Fire safety? Welding outside?

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I built a small welding table for use in the backyard. Unfortunately, there are leaves, grass, etc. around the table, just ready to catch on fire.Beside sand   , is there anything (anything temporary) I can put down to reduce the chance of catching the world on fire? - Mike
Reply:maybe a tarp?
Reply:Beside sand  , is there anything (anything temporary) I can put down to reduce the chance of catching the world on fire? - Mike
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyThe third isn't so much a "do" as it is a "don't do". Never just walk away at the end of a session and assume everything is okay.
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanStandard industrial practice is to maintain a fire watch for at least half an hour after work is finished....  a good excuse for a cold beer :'))
Reply:I maintain a fresh 12-pack on site along with plenty of ice.  If you do this and a fire breaks out, it's likely you already have a beer open and ready to pour on the fire.  Frequent urination can reduce the flash point of dry grass and leaves.  If a third of a beer is too small to extinguish the fire, you can dump the cooler on the fire and still drink the remaining beer afterwards.  If the fire REALY gets away and you have to call the fire department, I am sure they would also appreciate the cold beer after a good workout.Seriously, I generally have my son (or someone) in a hood standing nearby when I weld outside watching for fires.  I also keep a chemical fire extinguisher on hand outdoors because they seem to work better than gas (CO2 or Argon).  Fire resistant tarps and sand are good also.  You can make a cotton tarp fire resistant by a chemical dip process, but I forget what it requires.  Same goes for cotton clothing.  Most welding books have the chemicals required.  The worst fires I have started havent been leaves or grass, but oils/fuels on leaky equipment.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I work on 1" limestone gravel mixed with crusher run when outside of the shop.  Its really tough to light that stuff up
Reply:Rake up the leaves.  Then lightly spritz the immediate area with water.  Just don't get zapped."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by mhorowitI built a small welding table for use in the backyard. Unfortunately, there are leaves, grass, etc. around the table, just ready to catch on fire.Beside sand   , is there anything (anything temporary) I can put down to reduce the chance of catching the world on fire? - Mike
Reply:The third isn't so much a "do" as it is a "don't do". Never just walk away at the end of a session and assume everything is okay.[/QUOTE]Right on!An absolute must,I have a few friends who have lost vehicles and garages while rushing away to have lunch! Factor in a wait and see time to your jobs.
Reply:I keep a garden hose and a pressurized water extinguisher handy, and I don't hesitate to drench the area near where I'm working. After I'm done, I hose the area where slag may have landed from cutting or welding.I rake up leaves and kill vegetation near my work area. The water extinguisher is loaded with vegetation killer since it's my yard sprayer too.
Reply:Plywood is quick and temp that can be laided down and is hard to catch on fire as long as it's in decent shape.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Water?Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:I like smith boy's  fire safety plan. I would go with that one, LOL
Reply:Originally Posted by mhorowitI built a small welding table for use in the backyard. Unfortunately, there are leaves, grass, etc. around the table, just ready to catch on fire.Beside sand   , is there anything (anything temporary) I can put down to reduce the chance of catching the world on fire? - Mike
Reply:Let it burn, all fires go out eventuallyDisclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Originally Posted by DualieWater?
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingLet it burn, all fires go out eventually
Reply:Fir safety is very important while welding outside.Remove all flammable material, such as cotton, oil, gasoline, etc., from the vicinity of welding.Mark all hot metal after welding operations are completed. Soapstone is commonly used for this purpose.crochet yarn
Reply:Fiberglass welding blanket (also useful to keep nearby – it'll smother a small fire if you throw it over top).
Reply:Originally Posted by lotechmanStandard industrial practice is to maintain a fire watch for at least half an hour after work is finished....  a good excuse for a cold beer :'))