If there’s one area of storage that causes problems and worry, then it has to be gas cylinder storage.
Gas cylinders contain highly compressed or liquefied gases, and are therefore potentially flammable and toxic.
They can also be sensitive to other environmental conditions. That’s why it’s imperative that these products are stored safely and securely. To this end the Government and the Health and Safety Executive have produced a series of guidelines and procedures for employers and workers to follow in order to prevent gas leaks or other potential damage that could be caused to gas cylinders and storage facilities. These are the current guidelines for safe gas cylinder storage, though the situation is fluid and may change depending on the circumstances.
Potential Hazards.
Physical damage to a cylinder containing pressurised gases could potentially cause explosions or the leaking of noxious and harmful gases into the surrounding environment. This damage/cracking in the cylinder body could potentially result from exposure to excessive heat, exposure to electric circuits, or from simply toppling over. Since many gases are highly compressed and/or flammable, the sensitivity and likelihood of physical damage can be high: even small vibrations have been found to cause explosions. Therefore it’s critically important to store gas cylinders securely in specially designed units like Monarch Shelving’s powder-coated cylinder cages.
Securing the Cylinders.
The majority of accidents generally happen when unsecured cylinders fall over. It’s important therefore to secure cylinders to a stationary support or to a cart with straps, chains and/or cables. Liquefied flammable gas cylinders must always be stored in an upright position. Valves must always remain closed, and valve protection caps should always remain intact during storage.
Separation of Distinct Gases.
Because the interaction of certain gases can cause combustion, the proper separation of individual gas cylinders is critical. Oxygen cylinders should be stored at a minimum of 25 feet from fuel-gas cylinders, or with a non-combustible wall of at least 5 feet high to isolate the oxygen from other gas cylinders. It is also important to store empty and full cylinders in separate storage areas.
Storage Room Conditions.
A storage room for gas cylinders should be dry, free of possible corrosive contaminants and always well-ventilated. If the cylinder valves are not properly secured during storage, even the smallest gas leak can potentially spread hazardous and combustible fumes. Therefore it is crucial to ensure that the storage facility is properly ventilated and inspected regularly.
Storage Labelling.
The current regulations demand that all stored gas cylinders are clearly labelled. Oxygen cylinders, flammable gas cylinders and liquid nitrogen cylinders all have different chemical properties, so need to be stored differently. Therefore if employers are to ensure optimal safety these gases must be clearly identified and stored in separate compartments. The labels should be durable and located on the shoulder of the cylinder, and should include a tag with the manufacturer’s name, a list of the chemical contents, as well as the dates of use with their corresponding users. Unmarked and ambiguously labelled cylinders must be segregated immediately and reported to the manufacturer so that the contents can be verified.
