R 408.11294 Stationary acetylene generators; outside houses and inside rooms.

Rule 1294. (1) An opening in an outside acetylene generator house shall not be located within 5 feet (1.6 meters) of an opening in another building. The walls, floor, and roof shall be of noncombustible construction with a 1-hour, fire-resistance rating. (2) Where part of a generator house is used for storage or manifolding of oxygen cylinders, the space to be occupied shall be separated from the generator or carbide storage section by construction partition walls continuous from floor to ceiling, gastight, constructed as prescribed in subrule (1) of this rule, securely anchored and with not less than 1 exterior wall. Separation walls shall be without openings. Exit doors shall be located so as to be accessible in an emergency. (3) Explosion venting for generator houses and rooms shall be provided in the exterior wall or roof. The venting area shall be equal to not less than 1 square foot (.092 square meters) per 50 cubic feet (1.42 cubic meters) of room volume and may consist of 1 or any combination of the following: (a) Walls of light, noncombustible material, preferably single-thickness, single-strength glass. (b) Lightly fastened hatch covers. (c) Lightly fastened swinging doors on exterior walls which swing outward. (d) Lightly fastened walls or roof designed to relieve at a pressure of not more than 25 pounds (11.35 kilograms) per square foot. (4) The installation of an acetylene generator within a building shall be restricted to a 1- story building or roof or top floor of a multistory building. A generator installed inside a building shall be enclosed in a separate room and constructed as prescribed in subrule (2) of this rule. (5) A generator room or house shall be equipped with vents located at ceiling and floor levels. (6) Illumination during daylight hours shall be by natural light. Where artificial lighting is necessary, it shall be from explosion-proof fixtures and controls. Wiring shall run through rigid conduit with threaded connectors. Telephone and other electrically powered apparatus either shall be designed for an explosive atmosphere or located outside the generator room or house.