Gas Storage Safety
Large quantities of cylinders should be kept in a purpose-designed store or storage area.
Full or empty compressed gas cylinders should be stored;
- In a well ventilated area
- Preferably in the open
- With some weather protection
The area on which cylinders are stored must be well-drained to prevent corrosion of cylinder bases. The location must be free from the risk of fire and well away from sources of heat or ignition.
Cylinder should always be stored vertically and be restrained to prevent them from falling as unrestrained cylinders are a potential hazard to users and passers-by should they inadvertently bump them.
Within the storage area, oxidising gases such as oxygen must be stored at least 3 metres away from fuel gas cylinders (e.g. Acetylene, LPG, Hydrogen). The use of an appropriately fire rated wall may provide the required separation.
Full cylinders must be stored separately from the empty cylinders, and cylinders of different gases whether full or empty must be segregated from each other.
Storing your cylinders Safely
All cylinders should be considered and treated as full, regardless of their
content. This means:
- Keep cylinders away from artificial heat sources (e.g. flames or heaters).
- DO NOT store cylinders near combustible materials, flammable liquids or incompatible materials.
- Keep flammable gases away from sources of ignition.
- Keep cylinders in well drained areas, out of water pools or ponds.
- The storage area should be kept well ventilated and clean at all times.
- DO NOT store in confined spaces.
- Avoid below-ground storage where possible. Where impractical, consider atmospheric monitoring or other risk control measures.
- There should be good access to the storage area for delivery vehicles. The ground surface should be reasonably level and firm (preferably concrete).
- The storage area should be designed to prevent unauthorised entry to protect untrained people from hazards and to guard cylinder from theft.
- Different types of gases must be stored separately and in accordance with relevant Dangerous Goods legislation. Also refer to AS 4332 (The Storage and Handling of Gases in Cylinders)
- Stores must clearly show signage in accordance with state DangerousGoods regulations. This includes Division smoking and naked flame warning signs.
- Full and empty cylinders should be kept separate.
- Toxic and corrosive gases should be stored separately, away from all other gases.
- Liquefied flammable cylinders must be stored upright, to keep the safety devices in the vapour phase, on a firm, level floor (ideally concrete). This is also preferable for most other gas cylinders.
- Rotate stock of full cylinders, and use cylinders on a ‘first in, first out’ basis.
- Avoid storing cylinders below 0°C. Some mixtures may separate below this temperature.
DO NOT store cylinders at temperatures greater than 65°C (see Care of cylinders).
Plan for emergencies
Ensure free and clear access to cylinder storage areas.
All persons with a responsibility for storage or use of gas cylinders must
be familiar with the hazards and emergency procedures. Store layouts
and emergency procedures need to be structured accordingly and to
cater for possible incidents.
Cylinders should be stored in dedicated cylinder-only areas.
You must not store any other products in a cylinder store, particularly
oil, paint or corrosive liquids.
The majority of accidents involving compressed gas cylinders are
avoidable with increased training and awareness of safety issues.