Gas Cylinders Standard Operating Procedures

• All personnel who will be working in areas where compressed gases are used or stored must receive instructions regarding the safe handling of cylinders, emergency and evacuation procedures, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, and those steps which may be necessary to be taken in the event of a leak or fire in or nearby the work area.
• Do not remove any labels or other form of identification from any gas cylinder.
• Know how to detect the presence of leaks from any gas cylinder in your work area. Of particular importance are flammable and toxic gases. Contact Environmental Safety Services on campus at 542-5801 in the event of a cylinder or valve leak.

  Gas Cylinder Storage and Labeling

1. When receiving a gas cylinder do not accept it until the following items are verified:
   1. The contents are identified either by labels or stencils,
   2. It contains the appropriate DOT label,
   3. It contains a valve protection cap (if so designed),
   4. It is labeled with the current hydrostatic test date (if applicable).  
   
   
2. Store gas cylinders in a well-ventilated area. All cylinders must be stored in a secured upright position to a sturdy permanent structure to prevent the cylinder from falling or being knocked over. Gas mixtures should be stored in accordance with their physical and chemical properties. See material safety data sheets for specifics with regards to this information.  All Gas cylinders should be anchored individually.
   
   
3. All gas cylinders must be labeled as to their status - "Full", "In Use", or "Empty". Contact Environmental Safety Services for copies of labels. Store "empty" and "full" gas cylinders separately. Cylinders are considered "empty" if their pressure is less than 25 psig. All cylinders will be considered "full" that are not properly identified.
   
   
4. Place protective caps on those cylinders which are not in use.
   
   
5. Separate flammable gases from oxidizing gases when storing them. Oxygen containers should be separated from flammable gas by a minimum distance of 20 feet or a non-combustible barrier of 5 feet high with a fire resistant rating of hour should separate the cylinders.
   
   
6. Cylinders of all gases having a Health Hazard rating of 3 or 4 (or 2 with no physiological warning properties) must be kept in a continuously mechanically ventilated hood or other continuously mechanically ventilated enclosure. There must be no more than three cylinders of gases with Health Hazard ratings of 3 or 4 per hood or other ventilated enclosure. Contact Environmental Safety Services if you have questions regarding the storage of cylinders in continuously mechanically ventilated enclosures.
   
   
7. Cylinders containing gases that are corrosive to cylinders or cylinder valves or that may become unstable while stored in the cylinder shall have a maximum retention period of six months, unless a shorter period is otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
   
   
8. Gas cylinders stored for more than 36 months should be discarded.
   
   
9. Pick up and delivery of gas cylinders needs to be at a properly covered, racked storage area. Identify all areas where oxidizing gases are stored with a sign stating the chemical name and the hazard associated with the gases which are being stored.
   
   
10. Do not store gas cylinders near elevators, ventilating systems, or other openings through which gas may spread to other parts of the building if a leak should occur. Do not store them where there is a risk of dropping them or having heavy objects fall on them or where they may be struck by a vehicle.
    
    
11. Cylinders in laboratory work areas containing oxygen, flammable gas, liquefied flammable gas, and with a Health Hazard rating of 3 or 4 shall comply with the quantities in Table 8.2. (NFPA 45, 8-2.6). See Below.

    Table 8.2: Maximum Quantity and Size Limitations for Compressed or Liquefied Gas Cylinders in Laboratory Work Areas. See NFPA 45 for more details.
    

  Proper Handling of Gas Cylinders

1. Prior to connecting a regulator, open the gas cylinder valve slightly and then immediately close it to blow out dirt or debris from the valve assembly. Aim the valve away from the operator and any other personnel present during this operation.
   
   
2. Always open cylinder valves slowly. Never force the valve open. If the valve cannot be opened by the wheel or small wrench provided, return the gas cylinder. To shut down a system, close the cylinder valve and relieve the pressure from the entire system through a hose that is not being used.
   
   
3. Never interchange regulators and hose lines among different types of gases.
   
   
4. Always turn off cylinders from the main stem valve (not the regulator). Turn off any cylinder slowly.
   
   
5. Suitable equipment must be available for moving cylinders and other portable containers. Hand trucks must be equipped with a clamp or chain to secure the container in place or they must be specifically designed for container handling. Never drag, roll, or slide a cylinder in an attempt to move it.
   
   
6. Never drop cylinders; never permit cylinders to strike each other; and never strike cylinders with a metal instrument.