29 CFR 1910 Subpart H Hazardous Materials 1910.101 Compressed gases (general requirements)

"Compressed gas" means: 2.3…any material or mixture of gases having in a container either an absolute pressure exceeding 40 psi at 70 deg. F. or an absolute pressure exceeding 104 psi at 130 deg. F or both or any liquid flammable material having a Reid vapor pressure exceeding 40 psi absolute at 100 deg. F See other definitions at 49 CFR 173.115 29 CFR 1910.1200

Compressed gas cylinder types Comparative sizes High Pressure Low Pressure

Compressed gas cylinder types High Low Acetylene Cryogenic . Fusable Plug Porous Mass Acetone Solvent 42% Volume > 900 PSIG Vapor AR O2 H2 N2 Very Cold Liquid CO2 CL2 NO2 < 900 PSIG

Acetylene cylinders The decomposition characteristics of acetylene gas are avoided: By providing a porous mass packing material with minute cellular spaces No pockets of appreciable size remain where “free” acetylene in gaseous form can collect This porous mass is saturated with acetone, or other suitable solvent, in which the gaseous acetylene actually dissolves . Fusable Plug Porous Mass Acetone Solvent 42% Volume

Acetylene cylinders . Do not exceed 15 PSI pressure on free acetylene These two features – porous filler and solvent Allows acetylene to be contained at moderate pressure without danger of explosive decomposition Maximum cylinder pressure is 250 PSIG at 70 degrees F. with a variation of about 2.5 PSI rise or fall for each degree rise or fall in temperature Do not exceed 15 PSI pressure on free acetylene . Fusable Plug Porous Mass Acetone Solvent 42% Volume

Specific OSHA regulations applying to compressed gas cylinders OSHA STANDARDS 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Specific OSHA regulations applying to compressed gas cylinders 1910.253 Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting 1910.101 Compressed gases

101(a) Inspection of compressed gas cylinders Each employer shall determine that compressed gas cylinders under his control are in a safe condition to the extent that this can be determined by visual inspection... Compressed gas industry safety information directs end users to examine any cylinders received

Gas suppliers advise end users to Check cylinders as they are received Verify that labels, tags and shipping papers are appropriate Reject and return cylinders with obvious damage Determine that required caps and plugs are in place

1910.101 - Compressed gases General requirements (a) Inspection of compressed gas cylinders… …visual and other inspections (per DOT 49 CFR 171 – 179 and CGA C-6 & C- 8) Applicable to Suppliers and distributors filling compressed gas cylinders

Compressed Gas Association Inc. Bulged - cylinder wall failure CGA C-6 1968 3.2.6 - Bulges Cylinders are manufactured with reasonably symmetrical shape. Cylinder which have definite bulges shall be removed from service Bulged - cylinder wall failure

Compressed Gas Association Inc. CGA C-6 1968 Cylinder burst after fire exposure 5.3.7 - Fire Damage Cylinders shall be carefully inspected for evidence of exposure to fire Charring or burning of paint Burning or scarfing of the metal Distortion of the cylinder Melted out fuse plugs Burning or melting of valve

Gouge with deposit of weld metal Burn Gouge with deposit of weld metal

Reducing wall thickness - increasing stress Gouge Cut Reducing wall thickness - increasing stress

General corrosion with pitting - reducing cylinder strength

101(b) "Compressed gases." The in-plant handling, storage, and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders, portable tanks, rail tankcars, or motor vehicle cargo tanks shall be in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1-1965, which is incorporated by reference as specified in Sec. 1910.6

industrial and commercial facilities 1910.101(b) The in-plant handling storage and utilization of all compressed gases in cylinders…shall be in accordance with Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P-1 1965... This includes most industrial and commercial facilities Pamphlet P - 1 1965

Section 3.1 General 3.1.14 Never tamper with the safety relief devices in valves or cylinders 3.1.15 Never attempt to repair or to alter cylinders, valves, or safety relief devices.

Section 3.1 General 3.1.16 Never use cylinders as rollers, supports, or for any purpose other than to contain the content as received Big & heavy

Section 3.1 General 3.1.17 Keep cylinder valve closed at all times, except when the cylinder is in active use. 3.1.18 Notify owner of cylinder if any condition has occurred which might permit any foreign substance to enter the cylinder or valve giving details and cylinder serial number.

Section 3.1 General 3.1.19 Do not place cylinders where they might become part of an electric circuit. When the cylinders are used in conjunction with electric welding, precautions must be taken against accidentally grounding compressed gas cylinders and allowing them to be burned by electric welding arc. Insulator

Section 3.2 Moving Cylinders Caps in place Lifting Dropping Lifting with magnets Dragging

Section 3.2 Moving Cylinders 3.2.2 Do not lift cylinders by the cap. 3.2.3 Never drop cylinders nor permit them to strike against each other or against other surfaces violently. Concrete

Electro-magnet 3.2.4 Never handle a cylinder with a lifting magnet. 3.2.5 Avoid dragging or sliding cylinders.

Section 3.2 Moving Cylinders 3.2.6 Use suitable hand truck, fork truck, roll platform or similar device with cylinder firmly secured for transporting and unloading. !

? 3.3 Storing Cylinders Local Regs Posting Separation (different types) Separation (charged & empty) Storage rooms Highly flammable substances Avoid dampness Protection of cylinders Care of cylinders ?

3.3 Storing Cylinders 3.3.6 Do not store cylinders near highly flammable substances such as oil, gasoline or waste. Fire is a threat to containment! MEK

3.3 Storing Cylinders 3.3.8 Protect cylinders from any object that will produce a cut or other abrasion in the surface of the metal…. ?

3.3 Storing Cylinders Cont’d 3.3.8…. Do not store cylinders near elevators or gangways, or in locations where heavy moving objects may strike or fall on them…. ?

At gas manufacturers and distributors not user work sites, proper nesting is considered safe storage by the compressed gas industry. Proper nesting supports all cylinders by contact at three points ?

3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content Handling Identification Removing cap Properly supported Pressure regulating devices Connections

3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content 3.4.2 If cylinder content is not identified by marking, return cylinder to the supplier without using. I’m not labeled!!

3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content 3.4.4 Before using a cylinder, be sure it is properly supported to prevent it from being knocked over.

3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content 3.4.5 Suitable pressure regulating devices must be used in all cases where gas is admitted to systems having pressure rating limitations lower than the cylinder pressure.

3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content 3.4.6 Never force connections that do not fit.

3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content 3.4.7 Where compressed gas cylinders are connected to a manifold, such a manifold and its related equipment, such as regulators, must be of proper design.

Stationary acetylene cylinder manifold and other equipment F – Flash arrestor chamber G – Escape pipe H – Cylinder connection pipe J – Check valve and drain plug K – Acetylene cylinders A B C D E F G J K H Stationary acetylene cylinder manifold and other equipment A – Line valve B – Release valve C – Filler plug D – Header pipe E - Regulator

3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content 3.4.8 Regulators, gages, hoses and other appliances provided for use with a particular gas or group of gases must not be used on cylinders containing gases having different chemical properties unless information obtained from the supplier indicates that this can be done safely. Acetylene regulator and oxygen cylinders

3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content 3.4.9 Open cylinder valve slowly. Point the valve opening away from yourself and other persons. Never use wrenches or tools except those provided or approved by the gas manufacturer. Avoid the use of a wrench on valves equipped with handwheels. Never hammer the valve wheel in attempting to open or close the valve. For valves that are hard to open, or frozen because of corrosion, contact the supplier for instructions.

3.4 Withdrawing Cylinder Content 3.4.11 Never use compressed gases where the cylinder is apt to be contaminated by the feedback of process materials unless protected by suitable traps or check valves. 3.4.13 Before a regulator is removed from a cylinder, close the cylinder valve and release all pressure from the regulator.

Indoor cylinder storage 3.5 Flammable Gases Indoor cylinder storage Well protected Well ventilated Dry Twenty feet from flammable or combustible materials Oxygen Fuel Gas 20 Feet

3.5 Flammable Gases 3.5.1 Do not store cylinders near highly flammable solvents, combustible waste material and similar substances, or near unprotected electrical connections, gas flames or other sources of ignition.

3.5 Flammable Gases 3.5.2 Never use a flame to detect flammable gas leaks. Use soapy water.

3.5 Flammable Gases 3.5.3 Do not store reserve stocks of cylinders containing flammable gases with cylinders containing oxygen. Fuel Gas Fuel Gas Oxygen

3.6 Poison Gases 3.6.1 Personnel handling and using poison gases should have available for immediate use gas masks or self-contained breathing apparatus of a design approved by U.S. Bureau of Mines for the particular service desired.