Posted By selfbuilder.net We had an email from a builder who has been asked to produce a certificate for burning off paint. The main contractor won't allow him to continue until he produces said certification. Has anyone heard of this and do you know where to get one?

Posted By Raymond Rapp Not sure what you mean by 'certification'. I suspect that a safe system of work is required by the PC, which could be because of possible lead paint contamination, a hot works permit or both. Either way a method statement would identify potential risks and associated controls. I suggest the prospective worker enquires with the PC, who should provide more information about the infrastructure in the first place.

Posted By Zorro tdunbar, 'Many buildings are lost because of the stupidity of contractors and hot processes'. Where do you get the figures to support this or is this just a sweeping statement. I cannot find any figures or reports that support this.

Posted By FAH All very helpful folks - but we still have no real idea what the client really wanted & therefore cannot be sure that the above very useful suggestions have addressed the original perveived need! Incidentally, we haven't confirmed the country of location yet. Selfbuilder, why not advise your contact to ask their client for elaboration of their request so as to ensure fulfilling their actual [rather than assumed] need? FAO Zorro The FPA, & the Home Office Fire Dept, routinely publish statistics for premises fires within the UK. There have been sufficient very high profile fires over the years to substantiate the observation provided by tdunbar. Frank Hallett