Method and apparatus to monitor a fire state associated with a welding event

A method for monitoring a fire state proximate to a welding event for a prescribed period of time, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) defining a fire state area proximate to the welding event, said welding event comprising engaging in one or more welding processes;
• b) securing one or more sensors in respective positions enabling each sensor to detect a physical condition of an article within the fire state area;
• c) placing the one or more sensors in logical communication with a fire state controller comprising a processor and executable code stored in a digital storage, wherein the digital storage consists of one or more of magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, and semiconductor memory devices:
• d) operating the one or more sensors during a welding event and for a prescribed period of time following the welding event to generate first sensor output values;
• e) transmitting the first sensor output values to the fire state controller;
• f) inputting into a controller conditions likely to result in a state of fire;
• g) performing the one or more welding processes comprising the welding event within the fire state area;
• h) operating the one or more sensors after the welding event to generate a post welding event sensor output signature of the article;
• i) transmitting the post welding event sensor output values to the fire state controller;
• j) generating, via operation of the fire state controller, a comparison of the conditions likely to result in a state of fire and the post welding event sensor output signature of the article;
• k) in the fire state controller, designating a range of values for the one or more sensors as alert state values, said range of values each greater than the first sensor output values, wherein the alert state values are based upon one or more of a flashpoint of a material exposed to the one or more welding processes and a baseline temperature;
• and
• l) transmitting to a user smart device, a human readable interface comprising the post welding event sensor output signature and the alert state values.