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Hot Works at UCL – understanding the permit process
21 February 2024
Hot works are defined as any activity involving open flames, heat or sparks and because working with heat can be dangerous, a permit is required due to potential fire safety risks. We explain the process for obtaining a hot work permit at UCL.
What are Hot Works?
Hot work includes any operations using:
- Gas/electric welding and cutting.
- Grinding wheels and cutting discs.
- Brazing and soldering equipment.
- Blowlamps and blowtorches.
- Bitumen boilers.
- Other equipment producing heat or naked flames.
These activities require a permit from the Fire Safety Team to ensure they are carried out safely.
Obtaining a Hot Work Permit
- Contact the Fire Safety Team: Notify them of planned hot work with enough lead time to schedule a site visit. They will need to thoroughly assess potential risks and ensure risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) provided are suitable and sufficient
- Visit the Verature Contractor Management System: The online Verature platform facilitates permit issuance for both UCL contractors and external companies. Contact estatescompliance@ucl.ac.uk to register your contractor in Verature – they will need to complete a health and safety questionnaire.
- Provide Work Details: Once registered, the person responsible for the work needs to submit details and the RAMS to fire@ucl.ac.uk for approval.
- Site Visit and Permit Issuance: Following the RAMS assessment and site inspection, the Fire Safety team will issue the permit to the contractor through Verature.
Following the permit
- The contractor accepts the permit upon starting work, not before.
- Upon completion, the contractor returns the permit for closure by the Fire Safety team.
Remember
- Safety is always the top priority.
- Plan ahead and notify the Fire Safety team well in advance to avoid delays – queries can be directed to the contractor or UCL responsible person.
- Have comprehensive RAMS in place.
- Follow the Verature permit process.
- By working together, we can ensure safe and efficient hot work at UCL.
Where can I get further information
- Authorisation and Permit to Work
- Request a work permit
- Hot works
- Verature - a new contractor management tool launched
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