California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 15 - Petroleum Safety Orders-Refining, Transportation and Handling
Article 2 - Definitions
Section 6755 - Definitions

(a) The following definitions shall apply in the application of these orders.

Alteration (Pressure Vessels). An alteration is any change in the item described on the original Manufacturer's Data Report which affects the pressure containing capability of the pressure vessel. Nonphysical changes (re-rating) such as an increase in the maximum allowable working pressure (internal or external) or design temperature, or the addition of loadings not considered in the original design, shall be considered an alteration. A reduction in the (minimum) design metal temperature such that additional mechanical tests are required shall also be considered an alteration.

Approved. See Section 6751.

A.N.S.I. American National Standards Institute.

A.P.I. American Petroleum Institute.

A. S. M. E. American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

A. S. T. M. American Society for Testing and Materials.

Atmospheric Tank. A storage tank which has been designed to operate at pressures from atmospheric through 0.5 psig (3.5 KPa).

Authorized Employee. (in reference to an employee's assignment). Selected by the employer for that purpose.

Auto Ignition Temperature. See Ignition Temperature.

Barrel. A liquid measure of 42 U.S. gallons (158.9 liters).

Blind. A device, other than a valve, used to isolate equipment for the purpose of preventing the passage of liquid, gas or vapor.

Boiling Point. The temperature at which a liquid boils at a pressure of 14.7 psia (760 mm Hg).

Chain or wire rope access equipment (Jacob's ladder). Specialized equipment approved for use to access constricted locations and having rigid rungs suspended between two vertical chain or wire rope stringers instead of the rigid rails used on fixed or portable ladders.

Code. Consensus Standards as referenced in the Petroleum Safety Orders.

Combustible Liquid. See Liquid.

Competent Person. One who is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the surroundings or working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to employees, and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Confined Space. See Article 108, General Industry Safety Orders.

Consumer. One who uses up or consumes petroleum, natural gas or their products either in serving his own wants or in the production of another article of value when such use or consumption does not involve processing as defined in these orders.

Corrosive. A substance that causes visible destruction of, or irreversible alterations in living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact. For example, a substance is considered to be corrosive if, when tested on the intact skin of albino rabbits by the method described by the U.S. Department of Transportation in Appendix A to 49 CFR Part 173, it destroys or changes irreversibly the structure of the tissue. This term shall not refer to action on inanimate surfaces.

Crude Oil. Hydrocarbon mixtures that have a flash point below 150° F and which have not been refined.

Division. Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

Existing Installations. All equipment installed in California prior to the adoption of these orders and in compliance with applicable safety orders of the Division in effect at the time of installation and that have not changed ownership and location since the adoption of these orders.

Fire Watch. A qualified person designated by the employer to perform the duties as required by General Industry Safety Orders, Section 4848.

Fired Equipment. Equipment heated by an externally applied flame.

Flammable Gas. A gas that will burn in air.

Flammable Liquid. See Liquid.

Flare. A device in which excess gases and vapors are burned in the atmosphere.

Flash Point (of a liquid). The minimum temperature at which it gives off vapor in sufficient concentration to form an ignitible mixture with air near the surface of the liquid within the vessel as specified by appropriate test procedure and apparatus as follows:

Class I liquids shall be subdivided as follows:

Class IA shall include those having flash points below 73° F (22.8° C) and having a boiling point below 100° F (37.8° C).

Class IB shall include those having flash points below 73° F (22.8° C) and having a boiling point at or above 100° F (37.8° C).

Class IC shall include those having flash points at or above 73° F (22.8° C) and below 100° F (37.8° C).

Natural Gas. Mixture of hydrocarbon gases and vapors consisting principally of methane.

Opening of Pipelines or Equipment. Exposing the contents of pipelines or equipment to the atmosphere, through means other than valves.

Owner-User. (Pressure Vessel) An owner or user of pressure vessels who maintains a regularly established inspection department whose organization and inspection procedures have been accepted by the Division.

Pilot Plant. See Laboratory.

Plant. See Refinery.

Portable Tank. A tank not intended for a fixed installation.

Pressure Relief Device. A device such as a spring-loaded safety valve or rupture disk for relieving excess pressure.

Pressure Vessel. A container, including cylinders, used for the storage or accumulation of any gas or liquid under pressure. This definition is not intended to include boilers as defined in the Boiler and Fired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders, or pressure chambers that are integral parts of such devices as pumps, motors, engines, clothes presses, flatwork ironers, tire molds, etc., where the pressure-containing part is subjected to severe mechanical stresses.

Qualified Inspector. An inspector as defined in Title 8, Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders, and who holds a valid certificate of competency issued by the Division.

Refinery. A plant for the separation, refining, or processing of petroleum, natural gas, and products thereof. The entire operating facilities within clearly defined boundaries used for the operations to which these orders apply. A refinery may include numerous processing units or groups of activities.

Repair (Pressure Vessels). A repair is any work necessary to restore a pressure vessel to a safe and satisfactory operating condition, provided there is no deviation from the original design. Examples of repair include:

Reservoir. A roofed excavation for the storage of petroleum liquids.

Respiratory Protective Equipment. A breathing device designed to protect the wearer from oxygen-deficient or hazardous atmospheres (General Industry Safety Orders, Section 5144).

Source of Ignition. Any flame, arc, spark, or heat which is capable of igniting flammable liquids, gases or vapors.

Static Electricity. The type of electrical charge resulting from the separation of materials, friction, or similar causes.

Sump. An unroofed, lined or unlined, pit or excavation for holding liquids.

Tank. A fixed receptacle (covered or uncovered) of greater than 60 gallons capacity other than a pressure vessel or reservoir used for holding or storage of liquids.

Toxic Material. A material listed in Sections 5155, 5208, and 5209 of the General Industry Safety Orders which has the capacity to produce personal injury or illness to persons through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through any body surface.

Tubular Gage Glass. An unsupported level indicator comprised of a glass tube or cylinder.

Vapor. The gaseous form of a substance normally liquid or solid.

Valve. A device for regulating or controlling the flow of material by a movable part or parts which open or close a passage.

Wall-Diversion. A wall made of concrete, earthwork, or other noncombustible material, built for the purpose of protecting employees, by diverting the flow of hazardous substances that may be released by tank failure, tank overflow, or other causes.

Wall-Retaining (Dike). A wall made of concrete, earthwork, or other noncombustible material, built for the purpose of protecting equipment and employees by confining hazardous substances that may be released by tank failure, tank overflow, or other causes.