§ 8330-01 Storage of Compressed Gases in Pre-Existing Facilities.
RCNY § 8330-01
(a)Scope. This section consolidates the Fire Prevention Code and former Fire Department rules in effect on June 30, 2008, that are applicable to the design and installation of compressed gas installations in pre-existing facilities.
(b)Definitions. [Reserved.] (c) General Provisions. Pre-existing facilities with compressed gas installations the design and installation of which would not be allowed or approved under the Fire Code, but that, pursuant to FC 102.3 and 3 RCNY § 102-01, may be continued with respect to such compressed gas installations under the applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect prior to the Fire Code, shall continue to comply with the provisions of such laws, rules and regulations, including former Fire Department rules §§ 12-03, 23-10, 23-06 and 23-07, as applicable, until such time as such facilities may be required to comply with the Fire Code and the rules with respect to such compressed gas installations.
(d)Medical Gases.
(1)Former Fire Department Rule § 12-03 § 12-03 Storage of Oxygen Cylinders for Use in Institutional Occupancies. . . . . . . . . . .
(c)Storage of oxygen cylinders.
(i)The storage room shall conform to the Building Code, but shall have a fire resistive rating of at least one (1) hour.
(ii)Storage room shall be provided with natural outside ventilation consisting of an open louvre having an area equivalent to at least one percent of the storage room area, or, in lieu thereof an adequate mechanical exhaust system shall be provided. Control for mechanical exhaust system to be located outside of the storage room. Ventilation shall conform to the Building Cede, but shall not be less than the foregoing requirements.
(iii)Storage room to have fireproof door without louvres.
(iv)A sign shall be provided on the outside of the door to the storage room reading: OXYGEN STORAGE NO SMOKING-NO OPEN FLAMES [lettering] Lettering shall not be less than two (2) inches in height and shall be either RED ON A WHITE or WHITE ON A RED background.
(v)All electric lights, switches, relays and other electrical equipment shall be vapor proof design if such equipment is located in the storage room.
(vi)Oxygen Storage Rooms shall not communicate directly with anesthetizing locations or storage locations for combustible or flammable anesthetic agents.
(2)Liquid oxygen cylinders may be stored only on special permit of the Fire Commissioner under such conditions as he or she deems necessary.
(3)When outdoor storage is utilized for oxygen cylinders: Cylinders shall be protected against extremes of weather, and from the ground beneath to prevent rusting.
(6)No recharging of cylinders to be conducted on premises. . . . . . . . . . .
(4)Approved type pressure reducing valves shall be installed in manifold assembly to maintain a delivery pressure of not more than 50 pounds per square inch in the distribution system. Pressure gauges marked "Oxygen" or "Nitrous Oxide" respectively shall be provided in conspicuous location in order to permit observation of delivery pressure.
(5)A built-in pressure relief valve shall be provided on the reduced side of the manifold header. Relief valve shall be set at not over 100 pounds per square inch. Discharge of relief valve shall be piped to outside air.
(e)Distribution system.
(7)Floor shut-off valves shall be located in conspicuous manner and in easy reach, properly marked, either recessed or exposed, or (8) The following may be substituted as conforming with paragraphs (4) and (7) of subdivision (e) above: A valve box fitted with an emergency replaceable polystyrene window with a pull ring assembly, which can be snapped out in an emergency. This door window shall be lettered "Caution-Oxygen or Nitrous Oxide Valve. Close only in emergency-Pull ring to break window." (f) Outlet valves and outlet boxes.
(g)Alarm systems. A closed circuit electrical operating alarm system shall be provided that will give a visible and audible signal when the pressure in the system varies eight pounds above or below the normal line pressure of 50 pounds. All equipment shall be approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals of the City of New York. All wiring shall be installed standard weight rigid iron conduit, and conductors shall be not less than #14 gauge copper wire. Alarm indicating panel shall be located in a strategic location in the hospital where it is under observation at all times. The system shall be connected to the house side of the owner's lighting meter through an approved 3-wire National Electric Code (N.E.C.) cartridge fuse cut-out having a removable strap or neutral bar. This cut-out cabinet shall be painted red, provided with a lock and stenciled "OXYGEN ALARM". . . . . . . . . . .
(9)No mercury manometers or mercury seals shall be used at any time.
(10)All premises wherein ammonia in bulk is stored or used shall have at least twelve (12) sulphur tapers ready for use in event of a leak.
(f)Systems using anhydrous ammonia cylinders, any of which exceed 8 lbs., shall be exhausted directly to a safe location in outer air through a duct of 4" minimum diameter. Air flow is to be insured by a mechanical blower with a minimum capacity of 175 cubic feet per minute incorporated into the machine. The provision of ventilation shall comply with Chapter 1 of Title 27 of the Administrative Code.
(k)All open flames shall be shut off in the event of an anhydrous ammonia leak.
(l)Twelve sulphur tapers, litmus paper or unexposed Diazo sensitized paper shall be provided readily accessible and located in the vicinity of the machine and reserve storage room. Such materials shall be in suitable condition to detect ammonia leaks.
(m)A permanent chart listing safety precautions for handling anhydrous ammonia shall be posted at storage facility and where machine is used.
(n)The emergency number for the fire department shall be posted in a conspicuous and permanent manner.
(o)All relief devices, except as provided in § 23-07(d) shall be piped directly to the outer air. Such piping shall be adequately secured and protected from physical damage. There shall be no shut-off valves in this piping.
(p)Detailed instructions for the operation of the anhydrous ammonia system shall be posted in a conspicuous and permanent manner.
(q)The anhydrous ammonia cylinder shall be connected to the duplicating machines with high pressure stainless steel flexible connector rated at 4,500 p.s.i. bursting pressure and/or with synthetic rubber hose with braid reinforcement with bursting pressure rating of 1750 p.s.i. and/or with equivalent rigid iron or steel pipe.
(r)All appurtenances such as flow meters, pressure regulators and pressure gauges shall be suitable for pressure involved and constructed of material suitable for use with anhydrous ammonia. (Renumbered City Record 9/20/2023, eff. 10/20/2023)
