We learn in basic fire chemistry that oxygen is one of the legs with heat and fuel that completes the fire triangle. Consequently, when combustible materials are in the presence of significant amounts of pure oxygen — such as in the illustrated liquid oxygen installation extra precautions must be taken to prevent a fire or minimize its consequences.
Controlling The Hazard
Bulk Liquid Oxygen containers must be separated from a variety of exposures due to its chances of worsening the fires.
One method to reduce the likelihood of a fire is to separate the oxygen source from other exposures. National Fire Protection Association 55, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code includes the following table of exposures and recommended separation distances.
Copyright © NFPA. ** Standard cubic foot & The SI equivalent is a Newton or normal cubic meter. For additional information, refer to NFPA 55, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code.
For further information, please contact your RMC Engineer