GENERATION OF ACETYLENE GAS (15-26-330 et seq.)

Municipal Code of Chicago tit. 15, ch. 15-26, art. IV

in effect

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-330 Exceptions to regulations.

15-26-330 Exceptions to regulations. The provisions of this chapter relating to the generation of acetylene gas shall not apply to portable generators used exclusively for lighting, to generators used in connection with vehicle lighting, or to plants devoted to the manufacture and compression of dissolved acetylene for sale purposes. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-340 Prohibited in buildings with sleeping accommodations.

15-26-340 Prohibited in buildings with sleeping accommodations. No acetylene generator shall be permitted in a building having sleeping accommodations. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-350 Marking of generators.

15-26-350 Marking of generators. Acetylene generators shall be plainly marked with the maximum rate in cubic feet of acetylene per hour for which they are designed, the amount of carbide necessary for a single charge, the manufacturer's name and address, and the name and number or the type of machine. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-360 Warning and instruction cards - Posting requirements.

15-26-360 Warning and instruction cards - Posting requirements. Printed warning and instruction cards provided by the maker shall be posted in a conspicuous position near the acetylene generator so that the operator may consult them conveniently from time to time. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-370 Repairs - Lighting requirements.

15-26-370 Repairs - Lighting requirements. Any necessary repairs to the generator system shall be made during daylight hours by natural light, or by the fixed lights in the generator room. The use of portable lights is strictly prohibited. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-380 Appliances - Maintenance and installation.

15-26-380 Appliances - Maintenance and installation. All blowtorches, regulators and other appliances shall be maintained in good condition at all times. No appliances shall be installed in any line which causes or allows the mixture of air or other oxygen carrier with acetylene, except directly at the torch or burner. The use of an expansion tank or tanks in any part of the system is prohibited. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-390 Housing of generators.

15-26-390 Housing of generators. Stationary acetylene gas generators shall be installed in a suitable building which shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the building provisions of this Code applicable to buildings housing such apparatus. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-400 Piping and relief valves.

15-26-400 Piping and relief valves. The connections from generators to service pipes shall be made with right and left thread nipples or long thread nipples with locknuts or approved unions. Unions depending on gaskets to make tight are prohibited in pipe sizes under two and one-half inches. Piping shall be arranged so that any moisture will drain to the generator, drip pots or seals. Each generator shall be provided with a gas escape or relief pipe to take care of over- or after-generation. Such gas escape or relief pipes shall be of galvanized iron of the following sizes: Size of Machine (pounds) | Minimum Diameter of Pipe Up to 25 inclusive | 3/4 inch 26 to 100 inclusive | 1 1/4 inch 101 to 200 inclusive | 1 1/4 inch Over 200 | 1 1/2 inch The relief pipe shall be made as short and as free from bends as practicable. However, if it is more than 50 feet in length or has more than four right-angle bends, a pipe of one size larger than that required by this table shall be used. It shall be substantially installed without traps and in such manner that any condensation will drain back to the generator or its component parts. It shall be carried to a suitable point outside the building and shall terminate in an approved hood or bend at least 12 feet above the ground and remote from windows or other openings into buildings, and shall be so constructed that it cannot be obstructed by rain, snow, ice, insects or birds. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-410 Water supply connections.

15-26-410 Water supply connections. In cases where the generators are supplied with water from city mains or house pipes, and where dangerous pressures might be built up, no direct pipe connection with the generator shall be permitted. In such cases the supply pipe shall terminate some distance above the regularly provided opening for filling, so that water can be observed as it enters the generator. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-420 Drain connections.

15-26-420 Drain connections. Machines of carbide-feed type shall not be fitted with continuous drain connections leading to sewers, but shall discharge into suitable open receptacles which may have such connections. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-430 Gasometers.

15-26-430 Gasometers. Gasometers, if used, shall be of the liquid-sealed inverted bell type, of such design that a pressure in excess of 15 pounds cannot be obtained. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-440 Portable generator - Defined.

15-26-440 Portable generator - Defined. "Portable generator" means an acetylene generator of not more than 30 pounds carbide capacity, which has been approved for portable use by the Underwriters Laboratories and included in the "List of Inspected Gas, Oil and Miscellaneous Appliances" dated November, 1973, of low-pressure and medium pressure acetylene generators. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-450 Portable generator - Permit required.

15-26-450 Portable generator - Permit required. Portable generators shall not be installed or used inside of buildings unless a permit for such use in said location shall first be secured from the fire commissioner. It shall be the duty of the fire commissioner to inspect the premises wherein such generator is to be used, before issuing such permit. The person applying for a permit shall pay the comptroller a fee of $3.00 for such inspection. Should the inspection show compliance with the provisions of this section, the fire commissioner shall issue a permit for such installation and use. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616; Amend Coun. J. 11-16-11, p. 13798, Art. I, § 11; Amend Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 150)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-460 Portable generator - Prohibited locations.

15-26-460 Portable generator - Prohibited locations. Portable generators shall not be used in rooms of total volume less than 35 times the nominal aggregate gas-generating capacity per hour of all such generators in the room. Portable generators shall not be used in any room containing flammable liquids or gases, or in which any dust-producing process is carried on, or in which any highly combustible or explosive materials are contained. Portable generators shall not be used in any poorly ventilated room. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-470 Fire prevention and safety procedures.

15-26-470 Fire prevention and safety procedures. Before any cutting or welding process, the floor shall be swept clean and, if of wood, shall be sprinkled with water. The scene of such work shall be inspected 30 minutes after every cutting or welding operation and all smoldering sparks shall be extinguished. Extra gas cylinders shall not be stored in the same room in which a portable generator is used. Generators shall be cleaned and recharged and the air mixture shall be blown off outside of the building. Generators, when charged, shall not be moved by crane or derrick. When not in use they shall not be stored in any room in which open lights or fires are used unless free of carbide and thoroughly purged of gas. Storage rooms for portable generators shall be thoroughly ventilated. Cutting and welding operations shall not be carried on within ten feet of any combustible material other than the floor. Generators shall not be placed where water will freeze. Salt or other corrosive chemicals shall not be used as a protection against freezing. Not more than one cutting or welding flame shall be used with any portable generator unless permanently attached and piped as required under Section 15-26-480 for semiportable installations. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-480 Portable generators - Installation requirements.

15-26-480 Portable generators - Installation requirements. Portable generators shall not be installed in a permanent or semipermanent location unless provided with vent and relief piping, equipped with approved interlocking devices, to the open air outside of buildings. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-490 Fire extinguishers.

15-26-490 Fire extinguishers. One or more standard fire extinguishers shall be located in a readily accessible position not more than 50 feet from the scene of every gas cutting or welding operation. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-500 Tanks and containers - Cutting and welding restrictions.

15-26-500 Tanks and containers - Cutting and welding restrictions. Gas cutting or welding operations upon tanks or containers which have at any time contained flammable liquids or gases is prohibited unless such tanks or containers shall first be purged of gas and heat-treated in the open air outside of buildings. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-510 Calcium carbide - Storage.

15-26-510 Calcium carbide - Storage. Calcium carbide in quantities not to exceed 600 pounds may be stored, when contained in approved metal packages, inside of buildings used for other purposes; provided, that the place of storage be dry, waterproof and well ventilated; and provided, also, that all but one of the packages of each size of carbide shall be sealed and the seals shall not be broken so long as there is carbide in excess of one pound in any other unsealed package in the building. Calcium carbide in excess of 600 pounds shall be stored in accordance with the building provisions of this Code. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-520 Disposal of calcium carbide residuum.

15-26-520 Disposal of calcium carbide residuum. In any plant for the manufacture of acetylene gas, provisions shall be made for the disposal of the residuum of calcium carbide outside the building and without discharging into any drain or sewer. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Municipal Code of Chicago § 15-26-530 Liquefied acetylene prohibited.

15-26-530 Liquefied acetylene prohibited. The manufacture, transportation, storage, sale or use of liquefied acetylene is hereby prohibited within the corporate limits of the city. (Coun. J. 12-9-92, p. 25465; Amend Coun. J. 2-7-96, p. 15616)

Source: City of Chicago, Municipal Code of Chicago (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2679198Fetched: 10/24/2026