Gas cylinder safety

Gases behave differently depending on their quality and state. Gases must always be handled with care, and instructions regarding safety procedures must be followed.

To make it easier to distinguish between different gases, different colours and markings are used on the cylinders. See what each colour stands for

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Transport, handling and storage of gas cylinders

Instructions for transporting gas cylinders

• The safety cap over the gas cylinder valve must be in place during transport and even when the cylinder is only moved a little.
• Gas cylinders and gas cylinder pallets must be fastened with a cargo strap.
• Medicinal gases must either be transported on closed pallets or covered with a purpose-made protective covering.

Instructions for handling

• Use appropriate protective equipment: safety shoes, protective goggles, long-sleeved shirt or jacket, gloves.
• Cylinders must not be dented. Dents are grounds for failure in inspections.
• Acetylene cylinders must always be handled and stored in an upright position.
• Equipment to be used in loading and handling cylinders: cylinder cart, pallet truck, boom crane, forklift.

Instructions for storing gas cylinders

• Cylinders must be stored in a well-ventilated area designated for the purpose.
• Apart from the gas cylinders, nothing else may be stored in the same storage space.
• The space must not be subject to fire hazards, and it must be far from sources of heat and ignition. Smoking and open fire are forbidden in the vicinity of the storage space.
• Access to the storage space must be restricted to authorised people.
• The area must be clearly marked with warning signs in accordance with regulations.
• Storage of larger quantities of gas must be planned in collaboration with the gas distributor and the fire authorities.
• Gas cylinders must be stored in an upright position and prevented from falling over.
• The cylinder valves must be kept closed and the protective coverings or caps must be in place.
• Empty and full bottles are stored separately.
• Gases that react with each other must be stored separately (combustible and oxidising gases).
• Propane (liquid petroleum gas, LPG) must be stored at least 5 metres from other gas cylinders.