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Safety and HealthFact Sheet No. 30 April 2014 © 2014 American Welding Society

Cylinders: Safe Storage, Handling, and Use

American Welding Society8669 Doral Blvd.Doral, Florida 33166E-mail: [email protected]://www.aws.org

Fact Sheet No. 30 – 04/14

AWS disclaims liability for any injury to persons or to property, or other damages of any naturewhatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectlyresulting from the publication, use of, or reliance on this information. AWS also makes noguaranty or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.

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INTRODUCTION

To use compressed gas cylinders safely, itis important that they are stored properly,handled correctly, used with the correctequipment, and that the properties of thegases they contain are fully understood.

OVERVIEW OF CYLINDER PHYSICAL

HAZARDS

Physical Damage: Cylinders, with theirhigh internal pressure [up to 2,500 poundsper square inch gauge (psig)], are veryhazardous when exposed to damage fromfalling over or tipping, heat, electric circuits,motion, or vibration – anything that cancause a weakness or crack in the cylinderwall or shell. Such damage can cause thecylinder to rupture and explode sending

sharp metal pieces, like shrapnel, blastingthrough the area.

Valve Hazard: The CGA (in Pamphlet V-1)has established a 0.300 inch (7.62 mm)maximum valve inlet diameter as arequirement to minimize the propulsioneffect in case the valve is severed. Thisstandard has the exception of valves usedin liquefied gas services and fire controlsystems. Special design requirements and

unique applications such as fire controlsystems, which require a “high blow downflow”, may dictate greater diameters. Theactual outcome of a broken off valvedepends on the design and pressure of the

valve and cylinder. If the valve is brokenoff and the valve inlet opening meets theCompressed Gas Association (CGA)requirements, the cylinder will rapidlyrelease all its gas (which could be a healthand/or flammability concern), cause awhistling sound, and possibly spinuncontrollably. If the valve inlet opening isdifferent from the standard hole size used

in most welding gases, such as those usedfor propane or butane and fire protectionsystem cylinders, the cylinders may takeoff and become airborne. You can checkthis size matter by being sure the cylindermeets all V-1 requirements.

Tipping and Falling: The most commonmajor hazard is having a cylinder tip overor fall on you or another nearby worker.Since cylinders are heavy and awkward to

handle, they require special care andequipment in handling and securing sothey don’t fall or tip over and cause injury.

Valve Leakage: Cylinder valves can leak,causing their contents to discharge. Tominimize hazards from leaks, use properventilation and storage.

OVERVIEW OF CYLINDER CONTENTSHAZARDS

Read, understand, and follow the markingson the cylinder, the label(s) on the cylinder,and the safety data sheet (SDS). Eachcompressed gas cylinder has unique

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hazards based on contents. Some arefilled with inert gases – especially thoseused in arc welding. Many gases areflammable, explosive, toxic, or acombination. Common compressed gases

include acetylene, carbon dioxide, argon,hydrogen, nitrogen, air, propane, andoxygen.

HOW TO STORE CYLINDERS

Store cylinders upright and secure themwith a chain, strap, or cable to astationary building support or to a propercylinder cart to prevent them fromtipping or falling.

Completely close the valves, and keepthe valve protection devices, such ascaps or guards, securely in place.

Store cylinders in a dry, well-ventilatedarea at least 20 feet from combustiblematerials. Do not keep cylinders inlockers. If they leak, a buildup offlammable or other types of gases canoccur inside the locker.

Mark the storage area with properprecautionary signs, such as flammable,oxidizer, or toxic.

Place them in a location where they willnot be subject to mechanical or physicaldamage, heat, or electrical circuits toprevent possible explosion or fire. Keepcylinders away from vehicle traffic.

Store empty cylinders separate from fullones.

Keep oxygen cylinders 20 feet awayfrom fuel-gas cylinders, such as

acetylene, or separate them with a non-combustible barrier (such as a wall) atleast 5 feet high with a fire-resistancerating of at least one-half hour.

HOW TO TRANSPORT CYLINDERS

Most accidents or injuries involvingcylinders happen when moving orhandling the gas cylinders.

Use the right equipment, correctprocedures, and sufficient number ofpersons to lift and move cylinders toavoid personal injury and cylinderdamage.

Wear protective footwear, safetyglasses, and heavy gloves.

Securely install the valve protectiondevices, such as caps or guards.

Secure cylinders upright to a properhand truck or cylinder cart designed forthe purpose.

Don't drag or roll them – use a properlydesigned cart or hand truck.

When using a crane, be sure to useproper cradles, nets, boats, or specialplatforms designed for this purpose toprevent cylinders from falling.

Prevent damage – handle carefully –avoid dropping or banging them.

Do not lift by the protective cap/guard oruse magnets or slings to lift or movethem since valves may be damaged orsheared off.

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HOW TO USE CYLINDERS

Follow the instructions in theCompressed Gas Association (CGA)publication P-1, “Safe Handling ofCompressed Gases in Cylinders.” (Thephone number and web site of the CGA

are located at the end of this sheet inthe Information Sources Section.) Don'ttamper with safety devices.

Keep cylinders upright and away fromheat, sparks, fire, physical damage, orelectrical circuits to avoid rupture.

Use in a well-ventilated area to avoidgas accumulation.

Do not bring cylinders into a confinedspace to avoid inhaling the gas andpossible suffocation from theaccumulation of flammable, toxic, orreactive gases.

Read, understand, and follow allcylinder markings and labels to avoidmisuse.

Before connecting a regulator, stand to

one side, and momentarily open thevalve and then close it immediately. Thisprocedure, called “cracking” the valve, isdone to clear the valve of dust or dirtthat could enter the regulator.

Open valves slowly by hand to avoidgauge damage. If a specific tool isrequired to open the valve, leave it inposition so that the flow of gas can bestopped quickly in an emergency.

Lift and move cylinders properly.

Close the gas cylinder valves when notin use such as during breaks, lunch, orend-of-shift to avoid leaks.

Avoid getting any oil or grease on thecylinders or regulators/gauges,particularly those containing oxygen, to

avoid fire or explosion.

Storage is not required for singlecylinders of fuel gas and oxygen readyfor use with regulators attached securedto a proper cart.

HOW TO MAINTAIN THEM

Protect the markings on cylinders thatidentify the contents, and mark the

full/empty status on cylinders (do notuse color to identify contents). Mark allempty cylinders (some companies use"MT").

Don't use the recessed top of thecylinder as a storage area for tools ormaterial.

If cylinders are leaking, isolate themoutdoors and away from sparks or heat.

Call your gas supplier to send qualifiedpeople to take care of the problem –don’t try any repairs yourself. Tagleaking cylinders.

Never mix gases in a cylinder or try torefill a cylinder – always contact yourgas supplier.

SUMMARY

Even though high-pressure, compressedgas cylinders are near or part of mostwelding and cutting operations, they areused safely everyday by many peoplethroughout the world. To prevent injury,

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always store, handle, use, and maintainthem properly. Treat them with the respectthey deserve.

INFORMATION SOURCES

American National Standards Institute(ANSI). Safety in Welding, Cutting, and

Allied Processes, Z49.1, available from American Welding Society, 8669 DoralBlvd., Doral, FL 33166; Web site:www.aws.org.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Code of FederalRegulations, Title 29 Labor, Part 1910,available from the U.S. Government

Printing Office, 732 North Capitol StreetNW, Washington, DC 20401; telephone:800-321-6742; Web site: www.osha.gov.

Compressed Gas Association (CGA). SafeHandling of Compressed Gases inCylinders, CGA Pamphlet P-1 (and V-1),from Compressed Gas Association, 1735Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1004,

Arlington, VA 22202-4102; telephone: 703-412-0900; Web site: www.cganet. com.

National Fire Protection Association(NFPA). Standard for Fire PreventionDuring Welding, Cutting and Other HotWork (NFPA 51B), available from NationalFire Protection Association, 1Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101; telephone: 800-344-3555; Web site:www.nfpa.org).

Barlen, Bill. “The Significance of the Zero

Point Three Hundred Hole.” Specialty GasReport, Vol. 6, No. 2, Second Quarter2003; Web site: www.specgasreport.com.

Barlen, Bill. “Follow-up on the Linde Hole.Plus, Where Did the Three Pounds Go?”Specialty Gas Report, Vol. 6, No. 3, ThirdQuarter 2003; Web site:www.specgasreport.com.

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