Hot Work Requirements

Here you'll find information on Massachusetts requirements for training, permitting, and data collection regarding welding, cutting, grinding, and other hot work.

In 2014, unpermitted and unsafe welding started a nine-alarm fire that killed two Boston firefighters. The fire revealed a lack of training and awareness surrounding hot work safety.

Today, a permit from the local fire department is required for welding, cutting, grinding, and other hot work. Anyone applying for a permit must demonstrate that they have completed a training program approved by the State Fire Marshal’s office. The Department of Fire Services collects and reports data on violations of Massachusetts’ hot work laws and regulations.

Hot Work Violation Database

Pursuant to Chapter 114 of the Acts of 2026, the Department of Fire Services collects data from local fire departments on violations of Massachusetts’ hot work laws and regulations. This data is automatically provided to affected property owners and insurance companies and it is updated here each week. 

Hot Work Violation Database (Last Updated 9/28/26)

This data is provided for informational purposes only. DFS does not make any determination regarding the underlying alleged violation, noncompliance, or enforcement action. For questions on the circumstances or enforcement of a particular violation, please contact the corresponding fire department. If you believe that your name or information has been included in the database in error or if the underlying violation or enforcement action has been successfully appealed, please notify [e-mail] and provide documentation confirming the basis for the requested removal or correction.

Who needs a hot work permit from the local fire department?

Anyone performing hot work must have a permit from the local fire department. The exceptions are:

• Certain licensed tradespeople, such as electricians and plumbers, already pulling permits from the local building department under their specialty codes (such as the Massachusetts Electrical Code or Massachusetts Plumbing Code). They are not required to pull a separate permit from the fire department.
• Homeowners and hobbyists.

Contact your local fire department to request a permit.

Who must complete a hot work training program?

A qualified person must provide documentation that he or she has successfully completed an approved training program in order to serve in any of these capacities:

• Anyone who performs hot work.
• Anyone who serves as a "Permit Authorizing Individual" (PAI) to perform, supervise or delegate hot work;
• Anyone who performs as a fire watch except fire department fire details.
• Anyone who needs a permit from the local fire department to conduct such work.

“Documentation” means a certificate of completion with the person's name, date of completion, and a provider’s/instructor’s signature acknowledging the individual attended and completed the program.

Where can I obtain hot work training?

The following training programs have been approved by the State Fire Marshal's office:

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• Gould Construction Institute
• Colden Corporation
• Tiger Training Corporation
• Atleisure Contractor Licensing
• Bay Path Vocational Technical High School
• MEP Con. Ed.
• MASS Compliance, LLC
• Cove Acre Corp
• HSE Partnering Solutions
• MIT EHS Training
• Keolis
• The Peterson School
• MIIA
• Morash Institute
• The Custom Group Center for Manufacturing Technology
• Cook Professional Resources
• Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA)
• Minichiello Bros, Inc. 
• Safety Rescue Solutions 

For the fire service

Massachusetts law requires the Department of Fire Services to collect data on violations of or noncompliance with the laws and regulations governing hot work, including M.G.L. Chapter 148A and Section 41 of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code. 

Please use this link to submit the information from your written order of notice, notice of violation, and/or non-criminal ticket under M.G.L. Chapter 148A. This link is for use by fire department personnel only. Fire service personnel can watch this video for a tutorial on submitting violations through the online form.

To assist personnel in the field, DFS has created the Form FP-032, which can be used to gather the required information when it can't be immediately entered into the online form. This form cannot be entered online; it is a worksheet to assist in collecting the information that will later be entered.

The Department of Fire Services' Code Compliance & Enforcement Unit is available to support local fire departments with questions on hot work permitting and enforcement. Call the Code Compliance Desk at 978-567-3375 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm or contact the MEMA Dispatch Line at 508-820-2000 for after-hours assistance.