Anyone have a cutting torch?

[fourjeepin]

Based on the propane tank storage conversation, I am curious about the safe storage of a cutting torch tank. I don't have one in my house now but my previous two houses had driveunder garages where gas cans and many other flammables were stored.

 

[58Yeoman]

I sold mine last year, as I seldom used it any longer. It was stored in the shop when not being used, with all valves closed and hoses relieved of pressure. Both tanks were chained to the welding cart at all times.

 

[firebirdparts]

My experience is that everybody on earth that has acetylene tanks has them in the shop. Self included. Obviously there are exceptions, blah blah blah.

There's nothing safe about it.

 

[CraigStu]

30 years as a tech and had a lot of safety presentations I had to sit through. When welding tanks were discussed it was always about how they need to be prevented from falling. How if they fall and the gauges etc on top were broken off, the thing will turn into a missile. I don't remember any talk about storing them outside and every one I have ever seen was on the cart in the shop.

 

[Showkey]

My experience is that everybody on earth that has acetylene tanks has them in the shop. Self included. Obviously there are exceptions, blah blah blah.

There's nothing (un) safe about it.

Welding equipment( gas) …….then add 100 gallons of gas in the vehicles and equipment, 10 gallons of solvents, a propane grill, then there’s 40 gallons of propane and 50 gallons of diesel in the RV.


The shop is also full of many sharp, pointy, pinchy, hot and heavy things.

 

[joe_padavano]

The risk when USING the cutting torch is orders of magnitude greater than when storing it. This is not the problem you should be worried about.

 

[TractorJeff]

I am with Joe!
Stop over thinking this!

 

[wssix99]

Here's some good info: https://ehrs.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/2018-02/Acetylene Fact Sheet.pdf

Propane tanks are different. (Particularly the 20 lb. type) They are more prone to leaking (the indoor propoane tanks for heading, forklifts, etc, are heavier duty) and propane becomes more concentrated inside because it is heavier than air.

Either way, any compressed gas needs to be handled carefully and each type has special considerations.

 

[Musky_Hunter]

I have a torch and the tank is chained to the cart with the oxy tank. That cart sits next to the cabinet with gas and other flammable stuff in it. In the same corner I planned to put the 100lb LP tank.

 

[nadogail]

We have survived doing it the same way for years. Tanks chained to a substantial cart and handled with caution.
To suggest that what had been successful for years is no longer the correct way will be met with considerable opposition.

 

[FloydShine]

Yes. Very versatile tool. Have had a set up in use for 35 years, never a safety issue or incident, but always used in safe shop environment. Accidents don’t happen, dumb carelessness does.

 

[FredWanaker]

I would not want a tank out in the sun, rain and weather. I saw one sitting in the sun overheat and blow the safety plug once. As others have said, just need to be sure the tanks are chained, not leaking, turned off when not in use. The hydro date should be current if you are going to use them.

 

[oldwino]

Pretty much what everyone said. I had a fire marshal do an inspection of my property and shop last year and he said all was good securing tanks and keeping them capped.
I asked about placards at doorways or other warnings. Not necessary

 

[gmcgeo]

Based on the propane tank storage conversation, I am curious about the safe storage of a cutting torch tank. I don't have one in my house now but my previous two houses had driveunder garages where gas cans and many other flammables were stored.

1926.350(a)(10)
Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour.
1926.350(a)(11)
Inside of buildings, cylinders shall be stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 feet (6.1 m) from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior. Cylinders should be stored in definitely assigned places away from elevators, stairs, or gangways. Assigned storage places shall be located where cylinders will not be knocked over or damaged by passing or falling objects, or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons. Cylinders shall not be kept in unventilated enclosures such as lockers and cupboards.

 

[NUTTSGT]

OSHA covers the private sector, not residential.

 

[Jlarson]

Don't knock em over, keep your regs capped when not in use to keep them clean, vent your lines and back out reg screws. Also run flashback arrestors and good hoses/inspect them regularly for cuts/cracks/burns.

The torch rig isn't just gonna burst into flames just cause.

 

[fitter30]

Carried set of airplane torches for 40 years in a service van they where always shut of with regulators and hoses mounted. Tanks didn't have caps. Tanks and their valves are very tough. Chain them up remove regs put caps on.

 

[My Old Tools]

The oxygen tank is more dangerous than the propane.

 

[Dagny]

I have an oxy acetylene setup inside the back door of my step van it's chained and bungy corded in place.

 

[scooby074]

Keep them chained to the cart. Ideally youd remove the regulator and put the cap on, but TBH nobody does this. As long as they are tied to the cart the valves should be protected.

I dont sweat having them around at all. Check out the AlTops from Air Liquide if youre really paranoid about tank safety.

 

[Wrench97]

We got a OSHA citation once for storing the acetylene tank next to the O2 tank in the cart..........................................Seems they want you to separate them when not in use and store the acetylene tank behind a fire wall.
I've been around shops since about 1970 and have never seen it done that way.

 

[fourjeepin]

I’m not paranoid, but do want to be careful and was curious after the propane tank discussion. Especially since my torch fuel is propane. Both tanks are secured via metal strap to the ridiculously heavy cart my grandfather made. No chance it is falling over. Hoses have been replaced since I inherited it. It does not have flash arrestors, but I have thought about adding them.

 

[Mr_fixit]

35 years. never use bungee cords, they break all the time. use metal chains.

 

[egdede]

Does this work here? I found it on the internet.

 

[egdede]

We got a OSHA citation once for storing the acetylene tank next to the O2 tank in the cart..........................................Seems they want you to separate them when not in use and store the acetylene tank behind a fire wall.
I've been around shops since about 1970 and have never seen it done that way.

This sounded crazy. I researched it, and found this:

Storage of oxygen and acetylene cylinders for construction vs. general industry. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

www.osha.gov

Then when I re-read your post it seemed that you were not suggesting that the tanks on an 'in use' rig had to be separated. I too can only say with certainty that I have seen O/A tanks stored together. In racks or on wall mounted brackets, but together. (Maybe because when a shop is doing it right all you see are Oxy tanks and that isn't anything to take note of.)

 

[wssix99]

I’m not paranoid, but do want to be careful and was curious after the propane tank discussion.

Propane is special, has special considerations, and its own code. (Because handling it at volume is so complex.)

 

[readhead]

Key word in the OSHA citation is “storage”. As in the gas truck just dropped off fulls and picked up empties. I have owned a steel fab shop for the last 22 years and had my share of inspections. Cylinders chained in a cart or to a post with regulators and hoses are considered “in service” and do not require the separation required for storage.

 

[MBfreak]

My $ 0,02 from the iron ore mining industry, around 1978. Where you never pick up steel pieces from the ground during production. Cleaning day every month for 8 hours, no conveyor belts running.
One day a VW bus reversed over a half hidden acetylene cylinder . Broke off the valve. A fire followed, bus totally hidden in fire and smoke , driver made it out unhurt.
Nothing worth saving from the bus, not even the large VW circle logo in front.

Ola

 

[Wrench97]

This sounded crazy. I researched it, and found this:

Storage of oxygen and acetylene cylinders for construction vs. general industry. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

www.osha.gov

Then when I re-read your post it seemed that you were not suggesting that the tanks on an 'in use' rig had to be separated. I too can only say with certainty that I have seen O/A tanks stored together. In racks or on wall mounted brackets, but together. (Maybe because when a shop is doing it right all you see are Oxy tanks and that isn't anything to take note of.)

No the OSHA inspector wanted the tanks in the cart separated when not in actual use, I pointed out that this was not a construction site and the rules were not the same but we got a citation anyway and of course the company safety department didn't bother to fight it just told us we all were doing it wrong at the 25 shops across the country................................................I actually had the district safety guy take the O2 bottle off the cart and place it next to the shop door no cap and regulator still on the bottle he unscrewed the hose since he has no idea the regulator is not part of the bottle....................................of course I took pictures and posted them as examples of what not to do with bottles, my area maintenance manager took my write up and sent it out company wide as examples of what not to do compressed gas bottles, included images of in use bottles securely stored in a cart. 1 year later when I retired they were still battling over how the bottles should be stored when not in actual use. Boy I sure don't miss the new wave of management they have trying to run a trucking company that have no actual idea of what we actually do in a shop......................................

 

[metalmagpie]

Unless you do gas welding, heat shrinking or are a billionaire there is no need for acetylene. Use propane instead. Works fine for torch cutting, brazing and heating.

I store my cylinders outside chained vertical.

metalmagpie

 

[Steve_P]

I have my oxy-acetylene setup in my basement garage. I use it outside if possible. When I'm done using it, I shut off the tanks and relieve the hoses. The tanks are on a cart and I have a bolt and nut locking the chain in place on each side- it can't come loose from the cart this way. You are probably a million times more likely to start a fire when using it than having it somehow blow up with proper storage.

 

[toyotadriver]

I have a oxy/acetylene torch set and keep them on a cart. No issues. I leave the bottles turned off unless using them and then shut them off after use. I do think there is risk but also think the risk is fairly low. I'm ok with accepting the risk.

I'd much rather use acetylene than propane.