Cold Work Permit

A cold work permit is a formal authorization that allows maintenance activities to be carried out without producing sparks, flames, or heat. It is the safer alternative to a hot work permit and is often used for ATEX-classified zones.

Where is a cold work permit required?

Cold work permits are common in:

• Oil & Gas – offshore risers, flare booms, topside piping.
• Petrochemical & Chemical plants – process vessels, reactors, insulated pipelines.
• Marine & Offshore wind – deck areas, turbine towers, hull details.
• Power generation – boilers, turbines, and high-heat components.

For you as an operator, a cold work permit means fewer safety barriers, faster project approvals, and lower costs compared to hot work permits.

Extra explanation

• Hot work permits: required for welding, cutting, open blasting or any spark-producing activity. They involve strict controls such as gas testing, fire watches, and area shutdowns.
• Cold work permits: issued for activities that pose no ignition risk. They require fewer precautions and can often be carried out in live plants.

By using cold work permits, projects:

• Save time – permits are faster to obtain.
• Cut costs – fewer standby personnel and fire prevention measures.
• Increase uptime – blasting or maintenance can happen in parallel with operations.

Pinovo and cold work permits

Pinovo’s vacuum blasting is classified as cold work because:

• No sparks or flames are generated.
• Dust and grit are fully contained, avoiding ignition hazards.
• ATEX-certified tools make it compliant in explosive environments.

This allows Pinovo users to blast safely without requiring hot work permits, a huge advantage in oil, gas and chemical industries.