What is the minimum distance between oxygen and acetylene cylinders in storage per OSHA?

What is the minimum distance between oxygen and acetylene cylinders in storage per OSHA?

• A. 5 Ft
• B. 10 Ft
• C. 15 Ft
• D. 20 Ft

Answer: (D)

Keep oxygen and acetylene apart because oxygen makes fires burn hotter and faster, and acetylene is highly flammable. If a leak or accidental ignition occurs near both, the combination can rapidly escalate into a dangerous blaze. To reduce that risk, OSHA/NFPA require either keeping oxidizers and fuel gases at least 20 feet apart, or placing them on opposite sides of a noncombustible barrier that’s at least 5 feet high. That means, without a barrier, the minimum distance is 20 feet. The other distances fall short of this safety requirement.

Keep oxygen and acetylene apart because oxygen makes fires burn hotter and faster, and acetylene is highly flammable. If a leak or accidental ignition occurs near both, the combination can rapidly escalate into a dangerous blaze. To reduce that risk, OSHA/NFPA require either keeping oxidizers and fuel gases at least 20 feet apart, or placing them on opposite sides of a noncombustible barrier that’s at least 5 feet high. That means, without a barrier, the minimum distance is 20 feet. The other distances fall short of this safety requirement.