Safe Storage, Handling & Use of Compressed Gases Training Package TP 03/05 Asia Industrial Gases Association 298 Tiong Bahru Road, #20-01 Central Plaza, Singapore 168730 Internet: http//www.asiaiga.org  AIGA 2005 - AIGA grants permission to reproduce this publication provided the Association is acknowledged as the source

Safe Storage, Handling & Use of Compressed Gases Disclaimer All publications of AIGA or bearing AIGA’s name contain information, including Codes of Practice, safety procedures and other technical information that were obtained from sources believed by AIGA to be reliable and/ or based on technical information and experience currently available from members of AIGA and others at the date of the publication. As such, we do not make any representation or warranty nor accept any liability as to the accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information contained in these publications.   While AIGA recommends that its members refer to or use its publications, such reference to or use thereof by its members or third parties is purely voluntary and not binding. AIGA or its members make no guarantee of the results and assume no liability or responsibility in connection with the reference to or use of information or suggestions contained in AIGA’s publications. AIGA has no control whatsoever as regards, performance or non performance, misinterpretation, proper or improper use of any information or suggestions contained in AIGA’s publications by any person or entity (including AIGA members) and AIGA expressly disclaims any liability in connection thereto. AIGA’s publications are subject to periodic review and users are cautioned to obtain the latest edition. Asia Industrial Gases Association 298 Tiong Bahru Road, #20-01 Central Plaza, Singapore 168730 Internet: http//www.asiaiga.org source

Preface The original PowerPoint was prepared by Ray Bradish & Sam Hoynes and was presented at the ASSE Conference, San Antonio, Texas in August 2000. Acknowledgement is hereby given for the use of this material. Certain references are made in the context of U.S. regulations. The user will need to check these against applicable local requirements.

Compressed gas in three forms COMPRESSED (CYLINDER) Liquefied (CO2; N2 & O2 IN PORTABLE LIQUID CYLINDERS ) DISSOLVED (ACETYLENE)

Three Classes of Gas FLAMMABLE NON-FLAMMABLE POISON

Flammable Gases Examples are: Acetylene Hydrogen Propane Butane

Non-Flammable Gases Examples are: Nitrogen Argon Helium Air Carbon Dioxide Oxygen

Poison Gases Examples Toxic Examples Corrosive Arsine Chlorine Phosphine Hydrogen Sulphide Examples Corrosive Chlorine Hydrogen Chloride

Oxidising Gas OXYGEN

Cylinder Use

IDENTIFY THE GAS!! Before Using Cylinder READ THE LABEL! DO NOT DEPEND ON THE COLOUR OF THE CYLINDER

Cylinder Use NEVER REMOVE THE VALVE PROTECTION CAP UNTIL THE CYLINDER IS SECURED AND READY FOR USE!!

Cylinder with Fixed Cap (Tulip Type)

Cylinder Use NEVER USE AN ADAPTOR TO MAKE A CYLINDER FIT A REGULATOR OR OTHER EQUIPMENT!!

STAND TO THE SIDE OF THE REGULATOR WHEN OPENING Cylinder Use OPEN VALVE SLOWLY!! STAND TO THE SIDE OF THE REGULATOR WHEN OPENING

Cylinder Use IF A CYLINDER VALVE DOES NOT OPERATE EASILY, CONTACT YOUR GAS SUPPLIER FOR ASSISTANCE!! NEVER USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO OPERATE A CYLINDER VALVE

LEAK CHECK CYLINDER CONNECTIONS Cylinder Use LEAK CHECK CYLINDER CONNECTIONS WITH A SOAPY SOLUTION NEVER USE A FLAME!!

Cylinder Use NEVER STRIKE AN ELECTRICAL ARC ON A COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDER!!

Cylinder Use CLOSE CYLINDER VALVES WHEN NOT IN USE!!

(CALL YOUR GAS SUPPLIER) Cylinder Use DO NOT TRANSPORT A LEAKING CYLINDER!! (CALL YOUR GAS SUPPLIER)

Cylinders & OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Agency, USA) MOST CITED VIOLATIONS OXYGEN & FLAMMABLE GASES STORED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER (<6 M) CYLINDER CAPS NOT IN PLACE CYLINDERS NOT PROPERLY SECURED

Cylinder Storage

Cylinder Storage SEPARATE STORAGE AREAS BASED UPON TYPES OF GASES FULL & EMPTY CYLINDERS

Cylinder Storage SECURE THE CYLINDER WITH VALVE PROTECTION CAP IN PLACE!! (CHAIN, TIED, ETC.)

Cylinder Storage STORE CYLINDERS IN WELL VENTILATED AREAS THAT DO NOT EXCEED 50 OC

Cylinder Storage PROTECT CYLINDERS FROM PHYSICAL DAMAGE KEEP AWAY FROM ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AVOID EXCESSIVE MOISTURE

Cylinder Handling

Cylinder Handling DO NOT ROLL OR DRAG CYLINDERS USE A HAND TRUCK TO MOVE CYLINDERS

Cylinder Handling KEEP VALVE PROTECTION CAPS IN PLACE WHILE IN STORAGE, DURING HANDLING, AND IN TRANSPORTATION!!

Cylinder Handling NEVER ATTEMPT TO LIFT A CYLINDER BY THE VALVE PROTECTION CAP!!

Cylinder Handling NEVER TRANSPORT CYLINDERS IN CAR TRUNKS OR ENCLOSED VEHICLES!!

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Special precautions for FLAMMABLE GASES

Flammable Gases NO SMOKING NEAR FLAMMABLE GASES!!

Flammable Gases USE SPARK PROOF TOOLS!!

Flammable Gases FLAMMABLE GASES SHOULD BE STORED 6 METRES AWAY FROM OXIDISERS COMBUSTIBLES IGNITION SOURCES

THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE CYLINDERS IN ACTUAL USE OR ATTACHED FOR USE. Flammable Gases LIMIT QUANTITIES OF FLAMMABLE GASES STORED INSIDE A BUILDING!! ONE EXAMPLE FROM A GUIDELINE: 60 M3 150 Kg of LPG (LIMIT IS BEST SET AFTER A PROPER RISK ASSESSMENT) THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE CYLINDERS IN ACTUAL USE OR ATTACHED FOR USE.

Flammable Gases IN A SEPARATE ROOM IN A SEPARATE BUILDING OUTDOORS FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE GIVEN, STORAGE OF FLAMMABLE GASES IN EXCESS OF 60 M3 OR 150 KG SHALL BE KEPT IN A SEPARATE ROOM IN A SEPARATE BUILDING OUTDOORS

Flammable Gases ACETYLENE WHEN USING A CYLINDER: STORE CYLINDER UPRIGHT KEEP OUTLET PRESSURE AFTER REGULATOR TO MAXIMUM 1 BAR(G) OPEN CYLINDER VALVE 1/2 TO 3/4 TURN

Special precautions for OXYGEN AND OTHER OXIDIZERS

KEEP AWAY FROM OIL AND GREASE!! Oxygen KEEP AWAY FROM OIL AND GREASE!!

KEEP OXYGEN SEPARATED FROM FLAMMABLE GASES 6 METRES 30 MINUTE RATED FIREWALL (TYPICAL GUIDELINES; REFER TO LOCAL REGULATIONS)

Special precautions for POISON GASES (TOXIC & CORROSIVE)

Poison Gases HAVE A DETAILED EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN IN PLACE!!

Poison Gases LIMIT QUANTITIES OF POISON AND CORROSIVE GASES IN USE AND STORAGE!!

STORAGE OF POISON GASES OUTDOORS INDOORS FORCED VENTILATED GAS CABINET

Poison Gases WEAR ALL REQUIRED RESPIRATORY PROTECTION AND/OR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING!!

Poison Gases FOR CORROSIVE GASES SAFETY SHOWER & EYEWASH READILY AVAILABLE

Summary NEVER USE A GAS (ANY GAS) UNLESS YOU ARE TRAINED IN ITS USE AND UNDERSTAND ITS HAZARDS!!

Summary MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) ARE A GOOD SOURCE FOR EMPLOYEE TRAINING MATERIAL!!