Are your flashback arrestors compliant?
Australian Standards AS 4603–1999 Flash back arresters — Safety devices for fuel gases and oxygen or compressed air and AS 4839–2001 The safe use of portable and mobile oxy-fuel gas systems for welding, cutting, heating and allied processes state a competent person has to test (and replace) all flashback arrestors at least every 12 months, or in the case of a flashback occurring.
If a flashback occurs, testing is vital because repeated flashbacks can damage arrestors, thereby losing effectiveness.
After any flashback incident, flashback arrestors, gas hoses and fittings should be removed, inspected by a competent person and if necessary either discarded or repaired according to the manufacturer’s specifications or the applicable Australian Standard.
How do I check my flashback arrestor?
These are the following safety valves that are built into flashback arrestors:
- A pressure-sensitive cut-off valve: this cuts off gas flow if an explosion occurs
- A stainless steel filter that stops the flame
- A reverse-flow check valve: this stops gas from flowing in the wrong direction
- A heat-sensitive check valve: this stops gas flow if the arrestor reaches 104°C. Once this temperature is reached, the flashback arrestor is not reusable.
Do regulators have an expiry date?
Authorities advise that oxygen, acetylene and argon gas regulators need to be checked annually. These regulators only have a shelf life of five years. Staff should also be trained to report any defects with regulators immediately, eg cracks, hissing noises etc. Seeking advice from BST’s welding experts is advisable.
Further information is available in AS 1674 Set-2007 Safety in welding and allied processes.
When buying flashback arrestors and regulators, talk to BST Group’s engineering specialists about choices, uses, maintenance and expiry dates.
BST Group offers a range of torch end and regulator end flashback arrestors, for a variety of gases (oxygen, acetylene). We also offer flashback arrestor kits.
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Mike Hepburn
All editorial matter published on this website represents the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily represent official views or policies of BST Group and subsidiaries.
