Site Safety Controls
Hot Work, Welding, Cutting & Fire Watch
Covers UAE hot work permit requirements, welding and cutting hazard controls, fire watch duties, and Civil Defence coordination for construction and fit-out sites.
v2.0Updated 15 Feb 2026ADOSH-SF v4.1 (February 2026)Learning Objectives
- Define hot work and list activities requiring a hot work permit in the UAE.
- Explain the mandatory content and validity period of a UAE hot work permit.
- Describe fire watch duties during and after hot work, including the standby period.
- Identify fire prevention measures required in the hot work zone.
- Explain coordination requirements with UAE Civil Defence and site fire alarm systems.
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1. Defining Hot Work
Hot work includes any activity producing heat, sparks, or an open flame capable of igniting flammable or combustible material: welding, gas cutting, grinding, brazing, soldering, and use of blow torches. On UAE construction and fit-out sites, hot work is one of the leading causes of structure fires, particularly during finishing stages when combustible materials (insulation, cladding, timber formwork) are present. A hot work permit is mandatory before starting any qualifying activity, issued by an authorised permit issuer after site inspection.
2. Hot Work Permit Requirements
A UAE hot work permit must specify the exact location, task description, names of workers and fire watch, equipment to be used, gas testing results (where relevant), fire extinguishing equipment provided, and a validity period — typically a single shift, never open-ended. The permit issuer must physically inspect the work area beforehand to confirm removal or protection of combustibles within a 10-15 metre radius, and re-inspect if conditions change (wind, new material delivery, adjacent works).
3. Area Preparation and Screening
Before hot work begins, remove all combustible materials from the work radius or protect them with fire-resistant blankets; cover floor openings, drains and cable trays to prevent sparks falling to lower levels; and erect fire-resistant screens to protect adjacent trades and the public. Suitable fire extinguishers (minimum one dry powder or CO2, appropriate to the fire risk) must be positioned within reach at the workstation before ignition.
4. Fire Watch Duties
A dedicated fire watch, trained in extinguisher use, must be present throughout hot work and remain in the area for a minimum of 30-60 minutes after work stops, as sparks and hot slag can smoulder undetected in combustible material. The fire watch has no other duties during this period and must have a means of raising the alarm. On completion, the fire watch confirms the area is cold and safe before the permit is closed out and signed off.
5. Fire Alarm and Detection Interface
Hot work near smoke or heat detectors requires temporary isolation of the affected detection zone, coordinated with the site fire alarm engineer and documented on the permit — isolation must be reinstated and tested immediately after the fire watch period ends. Civil Defence-approved fire alarm systems must never be left isolated overnight or unattended. Any isolation must be logged in the fire alarm impairment register with start and end times.
6. Civil Defence Coordination and Emergency Response
Major or ongoing hot work programmes on UAE sites, particularly in occupied or near-occupied buildings, should be notified to the site's Civil Defence liaison and included in the emergency response plan. If a fire develops, stop work immediately, activate the alarm, attempt to extinguish only if safe and trained to do so, evacuate per the site plan, and call 997 (UAE Civil Defence emergency number). All hot work incidents, including near-misses, must be reported and the permit system reviewed.
Knowledge Assessment
1. Hot work includes which of the following activities?
2. A UAE hot work permit is typically valid for:
3. Combustible materials should be cleared or protected within a radius of approximately:
4. The minimum fire watch standby period after hot work stops is:
5. During the standby period, the fire watch should:
6. If hot work is near a smoke detector, the correct action is:
7. Fire alarm isolations for hot work must be recorded in:
8. The UAE Civil Defence emergency number is:
9. Who must inspect the hot work area before the permit is issued?
10. Floor openings and cable trays near hot work should be:
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