Gas Cylinder Storage and Handling
Serious accidents can result from the misuse, abuse, or mishandling
of compressed gas cylinders. Safe procedures for their use
are as follows:
- All compressed gas cylinders in service must be securely
held upright. Fasten them with an approved restraint device
to rigid structures so they will not fall or be knocked
over. For earthquake safety, all cylinders must be
double strapped (Campus two chain standard at 1/3 and 2/3
height of the cylinder).
- Locate cylinders away from pedestrian traffic areas. Make
sure they are in a well ventilated location, at least 20
feet from highly combustible material.
- Keep cylinders out of the direct sun and do not allow
them to be overheated.
- Gas cylinders must be moved by suitable hand trucks to
which they are securely fastened. During movement, cylinder
caps must be in place.
- Cylinders must be legibly marked with the name of the
gas which they contain. This label must be on the shoulder
of the cylinder. A "full/empty" tag is recommended
for each cylinder.
- When cylinders are not being used, cylinder caps must
be in place.
- Poisonous (toxic) gases such as Chlorine, Fluorine,
Carbon Monoxide or Ammonia can pose severe potential
hazards to personnel in and around the area where theses
gases are housed. As a result, special storage and
handling measures are required and this includes the usage
of gas cabinets. Cylinders small enough to fit inside of
chemical fume hoods should be used and stored inside of
the hood. Large cylinders used regularly should be used
and stored inside of well ventilated gas cabinets and
supplied with air monitoring and alarm systems.
Revised: 5/29/2009 LL