Is a circulating water cooling tower considered a confined space?
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Our company needs to replace the packing in its circulating water cooling tower, and we are required to obtain a permit for working in a confined space. Does a circulating water cooling tower count as a confined space?
I don’t think so; what kind of confined space is one with natural ventilation from above and below?
Under normal operating conditions, the circulating water tower does not contain flammable gases or toxic gases. However, if there is a leak in the process cooler, it may lead to the presence of such gases in the circulating water pipelines. Since maintenance work involving the replacement of packing is being carried out, there is a risk of flammable and toxic gases; it is recommended to go through the necessary procedures and take appropriate measures before proceeding with the work
Working inside a semi-enclosed cooling tower constitutes work in a confined space, and from a compliance perspective, it is necessary to obtain the required permits in advance.
Physical conditions: A space is considered a confined space if it meets the following physical conditions (all 3 of the following must be satisfied): a) There is sufficient space for employees to enter and carry out the specified tasks； b) Access and evacuation are restricted, preventing free entry and exit ； c) It is not designed for employees to work inside for long periods of time. Hazardous characteristics (meeting any one or more of the following): a) Presence of, or potential generation of, toxic and harmful gases ； b) Materials present or likely to generate material that buries entrants ； c) The internal structure may trap entrants inside (e.g., with fixed equipment inside or walls that slope inward) ； d) There are identified health and safety risks.
8th floor is correct. This definitely counts.
Confined spaces refer to the interiors of various equipment in factories (such as furnaces, tower bottoms, tanks, silos, ponds, tank trucks, pipes, flues, etc.), as well as enclosed or semi-enclosed facilities and areas in cities (including factories) such as tunnels, sewers, ditches, pits, wells, ponds, culverts, valve rooms, and sewage treatment facilities (such as ship cabins, underground structures, sealed containers, facilities that are not in use for long periods, or areas with poor ventilation). In short, any equipment, facility, or area with poor ventilation that can lead to the accumulation of toxic and harmful gases as well as oxygen deficiency is referred to as a confined space (a space with restricted access). Work carried out in such confined spaces is known as confined space work. This belongs to it.