At The Wayside: Home of Authors, in Minuteman National Historical Park, sparks from a welding operation ignited a fire on the exterior of the historic structure. However, quick action by employees effectively using a fire extinguisher stopped the fire in its earliest stages. Park staff were very lucky.
A fire was ignited as sparks from workers welding blew against the clapboard walls of a row house in Boston. The ensuing fire claimed the lives of two Boston firefighters. Though not an NPS example, this fire illustrates what can happen when simple fire prevention actions aren't taken, such as getting a hot work permit and following other fire prevention practices.
Fires that start as a result of hot work are common in the National Park Service and the private sector, especially during renovations. They are also very easy to prevent. Join us at Prevention 52 - Workplace Fire Hazards to get additional safety pointers on hot work and other workplace fire safety issues.
- Protecting Cultural Resources from Fire
- Seasonal Housing
- Ashes Under Snow: Winterizing
- Living History
- Fire Safety for People with Disabilities
- and more!
Take Action
- Read about what the NPS Structural Fire staff learned about the two fires at the historic Wayside House on their visit to Concord, Massachusetts.
- Here is a link to the most current NPS policy on hot work permits. Reference Manual 58 Chapter 6 section 7.2.3.8
- This is a link to the hot work permit form and instructions.
Last updated: December 1, 2016