Need Help Quick!!!

[e-jipt]

Sry if I should put this in safety i dunno. Just kinda freakin' cuz some dude down the road has something wrong with the way is propane is set up for his heater, he pointed out that I had propane tank outside my house too. Now the fire inspector is all up in my shit, talking about fire code and my propane tank needs to be secured to a post or in an egg crate. W/e he also says my hose needs to be put into a pipe and it can't be unsheathed??? Can't have it coming in my window... So that all seems decently simple but now he just found out I use it to blow glass and says he needs to check on the code and get back to me. I'm guessing he'll want to come into my house and look at the room I have my workshop in. This really sux as I live in a trailer I don't know what the fuck all fire code says. Is this guy gonna come shut me down?? WTF I dunno... What do I need. I have fire extinguisher. I still haven't gotten flashback arrestors, I have grill tank propane w/ a regulator and 2 oxy-cons so no tanked oxy...
do I need a fireproof benchtop cuz I'm still working on a flame resistant one that I don't sit hot glass on, I just put it on my graffite plate. I dunno what else, i got a carpet in the room, with a flame retardent paneling over it. but it has holes in it from wear and tear from my chair. I know this is long but I'm trying to tell you guys as much as I can w/o reposting shit. I know I'll need to really secure my hoses to the bottom of my bench and wall and floor... but does the wall in front of my torch where my fan is mounted, does that need to be fireproof?? I'm about to head out to lowes and try and get sum shit. I got about $150 i can spend now, the only place in town w/ flashback arresters cost $90 so if I need that it will set my back. Anyway, thanks a lot for the help. Peace

[e-jipt]

I live in Virginia if that helps

[mer]

i would say that you should clean your shop and put any work that you have completed away (especially pipes). if he does come back tell him that this is just a hobby and play dumb about regulations and such. ask for suggestions that might make your space safer. if he says it's a no-no act like you are bummed but you will tear it all down and find someplace else to "play". also be sure to have a marble or some such simple piece of glass to give him as a gift as an example of your "hobby". try to show him that your little set-up isn't worth his energy to be concerned about. that's what i would do.
good luck, m

[Cosmo]

I'm in VA too...

Yes, the code states that if a hose passes through a permanent wall it must be inside a metal pipe. It doesn't say that you have to attach the hose to a piece of metal running through the wall. Putting a piece of metal pipe (usually galvanized) through the hole and then putting the hose through it will suffice. There are also regulations as to what pressure the gas can be at. I think it's 20 psi in VA, but you should check on that to be sure.

A good option for fireproof covering is printing plates from your local print shop. My day job is as the owner of a printing company, so I get them for free. If you're close to Roanoke, come by and get some. They are light and flexible, but the are fireproof.

You don't technically need flashback arrestors on the oxygen. Just the propane. However, the fire inspector can pretty much make you get whatever he wants you to get.

I would just make sure you don't have anything flammable within 10 feet of the torch. You should be fine. Usually if there is a fire code violation around here that isn't an immediate danger (like having open containers of gasoline or something) they will give you 7 days to correct it.

My best advice is to not put up any kind of fight. Listen to what he says. If you have questions, ask them. But make sure that if he says you need to do something, do it.



Edited to add.... this is post #420 for me... :D

[Dale M.]

Flash back arrestors are probably not going got be a issue...

Piping propane in is probably one issue..... NFPA states you can not bring propane in unless it is in metallic piping....And can not exceed a pressure of 20psi...

As for any other fire codes, you are probably at the mercy of the local fire inspector.... He will probably freak out when he sees a open flame torch... Just be cool

IF you can get away with it... Put hose through wall in metal sleeve if that is what he wants... Also seems pretty easy to put tank in milk crate or put stake in ground and use a few bungie cords to secure it... Dont argue with him... Actually remove anything from studio that might raise eyebrow by inspector when he comes and offer to show him what hot glass is all about... Make him a marble or sculpture or bead or something....

To be on safe side, go to local home improvement store (Home Despot or Lowes) and get a sheet or two of ceramic tile "backerboard" its a cement based product and cuts real easy with something that will "score" it and then you just snap it... Put down piece on bench top and piece on wall on top of bench in front of you...

Also remove any flammable from room. Spray cans or solvents or whatever.... Be sure work area is not cluttered with flammable things....

Keep your cool and dont piss him off.... Dont even try to compare or mention your assbite buddy up the street....

Dale

[mckinney]

Get an Occupational license. Get it for "Handmade manufactured goods" give the address of your house as the address and make it a home based biz. Then just sleeve your hoses. and you'll be fine.

[somberbear]

um dont give inspecters gifts... that is consitered a bribe... offer to show, or he can buy something at discount but bribery is out...

this also goes for tellers at banks, and any official.... this is to avoid preferencial treatment.......

Do what he says... he can give you 7-30 days to corrected or shut you down depending.

more then likely you will have to bring him by to see the finished work....
and to get it passed.

be a business... or move..... be safe ....

peace
rob

[e-jipt]

Thank you guys so much. Mermonkey is on about the same page as I am. Clean up really good. He seems cool, he was really worried about the fact that he didn't want me to be mad at him. Put all the pipes away. I was going to give him a piece of glass not as bribery but to show no hard feelings. Clean it all up real nice and make it look spacious. I'll get the crate and the metal to run hose thru. I'll get sum concret board. So I should got ahead and sink $90 for the flashback arrestors, he didn't say anything about that today he seemed really glad that I had a regulator on it. I'm about to head out and get some shit, Thanks again.

Also, what about smoke detectors, should I have them in my shop?

[vetropod]

Also, what about smoke detectors, should I have them in my shop?

I don't know about smoke detectors, but you should DEFINITELY have a CO and CO2 detector. Without it, you never know when carbon monoxide hits you - you just go to sleep and never wake up...


Wes.

[e-jipt]

You sleep in your shop???

[jeves311]

carbon monoxide/dioxide inhilation can make you pass out

[Sharp Glass]

CO puts you to sleep, you just get sleeply, and kind of pass out, and then never wake up. One of the MANY reasons GOOD ventilation is VITAL to the creation of our art :dead:

[loydb]

Look at it as a good opportunity to clean the hell out of your shop....

[kbinkster]

The best thing to do is to clean up and make it all neat and tidy, do what you can to get the bench top and your kiln area flame proofed, secure your lines to your bench, get a fire extinguisher, and be polite to him when he comes over.

Do whatever he tells you to do to your set-up. Don't argue. You can ask questions, but don't ask them in an argumentative tone.

Maybe he'll keep the scope of his visit limited to your propane situation.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[hookedonsilicate]

I would pull all my shit and put it away like it was never there and when he comes back bs him saying you moved it or in process of but for future reference what do I need to do if I were to set up ???? maybe you can avoid being shut down and or getting fined. then set up according to "code". and not have them on your back about it. opinion of course

[skip]

Make sure your fire extiguishers are working and stored properly. NO LOOSE NOZZLES!!! lol

[mer]

CO puts you to sleep, you just get sleeply, and kind of pass out, and then never wake up.

i've been to colorado, it's not that bad

[Dale M.]

...... when he comes back bs him ..........

I think not.....

Dale

[kbinkster]

i've been to colorado, it's not that bad

LOL, that was funny!

[nickglassdood]

that colorado thing got me rolling

you could always kill him and creamate his limbs in your kiln or did you not get one yet??

better go legit

[Brian Newman]

#1 - DON'T PANIC

Beyond that, do everything that you think is needed ahead of time, and use the search function to read up on any things you are unsure of. You can know your stuff when you talk to him, and though you may be sweating buckets while you are talking, you can be comfortable with the topics.

[max16o2]

im in va

[max16o2]

haha random

[e-jipt]

So to update, I went to lowes got some stuff, went to welding supply and got f/b arrestors. Got home and he's fucking here waiting on me. The guy wuz nice and stuff but he's been to my house 3 damn days in a row. So he was talking all this stuff about code and how if I put a pipe thru the wall and ran the hose thru that it wudn't be good enough or sumthing, and that I need hard piping and a plumbing permit from the county. WTF, he ended up sayin he wuz kinda tired of messing with it, he just came cuz he got a call and he had to, he said if the hose disappeared so did he. I just told him I'd unhook it and he said thanks and that wuz ok, and just be more discreet in the future. So now I'm looking at either leaving the tank in the other side of the room or trying to drill and hole thru the floor and put it underneath my trailer. Either way he said I'd be fine as long as he didn't see it outside hooked up like that anymore. Thanks again guys, peace.

[e-jipt]

that colorado thing got me rolling

you could always kill him and creamate his limbs in your kiln or did you not get one yet??

better go legit

Yea I got a little aim 84-bd

think I cud fit a head in there??

[Dale M.]

Leave tank outside, but put it in a "dog house".... Find new "invisible" route for hose, maybe up though floor....

http://www.artglassanswers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9
http://www.artglassanswers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=208

Dale

[β]

Yea I got a little aim 84-bd

think I cud fit a head in there??

if not, marver it down to size.

[vetropod]

if not, marver it down to size.


:evilLaugh

[Udai Hussien]

Check for leaks around hoses and connectors with a zippo lighter.

[vetropod]

Hey Dwaine, I don't get your sig image (the new one, with Stanky.) What's the joke?


Wes.

[kbinkster]

I don't think that's Paul Stankard. Is it Brock Craig?

[phab]

So to update, I went to lowes got some stuff, went to welding supply and got f/b arrestors. Got home and he's fucking here waiting on me. The guy wuz nice and stuff but he's been to my house 3 damn days in a row. So he was talking all this stuff about code and how if I put a pipe thru the wall and ran the hose thru that it wudn't be good enough or sumthing, and that I need hard piping and a plumbing permit from the county. WTF, he ended up sayin he wuz kinda tired of messing with it, he just came cuz he got a call and he had to, he said if the hose disappeared so did he. I just told him I'd unhook it and he said thanks and that wuz ok, and just be more discreet in the future. So now I'm looking at either leaving the tank in the other side of the room or trying to drill and hole thru the floor and put it underneath my trailer. Either way he said I'd be fine as long as he didn't see it outside hooked up like that anymore. Thanks again guys, peace.

...why not just bring the tank in when you need it and disconnect it when youre done and put it outside.

i talked to the fre department where i live before i set my stuff up. as long as the tank (propane) is inside the building (my house) while its in use, and put outside when not it use, they didnt give a crap.

if you decide to go this route just be sure to keep it real and put the tank outside when youre not useing it. it can be a real hazard to you and for sure for the fire department if a fire did start when you werent home and the tank was inside.