University of Houston
Department of Public Safety
Fire Marshal’s Office
Policy / Procedure 4
Subject: Cutting, Welding, and Dust Production
A.
PURPOSE
The safety of all members of the campus community is a primary concern of the
University of Houston. The university demonstrates this concern through
compliance and enforcement of federal, state, local, and University of Houston
System rules and regulations to which the university is subject. The purpose of this
procedure is to further promote safety through the issuing of Cutting, Welding and
Dust Production permits and through follow-up surveys of the work site to ensure
compliance with the University Cutting, Welding and Dust Production procedure.
B.
SCOPE
The prevention of fire, and the reduction of false alarms associated with
construction activities, is of obvious importance at the University of Houston. As a
result, special attention must be paid to the use of cutting, welding equipment and
dust producing activities. The Welding, Cutting and Dust Production Procedure
shall be followed whenever cutting, welding and/or dust production is to be
performed while on University of Houston property.
This procedure has been prepared to establish standardized operations whenever
cutting, welding and dust producing activities are to be performed on campus. This
procedure shall apply to all University of Houston employees (i.e., Physical Plant,
University Center Maintenance, Housing Maintenance, etc.) as well as contract
employees and outside contractors.
C.
PROCEDURE
1.
Prior to the initiation of a cutting, welding and/or dust producing project, an
employee or contractor must obtain a Cutting, Welding and Dust Production
Permit from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Fire Marshal’s Office
(FMO).
2.
A permit will typically be issued for a period not to exceed one week. An
extension of one week may be requested on the original permit. A new permit
must be issued for work extending beyond the extension.
3.
Individuals requiring a permit should be prepared to describe the nature of
their work, potential fire hazards involved, the fire extinguishing equipment
required, etc.
Revised Date: 10/24/08
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Subject: Cutting, Welding, and Production
Policy / Procedure 4
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4.
A Fire Watch will be required at all cutting and welding job sites due to the
potential for a catastrophic fire. A Fire Watch requires that a person who is
trained in the use of fire extinguishers and is familiar with the facility and the
procedures for sounding a fire alarm:
a. Watch for fires and attempt to extinguish them if within the capacity of the
equipment available, and
b. Stand by for at least 30 minutes after the completion of cutting or welding.
5.
An appropriate fire extinguisher (a minimum of 3A:40BC multipurpose
extinguisher) is required to be readily available.
6.
Under no circumstances will fire protection systems be shut down unless
coordinated through the DPS-FMO. Projects which have shut down fire
protection systems without such approval are subject to immediate work
stoppage by the DPS-FMO once discovered.
7.
The Cutting, Welding and Dust Production Permit shall be posted at the work
site.
8.
All work sites are subject to inspection at any time.
9.
The permit terminates at the end of the time period designated on the Cutting,
Welding, and Dust Production Permit.
10.
All welding, cutting, and dust production operations must cease by 3:00 PM
daily unless pre-approved. This requirement allows time for the Plant and
Operations Fire Alarm Technicians to reactivate all fire alarm devices for the
evening.
11.
All welding, cutting work, and/or dust production to be performed after 3:00
PM or on weekends must be so-stated on the permit and pre-approved.
Projects that perform welding, cutting, and dust production work without such
approval are subject to immediate work stoppage by the DPS-FMO once
discovered.
12.
If the work listed in the permit is re-scheduled, cancelled, or completed early
the Fire Alarms Shop and/or the DPS-FMO must be notified in order to reactivate alarm devices as soon as possible. The Fire Alarm Shop and the DPSFMO phone numbers are on the permit.
Revised Date: 10/24/08
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