Gas Cylinder Storage

Gas cylinders are used for a variety of purposes, including heating and cooking, but also in industry for chemical processes or welding. Cylinders are a convenient way of storing gases of many types, but they represent a potential hazard, which means it’s vital that gas cylinders are stored correctly. This guide explains what needs to be done to comply with gas cylinder storage regulations in the UK and how to store gas safely.

Cylinders of compressed gas are used in a range of industries. These include chemical production, oil and gas, steelmaking, mining, food and beverage manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and the nuclear industry. Gases supplied to industry include LPG, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, and acetylene, to name but a few. 

Failure to take precautions when handling and storing gas cylinders has the potential to result in terrible accidents, so there are strict regulations governing gas cylinder storage in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has strict rules for storing compressed gas safely. The British Compressed Gas Association (BCGA) also has a code of practice for compressed gas storage.

The HSE guidelines for gas cylinder storage and handling drums or cylinders containing toxic or flammable materials are summarised below. Some of the UK’s key gas cylinder storage regulations and gas cylinder safety principles relate to gas storage location, storage layout, and ventilation.

First, companies storing compressed gas should ensure that the location is secure and that hazards relating to the type and amount of gas being stored have been considered. Some of the factors to consider when it comes to location include proximity to other stored substances or process facilities, and the site’s traffic or occupied buildings.

If toxic gases are being stored, a purpose-designed indoor storage facility should be used to minimise the risk of gas escaping into the environment. On the other hand, if a gas is liable to react with water and is stored outside, the operator must show the storage design is safe.

The layout and size of the gas store is also important. Compressed gas cylinders must be stored securely with valves uppermost and meeting specified separation distances between stacks of cylinders. The sizes of stacks should be limited to minimise potential hazards. Cylinders should be stored vertically and chained to prevent them from toppling over.

Ideally, compressed gas should be stored externally in the open air, which allows vapours to dissipate. If compressed gas cylinders are stored inside, it’s incumbent on the operator to show ventilation is adequate. LPG should be stored in purpose-built compartments or buildings that are fire-resistant if stored inside. The BCGA also recommends storing compressed gas outside and on a level surface.

The HSE says ‘suitable precautions’ should be taken to ensure containment of leaks. It’s also important that potential sources of ignition are carefully controlled. Operators working in the gas storage area should be trained in emergency procedures and dealing with leaks or spills. Emergency procedures include:

• Turning off the supply of gas at the cylinder, if possible
• If cylinders are indoors, disconnecting them and placing them out in the open
• Opening all windows and doors if the leak is inside a building to disperse gas
• Preventing sources of ignition, e.g., smoking, or frequently turning electrical switches on and off
• Keeping personnel and vehicles away from the leak, e.g., restricting access to a particular area
• If a fire has broken out, contact the fire brigade straight away

Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) – which is highly flammable and can leak as either gas or liquid – has specific gas cylinder and gas bottle storage rules. Again, it’s desirable to store LPG externally. LPG drums and cylinders should be separated from flammable liquids, toxic substances, and corrosive or oxidising materials. Stacks should not exceed 30,000 kg in mass, says the HSE. If LPG is stored in a purpose-built internal store, no more than 5,000 kg may be stored in a compartment. A maximum of five compartments are acceptable in one building.

To recap, let’s look at the key points to consider for storing gas cylinders safely:

• Storage location. Is the location secure? Have you considered the type of gas being stored and its proximity to personnel, vehicle traffic, or other substances?
• Storage layout. Are cylinders stacked upright with valves uppermost? Do the weight and size of the stack comply with regulations? Have separation distances been observed?
• Ventilation. If you are storing compressed gas, has outdoor gas cylinder storage been used? If stored inside, is the ventilation adequate to disperse gas?
• LPG gas cylinder storage requirements. Have you considered the specific requirements for storing liquified petroleum gas? Are your stacks compliant with weight and size limitations?
• Emergency procedures. Are personnel trained in emergency procedures in the event of a gas leak? Do you have the appropriate equipment to detect gas leaks? Have you taken precautionary measures to contain gas leaks?
• Gas cylinder storage rules. Are your storage facilities and methodologies compliant with regulations and industry best practice?

Take all these factors into consideration when storing and handling gas cylinders, and you’ll be helping protect your plant and personnel from the potentially serious consequences of an accident caused by a gas leak.

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