[Jewelry making - Article 01164] - Re: [Orchid] Best torch for basement studio

[Kay Davis]

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    Risk Analysis and propane willies 

    Can I suggest that everyone take a deep breath and think Risk
    Analysis? 

    First; Not withstanding the above, since Politicians and similar
    critters who pass laws usually know little about Risks etc. I suggest
    you do the following 

    CONTACT THE LOCAL LEGAL AUTHORITY AND FIND OUT WHAT THE LOCAL LAWS
    ARE !!! (preferably get information in writing and file it away for
    further reference if needed. All the opinions and facts in the world
    are useless when you run afoul of fire, building and safety codes. 

    Then check with your insurance agent (and again preferably get it in
    writing) what your insurance will permit and under what conditions.
    Insurance companies love not paying claims and every policy has a
    little clause that says if the loss was due in all or part to the
    breaking of a law then it is not covered. Then in 3 point fine print
    there will be all kinds of other exclusions... 

    Now A true story ! 

    Regarding Propane Oh my god My in laws must be in imminent danger of
    being blown to kingdom come they have a MONSTER ( 3 1/2 feet around
    and 5 feet high) tank outside their house and there is a copper pipe
    that runs in trough the foundation wall and then trough the basement
    before coming back up to the first floor for their stove, fireplace
    insert and down to the basement for the Hot water tank. All with
    valves joints and other leak possible breaks in the tubing !! My god
    ! If the propane leaks and goes down to the pilot light it will
    EXPLODE !! 

    Yes all true, But also installed according to the fire codes in
    effect here in the province of Quebec Canada, inspected by 3
    different people (Fire inspector, Propane supplier and Insurance
    inspector) and approved by all 3 and completely legal. (Actually
    there was a 4th inspector, Me, but I don't count.) 

    Living way out in the country where the electrical grid is unreliable
    and we do get -40 temperatures in the winter Propane is the retired
    persons best friend. Add a small generator for reading lights and TV
    and who needs hydro power My in laws are in their advanced 80's and
    hauling in wood is no longer an option for them hence the propane
    fireplace insert. 

    The only non required (in our area) option I would suggest is a
    propane detector. It looks like a smoke detector but is installed
    near the floor and emits a deafening alarm signal well before the
    concentration reaches the LEL. (This comes under #4 below) 

    To belabor the point. 

    1- find out what is legal 

    2- Find out what is insurable 

    3- Find out what can you afford and what is the pro's and con's of
    this for the job that you want to do 

    4- Risk analysis and how do we reduce the risk to at least
    acceptable levels and preferably to absolute minimum. 

    5- Document the above. 

    The main reason that Propane and other LNG type products are not
    allowed to be stored indoors is the risk of a BLEVE and the
    secondary explosion thereof if a tank is cooked in a fire until the
    metal fails, not because it is flammable or heavier than air. For
    additional info for those who are too busy to Google to find the
    definition of a bleve... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BLEVE 

    LOL I learned something (LOL a new acronym for BLEVE) and someone
    has a sense of humor... 

    BLEVE is also an off-color backronym for Blast Leveling Everything
    Very Effectively. 

    Also a cross reference there mentions a link to one of the most
    infamous and largest civilian BLEVE's that has occurred, at Kingman
    AZ. http://azkrmc.com/education/history/stockton1.htm ( the Bleve
    part is 1/2 way down. 

    Military type deliberate BLEVEs are called fuel/ air explosions and
    are the largest non-nuclear explosives in their armory

    Enjoy your job / hobby / art now that you know what you are doing. 

Kay

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