Design Brief: To set-up and safely use an oxy/acetylene torch set.

Context: Safety is first in the workshop. Read and understand all of the safety rules before using any tool or machine.

Possible Solutions: Have instructor demonstrate (mandatory) the tool first. Have another student demonstrate the tool. Read the manual that comes with the tool (mandatory). Ensure that you have been certified “competent” by the instructor before you use the tool (mandatory).

Detail Design: The following are the steps to safe usage of the oxy/acetylene torch set:

1.       Ensure that the work area is clear of hazardous materials (i.e., oil, gas, rags, wood, plastic, etc.)

2.       Put on shielded safety goggles and gloves.

3.       Unwrap the hoses completely so that you have room to work and are working away from the tanks.

4.       Ensure that regulator-adjusting screws are backed off counter clockwise so there is no pressure on the diaphragm.

5.       Ensure that the torch valves are fully closed.

6.       Place your gloved hand over the gauges.

7.       Open the gauges slightly and check that there is pressure in the cylinders.

8.       Listen for leaks. If there are leaks, close valves immediately and inform Mr. Ferguson.

9.       Open the back-seating valves counter clockwise until they are fully open.

10.    Adjust the intermediate pressure using the regulator-adjusting screws for the acetylene according to the pressure chart.

11.    Open the acetylene valve on the torch and fine-tune the regulator adjusting screw (5 psi). Turn off valve.

12.    Adjust the intermediate pressure using the regulator-adjusting screws for the oxygen according to the pressure chart.

13.    Open the oxygen valve on the torch and fine-tune the regulator adjusting screw (35 psi). Turn off valve.

14.    Point the torch in a safe direction before lighting.

15.    Open acetylene valve about a half turn and light using the sparker. Remove smoke by opening the valve more, but do not allow the flame to lift off the tip.

16.    Slowly open the oxygen valve and adjust the flame to a bright inner cone, but no feathers. Depress cutting level (if attached) and further adjust feather to bright inner cone.

17.    To close (remember the rhyme “A before O or up you go”), shut off the acetylene valve. Then shut off the oxygen valve. Then close all tank valves.

18.    Bleed the gas from the lines¾watch all the gauges drop to zero.

19.    Back off regulator adjusting screws counter clockwise so there is no pressure on the diaphragm (do this last!).

20.    Wrap hoses back up.

21.    Put gloves and Goggles away.

Materials: Oxy/acetylene torch set and a sparker.

Commissioning: Were you successful in this project when you tried it out?

Evaluation: Did this project work as you expected it to?

Reflection: Did you enjoy this project? What were you most proud of? What would you do differently next time?