Housekeeping
General housekeeping
Heat and ignition sources
Segregate incompatible gases and dangerous goods
General housekeeping
- Objects should not be stored on top of gas cylinders.
- Full and empty cylinders should be stored separately in clearly marked areas.
- Rotate stock, ensuring 'first in first out'.
- Ensure gas cylinders are stored at least 3m away from combustible materials and debris (e.g. timber, card board, packaging materials) to prevent flame impingement on gas cylinders in a fire.
- Gas cylinders should not be located where they may block stairs, exits, ladders or walk ways.
- Ensure an up to date and accurate inventory is kept.
- Keep inventory quantities as low as possible.
Heat and ignition sources
- Store cylinders in cool areas away from sources of radiant heat (e.g. boilers, hot surfaces, and internal combustion engines). Where possible, store cylinders in the shade to avoid exposing cylinders to direct sunlight.
- Flammable gas cylinders should not be stored near sources of ignition such as naked lights or cigarette smoking.
- Where flammable gas is used, appropriate signs stating 'No smoking', 'No naked lights' should be erected to prevent ignition sources in these areas.
Segregate incompatible gases and dangerous goods
Corrosive liquids can damage gas cylinders on contact. Flammable liquids can spread a fire across a workplace floor and allow flames to come into contact with gas cylinders. Other dangerous goods may also be adversely affected by gas cylinders in an emergency.
For this reason, gas cylinders are kept separately from other dangerous goods and combustible liquids by at least 5m or by using appropriate fire rated barriers. Segregation of incompatible goods also allows fire fighters to safely use appropriate fire fighting media for each type of goods present.
Gas cylinders must also be segregated from other incompatible gases by at least 3m or more. The following is recommended:
- Class 2.3 'Toxic gas' and corrosive gases (those with a subsidiary risk of Class 8 'Corrosive') are stored away from all other gas cylinders.
- Class 2.1 'Flammable gas' must be segregated during storage from all oxidising gases.
Mutually compatible gases (e.g. Class 2.2, without subsidiary risk) may be used between incompatible gases.
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