discover a fire during their watch?

Attempt to extinguish it with any available water source before calling 911
Immediately activate the alarm, call 911, and attempt to extinguish only if safe to do so (Correct answer)
Wait 5 minutes to see if the fire self-extinguishes before alarming
Contact the site foreman first and await instructions

Correct answer: Immediately activate the alarm, call 911, and attempt to extinguish only if safe to do so

The fire watch person must immediately activate the alarm, call 911, and attempt extinguishment only if the fire is small and it is safe to do so — never delay the alarm.

The fire watch person's primary duties upon discovering fire are: (1) immediately activate the building fire alarm, (2) call 911 to notify FDNY, and (3) attempt to extinguish the fire only if it is small, the extinguisher is the correct type, and it is safe to do so without personal risk. Under no circumstances should the alarm be delayed to attempt extinguishment first. The fire watch person must also know the location of all fire extinguishers and nearest alarm pull stations before work begins.

F-03 Hot Work Permits and Fire Watch 1

Who is authorized to issue a hot work permit on an NYC construction site?