Question

A nursing home is installing their own bulk oxygen system due to their large volume of consumption. OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.104(b)(2)(iii) requires owners of bulk oxygen systems to provide noncombustible surfacing in areas where liquid oxygen might leak during operation of the system or during the filling of a storage container. If the nursing home provides an asphalt surface in areas where oxygen could potentially leak, will it be in compliance with the workplace regulation regarding oxygen? Explain your answer

Answer 1

Answer:

NO! It would be in violation of the workplace regulation regarding oxygen.

Explanation:

Bulk oxygen systems convey liquified oxygen which is of geat use and importance in institutions like a nuirsing home.

Liquified oxygen is gaseos oxygen that has been condensed under high presures into liquid form. It is transported via a complex system of vaporizers, storage tanks and pipes around the facility it is needed. Liquified oxygen is oxygen- rich.

Asphalt is a petroleum derivative that is often used to in coating surfaces and tarring roads.

Its primry constituent is Carbon with minor constitunets like sulphur, nirogen, oxygen. As a petrolem derivative, it is very combustible.

In the event of an oxygen leak on an asphalt surtface, oxygen acting as an oxidizing agent can combine with asphalt in the presence of air, to cause a large fire.

Hence, asphalt surfacing in areas of oxygen leaks, would not be in compliance with the workplace regulation as it has the potential of causing a fire in the nursing home.