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I Forge Iron

Natural gas forges, fire code and insurance


sskalko

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I am looking for some help with a forge issue of a non-technical nature.

 

I am a member of a Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) makers space aptly named the Twin Cities Makers. Our landlord is relucant to allow us to have a forge which is a shame because our shop has a 4" natural gas header.

 

I am looking for some help from members of this community that have had to deal with fire code and insurance liabilty associated with having a natural gas forge.

 

I have looked at the NPFA code for non-listed appliance and understand that I will need to have a safety shutoff valve. In my case this will be a fail close solenoid valve from McMaster-Carr that is specifically listed for this purpose. The forge will also have an air flow switch on the blower discharge to close the safety valve on lose of power to the blower. It will also have a "fire eye" to close the safety valve on lose of flame.

 

Since building forges rather than buying a UL listed forge seems to be very common, I assume there is some experience in this community in dealing with fire marshalls and insurance companies.

 

Anyone who could offer any help and advise when dealing with fire inspectors and insurance agent with regards to a homemade natural gas forge would be much appriciated.

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Insurance varies with the provider...some will not insure at all.

Fire code is a complicated issue as well...commercial building, anyone living there?, You could ask the inspector to do a walk through, but I have noticed that NO is the normal answer. I would see how they handle local glass blowers and then note to them that your furnace will not run 24/7.

You say the landlord is "reluctant".....sounds like a hurdle.

 

as to the 4" line...what pressure? at low pressures (say 3"  W.C. water column) you would need a large line to get the BTU needed. It is done of course.

You will most likely need hard pipe lines to the forge.

Think about ventilation (vent and make-up air) as well....code for that is another issue.

 

Ric

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The main issue will be with perceptions, and with the fact of a yellow hot peice of steel. A demonstration of a gas forge will show the fire martial that its not an insurmountable obstetrical in and of its self. No worse than a commercial kitchen. The thing that gets you in trouble is "forge" is an industrial tool to most. In your case its a tool for an artist.

 

As to the gas line. Gas delivered to a home or building is regulated down, so you either need a blown forge or a high pressure tap.

 

Look at code for blacksmiths, forges, welding shops, glass blowers, jewelers, and kitchens. In fact some restaurants use charcoal in open hearths and ovens.

You have to do your home work, and show them how it has been done in other places. And give them examples of simulare hazards and how they are abated in their jurisdiction.

 

Be prepared, have your belt and suspenders on. Expect the insurance company (yours and the property owners) as well as the fire martial and building code inspector to have crazy, unreasonable additions.

Around here we have grocery stores and some restaurants thet have commercial smokers built on covered trailers in the parking lot. Might be an option for you.

Sorry for being long winded.
Think of the advertising of you setting up in the parking lot, local craft show, gallery opening, etc

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