Hot work permits

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The world of the weldor in Texas is changing.  Of course I'm sure it's already changed in some parts of the country while others haven't.Here's the way it is today in and around north Texas.  This morning I've got to go repair a gate and fence that was destroyed in an attempt to burglarize a business in Plano, TX.  There will be some welding and cutting required.Before I get out the leads and hose I've got to get a permit from the city for hot work.  If I get caught initiating work without the permit the fine can be from five hundred dollars to two thousand dollars based upon their interpretation of the recklessness of my actions.Last Thursday I got my hot work permit for the year at the shop.  The reason I contacted the Wylie Fire Department was I wanted to weld right outside the door of the shop and I know there's a fire ban in north Texas.The permit cost me twenty five dollars and is good for a year.  I have a lot of restrictions, no hot work if the wind exceeds ten mph, thirty minute watch after hot work stops, etc.And I need a permit for every job, twenty five dollars a pop.  If I get a call to fix a piece of equipment broke on a job I have to get a permit and prior inspection before initiating work.  Anytime the welder or torch is used away from my shop I need a permit or face a severe fine.The fire inspector is a friend of mine.  But since there's been so many disasters lately and we're in a high fire danger drought the rules that have been in place for four years are now being enforced.  He's been told there will be no warnings.  This comes from the state.  If a weldor is caught working without a permit he's to be fined and shut down.I can live with this.  It's no fun but I can understand and accept it.  But I have one caveat, the rules have to be for everyone.  I don't want this to be one of those deals where some of us have insurance and others don't and no one enforces the rules.Here's a link to the city of Wylie rules  hot workAs it was explained to me a fence installer working in a new subdivision would have to get a separate permit for every address.  That's fine.  But so should plumbers, right?life is good
Reply:i feel you, bud where i work, we have to carry a minimum 1 mil policy, and when we go out in the feild, we have to have the hot work permits and a fire watch for each welder. and then if we go over 6 feet up we have to wear a full body harness. the stuff you gotta put up with to do what you love. oh ya the last place i worked made us wear hard hat welding hoods!
Reply:We have a lot of hot work permits over here, but it's more site spicific. Certain companies. Well most companies now   But we also get permits for height work appearing all the time as well at 2 metres, and confined space which includes any ditch 1200mm or deeper. Then most construction sites have daily tool box meeting's with hazard ID etc, plus an extra all up safety meeting once a weekInduction's before you even go on site that start at four hours long, and can be up to two days long. Special plugs on your electric gear when you arrive   God I could go on but it's deppressing me to think about it.It keeps you   trying to keep up with it all Stephen
Reply:I'll be operating the tractor all day today because there's red flag warning today, total burn ban.Plano doesn't require a permit but does require charged water hose within ten feet of the work, fire watch,  and extinguishers.  And they want to know about any fires even if they were minor and extinquished.  They are supposed to report fires and damage estimate to the state.  I guess it has something to do with the federal aid.Some of the fires did come from weldors being foolish.  So we only have ourselves to blame for becoming a target for regulation.life is good
Reply:Originally Posted by wroughtn_harv  So we only have ourselves to blame for becoming a target for regulation.