# Hot Work Program: Building Code Definition > How the IFC 2009 define hot work program, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term. - Canonical: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/hot-work-program/ - 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 program is a defined term in the International Fire Code (IFC) 2009, in Welding and Other Hot Work. The code's own words are: “A permitted program, carried out by approved facilities-designated personnel, allowing them to oversee and issue permits for hot work conducted by their personnel or at their facility. The intent is to have trained, on-site, responsible personnel ensure that reqUired hot work safety measures are taken to prevent fires and fire spread.” 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 Welding and Other Hot Work (IFC 2009), Scope and Administration (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 Program** — IFC 2009, Welding and Other Hot Work: > A permitted program, carried out by approved facilities-designated personnel, allowing them to oversee and issue permits for hot work conducted by their personnel or at their facility. The intent is to have trained, on-site, responsible personnel ensure that reqUired hot work safety measures are taken to prevent fires and fire spread. ![Labeled code-term definition diagram: Hot Work Program: Building Code Definition](https://efwwel0vyt9vy5so.public.blob.vercel-storage.com/images/glossary/hot-work-program/diagram-1344.webp) *How the IFC 2009 define hot work program, where the wording differs, and which chapters depend on the term.* ## What must be verified before using this guidance? **Hot Work Program** 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: > A permitted program, carried out by approved facilities-designated personnel, allowing them to oversee and issue permits for hot work conducted by their personnel or at their facility. The intent is to have trained, on-site, responsible personnel ensure that reqUired hot work safety measures are taken to prevent fires and fire spread. ## Where hot work program 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 | | --- | --- | --- | | [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 | 6 | | [Scope and Administration](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/scope-and-administration.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 program, quoted from the 2009 text hosted here: > Hot work shall only be conducted in areas designed or authorized for that purpose by the personnel responsible for a Hot Work Program. — [IFC 2009 §2601.3](https://harth.build/resources/building-codes/us-states/rhode-island/ifc-2009/welding-and-other-hot-work.md) ## The terms hot work program is built out of The definition above leans on 3 other defined terms. Each carries its own code definition, and a local amendment to any of them changes what hot work program covers: - **[Approved](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/approved.md)** — IBC 2009: Acceptable to the code official or authority having jurisdiction. - **[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 Program: 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 | Welding and Other Hot Work (IFC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Scope and Administration (IFC 2009) | | | Re-check the requirement that uses it | Definitions (IFC 2009) | | | Confirm the dependent definition | Approved | | | Confirm the dependent definition | Facility | | | Confirm the dependent definition | Hot Work | | | 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) - [Hot Work: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/hot-work.md) - [Facility: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/facility.md) - [Approved: Building Code Definition](https://harth.build/resources/glossary/approved.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 program? The International Fire Code (IFC) 2009 defines it in Welding and Other Hot Work as: “A permitted program, carried out by approved facilities-designated personnel, allowing them to oversee and issue permits for hot work conducted by their personnel or at their facility. The intent is to have trained, on-site, responsible personnel ensure that reqUired hot work safety measures are taken to prevent fires and fire spread.” 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 program? In this corpus the term is used across 3 chapters, led by Welding and Other Hot Work 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. ### What are the requirements for a hot work permit? Permit is a separate defined term. The IBC 2009 defines it as: “An official document or certificate issued by the authority having jurisdiction which authorizes performance of a specified activity.” That is not the same as hot work program, which the IFC 2009 defines as “A permitted program, carried out by approved facilities-designated personnel, allowing them to oversee and issue permits for hot work conducted by their personnel or at their facility. The intent is to have trained, on-site, responsible personnel ensure that reqUired hot …” — read both before applying either, and confirm the wording in the edition your jurisdiction has adopted. --- - Continue in Harth (open this topic in the Harth agent): https://app.harth.build/agent?context=%2Fresources%2Fglossary%2Fhot-work-program%2F - View this page in a browser: https://harth.build/resources/glossary/hot-work-program/ - All resources for agents: https://harth.build/llms.txt