LEADING THE WAY
2. Ventilation requirements set forth in NFPA 55:
a. Section 6.16 states that indoor storage and use areas for compressed gases are to be provided with mechanical exhaust ventilation or natural ventilation, where natural ventilation can be shown to be acceptable for the materials used.
b. Section 6.16.1 states that where mechanical ventilation is provided, the system is to be operational during the time the building or space is occupied.
c. Section 6.16.3 states that the mechanical ventilation rate is to be at a rate of not less than 1 ft3
/min/ft2
fl oor area over the area of storage or use.
d. Section 6.16.4 states that systems are to operate continuously unless an alternate design is approved by the code offi cial.
e. Any required mechanical ventilation, alarm, detection, or other electrically operated systems are required to be provided with an emergency or standby power system, unless an approved fail-safe engineered system is installed.
f. Section 6.16.7.1 states that the exhaust ventilation system design is to take into account the density of the potential gases released.
g. Section 6.16.7.3 states that for gases that are lighter than air, exhaust is to be taken from a point within 12 in. of the ceiling.
h. Section 6.16.9 states that exhaust ventilation is not to be recirculated within the room or building if the cylinders, containers, or tanks stored are capable of releasing hazardous gases.
i. Section 6.16.10 states that ventilation systems are to discharge a minimum of 50 ft from intakes of air-handling systems, air-conditioning equipment, and air compressors.
of CIRCULATORS •
BATHS • o
CHILLERS C
Figure 4 – Single-cylinder installation.
j. Section 6.16.11 states that use of compressed gases is to be located not less than 50 ft from air intakes.
3. Separation requirements set forth in NFPA 55:
a. Section 7.1.6.2 states that fl ammable and oxidizing gases are to be separated by 20 ft.
b. Section 7.1.6.2.1 states that the 20-ft distance is permitted to be reduced without limit when separated by a barrier of noncombustible material at least 5 ft high that has a fi re resistance rating of at least 0.5 hr.
c. Other separation distances are shown in Figure 3.
When you consider that the above require- ments for installations of up to four hydrogen cylinders can be met by using appropriately rated gas cabinets with appropriate ventila- tion and gas controls, the prospect of what is installed is less daunting to the researcher or laboratory manager. An example of a single- cylinder installation is shown in Figure 4.
Larry Gallagher is Specialty Gas Products Man- ager, CONCOA, 1501 Harpers Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23454, U.S.A.; tel.: 800-225-0473; fax: 757-422-3125; e-mail:
lgallagher@concoa.com;
www.concoa.com
AMERICAN LABORATORY • 19 • SEPTEMBER 2014
• Temperature Control Solutions More than 250 standard models for
laboratory and production
• For applications from -125°C to +425°C • State of the art technology • Eco-friendly natural refrigerants • Best price-performance ratio • Lowest operating costs
For more information visit
www.huber-usa.com or request our latest temperature control catalog.
-125...+425°C Huber USA Inc. 100 Centrewest Ct. • Phone 1-800 726 4877 • Cary NC 27513
info@huber-usa.com www.huber-usa.com
n NEW!
Huber USA Inc. Cary NC
I
e
n
h
n
t
o
r
v
o
a
f
i t
v
g
e
l
T
o
e
n
m
h
p
e
e
r
T
a
l
t
o
u
r
r
t
e
c
o
y
U
n
i
t
o
e
c
d
i
S
e
t
a
M
t
e
d
s
n
,
C
a
a
a
n
d
a
x
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52