This blog looks at the risks and hazards associated with acetylene and oxygen gases particularly when they are stored together and outlines the requirements under australian standard as4332 2004 for safe storage.
Oxygen cylinder storage requirements osha.
Special storage use and handling precautions are necessary in order to control these hazards.
1926 350 a 10 oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel gas cylinders or combustible materials especially oil or grease a minimum distance of 20 feet 6 1 m or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet 1 5 m high having a fire resistance rating of at least one half hour.
Osha requires that gas cylinders in workplaces have specific labeling that explains the type of gas in the cylinder.
Or empty cylinder rather than a full one.
Ft including providing 1 hour fire rated room construction ventilation and explosion proof electrical fixtures such as motors and lights.
Hazards associated with compressed gases include oxygen displacement fires explosions and toxic gas exposures as well as the physical hazards associated with high pressure systems.
Nfpa 99 1999 has very specific requirements for storage of nonflammable medical gases exceeding 3 000 cu.
The occupational safety and health administration osha references general requirements for compressed gases in 29 code of federal regulations cfr 1910 101 and specific gas requirements are.
An aggregate total of compressed medical gases e g oxygen nitrogen nitrous oxide up to 300 cubic feet may be stored per smoke compartment in any room or alcove without special requirements for that room.
Compressed gas cylinders must be secured in racks or by chains.
The hazards associated with these gases include oxygen displacement explosion hazards toxic effects and the physical hazards of a ruptured cylinder.
Medical gas cylinder storage.
D oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel gas cylinders or combustible materials especially oil or grease a minimum distance of 20 feet or by a non combustible barrier at least 5 feet high or a minimum of 18 inches 46 centimeters above the tallest cylinder and having a fire resistance rating of at least one hour.
Pure oxygen and acetylene are both extremely volatile and dangerously reactive gases.
Where a liquid oxygen system is to be used to supply gaseous oxygen for welding or cutting and the system has a storage capacity of more than 13 000 cubic feet 364 m 3 of oxygen measured at 14 7 psia 101 kpa and 70 f 21 1 c connected in service or ready for service or more than 25 000 cubic feet 700 m 3 of oxygen measured at 14.
The greater the volume the more stringent the requirements for the storage locations.
This volume of gas must be stored in locations that include the following.
Volumes greater than 3000 ft3.
Gas cylinder storage requirements for the storage of medical gas cylinders depends on the volume of gas within the cylinders.