Over my career in safety I have seen the use of “welding carts” spin out of control as if they are all the “almighty” in fire prevention. These carts can now be purchased with a 30-minute “fire wall” between the fuel gas (e.g. acetylene, propane, etc.) and the oxidizer (e.g. oxygen) and in fact do comply with both OSHA and NFPA storage requirements. But these carts are not keeping up with the newest code requirements and may be on their way out. Many states utilize the International Fire Code (IFC) as a baseline “fire safety code” within their state. The IFC has had a unique separation requirement for fuel gases and oxidizers for several of the last revisions that now make the vast majority of these carts obsolete when it comes to 100% compliance – 100% of the time. Now don’t get me wrong, I am in NO WAY suggesting that we trash our carts today as they still comply with OSHA and NFPA requirements, but just like any other safety/control device – we MUST MANAGE them properly and understand their LIMITATIONS.
Welding Carts and Separating your Flammable gases and Oxidizers (IFC 2015)