Gas cylinder safety is based on the experiences of various industries, and provides valuable advice for the safe handling of gas cylinder safety precautions in the workplace. Before handling the gases, in all situations, the corresponding Safety Data Sheet must be carefully read and understood. Current legislation must always be respected, as well as standards and regulations.
Gas properties
Before handling a gas, you need to know its specific properties: for example, whether it is flammable, oxidizing, toxic, corrosive, mutagenic, or dangerous to the environment. Some gases possess several of these properties at the same time. Inert gases can displace oxygen from the air, causing an asphyxiation effect.
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What are the safety measures taken for gas cylinder?
Compressed gas containers should always be stored in an adequately ventilated place. This is normally assured if they are stored outside. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
Interior installations must ensure sufficient and permanent ventilation, for which there must be openings or holes with direct communication to the outside, conveniently distributed in high and low areas. Storage areas must be protected from access by unauthorized personnel. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
Flammable gases must be stored in specific areas separated by protective walls or maintaining safety distances from the rest of the stored gases. In closed rooms, the use of sensors for monitoring the ambient air is recommended. The installation of the sensors must comply with the properties of the gas. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
In the case of those gases that are lighter than air, the sensors must be fixed in the highest part, and for those that are heavier than air, in the lowest part of the enclosure. By comparison, sensors for oxygen monitoring show the presence of a breathable atmosphere.
Compressed gas containers must not be stored in busy streets, garages, galleries, corridors, stairwells or, in particular, emergency exits. The containers must be placed in a vertical position and protected to prevent them from falling.
Compressed gases in a liquid state present the danger of the cylinder valve being ejected. Cylinders should be allowed to stand for sufficient time before use and should be purged before making a connection to the pressure regulator.
Compressed gas containers must not be stored near flammable substances (paper, wood, flammable liquids, etc.); in such cases, certain safety distances must be maintained. It should also be protected from natural elements (rain, snow, etc.) and solar radiation. Distances to heat sources must be large enough to keep the surface temperature of compressed gas containers below 50°C. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
Use of containers
Gases have become essential for a wide variety of applications ranging from technical gases for welding, high purity gases and their mixtures for research and analysis, to medical gases for hospitals. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
Generally, only properly trained personnel should be allowed to handle pressurized gas containers. The training should be repeated regularly, at least once a year.
In particular, the following rules of conduct must be observed:
- Obtain information on individual parameters such as pressure, and maximum dischargeable quantity (for example, in the case of liquid gases under pressure described below, flammability, toxicity, explosion limits, material compatibility, and possible reactions); perform a risk assessment and prepare work instructions.
- Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety shoes and gloves.
- Transport compressed gas containers with their valves closed and the cap properly screwed on (without connection accessories).
- Use only appropriate vehicles for transportation. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
- Only the amounts and types of gas required should be supplied to the work area.
- Protect the containers against excessive heating by elements that produce high temperatures or flames. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
- Secure compressed gas containers to prevent falls.
- Before starting any operation (for example, connections to compressed gas containers), check the labels that indicate the risks of the product to fully clarify the types of gases and the concentrations of the mixtures. Existing labelling must not be removed or damaged. Full and empty compressed gas containers should be identified to avoid confusion. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
- Ensure adequate ventilation. In the case of toxic gases, it may be necessary to use an extraction system depending on the density of the gas (heavier or lighter than air).
- Before opening the valve on the compressed gas container, make sure that the discharge/regulation system has been connected correctly and there are no leaks and that it has been bled, if necessary, and that the pressure regulator is expanded. Before initial startup and at regular intervals thereafter, inspect the entire gas supply system for any leaks. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
- To avoid excessive cooling of the cylinder valve and pressure regulator, adjust the amount of discharge to the type of gas and dimensions of the equipment. Large volume discharges require appropriate equipment and possibly a parallel connection of several compressed gas containers or cylinder blocks. Valves that eventually freeze should be slowly thawed.
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Special attention must be paid to the case of compressed gases that liquefy at room temperature: Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
- Evaporation removes heat from the liquid, so the remaining contents of the container are cooled during the discharge process. This leads to a drop in pressure. In large amounts of discharge or long periods of operation, the pressure may drop below atmospheric pressure, after which discharge is no longer possible.
- Heating of a compressed gas container to increase pressure should only be done with a water bath or steam (ensuring that the temperature of the container remains below 50°C). Never heat containers with a flame or with a point source of heat!
- To discharge the gas in liquid form from the compressed gas container, a container equipped with a probe must be used. The liquid is transported either by its vapour pressure or by a cushion of compressed gas. Check with your supplier if such a compressed gas cushion can be used.
How should a gas cylinder be stored?
For the handling of compressed gas containers, the following restrictions apply
- Only authorized companies can fill such containers with gases.
- Compressed gas containers must not be used as storage or collector of products.
- Compressed gas containers connected always experience pressure compensation which can cause impurities as they can enter the containers. Liquid gases accumulate at the point of lowest temperature.
After the completion of the tasks, the following instructions should be followed:
- When finishing or interrupting a job or an activity, always close the valves of the compressed gas containers and release the pressure reducer to avoid uncontrolled pressure rises or gas discharges. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
- Differentiate empty containers to avoid errors. Pressurized containers should never be emptied to the point of full pressure equalization, to avoid an increase in atmospheric air during the return process. Gas cylinder safety, Gas cylinder safety
- Containers that may have been contaminated by impurities through backflow should be clearly labelled accordingly and returned to the distributor along with a note of possible contamination. This will help prevent impure deliveries in the future.
- Compressed gas containers with visible or hidden but known defects should be clearly labelled and returned to the gas manufacturer.
Gases with special properties
Oxygen
Use only suitable and compatible materials for working with oxygen. All system components (especially gauges, fittings, and threaded connections) must be kept free of oil and grease and must be properly labelled. Check the special dangers generated by accumulation in closed places and respect the corresponding regulations.
Flammable and self-igniting gases
There must be no leaks. In particular, explosion protection measures must be implemented. All easily flammable substances must be removed from areas likely to generate a fire source. Before transporting compressed gas containers containing flammable or self-igniting gases, use an inert gas to purge the entire discharge system of air and oxidizing gases.
The reverse applies during shutdown: all waste gases must be diluted, using inert gases, to prevent damage and subsequently disposed of.
Toxic gases
Extreme care is required when handling toxic gases or mixtures containing them. The people in charge of its management must be suitably trained, leaving a record of said training. The number one priority is the absence of leaks in the workplace. Whenever possible, suitably sized extraction systems should be used.
The analyzers to detect or warn about the presence of the gases involved help in the timely detection of dangerous accumulations for the respiratory system.
Self-contained breathing apparatus must be at hand. The purging gas must be obtained from a different bottle to prevent unwanted gases from being introduced into the supply network.
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