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Portable Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety

Remainder of the nitrogen gas cylinder
after it exploded.

Careful procedures are necessary for handling the various compressed gases, the cylinders containing the compressed gases, regulators or valves used to control gas flow, and the piping used to confine gases during flow.

Recently a compressed gas cylinder exploded in a state university campus laboratory. The explosion was attributed to a dangerous alteration that had been made to the cylinder. Specifically, the cylinder’s pressure release valve and rupture disc had been replaced with two brass plugs.

To help prevent similar gas cylinder-related incidents, laboratory personnel should follow the following guidelines:

Any refill, repair, modification, removal of valves, pressure-relief devices, or other container appurtenances should be done only by qualified technicians.
Remove from service leaking, damaged, or corroded compressed gas cylinders.
Never heat the cylinder to raise the pressure of the gas.
Make sure the cylinder is equipped with the correct regulator.
The cylinder should be placed so that the valve handle at the top is easily accessible at all times.
Open the valve slowly at first, then open it all the way.
If using a toxic or irritating gas, the valve should be opened only while the cylinder is in a working chemical fume hood. Direct the valve and potential gas flow away from lab personnel.

Laboratory damage resulting from a gas cylinder explosion.

Safe transport

When transporting the cylinder, replace the regulator with the valve protection cap and secure to cart or hand truck. Do not drag, slide or roll the cylinder.

Gas cylinder storage

Cylinders must be secured at all times to a fixed location — a wall, the lab bench, etc. They must be secured at a point approximately two-thirds of its height, using chain, plastic-coated wire cable, commercially available cylinder straps, etc.
Do not store gas cylinders in the hallways

When empty

After the cylinder is no longer needed, take the following steps:
- Always leave a residual gas pressure of 30psi in the cylinder.
- If the research experiment is over and the cylinder still contains material, the cylinder should be returned to the manufacturer or the Environmental Protection Program of Environmental Health and Safety.
If the cylinder is empty, remove the regulator, replace the cap, and move it to the storage area for empty cylinders. Label the cylinder as empty.

For more information on compressed gas cylinder safety, contact Environmental Health and Safety at (713) 500-8100.

— Information provided by Environmental Health and Safety

Date Posted: 03/20/2006