My shop in Raleigh NC had carpeting, only burned a few small holes in it during the 10 years I was there. Not something I would want to deal with again if possible.

The glassblowing thing is really interesting. Here in the Finger lakes of NYS we have one of the nation's better glass producing company, Corning Glass. As a school age kid we visited it a few times and I was always impressed how the glass would flow and stiffen during the process. I still sometimes think about this as I chase filler about a joint.

I don't think i would want my fuel tank to be so far away from the work station. Or if it has to be (to make other's feel safe) at least install a shut off valve at your work station. I have only had to close the fuel tank valve in a hurry once, in hindsight it wasn't really needed but in the moment I was sure glad I could reach that valve quickly. (and this is why one opens the fuel valve only enough to allow full flow and no more.) Andy