[Amended 4-9-1984 by L.L. No. 4-1984]
This article shall apply to the installation and operation of oxygen-fuel gas, gaseous fuels generated from flammable liquids under pressure or electric arc welding or cutting or any combination thereof, or storage or distribution of gases for welding, cutting or heat-treating. Liquefied petroleum gases must conform to National Fire Protection Association Code 58.
A. 
A permit shall be required of each company, corporation, copartnership or owner-operator performing welding or cutting operations using acetylene or other gases under pressure or electric arc welding or cutting or any combination thereof, except where such work is done in response to an emergency.
B. 
A permit shall be required for the storage of cylinders or containers used in conjunction with welding or cutting operations or containers stored at charging plants or at plants or distributors devoted primarily to the storage and distribution of oxygen, acetylene, hydrogen and liquefied petroleum gas when more than 2,000 cubic feet of flammable compressed gas (other than liquefied petroleum gas), 300 pounds of liquefied petroleum gas or 6,000 cubic feet of nonflammable compressed gas is stored. The above permit shall be issued by the Town Clerk, subject to the approval of the Code Enforcement Officer. Said permit shall expire one year after issuance and be renewable annually thereafter. The fee therefor shall be $2 for welding or cutting and $2 for storage.
[Amended 4-9-1984 by L.L. No. 4-1984]
C. 
A permit for welding or cutting operations shall not be issued unless the individuals in charge of performing such operations are capable of doing the work in a safe manner. Demonstration of a working knowledge of the provisions of this article shall constitute acceptable evidence of compliance with this requirement.
D. 
Companies, corporations, copartnerships and owner-operators required to have a permit shall maintain a record of all locations where welding or cutting operations are performed and have it available for inspection by the Bureau of Fire Prevention. The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be notified in advance where such work is taking place, except where such work is done in response to an emergency and does not allow time for the Bureau of Fire Prevention to be notified in advance of the work. Exceptions: Welding performed in specified areas as approved in flour mills, grain mills, feed mills, cereal plants, chemical plants, steel plants, machine shops, metal fabricating shops or other occupancies that have definite areas used for welding and cutting approved by the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
A. 
Only approved equipment shall be used for welding and cutting.
B. 
All cylinders or containers used for the storage of compressed gases shall be constructed, charged and marked in accordance with nationally recognized safe practices.
C. 
For the purpose of identification of the gas contained, every cylinder or supply manifold shall be marked or tagged with the name of the gas contained therein in accordance with nationally recognized good practices.
D. 
The use of liquid acetylene or liquid acetylenic compounds is prohibited unless properly stabilized.
E. 
No device or attachments facilitating or permitting mixture of air or oxygen with combustible gases prior to consumption, except at the burner or in a standard torch or blowpipe, shall be allowed unless approved for the purpose.
F. 
A user shall not transfer gases from one cylinder to another or mix gases in a cylinder.
G. 
Acetylene gas shall not be generated, piped (except in approved cylinder manifolds and cylinder manifold connections) or utilized at a pressure in excess of 15 pounds per square inch gauge pressure, except when dissolved in a suitable solvent in cylinders manufactured in accordance with Interstate Commerce Commission requirements.
H. 
Acetylene gas shall not be brought into contact with unalloyed copper, except in a blowpipe or torch.
I. 
Oxygen shall never be used from a cylinder or cylinder manifold unless a pressure-regulating device intended for use with oxygen, and so marked, is provided.
J. 
Fuel gas shall never be used from cylinders through torches or other devices equipped with shutoff valves without reducing the pressure through a suitable regulator attached to the cylinder valve or manifold.
K. 
Cylinders, valves, regulators, hose and other apparatus and fittings containing or using oxygen shall be kept free from oil or grease. Oxygen cylinders, apparatus and fittings shall not be handled with oily hands or gloves or greasy materials.
L. 
When moving compressed gas cylinders by crane, suitable cradles shall be used in order to reduce the possibility of dropping. Ordinary rope slings or electromagnets shall not be used.
M. 
Oxygen and fuel gas cylinders and acetylene generators shall be placed far enough away from the welding position that they will not be unduly heated by radiation from heated materials by spark or slag or by misdirection of the torch flame.
N. 
No gas welding or cutting shall be done in or near rooms or locations where flammable liquids or vapors, lint, dust or loose combustible stocks are so located or arranged that sparks or hot metal may cause ignition or explosion of such materials.
O. 
If welding or cutting must be done above or within 10 feet of combustible construction or material, or above a place where workers are employed or where persons are likely to pass, noncombustible shields shall be interposed to protect such materials and persons from sparks and hot metal or oxide.
P. 
Approved fire extinguishing appliances shall be kept at the location where welding or cutting is to be done.
Q. 
When welding or cutting is done above or within 10 feet of combustible construction or material, a watchman shall be on hand to make use of fire extinguishing equipment.
R. 
Hose and hose connections.
(1) 
Hoses shall be tested to withstand a hydrostatic pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch.
(2) 
A single hose having more than one gas passage, a wall failure of which would permit the flow of one gas into the other gas passage, shall not be used.
(3) 
Single and double hose, except as provided in the subsections below, shall be identified by exterior colors using green for oxygen hose, red for acetylene, liquefied petroleum gas and other fuel gases and black for inert gases and air hoses.
(4) 
When two hoses are joined by a web to form integral lengths of double hose, the color of both hoses shall be red and the exterior surface of the oxygen hose shall be smooth to the touch while the fuel gas hose shall be corrugated or ribbed.
(5) 
When parallel lengths of oxygen and acetylene hose are taped together for convenience and to prevent tangling, not more than four inches out of each eight inches of hose shall be covered by tape.
(6) 
Hose connections shall be clamped or otherwise securely fastened in a manner that will withstand, without leakage, twice the pressure to which they are normally subjected in service but in no case less than the pressure of 300 pounds per square inch.
(7) 
Hoses shall be inspected frequently for leaks, burns, worn places, loose connections or other defects which may render the hose unfit for service. Where a hose shows excessive wear or has been subjected to flashback, it shall be inspected and tested at twice the normal pressure to which it is subjected in service but in no case at less than 200 pounds per square inch before being returned to service. Defective lengths of hose shall be discarded.
S. 
Welding or cutting work shall not be supported by compressed gas cylinders.
T. 
The pressure of adjusting screws on regulators shall be fully released before the regulator is attached to the cylinder and the cylinder valve opened.
U. 
The valves on cylinders of compressed gas shall be opened slowly.
V. 
Before a regulator is removed from a cylinder valve, the cylinder valve shall be closed and the gas released from the regulator.
A. 
Except as provided in Subsections B and C of this section, piping shall be of wrought iron, steel, brass or copper. For pressures of 150 pounds per square inch or less, standard weight pipe and fittings or approved seamless nonferrous tubing and approved fittings may be used and shall be suitable for a safe working pressure of 150 pounds per square inch for pressures in excess of 150 pounds per square inch, extra-heavy pipe and fittings shall be used as a minimum. Joints in steel or wrought iron pipe shall be welded or made up with threaded or flanged fittings, or rolled, forged or cast steel, or malleable iron fittings may be used. Joints in brass or copper pipe may be brazed, threaded or flanged. Joints in approved seamless copper, brass or other approved nonferrous gas tubing shall be approved gas tubing fittings. Socket-type joints in brass or copper pipe or an approved seamless copper, brass or other approved nonferrous gas tubing shall be made with silver solder or other high-melting-point material. Cast-iron fittings shall be prohibited. Threaded connections in oxygen piping shall be tinned, or made up with litharge and glycerine, or other joint compound approved for oxygen service and applied to male threads only.
B. 
Acetylene piping shall be steel or wrought iron pipe only. Oxygen piping shall be steel, wrought iron, brass or copper pipe or approved seamless nonferrous gas tubing.
C. 
Piping shall be protected against physical damage and allowance made for contraction, expansion, jarring and vibration. If laid underground, it shall be below the frost line and protected against corrosion. Low points in piping shall be provided with drip pots and drain valves, the latter to be normally closed with screw caps or plugs. Oxygen piping shall not be placed in any location where it may be exposed to contact with oil.
D. 
All piping shall be tested and proved tight at 11/2 times its maximum working pressure. Any medium used for testing oxygen lines shall be oil free. Flames shall not be used to detect leaks.
E. 
All buried pipe and tubing and outdoor ferrous pipe and tubing shall be covered or painted with a suitable corrosion-resistant material.
A. 
Oxygen manifolds shall not be located in an acetylene generator room or in close proximity to cylinders of combustible gases. Oxygen manifolds shall be located away from highly flammable material, especially oil, grease or any substance likely to cause acceleration of fire.
B. 
The aggregate capacity of fuel gas cylinders connected to one manifold inside a building shall not exceed 3,000 cubic feet of gas or 300 pounds in the case of liquefied petroleum gas. More than one such manifold, each supplying one blowpipe or one machine, may be located in the same room if separated by at least 50 feet.
C. 
Where it is necessary to manifold fuel gas cylinders having an aggregate capacity in excess of 3,000 cubic feet, they shall be located outside, or in a special building or in a separate room constructed in a one-story building without a cellar or basement underneath the storage section. Such rooms shall be of fire-resistant construction with openings to other parts of the building protected by approved self-closing fire doors in compliance with the Hamburg Building Code.[1] Adequate ventilation shall be provided. This room or compartment may also be used for storage of fuel gas cylinders but not oxygen storage.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 76, Building code.
Where liquid oxygen in a quantity exceeding 100 gallons is to be used for welding and/or cutting, the container or containers shall be located outside or in a special building having no other occupancy except that related to the handling and gasification of the oxygen.
[Amended 4-9-1984 by L.L. No. 4-1984]
A. 
This shall apply to all storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas and the equipment pertinent to such uses. The requirements of this section shall be in addition to the requirements of the standards of the National Fire Protection Association in Circular Number 58, 1983, which shall apply to all storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas.
B. 
Definitions. As used in this section the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS EQUIPMENT
All containers, apparatus, piping (not including utility gas distribution piping systems) and equipment pertinent to the storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas. Gas-consuming appliances shall not be considered as being "liquefied gas equipment." Containers shall include all vessels, whether portable or stationary, such as tanks, cylinders or drums used for transportation or storage of liquefied petroleum gas.
LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM (LP) GAS
Any material which is composed predominantly of any of the following hydrocarbons, or mixtures of them: propane and propylene butane (normal butane or isobutane, and butylenes). When reference is made to gas in this section, it shall refer to "liquefied petroleum gases" as defined herein.
C. 
Storage of containers awaiting use or resale.
(1) 
Containers in storage shall be located so as to minimize exposure to excessive temperature rise, physical damage or tampering by unauthorized persons.
(2) 
Containers when stored inside shall not be located within 10 feet of exits or stairways or in areas normally used or intended for the safe exit of people.
(3) 
Containers (empty or filled) which require valve-protection caps shall have such caps in place while in storage.
(4) 
The outlet valves of containers in storage shall be closed.
(5) 
Empty containers which have been in LP gas service should preferably be stored in the open. When stored inside, they shall be considered as full containers for the purpose of determining the maximum quantity of LP gas permitted by this section.
(6) 
Storage within buildings frequented by the public. Storage within buildings used as retail or wholesale outlets or mercantile establishments, inclusive but not limited to hardware stores, department stores, sporting goods stores, surplus outlets, small boat sales and supply outlets (exclusive of marine supply outlets for ships), and similar occupancies, including service stations, shall be limited to the following storage of LP gas:
(a) 
Maximum size containers shall be 21/2 pounds' water capacity and shall be such as those with completely self-contained hand torches and similar applications.
(b) 
The display of such containers shall be limited to a total of 24 units of each brand and size.
(c) 
The maximum quantity of LP gas on display and in storage shall not exceed 200 pounds in any building or fire area.
(d) 
In all residences same as Subsection C(6)(a), 21/2 pounds.
D. 
Exception. Storage limits of LP gas or outlined in Subsection C(6) shall not apply to containers stored at charging plants or at plants or outlets devoted primarily to the storage and distribution of LP gas or other gases used for welding, manufacturing or therapeutic processes or wholesale plumbing supply houses.
E. 
Storage of liquefied petroleum gas within buildings not frequented by the public. Storage within buildings not frequented by the public, such as industrial buildings, charging plants or plants devoted primarily to the storage and distribution of LP gas or other gases used in industry or for therapeutic purposes, shall not exceed 300 pounds [approximately 2,550 cubic feet in vapor form] except as follows:
(1) 
The quantity of LP gas stored in special buildings or rooms considered as fire areas shall not exceed 10,000 pounds.
(2) 
The walls, floors and ceilings of container storage rooms that are within or adjacent to other parts of the building shall be constructed of material having at least two hours' fire rating, with all openings from storage rooms to other parts of the building protected with fire-resistant door assemblies having a resistant rating of 11/2.
(3) 
A portion of the exterior walls or roof shall have 10% of the combined area of the enclosing walls and roof constructed of single-strength glass or other similar explosion-relieving construction.
(4) 
Such rooms shall have no open flames for heating or lighting.
(5) 
Such rooms shall be adequately ventilated both top and bottom to the outside only. The openings from such vents shall be at least five feet away from any other opening (window, door, etc.) into any building.
(6) 
The floors of such rooms shall not be below ground level. Any space below the floor shall be of solid fill or properly (adequately) ventilated to the outer air.
(7) 
Such storage rooms shall not be located adjoining the line of property occupied by schools, churches, hospitals, athletic fields or other places of assembly.
(8) 
The electrical installations within the room shall be in accordance with the National Electrical Code for hazardous locations.
F. 
Storage outside buildings.
(1) 
Storage shall not be located adjoining the line of property occupied by schools, churches, hospitals, athletic fields or other places of assembly.
(2) 
Containers shall be in a suitable enclosure or otherwise protected against tampering.
(3) 
Valves and safety relief devices shall be protected against accumulations of ice and snow. Protective caps shall be deemed adequate.
G. 
Containers inside buildings.
(1) 
Containers and first-stage regulating equipment shall be located outside of buildings especially provided for this purpose upon approval of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, except that containers and regulating equipment may be used indoors under the following conditions:
(a) 
If temporarily used for demonstration purposes, and the container has a maximum water capacity of 12 pounds.
(b) 
If used with a completely self-contained gas hand torch or similar equipment, and the container has a maximum water capacity of 21/2 pounds.
(c) 
In industrial applications where oxygen is not required.
(d) 
In use as a motor fuel.
(e) 
In storage awaiting use or resale in compliance with this section.
H. 
Location of the LP tanks. The tanks must be the same distance from the building as they are from the property line. Under NFPA No. 58-312-3120, 1981, aboveground outside distance:
Number of Gallons
Number of Feet From Building and Property Line
125 - 500
10
501 - 2,000
25
Over 2,000
50
I. 
Installation of containers.
(1) 
Containers shall be installed in accordance with Subsection I(1)(a) through (f):
(a) 
Department of Transportation cylinder specification containers shall be installed only above the ground and shall be set upon a firm foundation or otherwise firmly secured. Flexibility shall be provided in the connecting piping.
(b) 
All containers shall be positioned so that the safety relief valve is in direct communication with the vapor space of the container.
(c) 
Where physical damage to LP gas containers, or systems of which they are a part, from vehicles is a possibility, precautions against such damage shall be taken.
(d) 
The installation position of American Society of Mechanical Engineers containers shall make all nonpressure parts, such as saddle plates, wear plates or brackets applied by the container manufacturer.
(e) 
Aboveground containers shall be kept properly painted, white, aluminum, bright yellow or other light color.
(2) 
Horizontal American Society of Mechanical Engineers containers designed for permanent installation in stationary service above ground, except as provided in Subsection I(2)(a)[2][b], shall be placed on substantial masonry or noncombustible structural supports on concrete or firm masonry foundations and supported as follows:
(a) 
Horizontal containers shall be mounted on saddles in such a manner as to permit expansion and contraction and not to cause an excessive concentration of stresses. Structural steel supports may be used if protected against fire in an approved manner or if in compliance with Subsection I(2)(b) and as follows:
[1] 
Containers of more than 2,000 gallons' water capacity shall be provided with concrete or masonry foundations formed to fit the container contour or, if furnished with saddles in compliance, may be placed on flat-topped foundations.
[2] 
Containers of 2,000 gallons' water capacity or less may be installed on concrete or masonry foundations formed to fit the container contour or, if equipped with attached supports complying, may be installed as follows:
[a] 
If the bottoms of the horizontal members of the container saddles, runners or skids are to be more than 12 inches above grade, fire-resistive foundations shall be provided. A container shall not be mounted with the outside bottom of the container shell more than five feet above the surface of the ground.
[b] 
For temporary use at a given location not to exceed six months, fire-resistive foundations or saddles are not required, provided that the outside bottom of the container shell is not more than five feet above the ground and that flexibility in the connecting piping is provided.
[3] 
Containers or container-pump assemblies mounted on a common base complying with Subsection I(2)(b) may be placed on concrete pads at ground level or within two inches of ground level, provided that the liquid piping from the container is sufficiently flexible to minimize the possibilities of leakage or breakage in the event of the failure of the container supports.
(b) 
With the approval of the Town of Hamburg Code Enforcement Officers, containers complying may be installed in isolated locations, with nonfireproofed steel supports resting on concrete pads or footings, provided that the outside bottom of the container shell is not more than five feet above the ground level.
(c) 
Suitable means of preventing corrosion shall be provided on that part of the container in contact with the saddles or foundations or on that part of the container in contact with the masonry.
J. 
Fire protection. Storage locations of LP gas shall be provided with approved portable fire extinguisher(s) and water spray fixed systems for fire protection as required by the Bureau of Fire Prevention in accordance with acceptable practices.
K. 
Deliveries regulated.
(1) 
No wholesale or retail bulk dealer, manufacturer or wholesale package dealer shall deliver LP gas to any retail bulk dealer, manufacturer, processing plant, service station, garage, construction contractor or storage facility unless such recipient has a permit or license as required by this code.
(2) 
No tank vehicle shall be used to discharge any LP gas from its cargo tank to any portable container wherever located. In case of an emergency, a quantity sufficient to dispel the emergency may be discharged from a tank vehicle to a portable container, upon proper notification and permission from the Fire Department.
L. 
LP gas storage tanks, permit procedure. A copy of the survey of the property where the tank is to be located must be submitted with all buildings on the survey, including the location of the proposed tank. This is for tanks of 300 pounds or more to 2,000 gallons of LP gas. A letter must be submitted from the company that fills the tanks covering all that is required on Section 2-2-6 of the NFPA Code 58-31-1983.
M. 
Container markings.
(1) 
Containers shall be marked as provided in the regulations, rules or code under which they are fabricated.
(2) 
When LP gas and one or more other compressed gases are to be stored or used in the same area, the containers shall be marked "flammable" and either "LP gas," "LPG," "propane" or "butane." Compliance with marking requirements of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations shall meet this provision.
(3) 
When being transported, portable Department of Transportation containers shall be marked and labeled in accordance with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(4) 
Portable Department of Transportation containers designed to be filled by weight, including those optionally filled volumetrically but which may require check weighting, shall be marked with:
(a) 
The water capacity of the container in pounds.
(b) 
The tare weight of the container in pounds, fitted for service. The tare weight is the container weight plus the weight of all permanently attached valves and other fittings, but does not include the weight of protecting devices removed in order to load the container.
(c) 
Container must be plugged before transport.
(5) 
ASME containers shall be marked. The markings specified shall be on a metal nameplate attached to the container, so located as to remain visible after the container is installed.
(a) 
Service for which the container is designed, i.e., underground, aboveground, or both.
(b) 
Name and address of container supplier or trade name of container.
(c) 
Water capacity of container in pounds or United States gallons.
(d) 
Design pressure in pounds per square inch gauge.
(e) 
The wording "This container shall not contain a product having a vapor pressure in excess of..... psig at 100° F." (See Table 2.2.2.2.)
(f) 
Tare weight of container fitted for service for containers to be filled by weight.
(g) 
Outside surface area in square feet.
N. 
Protection of valves on containers in storage. Container valves shall be protected as required. Screw-on type caps or collars shall be securely in place on all containers stored regardless of whether they are full, partially full, or empty, and container outlet valves shall be closed or plugged.
O. 
Safety relief devices.
(1) 
Containers shall be equipped with one or more safety relief devices and shall be designed to relieve vapor.
(2) 
Department of Transportation containers shall be equipped with safety relief valves or fusible plug safety relief devices as required by DOT regulations.
(3) 
American Society of Mechanical Engineers containers for LP gas shall be equipped with spring-loaded safety relief valves conforming with applicable requirements of the Standard on Safety Relief Valves for Anhydrous Ammonia and LP Gas, UL 132; Standards for Safety Relief Valves of the Factory Mutual Research Corporation; or other equivalent safety relief valve standards. The start-to-discharge setting of such safety relief valves, with relation to the design pressure of the container, shall be in accordance with Table 2-2.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: "Table 2-2" follows Subsection O(4)(e) herein.
(4) 
Safety relief devices for American Society Mechanical Engineers containers shall also comply with Subsection O(4)(a) through (e).
(a) 
Safety relief devices shall be of sufficient individual or aggregate capacity as to provide the rate of flow required for the container on which they are installed and to discharge at not less than the rate indicated before the pressure is in excess of 120% of the maximum (not start-to-discharge pressure setting of the device). This provision is applicable to all containers (including containers installed partially above ground) except containers installed wholly underground.
(b) 
Each safety relief valve shall be plainly and permanently marked with:
[1] 
The pressure in pounds per square inch gauge at which the valve is set to discharge.
[2] 
The actual discharge rate in cubic feet per minute of air at 60° F. and 14.7 pounds per square inch gauge.
[3] 
The manufacturer's name and catalog number. Example: A safety relief valve is marked 250-4050 AIR. This indicates that the valve is set to start-to-discharge at 250 pounds per square inch gauge and that its rate of discharge is 4,050 cubic feet per minute of air.
(c) 
Shutoff valves shall not be located between a safety relief device and the container, unless the arrangement is such that the relief device capacity flow specified will be achieved through additional safety relief devices which remain operative.
(d) 
Safety relief valves shall be so designed that the possibility of tampering will be minimized. Externally set or adjusted valves shall be provided with an approved means of sealing the adjustment.
(e) 
Fuse plugs, with a yield point of 208° F. minimum and 220° F. maximum with a total discharge area not exceeding 0.25 square inch, and which communicate directly with the vapor space of the container, may be used in addition to the spring-loaded safety relief valves (as specified in Table 2-2) for aboveground containers of 1,200 gallons' water capacity or less.
TABLE 2-2
Container
Minimum
Maximum
All ASME codes prior to the 1949 Edition, and the 1949 Edition, Paragraphs U-68 and U-69
110%
125%*
ASME Code, 1949 Edition, Paragraphs U-200 and U-201, and all ASME codes later than 1949
88%
100%*
*NOTE: Manufacturers of relief valves are allowed a plus tolerance not exceeding 10% of the set pressure marked on the valve.
P. 
Permit procedure.
(1) 
All these procedures and construction must be completed and a fire prevention permit completely filled out, and an inspection must be done by the Code Enforcement Officer of the Town of Hamburg or a Fire Inspector of the Town of Hamburg before the permit will be granted on existing tanks, new tanks and permit obtained before installation.
(2) 
Minimum requirements. Four-inch steel pipe must be placed four feet from tank, four feet on centers, four feet above grade, four feet below grade in concrete, and pipe must be filled with concrete and painting yellow or orange is recommended.
(3) 
Where vehicle travel, must have approved guardrail and bumper weight.
(4) 
All permits required under the provisions of this section shall be conspicuously displayed at the place of use, storage and handling.
A. 
The frame or case of the welding machine, except machines driven by internal combustion engines, shall be grounded. Ground connections shall be mechanically strong and electrically adequate for the required current.
B. 
Welding current return circuits from the work to the machine shall have proper electrical contact at all joints, and periodic inspections shall be made to ascertain that proper electrical contact is maintained.
C. 
When electric arc welding or cutting is to be discontinued for any substantial period of time, such as during lunch hour or overnight, all electrodes shall be removed from the holders, the holders shall be carefully located so that accidental contact cannot occur and the machine shall be disconnected from the source.