Safe gas cylinder storage

Watch out for the differences! Many companies need to store gas cylinders to ensure a constant supply. If compressed gas containers are kept in stock, this is considered to be storage. On the other hand, it is considered to be provision if you keep filled gas cylinders to hand in the respective required number and size...

• to connect to the extraction facility as soon as possible (insofar as this is necessary for the work process),

• at workplaces for manual use,

• on loading ramps or areas for subsequent removal within a short time,

• in salesrooms for the presentation of the product range

Gas cylinders can pose a considerable hazard if stored incorrectly - for example, uncontrolled escape of gases due to damage to the pressurised gas container or explosion under the influence of high heat. Therefore, gas cylinders must generally be protected from 5 things: high heat, fire, corrosion, mechanical damage and unauthorised access.

First of all, requirements for the location of the gas cylinder store have to be taken into account - gas cylinders may not simply be stored in any location on the company premises. It is not permitted to store gas cylinders in stairwells, narrow passages or passageways, garages, work rooms and rooms below ground level (note special regulations according to TRGS 510 here). Traffic and escape routes must not be obstructed by stored gas cylinders. In addition, a gas cylinder store must not be accessible to the general public. Unauthorised persons must be prohibited from entering the gas cylinder store. The gas cylinder store must be kept under lock and key and appropriate prohibition signs posted. Protected areas shall be calculated and marked according to the hazard posed by the type of gas stored (e.g. Ex). If necessary, all equipment used in the protected area must also be explosion-proof.

A safety distance of more than five metres must be maintained to installations and equipment from which hazards such as excessive heating may arise. Important: the protected area must not extend to neighbouring properties or public traffic areas. Pits, sewers, floor drains and cellar areas are to be excluded from the protection area. If combustible gases are stored, the following also applies: No ignition sources in the protected area. A fire extinguisher must also be kept to hand. In storage rooms for combustible gases at least one door must lead directly outside.

According to TRGS 510 there are no restrictions for the combined outdoor storage of different types of gas. However, there are restrictions on combined storage in rooms - especially if flammable, oxidising and acutely toxic or toxic gases are stored (see TRGS 510 paragraph 7). Generally ensure appropriate safety distances between the various gas cylinders in accordance with TRGS 510 and your risk assessment.

To prevent mechanical hazards, compressed gas cylinders should be stored upright if possible. Liquefied gas cylinders may not be stored horizontally. In any case, the gas cylinders must be stored in such a way that they stand safely (or lie down if standing storage is not possible) and are secured against rolling away, falling over and falling down. Hazards from vehicles or other equipment must be excluded. The installation of suitable collision protection can be helpful here. Always make sure that the valves of the gas cylinders are secured with protective caps and, if necessary, lock nuts. No gas cylinders may be dispensed from, filled or otherwise repaired within the store.

Generally, storage outdoors is the best alternative, as sufficient ventilation can then be ensured naturally. Open storage is a store which is open on at least two sides, or open on one side if the depth - measured from the open side - is not greater than the height of the open side. A side is considered to be open if it consists of a wire mesh or similar.

Gas cylinder cabinets and gas cylinder containers for outdoor use offer optimum conditions for safe, legally-compliant storage of gas cylinders. They have mesh side walls or ventilation slits in the walls allowing natural ventilation. Canopies ensure sufficient weather protection. Many gas cylinder cabinets and containers also have retention devices or safety chains to effectively prevent the gas cylinders falling over. Additional advantage: gas cylinder cabinets and containers are generally lockable and therefore meet the requirements to protect the store against unauthorised access.

Inside work rooms, pressurised gas containers may only be stored in appropriate safety cabinets with a fire resistance of a minimum of 30 minutes. A safe option for storing gas cylinders in work rooms is provided by fire-rated gas cylinder cabinets type-tested in accordance with EN 14470-2 from DENIOS. Pressurised gas containers for different gases may be stored in these at the same time and connected for emptying. There is no numerical restriction. In this respect, when flammable and oxidising gases (e.g. acetylene and oxygen) are stored in a safety cabinet, the otherwise mandatory safety distance does not have to be observed. Depending on their size, safety cabinets for pressurised gas cylinders have fire protection-approved breakthrough points in the ceiling area of the cabinet, which is why it is possible to remove gases from the pressurised gas cylinders via corresponding pressure reducers. A maximum of 50 filled pressurised gas containers may be stored in rooms below ground level if they are stored, for example, in safety cabinets that meet the requirements of EN 14470-2. Compressed gas cylinder cabinets of type G90 are state of the art in Germany and make the storage, provision and removal and storage of/from compressed gas cylinders in work rooms simple.

Pressurised gas cylinder cabinets must have permanent ventilation. The following air exchange rates are required by EN 14470-2 for the storage of pressurised gas cylinders: