• Automobiles & fork lifts
• Grillers and stoves
• BBQs stationary & portable
• Heating

CYLINDER HANDLING AND STORAGE

• Store, handle & transport in an upright position per the illustration below.
• Gas cylinders (particularly the larger VT, F & G ) can be  unstable on broken or unstable ground & must be stored in pallets or racks when not in use & secured when in use by a strap or chain against a wall or secured by a suitable trolley with chain or strap.
• Use appropriate materials for chains. e.g. plastic coated wire cable, commercial straps, with tensioners,… etc., to secure cylinders.
• Gas cylinders should not be stored in public hallways or other unprotected areas
• Store in a well ventilated appropriate area and out of direct sunlight and away from sources of heat and ignition; temperatures must not exceed 50 °C.
• Cylinders should be protected from damage. Do not store cylinders near elevators or gangways, or in locations where heavy-moving objects may strike or fall on them or knock the cylinder over.
• Cylinders must be stored on surfaces such as suitably drained concrete to prevent the base of the cylinder from rusting from standing in puddles for long periods. Cylinders should be stored, secured in premises to protect them from theft & against tampering by unauthorized individuals.
• Storage areas must be well-ventilated, cool, dry, and free from corrosive materials.
• Make sure the cylinder when used is matched with the correct regulator and end connectors and of appropriate pressure rating.
• Inspect the regulator and cylinder valve connections to make sure that they are not contaminated with grease, oil, dirt, water or solvents. Never use grease or oil to lubricate regulators or cylinder valves as this will contaminate the gas.

• Open (Anti clockwise looking down at the hand wheel, directional arrows are on the hand wheel.)

or close a cylinder valve (Clockwise looking down at the hand wheel, directional arrows are on the hand wheel.) 

by hand using moderate torque to open or close them.  Too much closing torque can damage the cylinder valve seat.

Only use set spanners or specific tools that are provided by the cylinder supplier to connect accessories.

Multi-grips should never be used.

Some regulators require a sealing washer in or on the inlet spigot.

Check that this is present before fitting the regulator to the cylinder valve outlet

Handling leaks

1. Leaks are detected by odour (Which is well below the LEL*) & then pinpointed per point 5 below.
2. If closing the Cylinder Valve does not stop the leak, then relocate the cylinder to a safer well ventilated or outdoor location to allow the leaking gas to escape so as not build up to a dangerous level.

i.e. Per Puregas Safety Guidelines.

3. Do not enter an area with high gas leakages without proper PPE or safety equipment.
4. Approach the leak only if qualified to do so.
5. Use readily available techniques like the soap bubble method to detect the leak.
6. Return the empty cylinder if the leak persists or after the gas has been safely vented.
7. Make sure the cylinder is properly tagged indicating the nature, location & date of the leak together with a contact name & phone number for follow up by the gas supplier.