N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 3306: Section FC 3306: Flammable Gases and Oxygen

3306.1 Flammable gases.

The storage, handling and use of flammable gases shall comply with the requirements of FC Chapters 35, 58, and 61, as applicable.

3306.1.1 Cleaning and purging of flammable gas piping systems.

The cleaning and purging of flammable gas piping systems, including the cleaning and purging of such systems prior to placing them in service or removing them from service, shall be conducted in accordance with NFPA 56.

Exceptions:

1. Compressed gas piping systems subject to the requirements of FC Chapter 53*, other than fuel gas piping systems.

2. Piping systems regulated by the Fuel Gas Code.

3. LPG systems subject to the requirements of FC Chapter 61*.

3306.1.1.1 Prohibition.

It shall be unlawful to use a flammable

gas to remove debris from or otherwise clean piping open to the atmosphere.

3306.2 Oxygen.

The storage, handling and use of oxygen shall comply with the requirements of FC 3306.2.1 through 3306.2.3, and FC Chapters 35 and 53, as applicable.

3306.2.1 Portable liquid oxygen containers.

The storage, handling and use of portable liquid oxygen containers shall be in accordance with FC 3306.2.1.1 through 3306.2.1.9.

3306.2.1.1 Design and installation documents.

A sketch showing the following information shall be submitted to the department for approval in connection with an application for a permit for oxygen storage:

1. Number and size of containers.

2. Enclosure, manifold and service piping construction.

3. Location of risers and outlets.

4. Location of all equipment and devices including vaporizers, valves and safety relief devices.

3306.2.1.2 Indoor storage restrictions.

Not more than one liquid oxygen container having a maximum water capacity of 6.2 cubic feet (0.176 m

3

) may be stored indoors. Such container shall be connected for use with a flammable gas. Storage in excess of one liquid oxygen container shall be located outdoors.

3306.2.1.3 Ventilation.

The room used for the storage, handling and use of a liquid oxygen container shall be equipped with ventilation direct to the outdoors, and shall not contain any combustible material or flammable gas.

3306.2.1.4 Manifolds and vaporizers.

Manifolds and vaporizers shall be constructed of materials suitable for oxygen service at a pressure of 250 psig (1724 kPa). Such manifolds and vaporizers shall have a minimum bursting pressure of 1,000 psig (6895 kPa) and shall be protected with safety relief devices which will relieve at or below 500 psig (3448 kPa).

3306.2.1.4.1 Test.

The assembled vaporizer and manifold shall be pressure tested at 500 psig (3448 kPa) with an oil-free and nonflammable material as the testing medium.

3306.2.1.5 Service piping from the oxygen manifold.

Service piping from the oxygen manifold shall be copper tubing, stainless steel, wrought iron or steel, and shall run vertically outdoors to the floor or floors being serviced, where outlets may be provided for hose connections to approved torches. The service piping shall be properly secured, protected from damage from mechanical injury and properly labeled. Any connection between service piping and the manifold shall be made using not more than 5 feet (1524 mm) of hose capable of withstanding pressure up to at least 1,000 psig (6895 kPa).

3306.2.1.5.1 Service pressure.

Service piping shall be suitable for 250 psig (1724 kPa) service unless an intervening pressure regulator is provided at the manifold, and shall withstand a test of two times the maximum operating pressure, using an oil-free and nonflammable material as the testing medium.

3306.2.1.6 Hose and connectors.

Hose and connectors capable of withstanding pressure up to at least 1,000 psig (6895 kPa) and of a design suitable for oxygen service at a pressure of 250 psig (1724 kPa) shall be used to connect the outlets on the service piping to the blowpipes. Hose shall be rejected for use if it shows excessive wear, loose connections, leaks or burns; hose subjected to a flash back in use shall be tested to twice the service pressure, but not less than 200 psig (1379 kPa), before being returned to service.

3306.2.1.7 Signs.

Signs shall be posted in the vicinity of liquid oxygen container storage and use, reading: DANGER – LIQUID OXYGEN – NO SMOKING – NO OPEN FLAMES.

3306.2.1.8 Operating instructions.

Legible operating instructions shall be posted near any liquid oxygen manifold.

3306.2.1.9 Affidavit.

An affidavit shall be provided by the installer and/or contractor to certify that the vaporizer, valves, piping, hose and safety devices are of an approved type, that they meet the specifications for bursting test and design service pressure, and that they have been satisfactorily tested in accordance with this section.

3306.2.2 Oxygen trailers.

The storage and use of oxygen trailers shall be in accordance with FC 3306.2.2.1 through 3306.2.2.5.

3306.2.2.1 Design, construction, testing and maintenance.

Oxygen trailer containers shall be designed, constructed, tested and maintained in accordance with the United States Department of Transportation specifications and regulations.

3306.2.2.2 Instructions.

Legible operating instructions shall be posted in the trailer and on or near any oxygen manifold used indoors.

3306.2.2.3 License plates.

Oxygen trailers shall at all times have affixed to them a motor vehicle license plate as issued in accordance with New York State or other applicable motor vehicle license plate laws, rules or regulations.

3306.2.2.4 Notification.

The owner or operator of an oxygen trailer shall notify the department, in writing, of the delivery of the trailer to a construction site, at least 48 hours in advance of such delivery. Such notification shall include:

1. Contractor's name, address and telephone number.

2. Location of the construction site.

3. Quantity and frequency of oxygen delivery to the construction site.

4. Expected duration of oxygen storage and use at the construction site.

3306.2.2.5 Oxygen trailers having a capacity exceeding 20,000 SCF (566 m3).

The distance between oxygen trailers having a total aggregate capacity exceeding 20,000 SCF (566 m

3

) and exposures shall be in accordance with NFPA 55.

3306.2.3 Supervision.

The handling and use of portable liquid oxygen containers and oxygen trailers shall be under the personal supervision of a certificate of fitness holder. The storage of liquid oxygen containers and oxygen trailers shall be under the general supervision of a certificate of fitness holder.

3306.3 Discontinued torch operations.

When hot work equipment is not in use, including when torch operations are discontinued for the workday, the oxygen and flammable gas containers shall be removed from the work area and moved to an approved storage area or removed from the premises.

Exception: Brief interruptions in work of not more than 2 hours, including lunch breaks and coffee breaks.

3306.3.1 Torch operation container floor storage.

Oxygen and flammable gas containers used for torch operations may be stored on the floors on which the torch work is being conducted only in an unoccupied building and only in an approved storage area. Oxygen or flammable gas containers, other than those necessary for the day's torch operations, shall be considered as reserve storage, and shall not be stored on such floors.

3306.3.1.1 Storage location.

Oxygen and flammable gas storage areas on the floors on which the torch work is being conducted shall comply with the distance to exposure requirements of FC 5804.1.3.

3306.3.1.2 Maximum storage quantities.

The maximum quantity of acetylene containers stored on any floor shall not exceed 3,500 SCF (99.11 m

3

).

3306.3.1.3 Storage cabinet.

Oxygen and flammable gas containers shall be located within a compressed gas storage cabinet designed and secured to prevent unauthorized entry. The storage cabinet shall be conspicuously marked with a hazard identification sign as set forth in FC 5003.5.

3306.4 Reserve oxygen and flammable gas containers.

The storage of reserve oxygen and flammable gas containers at a construction site shall comply with the requirements of FC 3306.4.1 through 3306.4.4, and FC 3306.5.

3306.4.1 Storage location.

Oxygen and flammable gas container storage areas shall comply with the distance to exposure requirements of FC 5804.2.1.

3306.4.2 Storage cabinet.

Oxygen and flammable gas containers shall be located within a compressed gas storage cabinet designed and secured to prevent unauthorized entry. The storage cabinet shall be conspicuously marked with a hazard identification sign as set forth in FC 5003.5.

3306.4.3 Indoor acetylene storage.

Indoor reserve storage of acetylene containers shall be allowed only when outdoor storage is unavailable on the premises, the building is unoccupied, the containers are stored on the ground floor of the building, and the total quantities stored do not exceed 3,500 SCF ( 99.11 m

3

).

3306.4.4 Outdoor acetylene storage.

Outdoor reserve acetylene container storage areas shall not exceed 3,500 SCF ( 99.11 m

3

). More than one outdoor storage area may be authorized on the premises provided the distance from each outdoor storage area to each exposure identified in FC Chapter 58 complies with the requirements of FC Chapter 58.

3306.5 Maximum aggregate indoor acetylene storage quantities.

The aggregate of the indoor storage of acetylene authorized by FC 3306.3.1.2 and 3306.4.3 shall not exceed 15,000 SCF (424.8 m

3

).