How to Best Protect Room w/ Oxygen Cylinders?

8/12/2024

Is there a preferred method of protecting a room with the sole purpose of storing oxygen cylinders?

FM-200, NOVEC, IG, water mist?

Thanks in advance.

Sent in anonymously for discussion. Click Title to View | Submit Your Question | Subscribe

16 Comments

Pete H

8/12/2024 07:17:32 am

Probably not FM-200 right now because it's being phased out.

Other than that, I unfortunately do not know.

Franck

8/12/2024 09:52:58 am

Novec 1230 may also be stopped in the very next future (for the fluorine issue similar to fluorine based foams - PFAS).

Joe Mc

8/12/2024 10:32:27 am

Please se the following website for the most up to date information related to FM 200 and FK 5-1-12

https://www.fssa.net/pfas-resource-center

Pete H

8/12/2024 01:28:32 pm

Oh damn, that's not good. That was my answer when FM 200 got shut down. You wouldn't happen to know of a different foam system on the horizon, would you?

RyanO

8/12/2024 08:19:19 am

NFPA 55 addresses storage of compressed gas cylinders.

Aly Hussain

8/12/2024 08:23:56 am

same as all bottles of pressurized gases, the room has to be ventilated on one side at least of building facade. and the width of facade side to be twice the depth of the room. also, there is a chance to store upside roof or outside building.
for protection there is sprinkler but i think there is max quantity to be protected by water suppression system.

Dan Wilder

8/12/2024 08:41:26 am

Liquid or Gas?

13-19' 26.9 is Oxygen-Fuel Gass for Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes has a deluge requirement of .30/2500 (EH1).

26.9.2.1 for the storage of the cylinders calls out of OH2 or the more hazardous adjacent occupancy (if the building has one).

There are several other factors for the room itself that may come into play (ratings, ventilation, egress)...

NFPA 99 for Health Care Facilities doesn't have specifics but refers back to 13. It does have the provision that cylinders shall be prevented from reaching temperatures in excess of 125°F which leads me to a wet system application.

The last hospital I did, the cylinder room was OH2 but the bulk of the flammable gas storage was on the exterior...

Chad

8/12/2024 08:44:23 am

I have only seen them wet sprinklered at OHII, or none at all if its a noncombustible room.

Although the potential is there, as long as they are separated as required in NFPA 55 from other hazards and ventilated when required, the risk is well mitigated with wet sprinklers, IMO.

Anyone aware of a fire originating in a healthcare oxygen storage area?

Craig Hanson link

8/12/2024 08:47:18 am

Ordinary Hazard, no special fire sprinkler protection is needed. Compressed Gasses protection is found in the IFC Chapter 53. The environment of the room is very important. The danger is not the 02 but the pressure that the 02 is under and having that 02 further feed fire growth. In the event of a fire you want the cylinders to stay cool say that won't pop. Mist and fm200 system are will not achieve this is a sustained manner. Standard sprinklers and proper room conditions are what's needed.

Anthony

8/12/2024 09:12:37 am

I've only seen O2 rooms treated as a storage room. OH-1 or OH-2/HC-2.

Joe

8/12/2024 09:17:58 am

connected to the water purveyor so you can throw water at it all day long. Don't limit yourself with a finite amount of extinguishing agent.

Todd E Wyatt

8/12/2024 09:22:04 am

If this application is in a New Health Care occupancy per NFPA 101 Life Safety Code - 2012 (adopted by CMS for all hospital accepting Medicare and/or Medicaid funding), NFPA 101 references NFPA 99-2012.

NFPA 99-2012 includes “11.3 Cylinder and Container Storage Requirements” and states “Storage locations shall be outdoors in an enclosure or within an enclosed interior space of noncombustible or limited-combustible construction, with doors (or gates outdoors) that can be secured against unauthorized entry.”

NFPA-99 11.3.2.3 states that …

Oxidizing gases such as oxygen and nitrous oxide shall be separated from combustibles or materials by ONE of the following:
(1) Minimum distance of 6.1 m (20 ft)
(2) Minimum distance of 1.5 m (5 ft) if the entire storage location is protected by an automatic sprinkler system designed in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
(3) Enclosed cabinet of noncombustible construction having a minimum fire protection rating of 1⁄2 hour.

These requirements are for quantities <20.000 Ft3 of oxygen … anything more would need to meet “BULK OXYGEN STORAGE” requirements.

Todd E Wyatt

8/12/2024 09:22:39 am

REFERENCES
NFPA 99-2012
Chapter 3 Definitions
3.3 General Definitions.
3.3.21 Bulk System.
3.3.21.3* Bulk Oxygen System.
An assembly of equipment such as oxygen storage containers, pressure regulators, pressure relief devices, vaporizers, manifolds, and interconnecting piping that has a storage capacity of more than 566 m3 (20,000 ft3) of oxygen (at normal temperature and pressure), including unconnected reserves on hand at the site. (PIP)
A.3.3.21.3 Bulk Oxygen System.
The oxygen containers can be stationary or movable, and the oxygen can be stored as gas or liquid. The bulk oxygen system terminates at the point where oxygen at service pressure first enters the supply line.

11.3 Cylinder and Container Storage Requirements.
Enhanced Content
Cylinders and containers should never be left without some type of physical support, such as a stand, a cart, or wall strapping. A high-pressure, gas-filled cylinder can create mechanical hazards from a sudden, uncontrollable release of its contents (e.g., from falling over and cracking open).
The storage criteria in Section 11.3 for nonflammable gas cylinders or containers are the same, whether for anesthetizing, respiratory therapy, or laboratory use. This section serves as a reminder that cylinders and containers must be stored properly. Note that the total volume of compressed gas being stored in the location determines whether 11.3.1, 11.3.2, or 11.3.3 applies.
The section refers to standard temperature and pressure (STP), which is defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology as being a temperature of 20°C (68°F) at an absolute pressure of 101.325 kPa (14.696 psi). See www.nist.gov for more information.
The volumes referred to in this section are compressed volumes. In order to decide which part of Section 11.3 applies to a given situation, one must calculate the volume of compressed gas at STP. Table A.11.3.1 provides cylinder nominal volumes in liters and in cubic inches. For example, one style E cylinder of oxygen contains 660 L, or 0.66 m3. Paragraph 11.3.2 requires a minimum threshold of 8.5 m3 (300 ft3) and would apply to any storage area where more than 12 (8.5/0.66) cylinders of this size are stored.

11.3.2*
Storage for nonflammable gases greater than 8.5 m3 (300 ft3), but less than 85 m3 (3000 ft3), at STP shall comply with the requirements in 11.3.2.1 through 11.3.2.3.
A.11.3.2
When determining the volume of storage, do not consider cylinders and containers that are in use. There is no limit on the amount of nonflammable gas cylinders or containers that can be stored within a smoke compartment, provided nonflammable gas cylinders and containers in excess of 300 ft3 are stored in an enclosure that meets the requirements of 11.3.2.1 through 11.3.2.3.
11.3.2.1
Storage locations shall be outdoors in an enclosure or within an enclosed interior space of noncombustible or limited-combustible construction, with doors (or gates outdoors) that can be secured against unauthorized entry.
11.3.2.2
Oxidizing gases, such as oxygen and nitrous oxide, shall not be stored with any flammable gas, liquid, or vapor.
11.3.2.3
Oxidizing gases such as oxygen and nitrous oxide shall be separated from combustibles or materials by one of the following:
(1) Minimum distance of 6.1 m (20 ft)
(2) Minimum distance of 1.5 m (5 ft) if the entire storage location is protected by an automatic sprinkler system designed in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
(3) Enclosed cabinet of noncombustible construction having a minimum fire protection rating of 1⁄2 hour.

11.5 Administration.
11.5.2 Gases in Cylinders and Liquefied Gases in Containers.
11.5.2.3 Transfilling Liquid Oxygen.
Transfilling of liquid oxygen shall comply with 11.5.2.3.1 or 11.5.2.3.2, as applicable.
11.5.2.3.1
Transfilling to liquid oxygen base reservoir containers or to liquid oxygen portable containers over 344.74 kPa (50 psi) shall include the following:
(1) A designated area separated from any portion of a facility wherein patients are housed, examined, or treated by a fire barrier of 1 hour fire-resistive construction.
(2) The area is mechanically ventilated, is sprinklered, and has ceramic or concrete flooring.
(3) The area is posted with signs indicating that transfilling is occurring and that smoking in the immediate area is not permitted.
(4) The individual transfilling the container(s) has been properly trained in the transfilling procedures.

Franck

8/12/2024 09:51:42 am

Normally, the simplest (and the costless) is sprinkler protection.
The purpose is to avoid that an adjacent fire could affect the bottles. Remember that oxygen bottles are an oxidizer (not a flammable gas). The aim is therefore to protect the surrounding in order to avoid creating issues at the bottles (overpressurization, leakage...).
Gas protection, only if the room content is to be protected by gas. As gas protection is not efficient on deep seated fires, most of the time, a sprinkler protection is sufficient.
Ordinary Hazard for the classification is coming from the fact that it would cover most activities in hospitals where O2 cylinders might be present (with some additional storage of goods, equipment...).

Franck

8/12/2024 09:54:30 am

Inert gas is not an option as they control the fire by reducing the oxygen content.
If you have an O2 cylinder leakage, this is a battle you won't win.

Jack G

8/12/2024 10:39:17 am

NFPA 99, 58, 55.
NFPA 55 9.3.
Storage “shall be outdoors “ or in a separate building, ventilated and of fire rated construction.
Gas system not appropriate due to ventilation requirements ( to vent 0-2 and prevent an 0-2 buildup)
Of the choices I would choose a deluge system for the cooling of the cylinder faces to prevent over- pressurization of the cylinders and possible explosion.
A .3 to a .5 density depending on combustibility would be appropriate. Since it’s O-2 and not something like propane , I would lead to the .3 density.
Detection — photo detectors/ R-O-R.
The “ separate building would require drainage.

How to Best Protect Room w/ Oxygen Cylinders?

Leave a Reply.

ALL-ACCESS

SUBSCRIBE

COMMUNITY

YOUR POST

PE EXAM

FILTERS

ARCHIVES

PE PREP SERIES