When I first started metalsmithing I used a plumbers propane torch
in a rental apartment. These are now sometimes found in the kitchen
to torch bananas and peppers. Is that breaking any law? I don’t think
so.
TL Goodwin
Lapidarian Metalsmith
I'm curious as to why you are so set on an apartment? And, apparently, on being in a major city?
Well Beth, I don’t know why the original poster really wants to live
in a city, but quite frankly it’s a lot greener alternative to living
in the country. City living allows you to have less vehicles, utilize
public transit more fully, and take up less of the environment by not
building houses on our rapidly disappearing land. There was a recent
study done that showed that city dwellers leave a significantly
smaller carbon footprint than country dwellers. And with gas at
$4/gallon who wants to commute back and forth long distances to get
things like groceries or to and from work?
Daniel R. Spirer, G.G.
Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers, LLC
1780 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambrige, MA 02140
your choices are...
There is a fourth, I think…use a microtorch. It uses butane, and
will limit the work you can do somewhat, but it’s an option. (They’re
for using in food prep and such, so there isn’t a lot of issue
surrounding them.)
Kim Paluch
I have watched many theories go past. Let me tell you what I have
done. First, unlike you, I own my property. But read on anyway!
I consulted with the home owner’s insurance company that I had at
the time, and they referred me to the local fire marshal, as has been
already suggested. The insurance agency was happy as long as the
dictates of the fire marshal were followed. The fire marshal in turn
dictated that my FUEL tank (propane) must reside outside, and the
distance it could be from any windows, soffitt vents, foundation
vents, and distance under the overhang of the roof. There was one
good position. Another dictate of the fire marshal was that the
piping for the gas from the outside to the inside be done by a
master plumber (who is licensed for both water and fuel gas). This
was around $150. On the inside, where the pipe and the hose meet,
there is a gas-approved valve which shuts off in a quarter turn. I
use a standard BBQ-style propane tank on the outside, with a standard
BBQ-style regulator with a gauge added. I put a plastic bucket with
aslot cut in it upended over the regulator to protect it. I set the
outside regulator a bit above the highest pressure that is
anticipated. On the inside, after the shut off valve, is another
regulator, this one a welding-type regulator, which is set to the
actual pressure being used. The oxygen is inside, chained off to the
fuel pipe. In practice, I leave the outside fuel regulator alone,
leaving it set, and the tank on all the time. I have had no problem
with the regulator in about ten years. I use two welding-type
regulators on the inside. I turn off the oxygen tank, and the inside
fuel gas shutoff, as well as slackening the regulator settings on
the inside. This setup was approved by the fire marshal, and
recommended by my gas supplier.
First, I feel that if you have home owner’s (tenant’s) insurance,
and they approve your actions with the fire marshal having final
approval, you should be OK if you gather all this before
you actually DO anything, and make a responsible presentation to your
landlord. He would be covered by your insurance, who is in turn
assured by the fire marshal that you have a safe installation. You
must then use your tools in a responsible manner, which you have
already started by asking your questions about gases. I found
dealing with the insurance company and the fire marshal quite easy. I
had my ready, I showed the fire marshal my itty-bitty
torch, and everything went well. Of course, this was for a house, not
an apartment. For apartments, the trend has been to go all-electric
for reasons of safety. Scoping out the insurance company and the fire
marshal requires nothing but time-no expenditure of actual money.
Of course, you can solder with no gas whatsoever! There have been
electrical devices to provide heat for may years. Ask the oldest
jeweler you can find! Some of these devices are still available. I
may even have one in storage. I’m not sure.
The shortcoming of any of the water torches, and the electrical
devices as well, except perhaps the $4000 water torch, is that they
don’t provide enough heat to melt even a small crucible of metal.
Even if you don’t want to do this now, you eventually will!
The point is, even with the problems you have, they are not
insurmountable. You can overcome them, and stay legal. Ask other
artists where they live, and the opinions of their landlords.
Perhaps you can find a landlord who has had a good experience with
another artist. I prefer propane because it is cleaner, and the heat
range seems to fit my work habits better. I have used both, and still
occasionally use acetylene.
Good luck!
I have a question on the same lines as this topic - I recently moved
into a rental house with a garage. Do the rules about torches inside
a home change inside a garage space? I’m wanting to set up my studio
in the garage and have a torch - I had previously just been using a
tiny kitchen butane torch for small jobs underneath the hood over
the stove in my kitchen (we previously lived in an apartment). I have
the valves/hose/etc. for an acetylene torch (not the oxy/aceylene)
because that is what I used in my metalsmithing program at school -
are insurance companies more friendly about acetylene if it is
inside a garage??
Thanks for any advice.
Jen
http://www.jmwjewelry.com
One of the major questions from the fire marshall will be is the
garage attached to the house or is it seperated? Depending on the
fire regulations, you may have to install sprinkler system or some
other form of automatic fire suppression system (halon). btw, halon
is very dangerous for living things as it removes the oxygen from
the atmosphere to smother the fire; but it is very user friendly to
computers as it evaporates and blows away without damaging the
electronic equipment.
John
Firefighter for 17 years, budding gemologist for 40 years.
John Atwell Rasmussen
Rasmussen Gems and Jewelry
www.rasmussengems.com
After all this discussion, and as I just added a Little Smith oxy/
propane torch to my existing acetylene set up, I had my local gas
company come out today, and talked with my insurance agent. The gas
company said it was not legal to have high pressure propane in the
home, and that I should bring it in when I used it, and take it back
out when I finish. (I wanted it piped in from outside - they said no
to that unfortunately). They thought moving it in and out would be
acceptable.
The insurance agent was fine with the acetylene and oxygen in the
studio (mine is cinderblock under the house, partially underground)
and moving the propane in and out. He said he figured it was pretty
equal to someone keeping several cans of gasoline in the house or
garage. They would rather not have any flammables, but can live with
a few carefully stored.
I do have mine in caddies and strapped to a support to prevent
tipping. I also keep an appropriate fire extinguisher easily
reachable.
I feel sure some of the answers will vary depending on where you are
and who you are insured with. Plus I do own my home, so no rental
issues.
Although, as I said earlier, I have a two bedroom two bathroom house
on a pond with dock for rent; torches are fine! If anyone wants to
move to rural South Carolina… don’t all jump at the chance at once
now… The cows are pretty! And the pine trees. And the cows. And
the pine trees. But I already said that…
Beth in SC who can’t wait to get the Little Smith set up and going -
whoopee!
The garage is attached to the house. It’s actually a duplex, but the
shared wall is the garage wall. Would I be better off just soldering
in my yard?? I’m finding out that it’s more of a pain to be a jeweler
at home than I thought…