When should a fire watch be established?

A fire watch should be established when hot work is being performed because this type of activity involves the potential ignition of flammable materials due to sparks, heat, or molten metal. Hot work refers to operations like welding, cutting, or grinding that can create an environment conducive to fire hazards. By having a dedicated fire watch, personnel can monitor the area for any signs of fire or smoke, respond quickly to any incidents, and ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are in place.

In other contexts, while having a fire watch may seem prudent, it is specifically during hot work that the risk of fires increases significantly. Routine maintenance may not always involve activities that generate heat or sparks, and therefore does not necessarily require a fire watch. Following a fire drill, the primary focus is on assessing the effectiveness of the drill and ensuring preparedness, not on monitoring for fire hazards. Colder weather may influence various safety practices, but it does not inherently increase the risk of fire in the context of work processes that require a fire watch. Thus, it is the performance of hot work that explicitly necessitates this watch to protect against potential fire outbreaks.