Hot work permit generator
This free hot work permit generator walks you through the OSHA fire rules for welding, cutting and torch work, then prints a permit to sign. Pick general industry (29 CFR 1910.252) or construction (29 CFR 1926.352). It tells you if hot work is not allowed, whether a fire watch is needed, and how long the watch stays after the work ends.
Which OSHA rule covers this work?
Is hot work allowed here? (any YES means no permit)
Flammable paints, other flammable compounds or heavy dust in the area create a hazard
29 CFR 1926.352(c)
Is a fire watch required?
Normal fire prevention precautions are not enough for this job
29 CFR 1926.352(e)
Precautions in place before work starts
The work was moved to a safe spot, or movable fire hazards nearby were taken to a safe place
29 CFR 1910.252(a)(1)(i); 1926.352(a)
Hazards that cannot be moved are protected by guards that confine heat, sparks and slag
29 CFR 1910.252(a)(1)(ii); 1926.352(b)
Work on a wall, floor, ceiling or roof: the same precautions are in place on the other side
29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(x); 1926.352(f)
Suitable fire extinguishing equipment is at the work area and ready for instant use
29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(ii); 1926.352(d)
Drums, tanks or hollow parts that held flammable or toxic material are cleaned (in construction, cleaned or filled with water) and vented before heat is applied
29 CFR 1910.252(a)(3); 1926.352(i), (j)
Containers of flammable liquid nearby are closed, and empty ones are moved to a safe area
29 CFR 1926.352(h)
Enclosed or confined space: gas to the torch is shut off outside the space whenever the torch is left unused for a while, such as at lunch
29 CFR 1910.252(a)(4)(ii); 1926.352(g)
People and fire watch
29 CFR 1926.352(e) sets no number: the watch stays long enough after the work to make sure no fire can start.
Answer every question to finish the permit.
Nothing you type leaves your browser. Leave items blank to print a permit to fill in by hand.
Hot work permit
Permit no. ____________
Construction (29 CFR 1926.352)
Site: ____________
Location: ____________
Work: ____________
Type: Welding / Cutting / Brazing or soldering / Torch heating / Other hot work
Date: ____________ From _____ to _____
Is hot work allowed here? (any YES means no permit)
| Flammable paints, other flammable compounds or heavy dust in the area create a hazard | 1926.352(c) |
Is a fire watch required?
| Normal fire prevention precautions are not enough for this job | 1926.352(e) |
Precautions in place before work starts
| The work was moved to a safe spot, or movable fire hazards nearby were taken to a safe place | 1910.252(a)(1)(i); 1926.352(a) | |
| Hazards that cannot be moved are protected by guards that confine heat, sparks and slag | 1910.252(a)(1)(ii); 1926.352(b) | |
| Work on a wall, floor, ceiling or roof: the same precautions are in place on the other side | 1910.252(a)(2)(x); 1926.352(f) | |
| Suitable fire extinguishing equipment is at the work area and ready for instant use | 1910.252(a)(2)(ii); 1926.352(d) | |
| Drums, tanks or hollow parts that held flammable or toxic material are cleaned (in construction, cleaned or filled with water) and vented before heat is applied | 1910.252(a)(3); 1926.352(i), (j) | |
| Containers of flammable liquid nearby are closed, and empty ones are moved to a safe area | 1926.352(h) | |
| Enclosed or confined space: gas to the torch is shut off outside the space whenever the torch is left unused for a while, such as at lunch | 1910.252(a)(4)(ii); 1926.352(g) |
Fire watch: Required / not required. Name: ____________. Stays until: _____.
The fire watch has extinguishing equipment at hand, is trained to use it, knows how to sound the alarm, and watches all exposed areas (29 CFR 1926.352(e)).
| Permit issued by (area inspected, precautions set) | Sign | Time | |
| Hot work done by | Sign | Time | |
| Fire watch | Sign | Time | |
| Final check: area clear, no smoldering, permit closed | Sign | Time |
Built from OSHA 29 CFR 1926.352. tailgatedocs.com free tool. Your site, owner or insurer may set extra rules.
This calculator applies the fire prevention rules for welding, cutting and heating in OSHA 29 CFR 1926.352. It is a planning aid, not legal advice, and it does not replace a competent person’s judgment on site.
State-plan states may set stricter requirements than the federal rule. Confirm against the standard that applies to your work before relying on a number here.
Hot work permit requirements: general industry vs construction
What the two federal OSHA rules say, side by side. Paragraph numbers are in brackets.
| Topic | General industry, 1910.252 | Construction, 1926.352 |
|---|---|---|
| Who signs off | The person responsible for authorizing cutting and welding inspects the area first, and sets the precautions, preferably on a written permit. (a)(2)(iv) | No permit or sign-off wording. The precautions below still apply. |
| Move the work or the hazards | Move movable fire hazards to a safe place. (a)(1)(i) | Move the object to a safe spot when practical, or move the fire hazards away. (a) |
| Hazards that cannot move | Guards confine heat, sparks and slag. If neither works, no welding or cutting. (a)(1)(ii), (iii) | Positive means confine heat, sparks and slag. (b) |
| Distance | Move combustibles 35 ft away where practicable; sweep floors clean for 35 ft. (a)(2)(v), (vii) | No set distance. |
| Extinguisher | Suitable equipment ready for instant use. (a)(2)(ii) | Suitable equipment immediately available and ready. (d) |
| Fire watch | Required for the listed conditions; stays at least 30 minutes after the work. (a)(2)(iii) | Required when normal precautions are not enough; stays a sufficient time after. (e) |
| Not allowed | Unauthorized areas, impaired sprinklers, explosive atmospheres, near bulk readily ignitable material. (a)(2)(vi) | Where flammable paints, compounds or heavy dust create a hazard. (c) |
How the hot work permit generator works
First pick the rule that covers the job. OSHA counts construction work as work for construction, alteration or repair, including painting and decorating (29 CFR 1910.12(b)), and that work falls under 1926.352. Other workplaces fall under 1910.252. The questions change with your choice, because the two rules are not the same.
The first block asks if hot work is allowed at all. Any YES there and the permit shows DO NOT ISSUE. The second block asks the fire watch questions. In general industry, any YES means a fire watch is required. The third block lists the precautions: mark each one Done, or N/A when it does not fit the job.
Fill in the site, the work, the times and the names. In general industry the fire watch end time is the planned finish plus at least 30 minutes. In construction the rule sets no number, so you type in your own site rule. When every line is answered and nothing blocks the work, the status turns to READY TO SIGN. Print the hot work permit, sign it, and keep it at the job.
Before you start, check the extinguisher at the work area with the fire extinguisher inspection checklist, and brief the crew with the hot work and torch safety toolbox talk.
Common questions
▸Does OSHA require a hot work permit?
In general industry, the area has to be inspected by the person responsible for authorizing cutting and welding, and that person sets the precautions, "preferably in the form of a written permit" (29 CFR 1910.252(a)(2)(iv)). The federal construction rule, 1926.352, lists fire precautions but has no permit wording. A written hot work permit is still the simplest proof that the checks were done, and many site owners and GCs ask for one.
▸How long does a fire watch stay after hot work?
In general industry, at least half an hour (30 minutes) after the welding or cutting is finished, to find and put out smoldering fires (1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(B)). In construction, 1926.352(e) says the watch stays "for a sufficient period of time" after the work to make sure no fire can start. It gives no number, so use your site or insurer rule.
▸When is a fire watch required?
In general industry, whenever more than a minor fire could start, or when combustibles are within 35 feet, are farther away but easy to ignite with sparks, are exposed through wall or floor openings within 35 feet, or sit on the other side of a metal wall or roof (1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(A)). In construction, when normal fire precautions are not enough (1926.352(e)).
▸What is the 35-foot rule for hot work?
It is the general industry distance in 1910.252. Where practicable, move combustibles at least 35 feet from the work, or cover them with flameproofed covers or metal guards. Sweep combustible scraps off the floor for 35 feet. Combustibles inside 35 feet are also one of the triggers for a fire watch.
▸What should a hot work permit form include?
The site and exact location, the work and its type, the date and times, the answers to the "is hot work allowed here" questions, the precautions taken, whether a fire watch is needed and how long it stays, and sign-offs from the person who issued the permit, the person doing the work and the fire watch. This generator prints all of that on one page.
▸Where does NFPA 51B fit in?
OSHA 1910.252(a)(1) points to NFPA Standard 51B (1962 edition), incorporated by reference, for more detail on these precautions and on the fire duties of welders, their supervisors and site management. Your local fire code, the site owner or your insurer may require a newer edition or their own permit. This tool follows the OSHA text only.
Sources
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252, Welding, cutting and brazing: general requirements, paragraph (a) fire prevention and protection. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.252
- OSHA 29 CFR 1926.352, Fire prevention (construction welding and cutting). https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.352
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