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Hot Works Risk Assessment and Permit to Work — Generated Instantly for £29
Every hot work activity — welding, grinding, flame cutting, soldering — requires a permit and specific risk assessment due to fire hazards. Describe the hot work and location and we generate a fully written, UK-compliant hot works risk assessment covering fire prevention, permit to work procedures and all relevant regulations in minutes.
Used by contractors, maintenance teams, facilities managers and construction firms across the UK
🔥 Hot works are the leading cause of fire on construction and maintenance sites. Every hot work activity must have a permit to work, a written risk assessment, and appropriate fire prevention measures in place before starting. Failure to do so can result in prosecution under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Legal requirements for hot works
Hot works are any activities that generate heat, sparks or flame sufficient to cause a fire. This includes welding, flame cutting, grinding, soldering and the use of blow torches. Hot works are regulated under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which places a legal duty on the responsible person to carry out a fire risk assessment and implement appropriate fire precautions.
Article 11 of the Fire Safety Order requires that where flammable or explosive materials are present, measures must be taken to eliminate or reduce the risk of fire. For hot works, this means a written risk assessment that identifies ignition sources, fuel sources and oxygen, and documents the controls to prevent fire. A permit to work system is the industry-standard control — documented in HSE guidance HSG168 (Fire Safety in Construction) and required by principal contractors on construction sites.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 also apply on construction sites. Regulation 13 requires that arrangements be made to prevent or control the risk of fire, and Regulation 22 requires that the site is organised to protect the health and safety of workers and others. Hot works risk assessments and permits satisfy both requirements.
BS 9999 (Fire Safety in the Design, Management and Use of Buildings) provides industry best practice for hot works control, including clearance distances, fire watch duration (60 minutes post-work is standard), and the requirement for a competent fire watcher with appropriate extinguishers. These requirements are referenced in hot works risk assessments and permits produced by Anyrisks.
How it works
1. Describe the hot work
Tell us the type of hot work (welding, grinding, flame cutting, etc.), the location (workshop, construction site, plant room, roof space), what materials are nearby (timber, insulation, cables, fuel), and any site-specific hazards. If the building is occupied or if you're working in a confined space, mention it.
2. We generate your assessment
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant hot works risk assessment referencing the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, CDM Regulations 2015, and BS 9999 best practice. It includes permit to work requirements, fire watch protocols, and all controls specific to your hot work activity and location.
3. Download and use immediately
Download as PDF and editable Word doc. Use it as your permit to work, hand it to the site manager or principal contractor, or include it in your RAMS pack. £29, no subscription, instant delivery.
What it covers
Every hot works risk assessment is written in full — covering all fire hazards and site-specific controls for your activity.
Permit to work requirements — authorisation and sign-off
Fire triangle assessment — ignition sources, fuel and oxygen
Clearance distances from combustible materials (BS 9999 compliant)
Fire watch protocols — duration, competence and extinguisher placement
Pre-work checks — flammable material removal, fire extinguisher location
Welding fume control and ventilation requirements under COSHH
Hot work in confined spaces — ventilation, access, emergency procedures
Protection of building occupants — signage, barriers, communication
Spark arrestors, fire blankets and fire-resistant screens
Post-work inspection — checking for smouldering and hotspots
Emergency procedures — fire alarm, evacuation, emergency contacts
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 compliance
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 compliance
BS 9999 best practice — fire safety in buildings
Works for
From construction site welding to maintenance grinding in occupied buildings, Anyrisks covers every type of hot work activity.
What customers say
"Every site I go on now wants a hot works permit before I can strike an arc. Anyrisks gives me a proper permit-ready risk assessment in 2 minutes — fire watch, extinguishers, clearance distances, the lot."
Lee T.
Welder, East Midlands
"We do maintenance grinding and welding in occupied schools and offices. The assessment covered occupant protection, ventilation, fire watch and post-work checks — exactly what the site manager wanted to see."
James K.
Facilities contractor, Greater Manchester
"Principal contractor on every job demands hot works RAMS. Anyrisks produced a full assessment referencing the Fire Safety Order and CDM Regs — accepted every time without question."
Claire M.
Site supervisor, Yorkshire
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Permit to work requirements included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fire Safety Order 2005 and CDM 2015 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| BS 9999 fire watch and clearance distances | ✓ | ✗ |
| Specific to your hot work activity and location | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fire extinguisher type and placement specified | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Does it include permit to work requirements?
Yes — hot works risk assessments automatically include permit to work requirements, sign-off procedures, and fire watch protocols required under BS 9999 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The assessment documents who authorises the work and what pre-start checks are required.
Can I use this for welding, grinding and flame cutting?
Yes — describe the specific hot work activity (welding, angle grinding, oxy-acetylene cutting, soldering, etc.) and the location. The assessment will cover spark generation, ignition sources, heat transfer and appropriate fire prevention measures for that activity.
Does it cover work in confined spaces or near flammable materials?
Yes — mention the location and what materials are present (timber, insulation, fuel storage, cables). The assessment will include additional controls such as fire blankets, extinguishers, clearance distances, ventilation and confined space entry procedures where relevant.
Is it accepted by principal contractors and site managers?
Anyrisks produces a fully written, regulation-referenced hot works risk assessment in the standard format required by construction sites, facilities managers and principal contractors. The format aligns with industry best practice and HSE expectations.
Does it include fire watch and extinguisher requirements?
Yes — fire watch duration (typically 60 minutes post-work), fire extinguisher type and placement, and post-work inspection requirements are all included based on the hot work activity and site conditions you describe.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe the hot work activity, location and materials present and Anyrisks produces a complete, permit-ready hot works risk assessment instantly.
Can I use it for maintenance work in occupied buildings?
Yes — mention that the building is occupied and what type (office, school, retail, industrial). The assessment will include controls for protecting occupants, restricting access, signage and communication requirements.
Does it cover both indoor and outdoor hot works?
Yes — outdoor hot works have different wind and weather considerations, while indoor hot works require ventilation and fume extraction. Describe the location and the assessment will reflect the appropriate controls.