1. Program Description
2. Scope
3. Definitions
4. Responsibilities
5. Program Components
6. Reporting Requirements
7. Training Requirements and Competency Assessment
8. Information References and External References
9. Appendices

1. Program Description

The Fire Watch Program serves as a guideline to watch for hazards after hot work has been performed on a renovation or new construction project on the UC Irvine campus. The Fire Watch Program also applies whenever the Fire Alarm System or Automatic Fire Sprinkler System is not operational.

2. Scope

The scope of this program applies to all facilities on the UC Irvine campus. Personnel performing a fire watch include all UC Irvine employees and other employees who are under the supervision and direction of UC Irvine employees. This includes Facilities Management (FM) employees, College or School initiated construction, and outside contractor personnel.

3. Definitions

Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) - The Authority Having Jurisdiction (or his/her authorized representative) determines the interpretation and application of fire protection requirements as adopted by the State Fire Marshal (SFM). At the UC Irvine campus, the SFM has delegated the Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM) as the AHJ for plan review and construction inspections.

Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM) - At the UC Irvine campus, the SFM has delegated the Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM) as the AHJ for plan review and construction inspections. The DCFM also has the responsibility and authority to enforce SFM regulations and requirements on campus.

Fire Watch for Welding Activities – At least one individual dedicated solely to the lookout and control of stray fires.

Hot Work – Operations such as welding, cutting, burning, heating, grinding or similar spark, slag, or intense heat producing activities that are capable of igniting combustible materials or flammable atmospheres or providing a source of ignition for a fire. Also defined as cutting and welding operations for construction/demolition activities that involve the use of portable gas or arc welding equipment, open flame or spark-producing apparatus.

Project Managers (PM) - A Design and Construction Services (D&CS) employee who is assigned to manage a D&CS construction project.

Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) – The local fire authority for the University of California, Irvine campus.

4. Responsibilities And Specific Program Components

4.1 Design and Construction Services (D&CS)

4.1.1 The Fire Watch may only be performed by an individual or individuals who are NOT performing any other duties that would take their attention away from the area where the hot work is performed;
4.1.2 Be aware of the inherent hazards involved in hot work;
4.1.3 Ensure that safe conditions are maintained during the hot work;
4.1.4 Know how to report a fire or other emergency situation;
4.1.5 Complete and return a Hot Work Permit to file: Refer to the welding, burning, and cutting program for permit and requirements at: http://www.ehs.uci.edu/programs/fire/hotworkprog.html
4.1.6 Ensure that any covers from sprinkler heads are immediately removed upon completion of the hot work. Sprinkler heads cannot be covered after work hours and the covers must be removed.
4.1.7 Be trained in campus fire safety procedures and the use of fire extinguishing equipment ( https://ehs55.ehs.uci.edu:8443/training/classreg.jsp?cid=13 );
4.1.8 Must keep at the hot work location at least a 2A:10BC fire extinguisher at all times;
4.1.9 Must remain in a location that allows immediate communication with the individual(s) performing hot work for instant communication if a fire breaks out.
4.1.10 Be familiar with the surrounding facilities to sound an alarm in the event of a fire;
4.1.11 Have means of emergency communication to UC Irvine Police Department;
4.1.12 Watch for fires in all exposed areas for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes (including lunch and break times) after hot work is completed, sound the alarm if necessary, and try to extinguish fires only when safe to do so;
4.1.13 Perform checks and complete the Fire Watch Log (Appendix A) during the specified time period;
4.1.14 Ensure that no condition arises, or action is taken, that will lead to a hazardous situation in the hot work area;

4.2 Facilities Management (FM)

4.2.1 The Fire Watch may only be performed by an individual who is NOT performing any other duties that would take attention away from the area where the hot work is performed;
4.2.2 Be aware of the inherent hazards involved in hot work;
4.2.3 Ensure that safe conditions are maintained during the hot work;
4.2.4 Know how to report a fire or other emergency situation;
4.2.5 Return the completed Hot Work Permit to file;
4.2.6 Ensure that any covers from sprinkler heads are immediately removed upon completion of the hot work. Sprinkler heads cannot be covered after work hours and the covers must be removed.
4.2.7 Be trained in campus fire safety procedures and the use of fire extinguishing equipment ( https://ehs55.ehs.uci.edu:8443/training/classreg.jsp?cid=13 );
4.2.8 Must keep at the hot work location at least a 2A:10BC fire extinguisher at all times;
4.2.9 Must remain in a location that allows immediate communication with the individual(s) performing hot work for instant communication if a fire breaks out.
4.2.10 Be familiar with the surrounding facilities to sound an alarm in the event of a fire;
4.2.11 Have means of emergency communication to UC Irvine Police Department;
4.2.12 Watch for fires in all exposed areas for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes (including lunch and break times) after hot work is completed, sound the alarm if necessary, and try to extinguish fires only when safe to do so;
4.2.13 Perform checks and complete the Fire Watch Log (Appendix A) during the specified time period;
4.2.14 Ensure that no condition arises, or action is taken, that will lead to a hazardous situation in the hot work area;

4.3 Fire Safety Division

4.3.1 Coordinate and/or conduct Fire Watch training; and
4.3.2 Serve as a technical resource for fire prevention issues.

5. Program Components

5.1 Criteria for performing a Fire Watch

5.1.1 A Fire Watch is required whenever welding or cutting is performed in locations where the begining stages of a fire might develop, or whenever any of the following conditions exist:

5.1.1.1 Appreciable combustible materials are closer than thirty-five (35) feet to the point of operation;
5.1.1.2 Appreciable combustibles are present which can be ignited by sparks;
5.1.1.3 Wall or floor openings within a thirty-five (35) foot radius exposure to combustible materials in adjacent areas including concealed spaces in walls or floors; or
5.1.1.4 Combustible materials are adjacent to the opposite side of metal partitions, walls, ceilings, or roofs and are likely to be ignited by conduction or radiation.
5.1.1.5 Hot Work - A fire watch must be maintained for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes after completion of hot work to detect and extinguish smoldering fires.
5.1.1.6 Renovations and New Construction – A fire watch must also be performed for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes after the completion of hot work on renovation projects or new construction projects to detect and extinguish smoldering fires.

5.1.2 Campus Building with Inoperable Fire Systems - Partial Floor, Entire Floor, Entire Building

5.1.2.1 Fire Alarm System –

5.1.2.1.1 In the event that the Fire Alarm System is inoperable, signs must be posted on the doors of rooms where the system is inoperable.

5.1.2.1.2 The Facilities Project Manager is responsible for posting the signs in the appropriate locations. The following language should be included on the sign: “The Fire Alarm System is out of order in the following rooms: Room number, etc…In case of emergency, please call 911 or from a cell phone call (949) 824-5223.”

5.1.2.2 Automatic Sprinkler System –

5.1.2.2.1 In the event that the Automatic Sprinkler System is inoperable, signs must be posted on the doors of rooms where the system is inoperable and also on the doors of each entrance to the building.

5.1.2.2.2 The Facilities Project Manager is responsible for posting the signs in the appropriate locations. The following language should be included on the sign: “The Automatic Sprinkler System is out of order in the following rooms: Room number, etc…In case of emergency, please call 911 or from a cell phone call (949) 824-5223.”

5.1.3 Residential Buildings with Inoperable Fire Systems

5.1.3.1 Fire Alarm System –

5.1.3.1.1 In the event that the Fire Alarm System is inoperable, the operations manager or their representative should be contacted as soon as possible with information on the rooms that are affected. If the identified rooms are sleeping quarters, notify all occupants. In case of emergency, please call 911 or from a cell phone call (949) 824-5223.

5.1.3.2 Automatic Sprinkler System –

5.1.3.2.1 In the event that the Automatic Sprinkler System is inoperable, the operations manager or their representative should be contacted as soon as possible with information on the rooms that are affected. If the identified rooms are sleeping quarters, notify all occupants. In case of emergency, please call 911 or from a cell phone call (949) 824-5223.

6. Reporting Requirements

6.1 Notification –

6.1.1 Before performing a Fire Watch, electronic notification must be sent to all necessary parties: Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), UC Irvine Police Department (UCI PD), and the EH&S Fire Safety Division.

6.1.2 Fax the Fire Watch Notification Form (Appendix B) to the following numbers in advance of performing the Fire Watch:

OCFA Station 4: (949) 854-8823
UCI PD: (949) 824-8567
EH&S: (949) 824-6200

6.2 Fire Watch Log

6.2.1 A Fire Watch Log must be maintained and is located in Appendix A of this program.
6.2.2 The completed Fire Watch Log should sent to the Fire Safety Division in care of Environmental Health and Safety at Zot Code 2725.

7. Training Requirements and Competency Assessment

7.1 Fire Watch training is provided by the EH&S Fire Safety Division on a case by case basis. The EH&S Fire Safety Division can be reached at (949) 824-6200 to arrange specific training.

8. Information and External References

8.1 Uniform Fire Code, Section 87, Fire Watch Guideline
8.2 California Fire Code, Article 87, Fire Safety During Construction, Alteration or Demolition of a Building
8.3 Title 19, California Code of Regulations (19CCR)

9. Appendices

A – Fire Watch Log
B – Fire Watch Notification Form

Document Initiator: Dale Saunders and Joe Rizkallah
Ini: 1-2006