Rank: Super forum user 
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Just reviewing The Acetylene Safety ( England and Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2014, as we have some oxygen / acetylene welding / burning equipment. It seems wrong in schedule 1 - Requirements of a system of connected acetylene equipment, where in 4(c), it states :-
With a non-return device, effective against the return of gas towards the cylinder, and a quick acting shut off device, and both devices are positioned as close as is reasonably practicable to the acetylene manifold or where no acetylene manifold is used, to the cylinder.
I was taught that the flash back / flame arrester goes between the regulator and hose and the non-return valve between the other end of the hose and the torch. This would stop oxygen mixing inside the acetylene hose. The above seems to suggest that they feel it should be at the regulator end of the hose, along with the flash back arrestor. However this would not stop the mixing of gases in the hose.
Have I misinterpreted the requirement ? (PS 4(b) is about the flame arrestor, so its definitely not talking about that)
Also on a different, but similar subject, regulators have a shelf life stamped into the back /edge to inspect / replace which just gives a year ie 2017. Does this mean it is ok for all of 2017 so needs to be replaced before the 1/1/2018, or needed to be replaced before 1/1/2017. (Some do have a month and year, but some only the year)
Chris
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Rank: New forum user 
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Hi Chris,
The regs do seem to suggest this, but I don't believe this is the intention - if you take a look at the new version of indg 327, (Working Safely with Acetylene) it clearly shows the non-return valves at the torch end of the hoses. I agree with you that this is the logical place - that's what I was taught also.
On the regulator date issue, I had a word with our BOC rep on site, and they said it was the end of the year.
Regards
Steve
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Rank: Super forum user
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Thanks Steve
Yes I have advised my company that it should be between the torch and the hose. I also looked at INDG327 and went with that as it made more sense to me.
Good to know about the date issue being the end of the year. For the benefit of anyone else who needs to replace regulators, ensure the buyer knows to ask for one that has not been sat on a shelf for a couple of years !
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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With respect:
There is little chance of connecting a flashback arrester at the torch end of the hose. They are too big.
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Rank: Super forum user
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John
No - its the non return valve between the torch and hose not the flash back arrester ( which goes between the regulator and hose). The non return valves are the same / similar diameter to the hose. Sorry I didn't make it clear in #3 which bit I was talking about.
Chris
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Rank: Super forum user
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Mixing of the gases in the hoses is not what this legislation appears to be controlling or managing.
It appears that the legislation (where 4(c)) is to prevent a flame and return of gas entering the gas bottle, which can be controlled by flame arrestors, anti flashback arrestors, non return valves etc... and it is basically stating that these must be positioned as close to the bottle as is possible, and all this makes sense.
Chris24 you are correct in saying that most organisation/people will have an anti flash back arrestor fitted at the bottle end and a flame trap or non return valve built into the torch itself.
Non return valves fitted at the torch end is common practice and a good idea, after looking through the new legislation there appear to be no requirement to have this. However, it is indicated in INDG327 as good practice as indicated in previous post.
I guess all this is now the law whereas is was just good practice up till now.
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