osha air compressor safety valve manufacturer

An OSHA COMPRESSED AIR SAFETY SHUT-OFF VALVES should be placed immediately after the air control shut off valve and before the hose on a compressor, and after each discharge port that a hose is connected to.

Before starting the compressor the air control valve should be closed completely. When the compressor unloads, open the air shut off control valve very slowly. Full port ball valves tend to work better than gate or butterfly type valves.

The air shut off control valve must be fully open for the OSHA COMPRESSED AIR SAFETY SHUT-OFF VALVES to work. Some portable air compressor manufacturers recommend start-up with the air control valve slightly open. In this case you may have to close the valve and reopen it slowly to the full open position, or wait for the safety shut-off valve to reset itself.

If the OSHA COMPRESSED AIR SAFETY SHUT-OFF VALVES fails to operate despite meeting all condi-tions, check the hose line for obstructions or a hose mender restricting normal air flow.

• Turn on air supply slowly (to avoid tripping OSHA safety valve). Prior to fully reaching operation conditions, the OSHA COMPRESSED AIR SAFETY SHUT-OFF VALVES should suddenly activate and stop air flow.

• If the OSHA COMPRESSED AIR SAFETY SHUT-OFF VALVE is not activated the unit should be disconnected and the lower flow range OSHA COMPRESSED AIR SAFETY SHUT-OFF VALVES should be used. This means you need to use a different valve with a lower scfm range.

• At temperatures below 40°F ensure that OSHA COMPRESSED AIR SAFETY SHUT-OFF VALVES are not subject to icy conditions which may prevent proper functioning.

Thank you for your letter dated January 31 concerning your constituent, Mr. James Lyle McCloy II, President of Compressed Air Parts Company. Mr. McCloy is concerned about the lack of enforcement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of its rules requiring safety check valves on compressed air equipment. I apologize for the delay of this response.

As Mr. Roy Gurnham of my staff discussed with Mr. Mark Staudohar of your office in mid-February when he called to explain we could not meet with Mr. McCloy at the time, OSHA continues to recognize the need for safety check valves and is concerned that accidents have occurred because such valves were not provided as required. We will remind our compliance officers of the importance of this provision and that their inspections should include a review of such equipment as appropriate.

As you may be aware, the State of Arizona is responsible for occupational safety and health enforcement within the State under a plan approved and monitored by Federal OSHA. Under its plan, Arizona adopts standards identical to those promulgated by Federal OSHA and utilizes equivalent enforcement procedures. If your constituent wishes to discuss safety and health enforcement in Arizona, we suggest that he contact the Arizona industrial Commission at the following address:

The enclosed information is sent for your consideration. Please investigate this matter and forward to me the information for response to my constituent, Mr. James Lyle McCloy II, President of Compressed Air Parts Company.

Introducing our product in mid 1972, with several other manufacturers, sales were quite brisk and the Department of Labor was very active insuring compliance. Since early 1976 enforcement has been very `spotty". As of this time only ourselves and one other manufacturer are still providing valves to meet Federal Regulations. Fortunately we have been the primary source.

Recently we were dismissed from a One Million Dollar ($1,000,000) product liability suit in which it was determined that the air compressor in use was not equipped with a safety check valve as required. This incident took place on a Federally funded Interstate bridge repair contract. Also, there is currently a multi-million suit concerning the lack of a safety check valve (actually there was a valve on the compressor but was removed for unknown reasons). In that case a worker has a severe head injury and has been in a nursing home for two years and cannot recognize his family.

Application. This section applies to compressed air receivers, and other equipment used in providing and utilizing compressed air for performing operations such as cleaning, drilling, hoisting, and chipping. On the other hand, however, this section does not deal with the special problems created by using compressed air to convey materials nor the problems created when men work in compressed air as in tunnels and caissons. This section is not intended to apply to compressed air machinery and equipment used on transportation vehicles such as steam railroad cars, electric railway cars, and automotive equipment.

All new air receivers installed after the effective date of these regulations shall be constructed in accordance with the 1968 edition of the A.S.M.E. Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, which is incorporated by reference as specified in § 1910.6.

All safety valves used shall be constructed, installed, and maintained in accordance with the A.S.M.E. Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII Edition 1968.

Installation. Air receivers shall be so installed that all drains, handholes, and manholes therein are easily accessible. Under no circumstances shall an air receiver be buried underground or located in an inaccessible place.

Drains and traps. A drain pipe and valve shall be installed at the lowest point of every air receiver to provide for the removal of accumulated oil and water. Adequate automatic traps may be installed in addition to drain valves. The drain valve on the air receiver shall be opened and the receiver completely drained frequently and at such intervals as to prevent the accumulation of excessive amounts of liquid in the receiver.

Every air receiver shall be equipped with an indicating pressure gage (so located as to be readily visible) and with one or more spring-loaded safety valves. The total relieving capacity of such safety valves shall be such as to prevent pressure in the receiver from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure of the receiver by more than 10 percent.

Safety appliances, such as safety valves, indicating devices and controlling devices, shall be constructed, located, and installed so that they cannot be readily rendered inoperative by any means, including the elements.

When using a portable air compressor on a worksite, what component should (almost) always be part of the job? The answer is a safety check valve (SCV), properly installed between the compressor and the hose. In fact, if your air hose has an inside diameter of more than a ½ inch, OSHA requires a SCV to be installed at the source of the air supply to shut off the air automatically in case of hose failure. (If a check valve is not being used, OSHA requires a safety cable, such as Dixon’s King™ safety cable, to be attached to the hose.) But selecting the right safety check valve is an important but often times confusing task. There are many factors that play into that decision: air pressure, tool flow rate, compressor flow rate, the size of your hose, and the length of your hose, among them. Here’s a quick guide to helping make that decision an easier one.

Safety check valves are used to shut off flow in the event of a full-flow condition, which could be caused by a line break or damaged tool. During a full-flow condition, the compressor blasts air like a geyser and can whip the hose around the worksite, potentially causing serious injury to personnel or damage to equipment.

As air passes through the safety check valve, the valve flutters back and forth, allowing the air to bypass the valve and go downstream to the tool. In the event of a hose failure, the sudden rush of air through the valve causes it to slam shut, eliminating potential danger. A pin-sized hole in the valve allows a small amount of air to escape, but not enough to whip the hose around. That’s why you’ll still hear some air hissing at the end of the hose, even when the safety valve is engaged. Once the hose is repaired and the full flow condition goes away, the safety check valve will reset itself, allowing airflow to resume. Without this feature, you would have to manually reset the valve, a time-consuming task.

What is the maximum airflow possible, in SCFM, through your air hose, at the end of the length of the hose? (Note: If the hose you’re using is more than 100 feet long, contact Dixon for recommendations.)

It’s very important to select both the correct hose ID as well as the correct size spring within the valve. If the spring is too large or too small, it will cause the valve to shut prematurely or not to check at all.

The safety shut-off valve taper (NPT) size must be the same as the nominal ID size of the airline on which it is used. (Note: Never increase or decrease the hose size from the compressor to the tool or from the compressor to the manifold.)

To avoid nuisance cut-offs, the SCV selected should have a cut-off range of 110% of the maximum anticipated airflow to the tool, or tools, to be used. (As a general rule, you want your tool consuming less flow than the cut-off range of the SCV and you want your compressor capable of supplying more flow than the cut off range of the SCV.)

The maximum SCFM of the supply side airline must be above the cut-off range of the valve. The cut-off range of Dixon"s shut-off valves is given at 90 PSI. To determine the cut-off range at other PSIs, please refer to Dixon’s Cut-off Rate Chart on our product spec sheet.

In certain applications, like pile driving or sand blasting, where a surge of air is needed right away, you’ll have to use a safety cable since a check valve won’t work properly.

In closing, whenever you’re using an air compressor for jobs other than the ones mentioned directly above, it’s important to include a safety check valve in the system. Knowing how to select the proper SCV for the job creates a safer, more efficient worksite. As always, if you have any questions about safety check valves, please call a Dixon representative at 877.963.4966.

*OSHA 29 CFR 1926.302(b)(1): Pneumatic power tools shall be secured to the hose or whip by some positive means to prevent the tool from becoming accidentally disconnected.  Additionally 1926.302(b)(7) states:  All hoses exceeding ½-inch inside diameter shall have a safety device at the source of supply or branch line to reduce pressure in case of hose failure.

The check valve should be the same diameter as the hose that will be used, do not increase or decrease the hose size from the compressor or manifold after the check valve is installed.  Do not use a check valve of a different size to reach a desired SCFM cut off range.

Per Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) use Lead free parts in all consumable water applications.  Lead free refers to the wetted surface of pipes, fittings and fixtures in potable water systems that have a weighted average lead content = 0.25%. Source: California Health & Safety Code (116875). Vermont Act 193*171NLF

OSHA valve is a safety device that shuts off air flow to hose in case of excess pressure. Provides safety to the operator and surroundings. Made of heavy-duty steel. Use with 3/4’’ diameter hoses and 185-210 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air pressure.

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Bimba Manufacturing introduces a new safety valve (lock out – tag out style) to its line of Air Preparation Products. Current OSHA and ANSI/PMMI standards1 require a lockout valve installed on all air-operated equipment to isolate the equipment from its air supply and to exhaust all downstream air pressure making the equipment safe for maintenance.

The Pneumatic Isolation Valve (PIV Series) is available in nine sizes, from 1/4″ to 1-1/2″ with a full range of accessories to help companies conform to these standards. Many competitive models fail to comply with these standards due to reduced-sized exhaust ports and designs that can be locked in a “partially on” condition.

The new PIV Series catalog is available in electronic format on the Bimba website. Learn more about Bimba’s Pneumatic Isolation Valve, reference safety standards and view real-time pricing and delivery information at www.bimba.com.

New replacement air compressor pressure safety relief valves. Using the correct one for your application is critical for safety. If you need help picking the right one, please call us for assistance.

AgSOHeat Illness Prevention, OutdoorTransportation of Agri-Products, Construction & other Heavy Materials,Exception, Operators in Air-conditioned Vehicles

COMPRESSED AIR SAFETY ORDERS, PRESSURIZED WORKSITE OPERATIONSDecompression Tables, Per U.S. Navy Diving ManualUse of Oxygen Breathing Gas System during Decompression

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ORDERSHeat Illness Prevention, OutdoorTransportation of Agri-Products, Construction & other Heavy Materials,Exception, Operators in Air-conditioned VehiclesGISO, §3395(a)(2)(E)

DUSTS, FUMES, MISTS, VAPORS & GASES, per GISOWelding, Brazing & Cutting, Protective EquipmentVentilation & Personal ProtectionToxic Substances Used in Open Air

FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS, GASES & VAPORSElectrical Equipment in Classified SpacePositive Pressure, With Make-up AirPressurizing or purging of classified areas

GAS & OIL WELLS, Drilling & ProductionHazardous AreasTransfer of Flammable / Combustible LiquidsCompressed Air, Use Prohibited for TanksExceptions listedPSO-D&P, §6525(a)

GAS & OIL WELLS, Fire Hazard ControlTransfer of Flammable / Combustible LiquidsCompressed Air, Use Prohibited for TanksExceptions listedPSO-D&P, §6525(a)

HAZARDOUS AREAS, Subject to PSO-D&PTransfer of Flammable / Combustible LiquidsCompressed Air, Use Prohibited for TanksExceptions listedPSO-D&P, §6525(a)

HEAT ILLNESS PREVENTION, OutdoorTransportation of Agri-Products, Construction & other Heavy Materials, Subject to StandardException, Operators in Air-conditioned Vehicles

HOT WEATHER, Heat Illness Prevention, OutdoorTransportation of Agri-Products, Construction & other Heavy Materials, Subject to StandardException, Operators in Air-conditioned Vehicles

LANDSCAPINGEmergency Response ProceduresTransportation of Agri-Products, Construction & other Heavy Materials,Exception, Operators in Air-conditioned Vehicles

OIL & GAS WELLS, Drilling & ProductionHazardous AreasTransfer of Flammable / Combustible LiquidsCompressed Air, Use Prohibited for TanksExceptions listedPSO-D&P, §6525(a)

OIL & GAS WELLS, Drilling & ProductionHeat Illness Prevention, OutdoorTransportation of Agri-Products, Construction & Other Heavy Materials,Exception, Operators in Air-conditioned Vehicles

OIL & GAS WELLS, Fire Hazard ControlTransfer of Flammable / Combustible LiquidsCompressed Air, Use Prohibited for TanksExceptions listedPSO-D&P, §6525(a)

PRESSURIZED WORKSITE OPERATIONS, COMPRESSED AIR SAFETY ORDERSDecompression Tables, Per U.S. Navy Diving ManualUse of Oxygen Breathing Gas System during Decompression

TRANSPORTATION, MaterialsTransportation of Agri-Products, Construction & other Heavy Materials, Subject to StandardException, Operators in Air-conditioned Vehicles

TUNNELING OPERATIONSPressurized Worksite Operations, Compressed Air.Decompression Tables, Per U.S. Navy Diving ManualUse of Oxygen Breathing Gas System during Decompression

WEATHER, Heat Illness Prevention, OutdoorTransportation of Agri-Products, Construction & other Heavy Materials, Subject to StandardException, Operators in Air-conditioned VehiclesGISO, §3395(a)(2)(E)

WELLS, GAS & OIL, Drilling & ProductionHazardous AreasTransfer of Flammable / Combustible LiquidsCompressed Air, Use Prohibited for TanksExceptions listedPSO-D&P, §6525(a)

ISO 9001:2000 certified worldwide manufacturer & distributor of OSHA conforming compressed air safety lockout valves. Specifications include ambient & media temperature ranging from 40 degree F to 175 degree F, nitrile elastomers, compressed air fluid media, inlet pressure up to 150 psig, zinc plated steel screws, acetal slides & valve colors including yellow, red. Services include contract manufacturing, CNC machining, metal treatment, injection molding, painting, assembly, sonic welding, inspection, packaging, labeling & shipping. JIT delivery. Seven year warranty on products.

____ Are safety chains or other suitable locking devices used at couplings of high pressure hose lines where a connection failure would create a hazard?

____ Is it prohibited to use compressed air to clean up or move combustible dust, if such action could cause the dust to be suspended in the air and cause a fire or explosion?

Is it prohibited to use compressed air to clean up or move combustible dust if such action could cause the dust to be suspended in the air and cause a fire or explosion hazard?

Air receiver tank safety should be a priority for every compressed air user. Poor maintenance, improper storage, or operation at unsafe pressures can lead to a dangerous air receiver tank failure.

This article explores the common causes of air receiver tank failure, safe maintenance and storage for air receiver tanks, and the importance of using ASME-rated compressed air equipment.

Yourcompressed air receiver tankis a type of pressure vessel. It stores air under immense internal pressure over a long period of time. If the tank is not maintained properly, corrosion, stress, and fatigue can lead to a dangerous tank rupture.

An air receiver tank failure is extremely hazardous. The high internal pressures inside the tank can cause it to rupture with explosive force if the integrity of the tank is compromised.

When this happens, large pieces of the tank may be propelled at high speeds into nearby equipment, infrastructure, or people. There may also be small, sharp pieces of shrapnel that can penetrate the human body at high speeds. Air receiver tank failure may result in extensive damage to the facility and nearby equipment and severe injury or death for nearby workers.

Air receiver tanks used in industrial applications must be certified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Using an uncertified air receiver tank may lead to damage to your facility or injury or death for employees in the case of a rupture.

ASME acts as an independent quality assurance organization to ensure the safety and quality of manufactured items. Manufacturers must meet all ASME safety and engineering standards for their products to get an ASME certification stamp.

Air receiver tanks fall under theASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Certification Program. This program defines a series of standards governing the design, fabrication, assembly, and inspection of pressure vessel components during construction. These rules include engineering standards for the thickness of the tank body, welds and joints, connections, and other components of the tank.

Non-code air receiver tanks should never be used, especially for industrial applications. It is possible to find non-code air receiver tanks at some big box stores. These tanks are likely to be cheaper, but they have not undergone the rigorous manufacturing processes and quality testing needed to ensure that they are safe and reliable. Using a non-code air receiver tank could put your life and the lives of your coworkers at risk.

Air receiver tanks generate heat. Compressed air enters the tank at high temperatures. As it cools, heat is radiated from the tank. This may impact the placement of the tank if your manufacturing processes are heat-sensitive or you want to reduce strain on your HVAC cooling system.

Outdoor storage of the air receiver tank is only appropriate for environments that stay above freezing year-round. In freezing temperatures, outdoor tanks can ice up and even rupture—a costly and potentially dangerous outcome. If your area experiences freezing temperatures during part of the year, it is safest to keep your tank indoors.

If you are storing your air receiver tank outdoors, be sure to conduct frequent inspections to monitor for corrosion. Any signs of corrosion should be addressed immediately to maintain the integrity of the tank.

If you are not sure whether or not your air receiver tank meets code requirements, you should have it inspected. Your local Fire Marshall may provide this service. They will stop in and test your tank with ultrasonicmetal thickness testing technology. If your air receiver tank does not pass the inspection, it should be decommissioned and replaced immediately.

All air receiver tanks must also be inspected once they are installed. OSHA does not mandate a specific testing interval, but it is recommended that all air receiver tanks be inspected at least annually. Your insurance company or local governing board may have different requirements. OSHA requires that formal inspections be performed by an inspector holding a validNational Board Commissionand in accordance with the applicable chapters of the National Board Inspection Code. Manufacturers are required to keep records of formal inspections and make them available to OSHA representatives upon request.

In between formal board inspections, manufacturers should conduct frequent visual inspections of the air receiver tank to look for signs of corrosion, damage, or weld failure. Check drains daily and pressurу relief valves quarterly to make sure they are operating correctly. Contact your manufacturer or compressed air system installer immediately if you see any signs of problems with your air receiver tank.