Skip to Main Content


This information is provided free of charge by the Department of Industrial Relations from its web site at www.dir.ca.gov. These regulations are for the convenience of the user and no representation or warranty is made that the information is current or accurate. See full disclaimer at https://www.dir.ca.gov/od_pub/disclaimer.html.
 
Subchapter 14. Petroleum Safety Orders--Drilling and Production
Article 16. Gas Compressors and Engines
Return to index
New query

§6554. Stationary Internal Combustion Engine Driving Air or Gas Compressors.


(a) Air and gas compressor engines of over thirty (30) horsepower shall be provided with means other than manual for starting. Manual starting is permitted in emergencies only.

(b) In a gas compressor building or in buildings where there may be an accumulation of flammable gases, internal-combustion engine ignition systems or wires shall not be manipulated in a manner that may produce an open spark, unless tests indicate that the flammable gas or vapor content of the atmosphere is less than twenty percent (20%) of the lower explosive limit.

(c) Cylinder cocks of internal-combustion engines shall not be opened at any time when a flame or spark may be discharged from the cylinder cock into a gas compressor room or in buildings where there may be an accumulation of flammable gases, unless tests indicate that the flammable gas or vapor content of the atmosphere is less than twenty percent (20%) of the lower explosive limit.

(d) In addition to the throttle valve, other means shall be provided by the use of one or more valves, blinding, or other provisions giving equivalent safety, to prevent fuel gas entering cylinders and actuating moving parts while maintenance work is being performed upon an internal combustion engine, or upon the equipment connected to and driven by the engine, when such maintenance work would otherwise expose the employee to possible injury.

(e) The main fuel gas line to gas compressor engines and other internal combustion engines located in gas compressor buildings shall be equipped with a suitable master shut-off valve located outside the building but in any case within a reasonable distance of the engine.

(f) A check valve shall be provided in the engine or in the starting air line adjacent to each internal combustion engine cylinder using compressed air as the means of starting.

(g) The compressed air supply for starting an engine shall be prevented from so functioning while maintenance work is being performed on an idle internal combustion engine, or on the equipment connected to and driven by the engine, when such maintenance work is of a nature that employees may be endangered should the starting air cause the engine to move or turn over. This shall be accomplished by one of the following means:

(1) Disconnecting the starting air line union and disaligning the pipe.

(2) Having two closed valves in the starting air line with an open tee between them having a discharge capacity equal to the capacity of the starting air line.

(3) Other means giving equally effective positive protection as (1) or (2) above.

(h)(1) In addition to the governor controlling the fuel supply, an overspeed trip or overspeed regulator operating to cut off the engine ignition shall be installed on stationary internal combustion engines which are equipped with external flywheels and which drive gas compressors.

(2) On turbo-charged compressor drive engines, the overspeed control shall also shut off the fuel supply. Internal combustion engines which have the flywheel installed within the engine body as an integral part of the engine are not included in this order.

(3) The overspeed trip or overspeed regulator shall be so installed and adjusted as to prevent the engine from overspeeding, and shall be maintained in an operative condition.

(i) Provisions shall be made to prevent the contact of flammable liquids with exhaust pipes of internal combustion engines.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. Amendment filed 7-20-59; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 59, No. 12).

2. Amendment of section and Note filed 5-8-95; operative 6-7-95 (Register 95, No. 19)

Go BackGo Back to Article 16 Table of Contents