Gas cylinder fire prevention
General
Considerations
1.
Either the work-piece shall be
moved to a safe location for carrying gas-cutting work or Combustible materials
and flammable materials shall be removed from the work place.
2.
Spaces where gas could
accumulate shall be ventilated.
3.
If combustible materials that
cannot be moved shall be protected from close contact with flame, heat, sparks
or hot slag. Suitable guards or covers such as metal sheeting, mineral fibre
boards or fire retardant blankets shall be used; in such case hot work
permit shall be obtained.
4.
Guards or covers shall be used
to prevent cylinders from hot particles passing through openings in floors and
walls;
5.
Fire extinguishers shall be
kept nearby.
Prevention
of Gas Leaks from Gas Cutting Sets
1.
Hoses shall be kept clear of
sharp edges and abrasive surfaces or where vehicles can run over them;
2.
Hot metal or spatter shall not
be allowed to fall on hoses;
3.
Gas cylinders kept in upright
position shall be chained to prevent them from falling down or being knocked
over. For example, cylinders can be chained in a wheeled hand trolley or
against a wall or a suitable support;
4.
Gas Supply shall be turned off
at the cylinder when the job is finished;
5.
All the equipment shall be kept
in good condition:
6.
All the connections and
equipment shall be regularly checked for faults and leaks;
7.
Taking gas cylinders into a
poorly ventilated rooms or confined spaces shall be avoided.
Special
Precautions for hot works at height in Petroleum Refinery
When the nature of work to be performed falls under the conditions
given under the third point of subheading 3.1 the following additional
precautions shall be taken:
1.
After the combustible floors
have been swept clean, they shall be protected by thoroughly wetting with
water, covering with damp sand, sheet metal etc. or such other equivalent
material. Provisions shall be made to protect welders from the hazard of shock
when floors are wet;
2.
Suitable, incombustible tables,
jigs or work places shall be provided for support of small or moderate size
work during welding and cutting operations. Such operations should not be
undertaken on work resting directly on concrete floors;
3.
Guards or covers shall be used
to prevent cylinders from hot particles passing through openings in floors and
walls;
4.
Suitable fire-extinguishing
equipment, such as pails of water, buckets of sand, hose lines or portable
extinguishers shall be kept in readiness for instantaneous use.
5.
Firewatchers shall be stationed
at the required locations to extinguish the same if any fire breaks out.
Welding
or Cutting of empty diesel or petrol Drums/Tanks
1.
Welding / Cutting of oil drums,
motor car petrol tanks or any other containers, which might at any time have
contained a liquid giving off and inflammable gas shall not normally be
permitted. However, in case welding of such container’s is absolutely
necessary, the following precautions shall be taken before welding them:
a.
They shall be thoroughly
degreased using an alkaline or any other type of degreasing solution;
b.
They shall then be thoroughly
rinsed with hot water and allowed to dry for a few days;
c.
After drying and before
welding, they shall be purged thoroughly for a period of at least five minutes
with an inert gas;
d.
The inert gas shall be allowed
to flow through the container under a positive pressure while welding is taking
place.
Sprinkler
Protection
Where
sprinkler protection exists, it shall be maintained without interruption while
welding or cutting work is being performed. If welding or cutting is to be done
quite close to automatic sprinkler heads, sheet asbestos or damp cloth
guards shall be used to shield the individual leads temporarily.
When
Acetylene Cylinder gets heated
If an acetylene cylinder is heated
or becomes hot accidentally due to excessive or severe back fire from use of
faulty equipment, it shall be dealt with promptly as follows:
1.
The valve shall be shut.
2.
Regulator or other fittings
shall be detached.
3.
The cylinder shall be taken
outdoors.
4.
It shall be immersed in water
or water shall be applied copiously.
5.
The valve shall be opened and
the cylinder,’ kept cool in water until it becomes empty.
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