API RP 2009:2002 (R2007)

This recommended practice provides guidelines for safely conducting welding, cutting or other hot work activities in refineries, gas plants, petrochemical plants and other facilities in the petroleum and petrochemical industries. It includes specific guidance to evaluate procedures for certain types of work on equipment in service. Not included in the scope are: Guidance for compliance with regulations or codes. Hot tapping (it is the subject of API Recommended Practice 2201 Procedures for Hot Tapping on Equipment in Service ). Welding techniques, craft skills or qualification of welders. Normal 'safe work' practices such as fall protection, PPE, slip/trip/fall, etc. Entry or work in inert environments (see API 2217A). The principles and resources provided in this document are widely applicable. Some activities (such as oil drilling or offshore operations) may be subject to specific regulations or unique work requirements which should be considered when developing welding and hot work programs. While personnel doing welding and other hot work require a high degree of skill and shall be qualified for the work they are doing, the qualification of personnel falls outside the scope of this document. API 2009 intends to maintain consistency and compatibility with ANSI/AWS Z49.1 which provides much more detail on welding equipment, PPE and certain procedures and NFPA 51B that focuses on fires and explosions with guidance covering a broad spectrum of applications including structures. Additional guidance relating to welding equipment, techniques, processes and testing used in the chemical, oil, gas and pipeline industries is provided by API RP 582, API Std 1104 and API RP 1107.