California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 4 - Construction Safety Orders
Article 28 - Miscellaneous Construction Tools and Equipment
Section 1706 - LP-Gas Fired Space Heaters

(a) The floor areas immediately adjacent to where such heaters are used must be kept clean and clear of combustible materials.

(b) While a building is under construction or alteration and before occupancy, not more than 60 U. S. gallons of LP-Gas shall be permitted in any one room having a floor area of 2,000 square feet or less or in any floor area of 2,000 square feet in rooms having floor areas exceeding 2,000 square feet. Under all other conditions the provisions of Section 492 (a) of the Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders shall apply.

The maximum water capacity of individual containers shall be 245 pounds (nominal 30 gallons LP-Gas).

(c) No cylinders or tanks of LP-Gas shall be filled or stored in any building under construction or renovation. The cylinders shall be removed from the building and into an area at least 10 feet from any building or source of ignition when being refilled.

Container safety relief devices and regulator relief vents shall be located at least 5 feet in any direction from air openings into sealed combustion system appliances or mechanical ventilation air intakes.

(d) The valves and connections on the cylinders shall be protected by a cap or collar during transportation, storage, and handling to prevent damage to the valves and fittings, and shall be protected from damage while in use.

(e) The cylinders shall be in a position to keep the safety valve in direct communication with the vapor space in the cylinder at all times.

(f) When in use, the LPG cylinder shall be installed so that the heat from the burner will not increase temperature of the tank more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit above that ambient at the installation after 1 hour of operation of the burner at full capacity. "In use" means connected for use.

(g) Means shall be provided to prevent the cylinders from being accidentally knocked over or upset. This can be done by chaining or securing each cylinder to a column or wall or by use of a stand.

Containers, regulating equipment, manifolds, pipe, tubing, and hose shall be located to minimize exposure to high temperatures or physical damage.

(h) Adequate ventilation close to the floor must be provided so any escaping or unburnt gas is dispersed.

(i) Heaters shall be equipped with a 100 percent safety pilot, have regulation stamped LP-Gas hose and LP-Gas pressure regulator, and be in safe working order.

NOTE: The fire department having jurisdiction in the area where LP-Gas is used in this service shall be notified before LP-Gas heaters are used.

(j) Heaters shall be equipped with an approved regulator in the supply line between the fuel cylinder and the heater unit. Cylinder connectors larger than 1/2 inch pipe size shall be provided with an excess flow valve to minimize the flow of gas in the event the fuel line becomes ruptured.

(k) Regulators and low-pressure relief devices shall be rigidly attached to the cylinder valves, cylinders, supporting standards, the building walls, or otherwise rigidly secured, and shall be so installed or protected that the elements (rain, sleet, snow or ice) will not affect their operation.

(l) Hose shall be designed for a working pressure of at least 250 p.s.i. Design, construction, and performance of hose, and hose connections shall have their suitability determined by listing by a nationally recognized testing agency. The hose length shall be as short as practicable. Hoses shall be long enough to permit compliance with spacing provisions without kinking or straining, or causing hose to be so close to a burner as to be damaged by heat.

(m) For temporary heating, heaters (other than integral heater-container units) shall be located at least 6 feet from any LP-Gas container. This shall not prohibit the use of heaters specifically designed for attachment to the container or to a supporting standard, provided they are designed and installed so as to prevent direct or radiant heat application from the heater onto the containers. Blower and radiant type heaters shall not be directed toward any LP-Gas container within 20 feet.

(n) Container valves, connectors, regulators, manifolds, piping, and tubing shall not be used as structural supports for heaters.

(o) If two or more heater-container units, of either the integral or nonintegral type, are located in an unpartitioned area on the same floor, the container or containers of each unit shall be separated from the container or containers of any other unit by at least 20 feet.

(p) When heaters are connected to containers for use in an unpartitioned area on the same floor, the total water capacity of containers, manifolded together for connection to a heater or heaters, shall not be greater than 735 pounds (nominal 300 pounds LP-Gas capacity). Such manifolds shall be separated by at least 20 feet.

(q) The storage of containers awaiting use shall comply with Section 1706(r) and Unfired Pressure Vessel Safety Orders Section 492.

(r) Storage outside of buildings, for containers awaiting use, shall be located from the nearest building or group of buildings, in accordance with the following:

(s) Containers shall be in a suitable ventilated enclosure or otherwise protected against tampering.

(t) Storage locations shall be provided with at least one approved portable fire extinguisher having a rating of not less than 30-BC.

(u) Any welding on containers on a construction site is prohibited.