Use of Refrigerant cylinders | use of propane tanks | Disposal of gas cylinders

                               Use of Refrigerant Cylinders, Use of propane tanks, Use of gas                                                                       cylinders | Oxygen Cylinders

                                                        And Disposal of Gas Cylinders

Safe use of gas cylinders

Use of Refrigerant Cylinders, Use of propane tanks, Oxygen Cylinders

                                     And Disposal of Gas Cylinders

Safe Use of Refrigerant Cylinders and use of propane tanks

• Store refrigerants in a clean, dry area out of direct sunlight. Never heat cylinders above 125°F (52°C).
• Never tamper with cylinder valves or pressure relief devices.
• Never refill disposable cylinders with anything. Do not use disposable refrigerant cylinders as compressed air tanks.
• Wear protective clothing such as gloves and eye protection when handling any refrigerant.
• Avoid contact with liquid refrigerant because frostbite may occur.
• Avoid exposure to vapors through spills or leaks.
• Evacuate the area if a large spill occurs. Return only after the area has been properly ventilated.
• Verify proper cylinder hookup to the system.
• The cylinder label should match the color code.
• Open cylinder valves slowly.
• Be aware that inhalation of high concentrations of refrigerant vapor is harmful and may cause heart irregularities, unconsciousness, or death. Since vapor is heavier than air. avoid low areas without suitable ventilation
• Avoid rough handling of refrigerant cylinders.
• Do not drop, dent, or mechanically abuse containers.
• If a large refrigerant leak or spill occurs, do not attempt to enter the area to repair equipment until the vapors are dispersed, or until you are equipped with proper breathing apparatus. Evacuate everyone until the area has been ventilated. Use blowers or fans to circulate air at the floor level and in any basement or low areas.
• Appropriate respiratory protection equipment should be readily available in case of a large release.
• Do not expose cylinders to open flames to heat them. Never expose cylinders to temperatures above 52°C (125°F).
• Verify that the system has been completely evacuated with a vacuum pump before cutting any lines.
• Before welding or brazing, evacuate the equipment and then break the vacuum with nitrogen. Do not perform any repairs on compressed equipment.
• Always ventilate the work area before using open flames.

Safe Use of Fuel Gas Cylinders

• Fuel gas cylinders shall be placed with a valve end up whenever they are in use. Liquefied gases shall be stored and shipped with the valve end up.
• Cylinders shall be handled carefully. Rough handling, knocks, or falls are liable to damage the cylinder, valve, or safety devices and cause leakage.
• Before connecting a regulator to the cylinder valve, the valve shall be opened slightly and closed immediately. This action is generally termed 'cracking" and is intended to clear the valve of dust or dirt that otherwise might enter the regulator. The valve shall be opened while standing to one side of the outlet; never in front of the cylinder. Never crack a fuel gas cylinder valve near other welding work or sparks, flame, or other possible sources of ignition.
• Before a regulator is removed from a cylinder valve, the cylinder valve shall be closed and the gas released from the regulator.
• Leakage of Cylinders shall be checked before use through soap water.
• Nothing shall be placed on top of an acetylene cylinder when in use that may damage the safety device or interfere with the quick closing of the valve.
• If the valve on a fuel gas cylinder is opened and there is found to be a leak around the valve stem. The valve should be closed and the gland nut tightened.  If this does not stop the leak, the use of the cylinder should be discontinued. The cylinder should be removed to the outdoors, properly tagged and the supplier advised of the problem. In case the fuel gas should leak from the cylinder valve, and cannot be shut off with the valve stem, the cylinder should be removed to the outdoors, properly tagged and the supplier notified. A regulator may be attached to a cylinder valve to temporarily stop a leak through the valve seat.
• If a leak develops at a fuse plug or other safety device, the cylinder should be removed to the outdoors well away from any source of ignition. The cylinder valve should be opened slightly and the fuel gas allowed to escape slowly.
• A warning sign or tag shall be placed near cylinders having leaking safety devices; the caution persons shall not allow people to approach the area with an ignited cigarette or other sources of ignition. The supplier shall be promptly notified and the cylinder returned according to the instructions given by the supplier.
• Safety devices shall not be tampered with or removed.
• Fuel gas shall never be used from cylinders through torches or other devices equipped with shut-off valves without reducing the pressure through a suitable regulator attached to the cylinder valve or manifold.
• The cylinder valve shall always be opened slowly.
• An acetylene cylinder valve shall not be opened more than 1 and 1/2 turns of the spindle and preferably no more than 3/4’s of a turn.
• Where a special T-wrench is required, the wrench shall be left in position on the stem of the valve while the cylinder is in use so that the fuel gas flow can be quickly turned off in case of an emergency. In the case of the manifold or coupled cylinders, at least one wrench shall always be available for immediate use.
• A flashback arrester should be used when the cylinder is in operation.

Safe Use of Oxygen Cylinders and Inert Gas Cylinders:

• Cylinders shall not be dropped or otherwise roughly handled.
• Unless connected to a manifold, oxygen from a cylinder shall not be used without first attaching an oxygen regulator to the cylinder valve. Before connecting the regulator to the cylinder valve, the valve shall be opened slightly for an instant and then closed. Note: This action is generally termed "cracking" and is intended to clear the valve of dust or dirt that otherwise might enter the regulator.
• A hammer or wrench shall not be used to open cylinder valves. If valves cannot be opened by hand, the store In-charge shall be notified.
• Leakage of cylinders shall be checked before use through soap water.
• Cylinder valves shall not be tampered with nor should any attempt be made to repair them. If a problem or potential safety hazard is experienced, the supplier should be called or sent a report promptly indicating the character of the problem/hazard and the cylinder's serial number. The instructions given by the supplier as to the disposition of the cylinder shall be followed.
• After a regulator is attached, an oxygen cylinder valve should be opened slightly at first so that the regulator cylinder pressure gauge hand moves up slowly; then the valve can be opened all the way. If the high pressure is suddenly released, it is liable to damage the regulator pressure gauges. Always stand to one side of the regulator when opening the cylinder valve.
• When the oxygen cylinder is in use, the valve should be opened fully to prevent leakage around the valve stem. Complete removal of the stem from a diaphragm-type cylinder valve shall be avoided.
• Grease oil should not be used on the valves/connections of oxygen cylinders.

Tags and Identifier

• Identify the cylinder as empty by placing “MT” on the cylinder using chalk (not a marker).
• In some cases, the tag will have a tear-away section to denote that the cylinder is empty.

Disposal of Gas Cylinders

Disposing of a gas cylinder correctly is extremely important, particularly in today’s climate of environmental awareness and advocacy. Correct disposal reduces your company’s environmental footprint which reduces liability, improves public relations, and helps you stay in compliance with any of your customer's requirements for their suppliers and contractors.

You can dispose of gas cylinders by doing the following:

• Check if your state classifies cylinders as hazardous waste
• Locate an appropriate recycling facility in your area
• Confirm each cylinder's readiness for disposal
• Contact facility to arrange drop-off or pickup of cylinders

Cylinders that are leaking or that have damaged valves or other damaged parts will often not be accepted for disposal by typical facilities. Cylinders with damaged valves often cannot legally be shipped. In the case of a damaged valve or leaking cylinder, a supplier or disposal facility should be contacted to safely transfer the contents of the cylinder.