Compressed Gas Safety Safety

Compressed Gas Safety

Compressed gasses are used in many ways. This includes Calibration Gas, Welding Gasses (Oxygen and Acetylene), Nitrogen, for back up evacuation warning systems and many other uses.

Hazards Associated with Compressed Gas Cylinders:

  • Products may be flammable, inert and even toxic.
  • Cylinders contents are under high pressure ( 500psi to 4500psi)
  • Cylinder can weigh up to a 150 pounds or even more.
  • If dropped or stored near heat the cylinder can become an flying projectile

 

Handling Compressed Gas Cylinders

  • Cylinders must be transported in the upright position. (Excluding SCBA and Escape Air cylinders)
  • Cylinders shall not be dragged, rolled or slid, even for a short distance
  • Never drop cylinders or permit them to strike each other violently
  • Cylinders shall never be used for rollers, supports or for any other purpose than to hold gas

Storage of Compressed Gas Cylinders

  • Cylinder storage racks shall be constructed of non-combustible material and shall protect cylinders from ground dampness
  • Cylinders shall be stored standing upright, and secured above the vertical centreline
  • Cylinders shall be protected from temperature rise by storing them away from sources of heat, such as furnaces.
  • Cylinders shall be stored with caps in place (except for cluster skids, where the bottles are hooked up to a cluster manifold).
  • Oxygen and other oxidizers shall be stored a minimum of twenty feet from flammable gas cylinders