best safety practices - OA setup

[amashinga]

What would be considered a good practice regarding flashback and check valves. A person could go to extremes and put flashback valves and check valves at both the torch and the regulator but that would seem extreme. I was thinking of flashback arresters at the torch and regulators, but not installing any check valves. Would this be ok ?

 

[deereman75]

What would be considered a good practice regarding flashback and check valves. A person could go to extremes and put flashback valves and check valves at both the torch and the regulator but that would seem extreme. I was thinking of flashback arresters at the torch and regulators, but not installing any check valves. Would this be ok ?

I just have flashback arresters at the regulators, nothing at the torch. This is what the guys at air liquide recomended. I think the regulators have check valves build in, but I am not sure. I wouldnt put them on the torch, because it would make it much more more difficult to use, and if it does flash back, only the hose would burn, and they are fairly cheep. Besides, I always have a 10# co2 fire extingusher right there while cutting/welding. Some people only put them on the torch, thinking that a flashback wouldnt hurt anything then. The problem with that is if you drop a chunk of hot steel on the hose, it will burn back, and might enter the regulator. If you have them on the regulator, if the hose does burn, the regs will be fine. So as to your question, flashback arresters on both would me more then OK. Be safe.:thumbsup:

 

[mrmikey]

So as to your question, flashback arresters on both would me more then OK

In my opinion, use them in one place or the other (torch or reg. acet and ox) not both. They'll cause too much restriction and if you're using any larger size of tip, it'll effect the flame, usually the oxygen when you start to cut. The flame will change from a neutral to a carburizing flame due to there not being enough oxygen flow.A lot of places will say to use them on both but in my experience it'll screw up the flame.
Most of the newer torches have a built in check/flame arrestor in the torch body.....Mike

 

[deereman75]

In my opinion, use them in one place or the other (torch or reg. acet and ox) not both. They'll cause too much restriction and if you're using any larger size of tip, it'll effect the flame, usually the oxygen when you start to cut. The flame will change from a neutral to a carburizing flame due to there not being enough oxygen flow.A lot of places will say to use them on both but in my experience it'll screw up the flame.
Most of the newer torches have a built in check/flame arrestor in the torch body.....Mike

Thats why I was saying one or the other is good, and both is overkill.

 

[yomax4]

There are hi-flow Flash Arresters that go on the regs when using the normal ones on the Torch. If you choose both. Check valves should be considered but not as important. Check Valves make it so you don't get a reverse flow if one tank or the other goes empty. If the 02 goes empty. The Acetylene can easily back feed into the 02 tank. Not cool when they go to fill the 02. They always do odor tests prior to filling and purge if they smell something.

 

[monckywrench]

The Mine Safety folks cover it well:

www.msha.gov/stakeholderbp/bestpractices/oxygenacetylene.pdf

I use them on both ends unless I'm using a torch with integral protection.