What they are asking is, if there was a leak of this gas, would is disperse naturally or could a significant build-up of gas occur creating an explosive mixture in the local environment. We keep a variety of gases( but not acetylene) on our site inside buildings but these are in effect ‘lean toos’ and there is no chance of a significant build of gas.

I guess I would question the meaning of the word 'storage' and how many canisters to be 'stored'. The answer should be in your Fire Risk Assessment, does the FRA allow the storage of these in the building?

My advice - storage of gas cylinders that are not in use should be outside the building, cage, etc....
Working gas cylinders for example as burning equipment can be stored inside with good precaution such as, used by trained people, turned off and isolated when not in use, and positioned as not to fall on top of people.

Hi All

Can anyone advise if different cylinders can be stored together in the one cage. My understadning is that oxygen and actylen should be stored seperately. On some sites we may only have 2 oxygen and 2 actylene. To get two cages fabricated for this can be expensive. We have also split the cages in two.

Also does anyone know of an alternative to cages. Something else that serves the main purpose.

What is requirement regarding collars or caps on cylinders. Are the required on all.

Cheers any feedback appreciated.

Stern,
The info I have suggests cylinders need to be secured (from falling over), flammables and oxygen should be stored apart, there should be a 3 metre gap between the last cylinder and the site boundary and a secure compound is 'preferable'. Also fire extinguishers required (powder or CO2 are most effective against fires involving gases)

BCGA code of practice CP7 relates to guidance on oxy-acetylene equipment.

PSafety - Yes, store oxygen and acetylene separately. Flammables, full and empty, can be stored together. Oxygen and inert gases can be stored together.

Just a few thing here from previous posts (in my opinion)

Do not store gases inside a tin shed, flammable or not. Ventilation 'storage' is not greatly preferred it is a must.

Do not have fire extinguishers near your gas cylinders, fires involving flammable gases should only be tackled by the fire and rescue service, no way would you try a tackle an acetlene, butane or propane fire.

The info is useful for stoorage of full or empty waiting to be used.

Can I ask what is the general principles in workshops etc where gas bottles are left in the fabricator's work bay, and work is completed for the day.

Not many workshops will disconnect the bottles and store externally.
Would this be an issue to leave bottles in place?
Thanks

tony,

The information I have suggests that gas cylinders are in one of three states: - Being stored, being transported or being used.

While the cylinders are on a trolley in the workshop, I imagine they would be considered to be in use. The same would also go for the propane cylinders powering a propane forklift. Recommendations are for propane cylinders to be stored upright whether empty or full, but while on their side on the back of the forklift, they are in use, so it's acceptable.

In addition, there has been research done on acetylene by the German institute BAM. Previously it was thought you had to put cooling water onto an acetylene cylinder continuously for 24 hours after it had been involved in a fire, and that denting an acetylene cylinder could start thermal dissociation of the gas causing a pressure build up.
The research done by BAM was on behalf of HSE, Transport for London (TfL), British Compressed Gas Association (BCGA) and Department for Transport due to a large number (42) of acetylene incidents in London one year (where roads and railways had to subsequently be closed for 24 hours).

They found that cooling water could be applied to an acetylene cylinder for 15 minutes after it had been involved in a fire, but recommend an hour, with an hour monitoring time.
They also found (by using explosives to put the mother of all dents into acetylene cylinders) that denting the cylinders does not start thermal decomposition of acetylene.

Just for info - acetylene is unstable, so is dissolved in acetone. The acetone is soaked in some fibrous material like capoc (spun cotton), or spun fibre glass. If acetylene gets too hot acetylene molecules can split - when they do this creates heat which usually sets off acetylene molecules around it leading to a "chain reaction" (thermal dissociation). Pressure will build up and then you're left to waiting for the pressure relief valve to go off, unless cooling water applied in time...

P.S. these were the people who trained me!

http://proactivegassafet...DJW,2T1LE,7ABH9Z,A76D6,1