Glass Studio Legal Requirement?

[Zero]

I'm trying to find out what guidelines or parameters there are for having a glass studio.
I understand that many people work on their torch at home, storage units, and other underground situations. (Much like getting a house tattoo)
Is their any safety parameters? (ventilation seems obvious)
My father and I are looking to open up a business in this field, and its very hard to find information regarding legality on google.

Thanks in advanced.

[turdhole]

you're going to get flamed to use the search bar....just a heads up

ventilation is very important

http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?32-Ventilation-101

[RioGlass]

Local codes are what you are going to need to look into. One area may be different then another. I did enough Hvac work in the past that help me with most concerns about setups but could also be dependent on where you setup and if the landlord is willing to let you set it up. Warehouse with small retail front is what I would love to do but it's all about location, location, location. Maybe with a dash of advertising......

Good luck in your endeavors.

[TlkQ]

It varies wildly depending on the area you are in. The only legalities you should have to worry about are in regards to the high pressure tanks, and plumbing propane and oxygen. If you really want to be legit call your local fire marshal.

[Zero]

It varies wildly depending on the area you are in. The only legalities you should have to worry about are in regards to the high pressure tanks, and plumbing propane and oxygen. If you really want to be legit call your local fire marshal.

Okay, I live in central Florida I did a google search on high pressure tanks, and there is a lot of information about boilers and much other equipment.
Am I looking at the right thing here for the oxygen rules? https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9854

No DHEC premises inspections or anything like that?

[kq9ak]

Call town say I weld glass and want to open business
.less is more. ,

[Zero]

Call town say I weld glass and want to open business
.less is more. ,

I will do that today, thank you. I know your answer may seem obvious... But I have never had to do anything like this before XD

[p.j.]

i just went thru this.

i wanted to expand and have more blowers. i found a building in a neighbor hood business zone, looked up what was allowed in specific zones. we had to get a special exemption for lampworking. we had to inforn everybody within 200 ft and put an ad in the paper, and then we just had a public hearing last nite. i stated my case to the town council, explained that i wanted to expand my lampworking business and brought some ornaments and pendants to show.in the end they voted yes and now i have a new shop where lampworking is allowed.

so, just do your home work and press ahead. this was the second place i tried to change the use of, the first was not so sucessful.

good luck!

[Greymatter Glass]

Hi Zero, welcome to The 'Pot.

If you're self employed and have no other employees OSHA doesn't regulate your business. If you have fewer than 10 employees there's not a whole lot of OSHA oversight unless you request a voluntary inspection or commit some horribly heinous violation.

I think all the advice here is good so far. There are national electrical and fire codes for how buildings have to be made and such, but for setting up a business that's really going to fall to the municipal and state governments for regulation. We can only speak to what we know of our states for the most part here. I know New Mexico considers any business that uses a stationary open flame to be "Light Manufacturing" and has to be located in an "M-1" zone (or higher) so legally you can't operate a torch in a strip mall, for example.

Good places to start would be your town hall. Talk to a clerk about opening a new business and let him/her know you'd like to find out about zoning requirements - Zoning issues are kind of an umbrella that covers fire, public safety, taxation, and various other aspects. You'll probably be referred to the Zoning board/commission office. If you can track down a county engineer and get a few minutes they're often a wealth of knowledge about all those regulations.

Eventually you'll find a space, get an inspection, if there's a problem they will let you know what it is, how long you have to fix it, and if you ask usually give you plenty of direction and guidance on how to go about it. Follow "official" advice as close as possible, do things right, and it should work out.

I will warn you tho, "going legit" isn't cheap or easy, there's usually a lot more to do than setting up a garage shop. I see in a previous thread you're young and just getting started on the torch - this is, in the most literal sense, going to be a trial by fire. If you're just looking to learn to blow glass and are doing this with the intent of a hobby -> career path like most of us have, I would suggest you set up at home or in an established shop and cut your teeth that way. You can be safe without going through all the hoops a state will put you through in starting a business.

I gotta get to my own shop right now, but here's a few good places to start your research:

Melting Pot Business and Legal section (http://www.talkglass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?10-Legal-and-Business-Discussion) Will have some good info, but you might have to dig around for it.

The Google (duh) (https://www.google.com/) Search for "(name of your city/county) Florida new business code and zoning" also toss in an "inspection" to that search and run it a second time. Chances are you'll find MUCH better information than we can provide you.

have fun, stay safe

-Doug

[barefoot stash]

Zero,

We have a "legit" studio setup in St. Pete, FL . While laws do vary from county to county feel free to give me a call or PM if you have any specific questions. Permitting can be a pain but it is possible. It's really a matter of what exactly you are looking to do and how much you have to invest. Contact info here: http://www.zenglass.com/wordpress/contact-us/

-Dave

[Zero]

Hi Zero, welcome to The 'Pot.

If you're self employed and have no other employees OSHA doesn't regulate your business. If you have fewer than 10 employees there's not a whole lot of OSHA oversight unless you request a voluntary inspection or commit some horribly heinous violation.

I think all the advice here is good so far. There are national electrical and fire codes for how buildings have to be made and such, but for setting up a business that's really going to fall to the municipal and state governments for regulation. We can only speak to what we know of our states for the most part here. I know New Mexico considers any business that uses a stationary open flame to be "Light Manufacturing" and has to be located in an "M-1" zone (or higher) so legally you can't operate a torch in a strip mall, for example.

Good places to start would be your town hall. Talk to a clerk about opening a new business and let him/her know you'd like to find out about zoning requirements - Zoning issues are kind of an umbrella that covers fire, public safety, taxation, and various other aspects. You'll probably be referred to the Zoning board/commission office. If you can track down a county engineer and get a few minutes they're often a wealth of knowledge about all those regulations.

Eventually you'll find a space, get an inspection, if there's a problem they will let you know what it is, how long you have to fix it, and if you ask usually give you plenty of direction and guidance on how to go about it. Follow "official" advice as close as possible, do things right, and it should work out.

I will warn you tho, "going legit" isn't cheap or easy, there's usually a lot more to do than setting up a garage shop. I see in a previous thread you're young and just getting started on the torch - this is, in the most literal sense, going to be a trial by fire. If you're just looking to learn to blow glass and are doing this with the intent of a hobby -> career path like most of us have, I would suggest you set up at home or in an established shop and cut your teeth that way. You can be safe without going through all the hoops a state will put you through in starting a business.

I gotta get to my own shop right now, but here's a few good places to start your research:

Melting Pot Business and Legal section (http://www.talkglass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?10-Legal-and-Business-Discussion) Will have some good info, but you might have to dig around for it.

The Google (duh) (https://www.google.com/) Search for "(name of your city/county) Florida new business code and zoning" also toss in an "inspection" to that search and run it a second time. Chances are you'll find MUCH better information than we can provide you.

have fun, stay safe

-Doug

Thank you for all the information and the high quality post, but I am confused when you say I don't want to take this up as a hobby...
I plan on taking some classes locally before we investing into the "trial by fire" ( Just to see how I am naturally, I have a steady hand/am a artist)
Glass attracts me because I like the idea of pouring out my imagination in 3-d. The "work" and "business" will really be my dad, as he will be funding this whole endeavor.

[Zero]

i just went thru this.

i wanted to expand and have more blowers. i found a building in a neighbor hood business zone, looked up what was allowed in specific zones. we had to get a special exemption for lampworking. we had to inforn everybody within 200 ft and put an ad in the paper, and then we just had a public hearing last nite. i stated my case to the town council, explained that i wanted to expand my lampworking business and brought some ornaments and pendants to show.in the end they voted yes and now i have a new shop where lampworking is allowed.

so, just do your home work and press ahead. this was the second place i tried to change the use of, the first was not so sucessful.

good luck!

Thank you these are the first hand accounts I want to hear about, I would not be able to blow glass at home.

[Zero]

Zero,

We have a "legit" studio setup in St. Pete, FL . While laws do vary from county to county feel free to give me a call or PM if you have any specific questions. Permitting can be a pain but it is possible. It's really a matter of what exactly you are looking to do and how much you have to invest. Contact info here: http://www.zenglass.com/wordpress/contact-us/

-Dave

Hey nice website, and thank you I will keep that in mind Dave.

[Greg Cowles]

We pretty much tripled what NIOSH has concerning soda flair where our work was viewable by the public. kept propane small, and 20 feet from the door.
Made sure fire extinguishers, and first aid kits where visible, and easily accessible.
When the fire chief came for inspection we pointed out where we had exceeded industry standards.
All businesses in our area have fire inspection annually.
Every year after our first inspection the only thing they wanted was to verify that fire extinguishers had been serviced.

Good luck.

[BODHI1]

Our studio in Cassadega Fl is 100% "legit".. Have licenses and permits for everything all the way up to hazardous waste.. As we print decals as well.. Have not ever seen code enforcement once.. But keep in mind our property is unincorporated and zoned agriculture.. I have always wondered if they would make me come up with a material data sheet for glass color... I made it a point to let everyone in my local area know what is going on, usually by dropping off some free art.. It was nice meeting the other day.. Bless B