Hot work permit template UK — grinding, welding and burning authorisation
Need a hot work permit template before the grinder, torch or welder comes out? Here is what the permit must control, why the fire watch is the part that matters, and an editable permit you can download now.
What counts as hot works
Grinding, cutting, welding, brazing, soldering with a flame, torch-applied roofing — anything producing flame, sparks or enough heat to ignite what is nearby. Insurers and principal contractors treat all of it as permit-controlled, because hot works fires usually start after the work finishes, in something smouldering out of sight.
What the template must let you record
- The task, location, equipment and the person doing the work
- Combustibles removed or protected within the fire-safe radius
- Extinguisher type and location, checked before work starts
- The fire watch: who stays, and for how long after work stops (60 minutes is the common contract requirement)
- Time limits, authorisation signature and close-out
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and CDM 2015 require fire risk from the work to be managed; the signed permit is how sites evidence it, and after a fire it is the first document the insurer asks for.
Which one to buy
- Tonight's job: the hot work permit at £3.99.
- High-risk work generally: browse RAMS & permits from £3.99.
- Documents all year: membership at £69/year.
Brief the crew before signing — the welding and hot work toolbox talk pairs with the permit. Then tailor the permit to the actual location, check the extinguisher, and keep the fire watch honest.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I download a hot work permit template UK?
SafetyPod sells an editable hot work permit for £3.99, emailed instantly after checkout. No subscription required.
Is a hot work permit a legal requirement?
No regulation names the permit itself, but fire risk from hot works must be managed under the Fire Safety Order 2005 and CDM 2015 — and most principal contractors and insurers make a signed permit a condition of the work.
How long should the fire watch last after hot works?
Contract and insurer requirements commonly demand a continuous fire watch for at least 60 minutes after work stops, with the area rechecked before the permit is closed out.
Do I need RAMS as well as a hot work permit?
Yes. The RAMS sets out hazards, controls and method; the permit is the shift-by-shift authorisation that those controls are in place before flame or sparks are produced.