Fire-Watch Training:

What we MUST prevent!

Fires can rapidly spread

 The only “bad” question is the
one we fail to ask.
• Arc-gouging was to be
performed in W-76.
• A permit was written.
• The tower was not clean.
• The contractor did not contain
sparks.
• A fire started.
• BOTH PARTIES COULD
HAVE PREVENTED THE
INCIDENT!
 Definitions:

• Hot Work - Any task that uses or creates

an ignition source.
• Examples:
– Flame cutting or welding.
– Grinding.
– Use of electrical tools or some pneumatics.
– Vehicle entry.
 Definitions:

• Firewatch:
– An employee responsible for ensuring that fires
are not started while others are performing the
Hot Work.
– Should a fire start, the Firewatch will attempt to
extinguish, or sound the alarm.
– In the presence of combustibles, the Firewatch will
remain on duty for 30 minutes after Hot Work is
finished.
Firewatch
quenching
sparks with
steam.
 Definitions:

• Hot Work Permit:

– Is issued by Conoco Operations and will list
safety requirements for specific areas and tasks.
– Must be posted in the work area.
– Must be signed by the contractor performing
the work.
– Is generally not required for offices, the
warehouse, fabrication shops or areas.
• Permits

• Must be
posted in the
work area.
 General Requirements:

• Prior to the issue of a Hot Work permit,

operations will perform a gas test.
• Contractors signed on the permit are
responsible for area safety, clean-up and to
return the permit to operations.
• Permits are to be returned when work is
complete or at the end-of-shift.
 General Requirements:

• When welding on process equipment or

piping, a gas test will be performed as close
to the Hot Work location as possible.

• It may be necessary to drill piping with an

air-powered drill to create an opening to be
sniffed.
Using an air-
powered saw to
“cold-cut” piping.
 General Requirements:
• Process piping and equipment will gas test at
Zero LEL for Hot Work.

• Positive isolation is required for Hot Work on

piping and equipment.

• Valves are NOT considered positive isolation.

Blinds must be installed.
Blinds
must be
installed
to
perform
Hot
Work on
process
piping
or
vessels.
 General Requirements:

• An area gas test may be necessary before

the start of Hot Work.
– A 35 foot radius around the work area should
be checked for flammable vapors.

• Inspect the work area for leaks and spills.

 General Requirements:

• Cover all sewers and drains within 35 feet

of the Hot Work,
– Remove covers when work is complete or at
the end of shift.
• A Firewatch is required, unless otherwise
specified on the permit.
– Or the work is located in a non-permit area.
Important !!!
Cover
sewers and
drains with
rubber mats
to prevent
sparks from
entering.
Check piping
and sewers
within 35’ of
the Hot-Work
area.
Cover all
sewers and oil-
stained pipe.
Fire blankets
and steam can
be used to
prevent fires on
flanges and
pumps.
 General Requirements:
• The Firewatch shall remain within 20 feet of
the fire extinguisher and keep constant
watch while work continues.

• No other hazardous work will be performed

in the Hot Work area.
– Examples include pulling blinds, bleeding lines,
taking product samples, etc.
.Fire-watches on duty!
 General Requirements:

• When installing (welding) flanges to

eliminate the cleaning of an entire system:
– A non-inflatable Plumbers Plug (mudder) is
used.
– The mudder must be vented 50 feet away from
the Hot Work area. (or inert piping)
– The seal of the mudder must be gas tested, prior
to Hot Work.
Welding with vented plumber’s plug in place.
 General Requirements:

• The welder and unit operator must survey

the area for tubing. (copper or stainless)

• Tubing in the weld area must be

depressured, drained or insulated to prevent
welding arc damage.
 Firewatch Duties:

• It is a requirement that all Firewatches are

trained. Training is detailed in Conoco
procedure SH400.1, Appendix F

• Personnel selected for Firewatch duty must

realize the seriousness of the job.
 A Fire-Watch must be trained!

• In fire extinguishing techniques:

– Extinguisher capabilities.
– Safe activation.
– Approach.
– Application technique.
– Retreat.
 NOTE:

• This training is for “incipient-stage”

fires ONLY! (The first few minutes.)
• Never place yourself in DANGER!
• Never turn your back on a fire.
• Sound the alarm first !!!
 Basic Fire Science:

• Four parts of the fire process:

– FUEL (Flammable or combustible materials.)
– HEAT (or Spark.)
– Oxygen (Air)
– Or a Chemical Chain Reaction
• (A strong oxidizer and a fuel source)
 Types of Fires:

• Class A (Wood, Paper, Cloth, Rubber, etc.)

• Class B (Flammable liquids, vapors or gas.)

• Class C (Energized electrical.)

• Class D (Combustible metals.)

 Extinguishing Agents:

• Water
• Foam
• Dry Chemical
• Halon
 Water:

• Advantages:
– Cooling . . . . Absorbs heat.
– Expands . . . . Approximately 1750 to 1.
• Disadvantages:
– Conducts electricity.
– Can “float” flammable liquids.
– Some materials react with water.
 Foam:

• Advantages:
– Floats on flammable liquids such as gasoline.
– Slows vapor release from liquids and solids.
• Disadvantages:
– Foam blanket easily broken.
– Conducts electricity.
– Can not be applied to vertical surfaces.
 Dry Chemical

• Advantages:
– Is rated either ABC or BC.
– Easily portable.
• Disadvantages:
– BC rated dry chemical extinguishers are not
effective on Class A fires. (Wood, paper)
– Monoammonium phosphate forms a varnish-
like coating at 300 degrees F.
 Halon:

• Advantages:
– No residue.
– Nonconductive.
• Disadvantages:
– Toxic if inhaled at a 5% or greater
concentration.
– Has no cooling effect.
 Review:

• Water works well on combustible

materials such as wood and paper.
• Water only gives a “cooling effect” on
flammable liquid fires and may spread
the fire.
• Water is not to be used on live electrical
equipment.
Using a
fire hose
requires
training.
Risky
Hose
Use !!!

Let the ERT handle this task! You could be

injured if you use a hose improperly.
 Review:

• Foam works well on flammable liquids

but . . .
– Can easily be displaced by wind or hose
stream.
– Does not work on vertical surfaces.
Controlling a tank fire with foam.
 Review:

• Dry Chemical
– Can be either ABC or BC.
– Nonconductive.
– Easily portable.
– Used instantly.
Using a large Dry Chemical extinguisher.
 Review:

• Halon:
– Intended for use on B-C fires.
– Can be toxic to people.
– Can cause cardiac arrhythmia.
 Dry Chemical Extinguisher Use:
• Ansul type Extinguisher:
– Place extinguisher on ground.
– Remove hose and break seal.
– Lean extinguisher away from you.
– Place hose under thumb.
– Depress cartridge puncturing mechanism.
– Squeeze handle to test extinguisher.
– Direct powder to base of flame.
Set FX down.
Kneel by FX.
Lean FX away.
Remove hose.
Put hose under
your thumb.
Press lever to
activate FX.
TEST YOUR
FX before you
get too close!
Aim powder
stream at
base of fire.

Use a side-
to-side
sweeping
motion.
Success !
Pre-pressured
Extinguishers.
Inspect the
Extinguisher when
you check it out
from the tool room
or tool trailer.
Check the pressure
gauge to make sure
the needle is in the
GREEN!

If the needle is not in the

Green zone, the FX is not
properly charged. Return
the FX to the tool room
or trailer.
Shake the FX to be
sure the powder is
not caked.
To use a pre-pressured
Extinguisher . . . .
1. Remove pin
2. Point hose away
from yourself
and others.
3. Squeeze handle
to test.
Approach
the fire
from
upwind or
crosswind.

Don’t step or walk in the “fuel pool”.

Aim
powder
stream at
base of fire.
Use a side-to-side sweeping motion.
Important !!!
Always back
away from a
fire.
The fuel may
re-flash from
hot pipe or
equipment!
A Fire-Watch must know

Where to locate alarms and

safety showers.
A Fire-Watch must
be able to read and
understand the Hot
Work permit.
A Fire-Watch must
have. . . .
A Vest.
A Whistle.
A Fire Extinguisher.
A steam or water hose.
A Hot-Work Permit.
Important !!!
Cover
sewers and
drains with
rubber mats
to prevent
sparks from
entering.
Check piping
and sewers
within 35’ of
the Hot-Work
area.
Cover all
sewers and oil-
stained pipe.
Fire blankets
and steam can
be used to
prevent fires on
flanges and
pumps.
Stainless or
copper tubing
must be
protected from
sparks and
welding arc
strikes.
Sparks must be contained
or quenched !!!
Read the Permit !!!
Prevent
smoldering
fires!

The fire-watch must remain on duty for 30

minutes after the hot-work stops when
combustibles are present.
 Remember:
• Performing Fire-Watch Duty is one of the
most important jobs within the Refinery.

• You are the “eyes & ears” of your fellow

employees.

• Lives may depend on YOU!

THE END