Gas Cylinder Storage Compliance: Regulations & Requirements
Gas cylinders are mobile pressurised gas containers and are used in numerous industries. For example, when welding in workshops, working in laboratories or as a refrigerant in cooling and freezing applications. There are many hazards associated with handling gases - which in many ways makes them more challenging to store than liquid hazardous materials.
When storing pressurised gas containers, a distinction is made between storage in rooms and storage outdoors. In each case, generally applicable safety regulations as well as specific safety regulations must be observed depending on the storage location. Below we list some of the most important requirements.
What's the Difference Between Gas Storage and Provision?
There are key differences between keeping gas cylinders in storage and keeping them in provision. In this case, ‘provision’ refers to gas cylinders reserved for the near-immediate, active operation of the cylinder. Some examples of a gas cylinder being used in a provision application include:
Connecting to an extraction facility as swiftly as possible where necessary for the work process
Temporary placement on loading ramps or loading areas in preparation for quick removal
Within a salesroom for the presentation of a product
For crop and grain drying with agricultural burners
Providing fuel for torches in roofing processes
For the fuelling of forklift trucks
In welding and metal cutting applications
For calibration of scientific instrumentation
'Storage' refers to the long-term supply management of gas storage cylinders, where they are placed in a dedicated location for an extended period of time. Typically this is when awaiting use.
The individual requirements for gas cylinder storage and provision, and for the transport of cylinders from one place to another, will depend on their contents. LPG, chlorine and flammable cylinders all have different requirements according to the HSE COMAH guidelines.
Warning
The quantity of hazardous materials provided must always be kept to a sensible minimum necessary for the continuation of daily work as determined by the safety officer.
General Gas Cylinder Storage Safety
Gas cylinders can pose a serious hazard if they are stored incorrectly, potentially resulting in destruction of property, injuries or death. This makes it vitally important to follow HSE’s Technical Measures Document for the safe storage of cylinders:
Gas cylinders must be protected from high heat
Gas cylinders must not be exposed to fire
Gas cylinders must be stored protected against corrosion
Manual damage must be prevented
Unauthorised persons must be prohibited from entering the store
Location is an important factor in gas cylinder storage to comply with safety standards. It is not permitted to store gas cylinders in:
Stairwells
Narrow passages or passageways
Garages
Work rooms, unless specific circumstances are met
Gas cylinders also cannot be stored in rooms below ground level unless specific measures defined by TRGS 510 are met:
For artificial ventilation: An air-change rate of 2 per hour is ensures for the ventilation system, either as an automatic system or triggered by gas detection
For natural ventilation: A total cross-sectional area of at least 10% of the floor area where the floor is no more than 1.5m below the ground level
All cylinders are stored in safety cabinets in compliance with EN 14470-2
Outdoor storage is the safest option for cylinder storage, as it provides ample ventilation. For any kind of store, indoors or outdoors, additional steps must be taken to protect the general public. These include:
Prohibiting unauthorised persons from entering gas cylinder stores, containers or cabinets
Keeping the gas cylinder store locked with all relevant prohibition signs clearly displayed
Calculation and marking of all protected areas according to the specific hazard posed by the stored gas
If applicable, all equipment within the store should be explosion-proof
Additional safety requirements to consider for gas cylinder storage compliance involve:
Stored gas cylinders must have a safety distance of more than five metres away from all installations and equipment that may be hazardous due to heating
The protected area around a gas cylinder store must not extend to any neighbouring properties or public areas
Pits, sewers, floor drains and cellar areas must be excluded from the protection area
If the gases stored are combustible/flammable:
Ignition sources must be kept outside the protected area
A fire extinguisher must be kept close by
At least one door to the storage room must lead directly outside
It is vitally important that safety processes are correctly followed for gas canister storage and provision to reduce risk. The measures you should take are:
Storing all compressed gas cylinders upright
Storing all liquefied gas cylinders horizontally
Ensuring all cylinders are safely secured so they cannot fall over, fall down or roll away
Preventing hazards from vehicles or other equipment
Installing collision protection if relevant
Making sure the valves of all gas cylinders are fitted with protective caps and lock nut where applicable
Transporting gas cylinders safely out of the store before dispensing, repairing and filling them
TRGS 510 Considerations
TRGS 510 defines a wide range of different protective measures that are required for the safe storage of gas canisters, including the following:
Ensuring all dangerous goods are properly labelled
Providing specifications for storage, stacking and securing of stored goods
The requirement for PPE when interacting with canisters
Your storage should comply with TRGS to ensure the safety of all staff when storing, handling and provisioning gas canisters.
TRGS does not have specific restrictions for the combined outdoor storage of different types of gas canisters. However, for indoor storage, restrictions do apply. TRGS specifies that joint storage solutions should include storage classes with sufficient distances of at least 2 m with barriers between each to prevent additional risk.
Types of Gas Cylinder Storage
Gas cylinder storage is available in a range of different styles and formats to suit the specific needs of your site. Both outdoor and indoor gas cylinder cabinets and containers are available to allow you to comply with all necessary regulations while providing safe storage for hazardous materials.
Outdoor storage
Outdoor storage is typically considered the best choice for gas cylinders, offering optimum conditions for safe and legally compliant storage. Outdoor storage must have the following to meet necessary compliance:
Mesh side walls or ventilation slits for natural ventilation
Canopies to ensure sufficient weather protection
Retention devices or safety chains where applicable
Lockable design to prevent unauthorised access
Be clear of all dry vegetation and combustible materials
Not placed directly on the ground or surfaces where water can accumulate
Not installed near lifts, loading platforms, under cranes or near other equipment
Indoor storage
In some cases, outdoor storage for your gas cylinders may not be the most practical option for your requirements. With additional safety considerations, it’s possible to store cylinders indoors by meeting the following compliance requirements:
Ceilings, partitions, flooring and external walls of storage rooms must be fire-retardant
Storage rooms must be separated from adjacent rooms by self-closing fire-retardant doors
Only electrical systems and equipment in proximity must have an explosion-proof design
A minimum distance of 2 m must be maintained between different types of gas cylinders
No pits, ducts, floor drains or chimney cleaning openings may be present in storage rooms
The distance between compressed gas cylinders and any heat-producing equipment must be at least 0.5 m
Storage in work rooms
If you plan to store gas cylinders in a workroom, they must be placed in appropriate safety cabinets with a fire resistance of a minimum of 30 minutes. A fire-rated gas cylinder cabinet type-tested in accordance with EN 14470-2 is an ideal solution to this requirement. A maximum of 50 filled pressurised gas containers may be stored in rooms below ground level if they are stored in safety cabinets that meet necessary standards. For pressurised gas cylinders, permanent ventilation is required for safe and compliant storage.
Pressurised gas cylinder cabinets must have permanent ventilation. The following air exchange rates are required by EN 14470-2 for the storage of pressurised gas cylinders:
| Property | Required air exchange |
|---|---|
| Flammable and oxidising gases | At least 10-fold air exchange / h |
| Toxic and very toxic gases | At least 120 air changes / h |
Important
When storing gas cylinders, always be sure to take your risk assessment into account! Appropriate safety measures should always be agreed and implemented on a case-by-case basis. Also remember to instruct your employees regularly on how to handle gas cylinders and on the operator's instructions in accordance with the Hazardous substances regulation.
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