Rexarc Technical Sales Helps With Safety

A safety problem was discovered during a recent visit to a customer's facility by Rexarc National Sales Manager, George Lindley. The company was installing a manifold and pipeline system for oxygen and another system for acetylene. The contractor used copper for both the oxygen and acetylene pipelines. Unfortunately, neither the customer nor the contractor knew that copper and acetylene will react with each other to form acetylides which are very unstable and combustible.

NFPA 51 advises that pipelines shall be made of steel. They do not offer an alternative to this recommendation. The MSDS for acetylene also advises against the use of copper.

Although Rexarc International promotes the sale of manifolds, pipelines, and drops to their distributors and customers, they really provide a service and promote safety through their technical knowledge regarding concerns around fuel gases such as Acetylene and Natural Gas.