Hot work passport is a standard to be reached by anyone who carries out any hot works as part of their job or who works at a supervisorial or managerial level involving any hot works. The passport is linked into the use of hot work permits.
(PRWEB) September 26, 2012
Equipment used for Hot Work
Hot work passport is a standard to be reached by anyone who carries out any hot works as part of their job or who works at a supervisorial or managerial level involving any hot works. The passport is linked into the use of hot work permits.
Gas Welding and Cutting Apparatus
The British Compressed Gas Association (BCGA) CP7 is a Code of Practice specific to ‘The Safe Use of Oxy-Fuel Gas Equipment (Individual Portable or Mobile Cylinder Supply).’ This Code of Practice gives the minimum safety standards for the use, inspection and maintenance of oxy fuel gas welding, cutting and heating equipment incorporating individual portable or mobile cylinder gas supplies, each gas being controlled by a cylinder regulator.
BCGA Code of Practice CP7
The British Compressed Gas Association (BCGA) CP7 is a Code of Practice specific to ‘The Safe Use of Oxy-Fuel Gas Equipment (Individual Portable or Mobile Cylinder Supply).’ This Code of Practice gives the minimum safety standards for the use, inspection and maintenance of oxy fuel gas welding, cutting and heating equipment incorporating individual portable or mobile cylinder gas supplies, each gas being controlled by a cylinder regulator.
Cylinders
All gas cylinders should be restrained at a distance greater than half their height from the ground to avoid toppling over. Cylinders wherever possible should be positioned within view of the operator, positioned in a safe place and away from naked flames. The cylinder valve should be opened fully and then turned back a quarter of a turn. When looking at a valve an operator cannot easily determine whether it is open or closed. If in an emergency the operator turns the valve in the wrong direction they will quickly find that they can’t go any further and this will direct them to the reverse direction hence closing the valve.
Leak Testing
Leaks may develop in any part of the gas system but particularly at joints. As a matter of routine always check for leaks when cylinders are assembled with equipment ready for use. It is important that the leak detect solution is compatible with the materials used in the equipment construction. Incompatible solutions can lead to stress, corrosion and cracking of the cylinder valve. Also solutions that contain fatty acids or that have an oil base can ignite spontaneously if they come into contact with oxygen. For this reason soapy water or washing up liquid must not be used.
The following are approved leak detection solutions;
- Approved leak detection fluid as sold by BOC;
- A solution of 1% Teepol in demineralised water.
The leak detection fluid should be applied to all joints after assembly or at the start of each working day when in use. If leak detection fluid detects a leak the system should be depressurised immediately and the leak corrected.
Flash Back Arrestors
Flash back arrestors should be fitted to all fuel gas supply lines and oxygen supply lines when used in conjunction with fuel gases.
Hose and Fittings
Hoses are designed to be compatible with the particular gas to be used;
Oxygen - Blue
Acetylene - Red
Propane - Orange
Inert gas - Black
The correct hose for the gas should always be used as certain design features are incorporated into the hose to ensure that they can safely carry the gas.
It is important that each hose is long enough to allow the cylinder to be safely positioned away from flying sparks and hot metal. It is bad practice to use lengths of hose which are longer than necessary, especially when it involves coupling two or more standard lengths together.
Care should be taken to ensure that when gas cutting equipment is in use, hoses must not be coiled around one another or around the gas cylinders. Hoses must be of equal length and fully extended during use. Hoses must never be taped together as a failure in one hose could cause a failure in the other leading to a potentially more dangerous situation. The use of hoses in good condition is of vital importance to safety. Correct hose connections, properly fitted and tested to BS EN 1256 and retained by suitable clips or ferrules are also essential. Re-usable worm-drive clamps must not be used.
Pressure Regulators
Pressure regulators should be treated as precision instruments and should not be jarred or knocked. They should not be stressed by rapid opening of the cylinder valve. Whether they are in a store or in use, inlet and outlet connections must be kept free of grit, solvents, and oil/grease. A regulator shall not be used for another gas or at a higher pressure than that for which it was designed. Regulators must not be used if they have damaged pressure gauges, pressure indicators, and inlet or outlet connections threads. PTFE tape must never be used on any part of gas cutting equipment.
Provision of Safety Devices
Whilst the safe operation of oxy-fuel gas systems may be achieved by strict supervision of operatives who have received extensive training, it should be recognised that accidents cannot be entirely avoided. Therefore the following safety provisions will be fitted to all portable oxygen-fuel gas systems as standard:
- A non-return valve shall be fitted to each blowpipe connection
- A flash back arrestor with pressure or temperature sensitive cut off valve must be fitted in both the oxygen and fuel gas lines.
Electric Welding and Cutting Equipment
The cable connecting electric welding apparatus to source the electrical supply should be as short as possible. Care should be taken to ensure that all wiring is of suitable design and construction to carry the heavy currents required and that all connections are correctly made so they cannot give rise to overheating or sparking.
Bitumen Tar Boilers
Bitumen/tar boilers, lead-heaters and similar equipment should only be taken onto the roof in exceptional circumstances, when a non combustible heat insulating base must be provided to prevent heat igniting the roof. The equipment must always be supervised by an experienced operator and be sited on a firm and level surface where spilled material can easily be controlled.
Gas cylinders must be at least 3m from the burner. Gas hoses should be in good condition and properly fitted. Cylinders not in use should be stored away from the working area. The bitumen level and its temperature should be constantly monitored.
Grinding Wheels and Cutting Discs
The correct wheel or disc should be used for the task in hand. Before each period of use the wheel or disc should be checked to ensure that it is securely fastened and in good condition.
All gas cylinders are potentially dangerous when exposed to a fire. Gas cylinders involved in a fire may explode due to the pressure inside the cylinder.
Action in the Event of a Leak
- If a leak is suspected, check to see if the valve is properly closed using moderate force (hand tight).
- Perform a leak test; if the leak persists take the following actions immediately. (operators only)
- Extinguish all ignition sources.
- Evacuate personnel from the area
- Ensure maximum ventilation by opening all doors and windows.
- If possible move the cylinder outside to a well ventilated area.
Action in the Event of a Fire
- If the gas from a compressed gas cylinder has ignited, if it is safe to do so isolate the supply valve.
- If the flame cannot be extinguished by turning off the valve, leave the building immediately and operate the nearest fire alarm call point. Do not attempt to tackle the fire.
- Call the Fire and Rescue Service 999
- Evacuate to the Fire Assembly Point.
- You may be asked to move to a secondary evacuation point to ensure all personnel are at least 200 meters away from the incident.
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