do we need to permit and test soda lines??

[cda]

SAVANNAH, Ga. --

Carbon dioxide piped through gas lines to a soda fountain leaked in a McDonald's in Georgia and sickened 10 people, including a woman who later died after being found unconscious in a restroom, police said Wednesday.

Investigators determined a leaky gas line between the walls caused the gas, used to pump carbonation into sodas, to build up a week ago to the point where people inside were unable to breathe.

"It caused what is normally a harmless gas to be pumped into the wall cavity and leak into the women's restroom," said Pooler Police Chief Mark Revenew. "At a high level of concentration, it displaces oxygen."

Firefighters were called Sept. 7 to the restaurant in Pooler, about 10 miles west of Savannah, and two women were found unconscious in a restroom. They were later admitted to a Savannah hospital, where eight others from the restaurant were treated and released. Eighty-year-old Anne Felton of Ponte Vedra, Fla., died the next day.

Investigators initially suspected customers fell ill to noxious fumes from cleaning chemicals. An autopsy found no trace of chemicals in Felton, Revenew said, but it indicated she succumbed to asphyxiation.

The restaurant's franchisees, John and Monique Palmaccio, said in a statement they "are committed to running safe, welcoming restaurants."

"We worked closely with the authorities to determine the cause of this incident and we've taken action to correct the situation," the statement said.

The police chief said the owners had replaced the soda fountain's gas lines and valves and were allowed to reopen the restaurant.

"At this point we don't anticipate criminal charges," Revenew said. "It just appears to be a mistake."

The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration is also investigating. OSHA investigators were conducting interviews last week, looking into possible workplace safety violations.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

 

[north star]

* * * *

"Do we need to permit and test soda lines?"

IMO, based upon one accident / mishap, I would say no!.....Have there been more?* * * *

 

[permitguy]

I read another article that basically said they were stumped until they got a call from Phoenix FD, who informed them of a similar incident and prompted them to investigate the CO2 angle. It's difficult to say how many such incidents there have been. Even if the FD gets called, who knows how/if they're coding this in NFIRS? I'm sure it's wildly inconsistent.

Detectors could be of some help. Either way, I don't see an amendment passing until the problem is more widespread and better documented.

 

[Papio Bldg Dept]

No, Building Departments do not need to issue permits and test co2 soda lines. What code would we use to regulate that as a building department? Shall all wall cavity installations be required to be encased in a pvc piping? Do we require nail guards/plates? What ASTM testing methods do we use for platic tubing? Do we do a 10' water column test?

I believe it would be a reasonable option for Health Departments to regulate their installation and maintenance, but not applicable to ICC Building codes.

 

[brudgers]

No, Building Departments do not need to issue permits and test co2 soda lines. What code would we use to regulate that as a building department? Shall all wall cavity installations be required to be encased in a pvc piping? Do we require nail guards/plates? What ASTM testing methods do we use for platic tubing? Do we do a 10' water column test? I believe it would be a reasonable option for Health Departments to regulate their installation and maintenance, but not applicable to ICC Building codes.

All sorts of industrial gas installations are regulated...not to mention medical gas requirements. However, Soda Machines and their appurtenances must be listed and installed in accordance with their listing per the IMC.

 

[north star]

@ @ @ @



From the 2006 IPMC: "102.2 Maintenance.



Equipment, systems, devices and safeguards required by this code

or a previous regulation or code under which the structure or

premises was constructed, altered or repaired shall be maintained

in good working order.... No owner, operator or occupant shall

cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required

under this section to be removed from or shut off from or

discontinued for any occupied dwelling, except for such temporary

interruption as necessary while repairs or alterations are in progress.

The requirements of this code are not intended to provide the basis

for removal or abrogation of fire protection and safety systems

and devices in existing structures..........Except as otherwise specified

herein, the owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be

responsible for the maintenance of buildings, structures and

premises."

# # # #

 

[cda]

* * * *IMO, based upon one accident / mishap, I would say no!.....Have there been more?

* * * *

They took regulated anti freeze , for sprinkler systemswith one maybe two incidents

 

[Oldfieldguy]

It's not piping or tubing. It's a hose. It would be a stretch but it could be regulated under the IFC compressed gas provisions, although I believe that since its operating at less than 15 PSIG, it's outside the scope of the IFC.