Oxy-Acetylene In Garage/Residential Environment

[Brad93]

Now i just came across an interesting thread on the 'other' forum, whereby a lot of people have said having oxy-acetylene cylinders at home is a no-no, voids insurance, acetylene cylinders are bombs, bottle to be kept in a cage outside 3 meters apart, all kinds of stuff.

Is there any law/truth behind any of this. Been using o/a at home workshop on a trolley for years, my dad has had them in various garages and workshops for the last 30 years no problems.

 

[Brad93]

P.s. Insured for business activities including Hot Works before anyone starts having a go haha.

 

[hotrodder]

Not really although from the insurance POV it obviously depends on the policy. Sooooooo many myths about oxy acetylene anything on forums needs taking with a bucket of salt instead of the usual pinch
For example http://proactivegassafety.com/applied-gas-safety-articles/acetylene-cylinders-the-myths

 

[brightspark]

P.s. Insured for business activities including Hot Works before anyone starts having a go haha.

put it this way 90 percent of farmers dont have them now as the insurance premium is 2 high and u have to state u have them. mine are in a metal garage away from flamable materials thats about it .any gas is a potential bomb if not used correctly

 

[Brad93]

Oh yeah i understand the risks involved with the gas itself, and have always followed safe practice guidelines (ESAB website and the victor website both have good guides) but I wasnt sure where all this 3 meters apart and you're not allowed to have them in a home garage has come from.

 

[brightspark]

there normaly sat on a -welding trolly both together wherever, they do recomend storing extra bottles outside in a cage thats about it

 

[Brad93]

Outside/Inside, the explosion will be the same!

 

[bump]

I can imagine insurers basing the increase on accommodation costs for those within the exclusion zone in the event of an incident.

I can remember a few years back a small fire at the Bristol BOC depot shut down the mainline passing through for several days disrupting trains on the London Swansea route and Birmingham Penzance route.

 

[brightspark]

Outside/Inside, the explosion will be the same!

err diffrence is inside u will contain the blast in the shed and blow it to bits

 

[Brad93]

Hopefully outside just a wall will be destroyed and not the whole shed

 

[brightspark]

Hopefully outside just a wall will be destroyed and not the whole shed

hopefully nothing will happen. nothing happened to mine in over 40 years

 

[Brad93]

Worst thing ive had is knocked a oxygen cylinder over managed to catch it but wedged my hand between that an the wall, god that hurt. Touch wood.

 

[bump]

Witnessed an Oxy cylinder go through a brick wall after being knocked over and the valve shearing off. That was real brown trousers time.

 

[Screwdriver]

Inside the shed, a small leak can build up into a large volume of contained gas. If it goes up there will be enough pressure to blow any shed to smithereens.

Outside a small leak will dissipate, very little danger of an explosion. Worst case scenario is a bottle fire. Mind you, thats bad enough I suppose.

S.

 

[HMB]

Inside the shed, a small leak can build up into a large volume of contained gas. If it goes up there will be enough pressure to blow any shed to smithereens.

Outside a small leak will dissipate, very little danger of an explosion. Worst case scenario is a bottle fire. Mind you, thats bad enough I suppose.

S.

Er no. If it's flammable you need the triangle to make a bang, therefore shed full of flammable gas = no bang.

Plus it will all be at ambient pressure as its been released to atm so not under pressure

 

[MattH]

I can imagine insurers basing the increase on accommodation costs for those within the exclusion zone in the event of an incident.

I can remember a few years back a small fire at the Bristol BOC depot shut down the mainline passing through for several days disrupting trains on the London Swansea route and Birmingham Penzance route.

I remember that fire, I don't remember anyone quoting it as small. Half of Bristol was shut down for a couple of days.

 

[doubleboost]

I use Oxy Propane now for heating, not as hot but easier to get & cheaper

 

[bump]

I remember that fire, I don't remember anyone quoting it as small. Half of Bristol was shut down for a couple of days.

The fire was small, the resulting exclusion zone took in most of the St Phillips Industrial estate including the roads that bordered it.

Not small!!

 

[Woody.v8]

Er no. If it's flammable you need the triangle to make a bang, therefore shed full of flammable gas = no bang.

Plus it will all be at ambient pressure as its been released to atm so not under pressure

Well I for one wouldn't like to be the one switching a light on in a shed full of acetylene,

 

[winchman]

Here you go, down load it for free
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg327.htm
I think it would be a good idea to run it by your insurance as they may not pay out in the event of a claim
This document contains a Risk Assesment which I am sure your insurers would be please to see, its also free to down load

http://www.bcga.co.uk/pages/index.cfm?page_id=33

I suggest you look at the video at the bottom of the page as its very good