[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 5]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1910.104]
[Page 234-237]
TITLE 29--LABOR
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
OF LABOR
PART 1910_OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS--Table of Contents
Subpart H_Hazardous Materials
Sec. 1910.104 Oxygen.
(a) Scope. This section applies to the installation of bulk oxygen
systems on industrial and institutional consumer premises. This section
does not apply to oxygen manufacturing plants or other establishments
operated by the oxygen supplier or his agent for the purpose of storing
oxygen and refilling portable containers, trailers, mobile supply
trucks, or tank cars, nor to systems having capacities less than those
stated in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(b) Bulk oxygen systems--(1) Definition. As used in this section: A
bulk oxygen system is an assembly of equipment, such as oxygen storage
containers, pressure regulators, safety devices, vaporizers, manifolds,
and interconnecting piping, which has storage capacity of more than
13,000 cubic feet of oxygen, Normal Temperature and Pressure (NTP),
connected in service or ready for service, or more than 25,000 cubic
feet of oxygen (NTP) including unconnected reserves on hand at the site.
The bulk oxygen system terminates at the point where oxygen at service
pressure first enters the supply line. The oxygen containers may be
stationary or movable, and the oxygen may be stored as gas or liquid.
(2) Location--(i) General. Bulk oxygen storage systems shall be
located above ground out of doors, or shall be installed in a building
of noncombustible construction, adequately vented, and used for that
purpose exclusively. The location selected shall be such that containers
and associated equipment shall not be exposed by electric power lines,
flammable or combustible liquid lines, or flammable gas lines.
(ii) Accessibility. The system shall be located so that it is
readily accessible to mobile supply equipment at ground level and to
authorized personnel.
(iii) Leakage. Where oxygen is stored as a liquid, noncombustible
surfacing shall be provided in an area in which any leakage of liquid
oxygen might fall during operation of the system and filling of a
storage container. For purposes of this paragraph, asphaltic or
bituminous paving is considered to be combustible.
(iv) Elevation. When locating bulk oxygen systems near above-ground
flammable or combustible liquid storage which may be either indoors or
outdoors, it is advisable to locate the system on ground higher than the
flammable or combustible liquid storage.
(v) Dikes. Where it is necessary to locate a bulk oxygen system on
ground lower than adjacent flammable or combustible liquid storage
suitable means shall be taken (such as by diking, diversion curbs, or
grading) with respect to the adjacent flammable or combustible liquid
storage to prevent accumulation of liquids under the bulk oxygen system.
(3) Distance between systems and exposures--(i) General. The minimum
distance from any bulk oxygen storage container to exposures, measured
in the most direct line except as indicated in paragraphs (b)(3) (vi)
and (viii) of this section, shall be as indicated in paragraphs (b)(3)
(ii) to (xviii) of this section inclusive.
(ii) Combustible structures. Fifty feet from any combustible
structures.
(iii) Fire resistive structures. Twenty-five feet from any
structures with fire-resistive exterior walls or sprinklered buildings
of other construction, but not less than one-half the height of adjacent
side wall of the structure.
(iv) Openings. At least 10 feet from any opening in adjacent walls
of fire resistive structures. Spacing from such structures shall be
adequate to permit maintenance, but shall not be less than 1 foot.
(v) Flammable liquid storage above-ground.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distance (feet) Capacity (gallons)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50........................................ 0 to 1000.
90........................................ 1001 or more.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vi) Flammable liquid storage below-ground.
[[Page 235]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distance from
oxygen storage
container to
Distance measured horizontally filling and vent
from oxygen storage container to connections or Capacity gallons
flammable liquid tank (feet) openings to
flammable liquid
tank (feet)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.............................. 50................ 0 to 1000.
30.............................. 50................ 1001 or more.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(vii) Combustible liquid storage above-ground.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distance (feet) Capacity (gallons)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
25........................................ 0 to 1000.
50........................................ 1001 or more.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(viii) Combustible liquid storage belowground.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distance from oxygen storage
Distance measured horizontally from oxygen container to filling and
storage container to combustible liquid vent connections or openings
tank (feet) to combustible liquid tank
(feet)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
15........................................ 40.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ix) Flammable gas storage. (Such as compressed flammable gases,
liquefied flammable gases and flammable gases in low pressure gas
holders):
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Distance (feet) Capacity (cu. ft. NTP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
50........................................ Less than 5000.
90........................................ 5000 or more.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(x) Highly combustible materials. Fifty feet from solid materials
which burn rapidly, such as excelsior or paper.
(xi) Slow-burning materials. Twenty-five feet from solid materials
which burn slowly, such as coal and heavy timber.
(xii) Ventilation. Seventy-five feet in one direction and 35 feet in
approximately 90[deg] direction from confining walls (not including
firewalls less than 20 feet high) to provide adequate ventilation in
courtyards and similar confining areas.
(xiii) Congested areas. Twenty-five feet from congested areas such
as offices, lunchrooms, locker rooms, time clock areas, and similar
locations where people may congregate.
(xiv)-(xvii) [Reserved]
(xviii) Exceptions. The distances in paragraphs (b)(3) (ii), (iii),
(v) to (xi) inclusive, of this section do not apply where protective
structures such as firewalls of adequate height to safeguard the oxygen
storage systems are located between the bulk oxygen storage installation
and the exposure. In such cases, the bulk oxygen storage installation
may be a minimum distance of 1 foot from the firewall.
(4) Storage containers--(i) Foundations and supports. Permanently
installed containers shall be provided with substantial noncombustible
supports on firm noncombustible foundations.
(ii) Construction--liquid. Liquid oxygen storage containers shall be
fabricated from materials meeting the impact test requirements of
paragraph UG-84 of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII--
Unfired Pressure Vessels--1968, which is incorporated by reference as
specified in Sec. 1910.6. Containers operating at pressures above 15
pounds per square inch gage (p.s.i.g.) shall be designed, constructed,
and tested in accordance with appropriate requirements of ASME Boiler
and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VII--Unfired Pressure Vessels--1968.
Insulation surrounding the liquid oxygen container shall be
noncombustible.
(iii) Construction--gaseous. High- pressure gaseous oxygen
containers shall comply with one of the following:
(a) Designed, constructed, and tested in accordance with appropriate
requirements of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII--
Unfired Pressure Vessels--1968.
(b) Designed, constructed, tested, and maintained in accordance with
DOT Specifications and Regulations.
(5) Piping, tubing, and fittings--(i) Selection. Piping, tubing, and
fittings shall be suitable for oxygen service and for the pressures and
temperatures involved.
(ii) Specification. Piping and tubing shall conform to Section 2--
Gas and Air Piping Systems of Code for Pressure Piping, ANSI, B31.1-1967
with addenda B31.10a-1969, which is incorporated by reference as
specified in Sec. 1910.6.
(iii) Fabrication. Piping or tubing for operating temperatures below
-20 [deg]F. shall be fabricated from materials meeting the impact test
requirements of paragraph UG-84 of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,
Section VIII--Unfired Pressure Vessels--1968, when tested at the minimum
operating
[[Page 236]]
temperature to which the piping may be subjected in service.
(6) Safety relief devices--(i) General. Bulk oxygen storage
containers, regardless of design pressure shall be equipped with safety
relief devices as required by the ASME code or the DOT specifications
and regulations.
(ii) DOT containers. Bulk oxygen storage containers designed and
constructed in accordance with DOT specification shall be equipped with
safety relief devices as required thereby.
(iii) ASME containers. Bulk oxygen storage containers designed and
constructed in accordance with the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code,
Section VIII--Unfired Pressure Vessel--1968 shall be equipped with
safety relief devices meeting the provisions of the Compressed Gas
Association Pamphlet ``Safety Relief Device Standards for Compressed Gas
Storage Containers,'' S-1, Part 3, which is incorporated by reference as
specified in Sec. 1910.6.
(iv) Insulation. Insulation casings on liquid oxygen containers
shall be equipped with suitable safety relief devices.
(v) Reliability. All safety relief devices shall be so designed or
located that moisture cannot collect and freeze in a manner which would
interfere with proper operation of the device.
(7) Liquid oxygen vaporizers--(i) Mounts and couplings. The
vaporizer shall be anchored and its connecting piping be sufficiently
flexible to provide for the effect of expansion and contraction due to
temperature changes.
(ii) Relief devices. The vaporizer and its piping shall be
adequately protected on the oxygen and heating medium sections with
safety relief devices.
(iii) Heating. Heat used in an oxygen vaporizer shall be indirectly
supplied only through media such as steam, air, water, or water
solutions which do not react with oxygen.
(iv) Grounding. If electric heaters are used to provide the primary
source of heat, the vaporizing system shall be electrically grounded.
(8) Equipment assembly and installation--(i) Cleaning. Equipment
making up a bulk oxygen system shall be cleaned in order to remove oil,
grease or other readily oxidizable materials before placing the system
in service.
(ii) Joints. Joints in piping and tubing may be made by welding or
by use of flanged, threaded, slip, or compression fittings. Gaskets or
thread sealants shall be suitable for oxygen service.
(iii) Accessories. Valves, gages, regulators, and other accessories
shall be suitable for oxygen service.
(iv) Installation. Installation of bulk oxygen systems shall be
supervised by personnel familiar with proper practices with reference to
their construction and use.
(v) Testing. After installation all field erected piping shall be
tested and proved gas tight at maximum operating pressure. Any medium
used for testing shall be oil free and nonflammable.
(vi) Security. Storage containers, piping, valves, regulating
equipment, and other accessories shall be protected against physical
damage and against tampering.
(vii) Venting. Any enclosure containing oxygen control or operating
equipment shall be adequately vented.
(viii) Placarding. The bulk oxygen storage location shall be
permanently placarded to indicate: ``OXYGEN--NO SMOKING--NO OPEN
FLAMES'', or an equivalent warning.
(ix) Electrical wiring. Bulk oxygen installations are not hazardous
locations as defined and covered in subpart S of this part. Therefore,
general purpose or weatherproof types of electrical wiring and equipment
are acceptable depending upon whether the installation is indoors or
outdoors. Such equipment shall be installed in accordance with the
applicable provisions of subpart S of this part.
(9) Operating instructions. For installations which require any
operation of equipment by the user, legible instructions shall be
maintained at operating locations.
(10) Maintenance. The equipment and functioning of each charged bulk
oxygen system shall be maintained in a safe operating condition in
accordance with the requirements of this section. Wood and long dry
grass shall be cut
[[Page 237]]
back within 15 feet of any bulk oxygen storage container.
[39 FR 23502, June 27, 1974, as amended at 43 FR 49746, Oct. 24, 1978;
61 FR 9237, Mar. 7, 1996]
