On January 1st the State of Massachusetts adopted a new edition of 527 CMR a.k.a the Fire Code. It will be based on NFPA 1 2015 and the Massachusetts amendments can be found here. What you should take note of is the training component for people involved with hot work. Some items of note include:
- The State casts a wider net on whom needs to be trained (see underlined section below)
- The requirement doesn’t take affect until July.
- The certificate of completion must be within the past 12 months. Yearly retraining is required.
- The State will accept on-line training which is not specified in the code but here is a link to the site where it is available, this will also deviate from Boston and I’ve yet to see anything official as to whether or not Boston will accept on-line training as well.
Photo by Christopher Burns on Unsplash
Below is the language from the State Code and City Regulation.
527 CMR
41.7.1 As of July 1, 2018, an individual to be qualified to be a PAI, perform fire watches, perform, supervise or delegate any activities of hot works as defined in this chapter shall first provide documentation that he or she has successfully complete training approved by the State Fire Marshal in the following areas: Successfully completed as used here means an education program covering materials provided in 41.7 (1) through (5) further, the material was completed by the individual within the past 12 months; and that a certificate of completion has been issued to the individual with the date of completion on the certificate and a provider’s/instructor’s signature acknowledging such individual attended and completed the program containing all of the following subject matter;
(1) Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, 527 CMR: 1.00 Chapter 41, Hot Work Operations
(2) 29 CFR 1910.252 Subpart Q-Welding, Cutting and Brazing
(3) NFPA 51B Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work, 2014 edition
(4) NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations, 2013 edition
(5) ANSI Z49, Safety in Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes, 2012 edition
Boston Fire Prevention Code:
Section 8.03 — NFPA Hot Work Safety Certification Required (a) No person shall engage in the business of hot work, or perform related operations of gas generation or storage, or assume charge of hot work or related operations, unless he holds a NFPA Hot Work Safety Certification or an equivalent certification as determined by the Head of the Fire Department.
(b) No person shall serve as a fire watch unless he holds an NFPA Hot Work Safety Certification or equivalent certification as determined by the Head of the Fire Department; or is an authorized member of the Boston Fire Department employed as a fire watch. (c) Any person required to obtain a NFPA Hot Work Safety Certification shall make application to the NFPA and submit to such examination and tests as may be prescribed. The Head of the Fire Department may make such reasonable regulations as he deems suitable for the issuance or renewal of the certificate. Certification shall be for three (3) years, or for a longer period, unless revoked or suspended by the Head of the Fire Department for cause.
(d) The Certification holder shall comply with all NFPA Hot Work Safety Certification requirements and standards.
If you have additional questions or insight please comment or email me joe@massconstruction.org
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