Is the installation of insulation sheeting inside a running device considered a hot work task?
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The last edit to this post was made by altpage on 2016-3-13 at 09:30. As the title suggests, when carrying out work such as installing or repairing insulation sheets in chemical plants where flammable and explosive materials are present, it is necessary to use a portable drill powered by lithium-ion batteries for drilling. In the past, we have handled such tasks in accordance with the procedures for working in areas with fire hazards； But a few days ago, a new group of insulation workers arrived; they had worked at one of Sinopec’s large factories and said that this type of work is treated as just an ordinary task at that factory ； I don’t understand this. I would like to know how various factories manage such situations – what levels of approval are required for hot work, etc. What is the basis for this?
Sparking occurs during installation using a core pull rivet gun; it constitutes hot work
A drill is considered an open-flame tool. The construction team must be lying; it’s a Sinopec facility, and Sinopec has very strict safety management measures.
Hot work will definitely be carried out, but after all, the heat generated is limited. It depends on what each company sets forth for itself. I’m not doing any oversight here.
Anything that generates a hot surface falls under the category of hot work; using a drill to drill holes also counts as hot work
Our company defines hot work as operations that involve open flames or the use of tools that can generate fire (electric drills, grinding tools); our company is engaged in hot work； We classify hot work based on the area, not on the hot work tools.
This post was last edited by 68589544 on 2016-3-21 at 18:31. Here, we require the use of rechargeable drill bits; no wiring is needed on-site, and this is considered a hot work operation, which has been specified in the company’s hot work procedure documents.
1. A drill used to drill holes in metal sheets will definitely generate sparks; when used on flammable and explosive pipelines that are in operation, this constitutes a high-risk welding task. 2. Upon checking the documents in the factory, if there is no explicit provision stating that it falls under the category of hot work, it shall be treated as high-risk hot work. If it is explicitly specified as not falling under hot work, then it is treated as a regular maintenance task. 3. Organize revisions afterward to clarify relevant systems.
Our company’s insulation team has been required to switch entirely to 36V drill batteries; aluminum sheet is used for insulation, and no regulations related to hot work apply in this case.
We also use this type of electric drill, and I know that many companies do the same. What the construction firms say about other units not following the regulations for hot work isn’t without reason； But my question is, is there any basis for doing this?
It falls under hot work, and hot work procedures must be followed.