Safety Precautions for welding/cutting, used combustible containers and vessels (LP Tanks)

[416bigbore]

It is extremely important that the following information be reviewed before attempting to cut or weld any Propane Tank or Drum for the purpose of building a Smoker! Safety is the most important part of any build and enjoyment of Smoking meat,

http://www.arcraftplasma.com/welding/weldingdata/containersafety.htm

Please let me post a little more info first, before anyone starts posting questions and or comments to this thread.Then the floor will be open for more discussion on this topic Thank you, Mike 

 

[416bigbore]

Not Done yet, Hang on.

 

[416bigbore]

Not done yet, Hang on ! 

 

[416bigbore]

I hope everyone is Crystal on this whole topic of working Safely on or around used combustible containers and or vessels.

I most certainly didn't make this stuff up!

This thread is open for discussion and I request that any questions involving the specifics of welding and or cutting, be kept to PM's and not posted. I am more then willing to help anyone with this topic, to help with ensuring people understand and no one possibly hurts themselves!

If anyone wants to know what not to do? Go find your nearest Burn Hospital and ask those who weren't so Lucky!

We are all here to learn and have fun, I hope this helps those who have questions about working safely with used LP tanks  and other combustible containers.

To All, Be safe, Mike   

 

[chef jimmyj]

Some scary stuff and nothing to take lightly. Thanks for posting...JJ

 

[416bigbore]

I would also like to add this........

The main reason BEHIND WHY, these types of used combustible containers and vessels are so dangerous to work with is this.

The pores in the metal, any ferrous non-ferrous metal, traps and retains some of the combustible liquid that was previously in there. The container may look and appear empty, that's not the problem. The problems start for when that impregnated combustible liquid is heated and it's turned into a vapor. This becomes even more dangerous when this volatile vapor is in a confined area.

Reducing the size of the volume of a large container, doesn't ensure it's any safer to work with either. That flammable vapor in that open space when ignited, will explode!  

The ability and or knowledge behind understanding how to control that combustible vapor, doesn't assure your safety either. It's only to your benefit you understand what could possible happen if something goes wrong while working with it. That is why they are called accidents, no one purposely planned on or for anyone to get hurt.

Example being a gas engine.......

It takes gas, air, compression and spark to make it run, take any one of those four things out of the equation, it won't run. simplistic as that! 

While knowing how to and by using a specific method of controlling these highly combustible vapors in these used container, this does NOT assure the unthinkable can't happen? It still boils down to a game of Russian Roulette ! While anyone increasing their knowledge on this, It's still not a guarantee that nothing bad can't happen.

I hope this breaks things down a little better for some, so WE ALL have a better understanding. Thank You, Mike