§ 59-40. Welding or cutting.

A. 

Scope. Welding or cutting shall include gas, electric-arc or flammable liquid welding or cutting or any combination thereof.

B. 

Permit required for welding or cutting.

(1) 

A permit shall be required of each company, corporation, copartnership or owner-operator performing welding or cutting operations, except as provided in Subsection B(2) of this section. This permit shall not be required for each welding or cutting job location. The company, corporation, copartnership or owner-operator shall notify the Chief Fire Inspector or the Assistant Inspectors duly appointed by the governing board of the municipality in advance where such work is taking place, except where such work is done in response to an emergency call that does not allow time for the Chief Fire Inspector or the Assistant Inspectors duly appointed by the governing board of the municipality to be notified in advance of the work.

(2) 

A permit shall not be required of any company, corporation, copartnership or owner-operator:

(a) 

Where the welding or cutting is performed in areas approved for the purpose; or

(b) 

Having an approved permit system established for control of the fire hazards involved.

(3) 

Application for a permit required by this section shall be made by the company, corporation, copartnership or owner-operator performing the welding or cutting operation or by his duly authorized agent.

(4) 

A permit for welding or cutting operations shall not be issued unless the individuals in charge of performing such operations are capable of doing such work in a safe manner. Demonstration of a working knowledge of the provisions of this section shall constitute acceptable evidence of compliance with this requirement.

(5) 

Companies, corporations, copartnerships and owner-operators required to have a permit shall maintain a record of all locations where welding or cutting operations are performed and have it available for inspection by the Chief Fire Inspector or the Assistant Inspector duly appointed by the governing board of the municipality.

C. 

Fire prevention.

(1) 

Before welding or cutting operations are begun in areas not designed or approved for that purpose, specific authorization shall be obtained from the owner of the premises or his duly authorized agent.

(2) 

When welding or cutting operations are performed above or within 35 feet of combustible construction or material exposed to the operation or within 35 feet of floor, ceiling or wall openings so exposed:

(a) 

Such combustible construction or material shall be protected by noncombustible shields or cover from possible sparks, hot metal or oxide.

(b) 

Such floor, ceiling or wall openings shall be protected by noncombustible shields or covers.

(c) 

A fire watcher shall be provided to watch for fires, make use of portable fire extinguishers or fire hose and perform similar fire prevention and protection duties. The fire watcher shall remain on the job at least 30 minutes after the welding or cutting operations have been completed to ensure that no fire exists. A signed inspection report attesting to that fact shall be filed and available for inspection by the Chief Fire Inspector or the Assistant Inspectors duly appointed by the governing board of the municipality.

(3) 

One or more portable fire extinguishers of approved type and size shall be kept at the location where welding or cutting is to be done.

(4) 

Welding or cutting shall not be done in or near rooms or locations where flammable gases, liquids or vapors, lint, dust or loose combustible stocks are present when sparks or hot metal from the welding or cutting operations may cause ignition or explosion of such materials.

(5) 

Except as provided in Subsection C(6) of this section, welding or cutting shall not be performed on containers and equipment which contain or have contained flammable liquids, gases or solids until these containers and equipment have been thoroughly cleaned or inerted or purged.

(6) 

Hot tapping may be permitted on tanks and pipelines, provided that such operations are performed by companies, corporations, copartnerships or owner-operators not required to have a permit under Subsection B(2)(b).

(7) 

Sprinkler system protection shall not be shut off while welding or cutting work is being performed. When welding or cutting is done close to automatic sprinkler heads, sheet asbestos or damp cloth guards may be used to shield the individual heads but shall be removed when the work is completed.