# Hot Work Permits: Building Code Definition

> How the IFC 2009 define hot work permits, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.

- Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/hot-work-permits/
- Last updated: 2026-09-07
- Data source: Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Defined in | IFC 2009 (2009 editions transcribed in this corpus) |
| Primary source | IFC 2009 Welding and Other Hot Work (model text, not a jurisdiction's adopted text) |
| Chapters using the term | 3 (counted across the codes hosted here) |
| Wording identical across codes | Single code (compare before citing one code's wording under another) |

## Direct answer

Hot work permits is a defined term in the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009, in Welding and Other Hot Work. The code's own words are: “Permits issued by the responsible person at the facility under the hot work permit program permitting welding or other hot work to be done in locations referred to in Section 2603.3 and pre-permitted by the fire code official.” No other I-Code in this corpus defines it, so the IFC 2009 definition is the one to work from. The term is used in 3 chapters of this corpus, most often in Flammable and Combustible Liquids (IFC 2009), Welding and Other Hot Work (IFC 2009), Definitions (IFC 2009). These pages transcribe the 2009 model text; verify the definition against the edition and amendments your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

*Content and cited inputs reviewed by [Scott Barrington](https://nz.linkedin.com/in/barrington), Harth founder and architectural technology specialist · Published 2026-09-07 · Updated 2026-09-07.*

## What does this term mean?

**Hot Work Permits** — IFC 2009, Welding and Other Hot Work:

> Permits issued by the responsible person at the facility under the hot work permit program permitting welding or other hot work to be done in locations referred to in Section 2603.3 and pre-permitted by the fire code official.

![Labeled code-term definition diagram: Hot Work Permits: Building Code Definition](https://efwwel0vyt9vy5so.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/images/glossary/hot-work-permits/diagram-1344.webp)

*How the IFC 2009 define hot work permits, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.*

## What must be verified before using this guidance?

**Hot Work Permits** is defined once in this corpus, in the [Welding and Other Hot Work](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/welding-and-other-hot-work.md) chapter of the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009:

> Permits issued by the responsible person at the facility under the hot work permit program permitting welding or other hot work to be done in locations referred to in Section 2603.3 and pre-permitted by the fire code official.

## Where hot work permits is used in the code

The term appears in 3 chapters of the 2009 I-Codes hosted here. The chapters that lean on it hardest are the ones to read next.

| Chapter | Code | Mentions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Flammable and Combustible Liquids](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/flammable-and-combustible-liquids.md) | IFC 2009 | 3 |
| [Welding and Other Hot Work](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/welding-and-other-hot-work.md) | IFC 2009 | 2 |
| [Definitions](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/definitions.md) | IFC 2009 | 1 |

### The term in use

How the code actually writes about hot work permits, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here:

> Hot work permits, issued by an approved responsible person under a hot work program, shall be available for review by the fire code official at the time the work is conducted and for 48 hours after work is complete.

— [IFC 2009 §2603.3](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/welding-and-other-hot-work.md)


## The terms hot work permits is built out of

The definition above leans on 5 other defined terms. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what hot work permits covers:

- **[Fire Code Official](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/fire-code-official.md)** — IFC 2009: The fire chief or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the code, or a duly authorized representative.
- **[Responsible Person](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/responsible-person.md)** — IFC 2009: A person trained in the safety and fire safety considerations concerned with hot work.
- **[Code Official](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/code-official.md)** — IRC 2009: The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly authorized representative.
- **[Facility](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/facility.md)** — IBC 2009: All or any portion of buildings, structures, site improvements, elements and pedestrian or vehicular routes located on a site.
- **[Hot Work](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/hot-work.md)** — IFC 2009: Operations including cutting, welding, Thermit welding, brazing, soldering, grinding, thermal spraying, thawing pipe, installation of torch-applied roof systems or any other similar activity.

## Hot Work Permits: what to open, and in what order

Every row is a document this term depends on. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) cover the middle rows.

| Check | Where | Confirmed |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Read the definition in the adopted IFC | Welding and Other Hot Work | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Flammable and Combustible Liquids (IFC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Welding and Other Hot Work (IFC 2009) | |
| Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IFC 2009) | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Fire Code Official | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Responsible Person | |
| Confirm the dependent definition | Code Official | |
| Local amendment to any of the above | Jurisdiction's amendment list | |

**A research aid, not a code determination.** The authority having jurisdiction decides which edition and which amendments apply.

## Where can you explore related guidance?

- [Explore all glossary guidance](https://harth.build/resources/glossary.md)
- [Responsible Person: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/responsible-person.md)
- [Fire Code Official: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/fire-code-official.md)
- [Code Official: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/code-official.md)
- [Hot Work: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/hot-work.md)

## Sources and method

Definitions quoted from the 2009 International Codes as transcribed in this site's building-codes collection, with the source chapter linked for each quotation. Usage counts are computed over the chapters hosted here, one copy per code. The [ICC code library](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes) publishes the current model text and the [ICC adoption maps](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/) show which edition a jurisdiction has adopted; those sources control.

### Source links

- [codes.iccsafe.org](https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes)

- [iccsafe.org](https://www.iccsafe.org/advocacy/code-adoption-maps/)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the code definition of hot work permits?

The International Fire Code (IFC) 2009 defines it in Welding and Other Hot Work as: “Permits issued by the responsible person at the facility under the hot work permit program permitting welding or other hot work to be done in locations referred to in Section 2603.3 and pre-permitted by the fire code official.” The 2009 model text is reproduced here; the definition that binds your project is the one in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted, as amended locally.

### Which parts of the code depend on hot work permits?

In this corpus the term is used across 3 chapters, led by Flammable and Combustible Liquids in the IFC 2009. Those are the sections whose scope moves if the definition is amended locally, so read them together with Chapter 2 rather than on their own.

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