N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 5303: Section FC 5303: General Requirements

5303.1 Containers.

Compressed gas containers shall comply with the requirements of this section. Compressed gas containers that are not designed for refillable use shall not be refilled after use of the original contents. Compressed gas containers that are partially full or contain residual fumes or vapors shall be considered as full for the purposes of complying with the requirements of this chapter.

5303.1.1 Design and construction.

Compressed gas containers shall be designed, fabricated, tested, marked with the specifications of manufacture and maintained in accordance with Section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, or the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation, as set forth in 49 CFR Parts 100-180.

5303.1.2 Pressure relief devices.

Pressure relief devices shall be designed in compliance with the requirements of FC 5303.1.2.1 through 5303.1.2.4.

5303.1.2.1 Where required.

Containers and tanks for compressed gas storage shall be provided with pressure relief devices designed in accordance with CGA S-1.1, CGA S-1.2, CGA S-1.3, or Section VIII of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, as applicable, to protect such containers and tanks from rupture in the event of overpressure.

5303.1.2.2 Size.

Pressure relief devices shall be sized in accordance with the specifications to which the container was fabricated and to material-specific requirements, as applicable.

5303.1.2.3 Arrangement.

Pressure relief devices shall be arranged to discharge upward and unobstructed to the open air in such a manner as to prevent any impingement of escaping gas upon the container, adjacent structures or personnel.

Exception: DOTn specification containers having an internal volume of 30 SCF (0.855 m

3

) or less.

5303.1.2.4 Protection against freezing.

Pressure relief devices shall be designed and installed to prevent moisture from collecting and freezing in a manner that would impair the operation of the device.

5303.2 Marking.

Stationary and portable compressed gas containers and systems shall be marked in compliance with the requirements of FC 5303.2.1 through 5303.2.4.

5303.2.1 Stationary compressed gas containers.

Stationary compressed gas containers shall be marked with the name of the gas in accordance with FC 5003.5 and 5003.6. Markings shall be visible from any direction of approach. All uninsulated stationary outdoor compressed gas containers shall be of light-reflective design or painted with a light-reflecting color.

5303.2.2 Portable containers.

Portable compressed gas containers shall be marked in accordance with CGA C-7 and DOTn regulations.

5303.2.3 Piping systems.

Piping systems shall be marked in accordance with ASME A13.1. Markings used for piping systems shall consist of the name of the contents and include an arrow indicating direction of flow. Markings shall be provided at each valve; at wall, floor or ceiling penetrations; at each change of direction; and at a minimum of every 20 feet (6096 mm) or fraction thereof throughout the piping run.

Exceptions:

1. Piping that is designed or intended to carry more than one compressed gas at various times shall have appropriate signs or markings posted at the manifold, along the piping and at each point of use to provide clear identification and warning.

2. Piping within gas-manufacturing plants, gas-processing plants and similar occupancies shall be marked in an approved manner.

5303.2.4 Out-of-service containers.

Out-of-service compressed gas containers shall be marked to indicate that they are no longer available for service.

5303.3 Container protection.

Compressed gas containers and systems shall be secured and protected against physical damage and tampering in compliance with the requirements of FC 5003.9.2, 5303.3.2 and 5303.3.3.

5303.3.1 Flood hazard.

Stationary compressed gas containers located in areas of special flood hazard or on the premises of Group I-2 occupancies that are hospitals located in shaded X-Zones (as defined in Section G201.2 of Appendix G of the Building Code) shall comply with Section G307.5 of the Building Code.

5303.3.2 Physical protection.

Compressed gas containers and systems that could be exposed to physical damage shall be protected. Posts or other approved means shall be provided to protect compressed gas containers and systems indoors and outdoors from vehicular damage and shall comply with the requirements of FC 312.

5303.3.3 Securing compressed gas containers.

Compressed gas containers shall be secured to prevent movement from contact, vibration or seismic activity, utilizing one or more of the following methods:

1. Securing containers to a fixed object with one or more noncombustible restraints. Containers shall not be secured to plumbing systems or electrical conduits.

2. Securing containers on a cart or other mobile device designed for the movement of compressed gas containers.

3. Nesting of compressed gas containers at container filling or servicing facilities or in seller's warehouses not accessible to the public. Nesting may be used provided the nested containers, if dislodged, do not obstruct any required means of egress.

4. Securing of compressed gas containers to or within a rack, framework, cabinet or similar assembly designed for such use, except when the containers are being inspected, serviced, filled or transported.

5. Securing stationary compressed gas containers to a foundation designed for such use in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code.

5303.4 Valve protection.

Compressed gas container valves shall be protected from physical damage by means of protective caps, collars or similar devices, in compliance with the requirements of FC 5303.4.1 and 5303.4.2.

5303.4.1 Compressed gas container protective caps or collars.

Compressed gas containers designed to be fitted with protective caps, collars or other protective devices shall have such caps or devices in place except when the containers are in use or are being serviced or filled.

5303.4.2 Caps and plugs.

Valves of compressed gas containers designed to accept protection caps or other protective devices shall have such caps or devices attached. Outlet caps or plugs shall be in place except when the compressed gas containers are in use or are being serviced or filled.

5303.5 Separation from hazardous conditions.

Compressed gas containers and systems in storage or use shall be separated from materials and conditions that present potential hazards to them, or to which they present potential hazards. Compressed gas containers and systems in storage or use shall be separated in accordance with FC 5303.5.1 through 5303.5.11.

5303.5.1 Incompatible materials.

Compressed gas containers shall be separated from each other based on the hazard class of their contents. Compressed gas containers shall be separated from incompatible materials in accordance with FC 5003.9.8.

5303.5.2 Combustible waste and vegetation.

Combustible waste and vegetation shall be kept a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from compressed gas containers and systems. A noncombustible partition, without openings or penetrations extending not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the height of the tallest container or system piping and not less than 18 inches (457 mm) to the sides of the storage area is allowed in lieu of such distance. The wall shall either be an independent structure, or the exterior wall of the building adjacent to the storage area.

5303.5.3 Ledges, platforms and elevators.

Compressed gas containers shall not be placed near elevators, unprotected platform ledges or other areas where the container could drop a distance exceeding one-half the height of the container.

5303.5.4 Extreme temperature.

Compressed gas containers, regardless of contents, shall not be exposed to temperatures exceeding 125°F (52°C) or less than mean low atmospheric temperatures unless designed for use under such conditions.

5303.5.5 Falling objects.

Compressed gas containers and systems shall not be placed in areas where they are exposed to damage from falling objects.

5303.5.6 Heating.

Compressed gas containers shall not be heated by devices that could raise the surface temperature of the container to above 125°F (52°C). Heating devices shall comply with the requirements of the Mechanical Code

and the Electrical Code. Approved heating methods not capable of producing surface temperatures above 125

°

F (52

°

C) are allowed to be used by trained personnel. Devices designed to maintain individual compressed gas containers at constant temperature shall be approved and shall be designed to be fail-safe.

5303.5.7 Sources of ignition.

Compressed gas containers and tanks shall not be exposed to open flames or high-temperature devices in a manner that could create a hazardous condition.

5303.5.8 Exposure to chemicals.

Compressed gas containers and systems shall not be exposed to corrosive chemicals or fumes that could damage containers, valves or valve-protective caps.

5303.5.9 Exhausted enclosures.

When exhausted enclosures are provided as a means to segregate compressed gas containers from exposure hazards, such enclosures shall comply with the requirements of FC 5003.8.5.

5303.5.10 Gas cabinets.

When gas cabinets are provided as a means to separate compressed gas containers from exposure hazards, such gas cabinets shall comply with the requirements of FC 5003.8.6.

5303.5.11 Tube trailers.

A tube trailer may be used to deliver compressed gas to a stationary compressed gas storage system, or, when approved, may serve as a temporary storage system to supply compressed gas for on-site equipment or operations. Except for the tube trailer's piping system connections, a minimum separation distance of 3 feet (914 mm) shall be maintained in all directions around tube trailers to allow for access, inspection and maintenance. The separation distance between individual tube trailers containing incompatible gases shall be in accordance with FC 5303.5.1.

5303.6 Wiring and equipment.

Electrical wiring and equipment shall comply with the requirements of the Electrical Code. Compressed gas containers and systems shall not be located where they could become part of an electrical circuit. Compressed gas containers and systems shall not be used for electrical grounding.

5303.7 Maintenance and alteration.

Servicing, repairs and other maintenance work or alteration to a valve, pressure-relief device or other compressed gas container or system component shall be performed by competent personnel.

5303.8 Unauthorized use.

Compressed gas containers and systems shall not be used for any purpose other than as a vessel for the materials that they are designed to contain.

5303.9 Exposure to fire.

Compressed gas containers that have been exposed to fire shall be removed from service. Containers so removed shall be handled by qualified persons under the personal supervision of a certificate of fitness holder. Containers exposed to fire shall not be used unless they have been requalified in accordance with the standards set forth in ASME or DOTn regulations, or otherwise approved by the commissioner.

5303.10 Leaks, damage or corrosion.

Leaking, damaged or corroded compressed gas containers shall be removed from service under the personal supervision of a certificate of fitness holder, and properly repaired or disposed.

5303.11 Protection against corrosion.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, compressed gas containers may be stored or used without being placed under overhead cover. Containers shall be protected from direct contact with soil or unimproved surfaces to prevent bottom corrosion. The surface of the area upon which the containers are placed shall be graded to prevent accumulation of water.

5303.12 Overhead cover.

Compressed gas containers in quantities requiring a permit are allowed to be stored or used in the sun except in locations where extreme temperatures prevail. When extreme temperatures prevail, overhead covers shall be provided. Overhead covers shall also be provided to prevent accumulations of ice and snow on the valves of containers connected for use.

5303.13 Lighting.

Areas used for the storage, handling and use of compressed gas containers and systems shall be provided with approved lighting by natural or artificial means.