Precautions compressed gases

Precautions for handling carbon monoxide in compressed gas cylinders in addition to those given in Table 9.3 include ... 

All precautions relating to compressed gas cylinders must be enforced—the cylinders must be secured to an immovable object, such as a wall they must have approved pressure regulators in place they must be transported on approved carts etc. Tubing and connectors must be free of gas leaks. There must be an independently vented fume hood in place over the flame to take care of toxic combustion products. Volatile flammable organic solvents and their vapors, such as ether and acetone, must not be present in the lab when the flame is lit. 

Figure 11.22 on the next page shows a typical compressed gas cylinder. You can see that it is built to withstand high pressures. There are other safety precautions as well, however. 

Caution Sulfur dioxide gas is intensely irritating to the eyes, throat, and upper respiratory system. Liquid sulfur dioxide may cause skin burns, which result from the freezing effect of the liquid on tissue. Safety precautions to be observed in handling the material are specified in Pamphlet G-3 published by the Compressed Gas Association, 4221 Walney Road, Fifth Floor, Chantilly, VA 20151-2923. 

Precaution Compressed gas incompat. with reactive metals, e.g., sodium, potassium, aluminum, magnesium, zinc (can react violently or explosively), water (can cause violent spattering or explosion)... 

The following precautions should be taken when storing compressed gas cylinders ... 

Practices and precautions that must be followed when handling and using compressed gas containers include ... 

Within the scope of this chapter it is not possible to cover all the precautions to be taken when handling a particular gas it is possible only to mention some of the more important considerations. In all cases the compressed gas manufacturer must be consulted for thorough advice concerning specific handling and transfer issues. 

Due to the vast diversity of exposures during the use of a compressed gas cylinder, a prefill inspection of each cylinder is a necessary precaution. This inspection identifies any damage or repairs that are required prior to filling. The following describes inspections included in the prefill inspection process. 

Gaseous argon must be handled with all the precautions necessary for safety as with any nonflammable, nontoxic compressed gas. All precautions necessary for the safe handling of any gas liquefied at very low temperatures must be observed with liquid argon. Extensive tissue damage or bums can result from exposure to liquid argon or cold argon vapors. 

All of the precautions necessary for the handling of any nonflammable gas or cryogenic liquid must be taken. For additional details, see Chapter 2 and the compressed gas manufacturer s MSDS. 

All the precautions necessary for the safe handling of a flammable compressed gas must also be observed with 1,3-butadiene, and special precautions must be taken against its possible polymerization. 

All the precautions required for the safe handling of any flammable compressed gas must be observed with ethane. It is important that ignition sources be kept away from containers, including situations where leakage could cause the gas to ignite by such sources as a spark from a motor. All piping and equipment used with ethane should be grounded. 

Gaseous helium must be handled using all the precautions necessary for safety with any nonflammable, nontoxic compressed gas (see Chapter 2). 

Neither the Association, its members, nor the publisher guarantee any results, make any representations regarding the accuracy of, or assume any liability or responsibility in connection with, the information or suggestions contained in this handbook. It should not be assumed that every acceptable commodity grade, test or safety procedure or method, precaution, equipment or device is contained within, or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or suggest further requirements or additional procedures. The Compressed Gas Association, its members, and the publisher shall in no event be liable for any personal injury, property or other damages of any nature whatsoever, whether special, indirect, consequential or compensatory, directly or indirectly resulting from the publication or use of or reliance upon this handbook. 

A list of guidelines, derived from various sources, to the safe handling and use of gas cylinders follows. A two-part series [32] expands on these rules and discusses certain special conditions. Most of the precautions listed below are paraphrased from rules established by tiie Compressed Gas Association. Some also appear in DOT regulations. 

Proper safety precautions must be observed at all times during any stage of loading or unloading operations. Safe procedures are provided in regulations, in standards, in the literature of technical associations, and in the instructions of compressed gas manufacturers. 

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