Fire safety? Welding outside?

[mhorowit]

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

[Dirt]

maybe a tarp?

[Sandy]

Beside sand , is there anything (anything temporary) I can put down to reduce the chance of catching the world on fire? - Mike

I weld outside a lot. Over the years I've had a couple of near misses where I lifted my hood to see small grass/leaf fires wicking their way outward. This year we've had two welder related fires so far. Not me, but in this county

I do three things. One is mist the immediate area down prior to working. I doesn't take that much to increase the inherent moisture content of the dried vegetation. The other is always have a 'high output' sprinkler hooked up and setting right next to my work area.

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.

[lotechman]

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.

Standard 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 :'))

[Omega blood]

Standard 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 :'))

YEA!

[smithboy]

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.

[wicrules]

I work on 1" limestone gravel mixed with crusher run when outside of the shop. Its really tough to light that stuff up

[Oldendum]

Rake up the leaves. Then lightly spritz the immediate area with water. Just don't get zapped.

[Bistineau]

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

Why not just use a lawn sprinkler in the area when you are not welding. Keeping the grass greened up will reduce the likelyhood of fires. Rake up and dispose of the leaves. You will have to mow the area more often, but fire danger is greatly decreased.
My welding table is sitting in the yard with GREEN GRASS all around and no problem of fires.

[BrianC]

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.

[farmall]

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.

[ThorsHammer]

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.

[Dualie]

Water?

[welderinwv]

I like smith boy's fire safety plan. I would go with that one, LOL

[shortfuse]

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

Depending on how much area you need to cover, consider using some exterior plywood, Advantek or other support backing and overlay it with cement backerboard like used in showers and wet applications (for tile work). It may be a lot of work hauling it out and hauling it back inside when finished welding, but at least it's temporary, portable and fire-resistant. Just lay it down, set up your table and weld.

[TozziWelding]

Let it burn, all fires go out eventually

[tanglediver]

Water?

Plus one.

[Bistineau]

Let it burn, all fires go out eventually

That will work for sure, and next time your welding there won't be anything left to worry about burning up. Including you and the neighbors houses. Sounds easier than watering enough to green up the grass like I mentioned before.

[AlacratStore]

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.

[Kelvin]

Fiberglass welding blanket (also useful to keep nearby – it'll smother a small fire if you throw it over top).

[Mondo]

Standard 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 :'))

Keep an adequately sized fire extinguisher handy. If you are in a suituation that has a risk of grass fire have a hose with pressure in it handy, like a garden hose with a variable spray/stream nozzel with the faucet turned on so all you need do is pick up the nozzel end and squeeze the trigger.

NEVER try to put out a fire with a bottle, can, or glass of cold beer. Such behavior constitutes Alcohol Abuse!