Storing and Handling Gas Cylinders
Many welding and cutting processes require the use of compressed gases, either for shielding or for fuel. These gases are stored under high pressure, upwards of 200 Bar or 200 times atmospheric pressure, and as such they must be treated with care. If a gas cylinder becomes damaged, the risk of explosion increases which is a situation that all welders want to avoid. Even though the potential danger exists, the threat can be easily mitigated with the proper storage and handling of gas cylinders. Putting these simple measures in place and monitoring their implementation on an ongoing basis is the first important step in creating a safe working environment both for you and your employees.
Types of Compressed Gases
Different types of gases have some variable requirements but many procedures are consistent for all tanks of gas. Common gases used in welding and cutting in argon, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, helium, acetylene, propylene, and propane. Some of these are toxic, some flammable, and others are both.
When in need of compressed gases, always buy from a certified dealer like WeldingGas.ie to be sure that the cylinders you purchase are in good working order. Additionally, when tanks are empty they should be returned to the same dealer of purchase for refills. Buying gas from a trustworthy source is the first step toward a safe and successful project, but once the cylinders are in your possession, they must be treated with respect.
Storage of Gas Cylinders
Cylinders should be stored upright in a dry and well-ventilated space. Also, they should be secured with a strap, chain, or rope to prevent them from tipping or falling.
The storage area should be far from vehicle traffic, combustible materials, heat sources, and electrical circuits. These are precautions to help limit the chance of fire or the build-up of toxic fumes in case of a leak. At WeldingGas.ie, we store our gas cylinders in an outdoor cages for total ventilation and security against accidental damage.
Always keep valves closed and safety guards in place when cylinders are not in use. Another guideline is to store empty tanks separately from full ones and remember that oxygen cylinders must be stored apart from oxy-fuel tanks, either by a distance of at least 20 ft. or with a 5ft. fire resistant wall in between.
Handling Gas Cylinders
Moving gas cylinders is the most common way for tanks to become damaged, so proper handling techniques are vital to safety. Workers should always wear protective clothing including gloves, boots, and safety glasses when moving gas cylinders. Never roll cylinders or drag them across the floor. Instead, use proper lifting techniques or gently load the cylinders onto a bottle handling trolley to facilitate the move.
Again, the goal is to prevent damaging the tanks in any way. However, if a tank is damaged and begins to leak, call your supplier immediately, do not attempt to fix the tank yourself.
Final Tips
When the gas cylinder is in place, it should be secured to prevent tipping while in use. Before connecting the regulator, briefly open the valve to clear it of any particles and then proceed as usual. Compressed gas cylinders are an important part of welding and cutting, and with proper storage and handling, they are also relatively safe.
- Store in a well ventilated and secure area
- Protect from the extremes of the weather.
- Do not allow bottles to be dragged - Always use a dolly
- Wear gloves and safety glasses as standard for handling bottles
- Use a bottle trolley for moving bottles
- When de-icing the area around bottles during cold weather do not allow chemicals near bottles
- Same for any other chemicals
- As with all stock keep older stock to the front of storage to cause good stock rotation
- If discharging gas to clear a valve, only do outside and away from other people
- Use gas contents label to identify gas contents
- The colour coding on a bottle is secondary gas identification
- Do not refill bottles from other bottles
- Never attempt to fit an incorrect regulator to a bottle
- Store combustible gases (Propylene & Acetylene) separately from Oxygen
- Gas storage area should be fully secure at all times
- Only authorized persons should have access to the gas storage area.
