Compressed gases are commonly associated with various hazards like fires, explosions, oxygen displacement, and toxic gas leaks. Because of these risks, it’s important to exercise proper handling and storage to keep these hazards at bay.

At nexAir, we provide comprehensive KnowHow so that you can handle gas canisters safely while ensuring their longevity.

Canister Use, Handling, and Storage: What You Need To Know

Proper canister care entails the careful use, handling, and storage of gas cylinders so you can minimize hazards while enhancing the safety of your employees and facilities.

Here’s a guide that will help you ensure the proper and safe handling of gas canisters:

• Ensure all cylinders have proper labels indicating which types of gas they contain and outlining their potential hazards. This simple practice will help you minimize avoidable accidents.
• Always verify the contents of compressed gas cylinders before using them.
• Attach a suitable regulator to each cylinder before using compressed gas.
• Use nitrogen or other types of inert gas to charge compensation bladders.
• Don’t use the protective cap to lift and move the canisters around.
• Keep the protective cap on all canisters that are being transported or hoisted. It doesn’t matter whether the canister is full or empty — safety always comes first.
• Keep the cylinder bottoms off the ground to prevent or minimize rusting.
• Label leaky cylinders to prevent accidentally using them before proper disposal.
• Don’t use compressed gas cylinders as substitute rollers for heavy equipment.

It’s also important to handle canisters as gently and carefully as possible. Keep them upright. Use the right crane or hoist to ensure they don’t get dropped or knocked around. Rough handling could damage cylinders and cause gas leaks and other hazards. 

For optimal canister safety, keep in mind that acetylene, oxygen, and fuel gas cylinders shouldn’t be stored in confined spaces. Also, oxygen cylinders must be stored away from fuel gas cylinders and other combustible materials.

Canister Hazards: What to Watch Out For

Compressed gas canisters and cylinders have various hazards, including:

• Cylinders may contain toxic materials that shouldn’t be exposed to air.
• Cylinders may contain flammable materials that could spontaneously combust.
• Gas equipment and fittings can become over-pressured.
• Gas cylinders typically contain high pressure. They can become projectiles if the valve is damaged or broken off.

Regardless of the size of the gas cylinders you’re using, they pose a variety of risks because of the volatile nature of the compressed gases they contain. For this reason, it’s important to always store them upright with a chain or in a rack away from heat and combustible materials. These cylinders should also be labeled accordingly and stored in a well-ventilated area to ensure that they are safe for use and pose minimal risks of leakage or combustion.

From portable and recyclable gas canisters to microbulk gas systems, nexAir helps your business Forge Forward by providing quality gas cylinders and insights on how to care for them properly and safely. Contact us for inquiries.