The primary purpose of
NFPA 51B is to prevent fires and injuries associated with hot work operations such as welding, cutting, grinding, brazing, and soldering. These activities produce sparks, heat, and molten metal that can easily ignite combustible materials.
The scope of NFPA 51B includes:
Establishing fire safety procedures for hot work.
Requiring hot work permits in non-designated areas.
Defining responsibilities for management, permit authorizing individuals, hot work operators, and fire watches.
Setting fire watch and inspection requirements before, during, and after the work.
NFPA 51B applies to all hot work performed outside of designated safe areas, particularly in areas with fire hazards. It provides a structured approach to assess risk, control ignition sources, and ensure that proper fire protection measures are in place.
In short,
NFPA 51B is all about making hot work safe—by planning, permitting, supervising, and monitoring it properly to protect people and property.
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