Tank bank welding
How close to a tank bank of oxygen or acetylene (that’s being used for the process ) can you perform hot work with ?
Specifically I am lancing with an oxygen torch and am wondering if it’s illegal or just dangerous to use it next to the source of fuel. Yet I see no other way to do the task.
I don’t feel the 35 feet should apply the the fuel source your using, but as the same time it’s an explosive gas that COULD leak.
Comments (8)
Is this any type of hazardous (classified) location, such as Class 1, Div. 1 or Class 1, Div. 2?
When you say tank bank, do you mean manifold tanks? Like multiple acetylene tanks manifolded together and multiple oxygen tank manifolded together? If so, then there are requirements for how to do that which will almost certainly keep them away from your hot work.
First, depending on quantity, the cylinders will have to be either outdoors or in separate rated rooms. If you're under 3000 cu ft of acetylene, then the acetylene and oxygen have to be separated by a minimum of 20 feet or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour.
In any case, according to 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(I), cylinders shall be kept far enough away from the actual welding or cutting operation so that sparks, hot slag, or flame will not reach them, or fire-resistant shields shall be provided.
Here is the picture !
