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Sanctifier
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 Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:10 am Post subject: ~ How To Use Oxy/Acetylene Equipment Safely |
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~ How To Use Oxy/Acetylene Equipment Safely. - by Jody Collier.
| Jody Collier wrote: | An oxygen acetylene torch flame is around 6000 degrees F. Considering Steel melts at around 2800F that is pretty freakin' hot!
You can make a lot of things happen with an oxygen acetylene torch kit. You can braze air conditioning line sets, solder copper water pipe, silver braze stainless steel, weld 4130 chromoly tubing, and even heat and bend metal thicker than 1 inch. But oxy-fuel torches can be extremely dangerous if not used properly. OSHA even requires employers to ensure workers that use oxyfuel equipment to be properly trained and qualified for oxy-fuel welding, cutting, heating, and brazing. (see 29 CFR 1910.252)
From my 30 plus years in the welding field, I am constantly surprised by the lack of training in the safe operation of oxyfuel equipment.. Even seasoned welders are often deficient in use of oxygen acetylene torches unless they have received hands-on training where demonstration of proficiency was required
Safe operation of oxygen acetylene equipment requires training, willingness to follow basic safety guidelines, and understanding some basic safety principles:
. Oxygen cylinders are pressurized to over 2500 psi and can become a projectile if knocked over. Always , always, always keep the cap screwed on when the cylinder is not secured.
. Acetylene cylinders are filled with acetylene gas compressed into a porous substance saturated with liquid acetone. They should remain upright to prevent liquid acetone from damaging the regulators and restricting gas flow. If you have to lay them down to haul them, let them stand upright for a while before using.
. Never transport or store cylinders in an enclosed space (i,e, trunk of car, or truck tool box) Welding supply stores often display pictures of cars demolished by the explosion of oxygen and acetylene cylinders hauled in the trunk of a car. They even make you sign a waiver if you want to haul cylinders yourself.
. Never use damaged equipment.
. Always open oxygen cylinders very slowly. Opening them quickly is very dangerous and can cause the regulator to explode. Yes I said explode. (if you don't believe me, just Google "regulator burnout")
. Use check valves or combination check valve/flashback arrestors to prevent reverse flow of gases and to prevent mixing of gases.
. Never use oil on any part of the equipment. Oil in the presence of pure oxygen can ignite easily
. Always bleed down the gases and back out the regulator screws when finished using the torch
There are several different manufacturers of oxyfuel equipment: Victor, Smith, and Harris are 3 of the main brands and each designs their equipment differently with certain features in mind. So the operation of each manufacturer's torches is different. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
The first thing to do when preparing to operate a oxyfuel torch is to inspect the equipment.
Make sure the cylinders are fastened securely to prevent them from falling over..
Next, inspect the hoses to make sure they are not cracked or dry rotted.
Feel the brass connectors to make sure they are all tight and ensure the cylinders valves are closed with the regulators reading zero.
If the regulators are not reading zero, one of two things is wrong: The gauge or gauges have been damaged or the previous user failed to bleed the pressure from the line. To release the pressure, open the appropriate valve on the torch and turn the regulator screw clockwise until the needle moves to zero. If the needle does not go to zero, the gauge is damaged and must not be used.
If the gauges are determined to be operating properly the next thing to do is make sure the regulator screws are backed out where you cannot feel spring pressure on them.
Here is a simple ABC, 123 checklist to use for setup and shutdown of oxy-fuel equipment.
. Wear proper Personal protective equipment i.e. shade 3 to 5 ANSI eyewear, gloves etc.
. Inspect the equipment for : Overall condition of hoses, zeroed gauges, check valves, torch, chains on bottles
. If gauges are not reading zero, purge lines to let gauges zero out
. If gauges are damaged replace them
. Open oxygen cylinder valves very slowly.
(This is the most important step on this page)
. Select proper tip according to manufacturers guidelines
. Use manufacturers tip chart to determine pressure settings
. Set gauges
. Purge lines individually
. Open acetylene torch valve to � turn and Light torch.
. Increase acetylene flame high enough to where soot disappears.
. Add oxygen to flame until blue cones define creating a neutral flame.
. Perform work
. Extinguish flame by turning off gas valves on torch (manufacturers differ on whether to turn off acetylene or oxygen first.)
. Turn off cylinders
. Purge lines
. Once gauges are zeroed, back out regulator screws
. Return torch to storage place
. Secure oxy-fuel equipment for next user. |
For more information on this Oxygen Acetylene welding and other welding information, visit http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jody_Collier
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Walk softly... and carry a BIG stick! 
Last edited by Sanctifier on Fri Dec 31, 2010 4:34 am; edited 2 times in total |
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Sanctifier
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| Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 7:09 am Post subject: |
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UPDATE: Here's a one-page OSHA bulletin on Oxy/Acetylene Regulator Burn Out...
Link--> Regulator Burn Out.
Collier wasn't joking... 2nd and 3rd-degree burns are SERIOUS sh!t. | Quote: | | How much is your house worth again?... And what about your life?... |
So just follow a few simple rules to be safe.
BTW a great safe-guard is the use of "in-line" flashback arrestors...
A pair of Smith flashback arrestors costs less than $50.00 US.
Link--> Smith Flashback Arrestors Regulator Mount H753.
My $0.02�
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Sanctifier
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Posts: 1794
Location: Good question!
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| Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:13 am Post subject: |
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Another Safety Tip. This one will save your life...or save you from a HORRIBLE way of living 
This is what happened to one user...
PHOSGENE Poisoning_Brake Cleaner + Heat = Phosgene Article...
This is SERIOUS SH!T...Read ALL labels in your workshop BEFORE use, please. This is CRC Brake Cleaner...
FYI the same holds true for all halogenated hydrocarbons and halogenated and chlorinated hydrocarbons...
e.g. Auto A/C refrigerants etc.
Nuff' said!
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Sanctifier
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| Posted: Mon Nov 29, 2010 7:23 am Post subject: |
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| Welding Tips & Tricks wrote: | And the top ten welding safety tips are.....
These are only Ten of the many many welding mistakes that can be fatal. I use a bit of coarse language here in an attempt to keep it fun and hopefully you will actually pay attention. Unfortunately welding safety to most of us men is kind of like the instruction manual that comes with a VCR. It just gets ignored until there is a problem.
1. Hauling oxygen and acetylene cylinders in your trunk. A little leak here,,, a little leak there… a static spark…boom!! Your arse is Killed! This goes for truck tool boxes also. Throwing a set of pony bottles in your truck tool box can turn into a bomb and…you guessed it …………can Kill your arse!
2. Moving high pressure cylinders with no protective cap. The cylinder falls…the valve gets knocked off…2500 psi escapes out of a hole the size of a nickel and you have a missile….Oops! Your arse or someone else’s arse just got Killed!!
3. Making oxygen and acetylene balloon bombs. A little fuel gas like acetylene…a little oxygen…mixed together in a balloon so that you can impress the neighbors on July 4th…a static spark between the 5 balloons you so hid so cleverly in a plastic garbage bag…boom!! Your arse is Killed!
4. Welding inside a tank or any enclosed area with Mig or Tig. Both use Argon. Argon is an inert, colorless, odorless gas that is about twice as heavy as air. It is almost like an invisible liquid the way it can fill up an unventilated room. No air, no life. Breathing Air with no oxygen in it will kill Your arse. In fact it will often kill 2 Asses. You and your working partner who comes to try to rescue Your arse.
5. Welding in Water Can Kill Your arse. Don’t get a mental picture of standing in a bucket of water. I am more thinking of lying underneath a pipe making a weld with a puddle of water on the concrete that you didn’t quite get dried up. Granted welding current is low voltage and high amperage but it can still kill your arse.
6. Welding without a fire watch when there is stuff around you that can catch on fire. Welding requires skill. Skill requires focus and attention. Put that together with the fact that you’re wearing a welding helmet and can’t see what might be catching on fire and you have a situation that could definitely Kill your arse.
7. Welding a gas tank or any container that held something flammable. Special precautions can be taken that can actually make it pretty safe (like washing the tank with soap and water and then purging with argon) but if you are not thorough enough or forget something or don’t purge well enough……You guessed it…It can totally Kill your arse.
8. Blowing off your clothes with oxygen from a cutting torch can turn you into a roman candle and you guessed it…Can Kill Your arse.!
9. Inflating a tire with Oxygen is a really bad idea and can be a lot worse than having a under inflated or flat tire. Why? I am glad you asked. Because it can explode and Kill your arse!
10. Keeping a Bic Lighter in your shirt pocket while welding is like playing Russian roulette. One little spark and you get to experience what its like to have an eighth of a stick of dynamite explode a few inches from your heart. Uh...I mean...I am no Doctor... but I am pretty sure this could Kill your arse too? |
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