Transporting of Propane tanks | Gas cylinders Transporting

                                 Transporting of Propane tanks and Gas cylinders

Gas cylinders transportation

 

Transporting of Propane tanks and Gas cylinders

Transporting and handling of compressed gas cylinders:

Drivers of vehicles used for the transportation of compressed gas cylinders shall ensure that:

• Cylinders containing toxic gases shall not be transported in a vehicle without a separate driver's cab and load compartment.
• Compressed gas cylinders are not allowed to move with the regulator in place.
• Empty cylinders, except acetylene, shall be stored and transported in a horizontal position.
• Extreme caution is exercised to avoid knocking or jarring acetylene cylinders. Acetylene gas is sensitive to shock and in its free state at a pressure greater than 1.5 bar (21psi), it decomposes violently by the polymerization and generates heat. If a cylinder becomes hot, it may result in an explosion.
• Racks or trolleys containing compressed gas cylinders are secured to vehicles to prevent toppling.
• Leaked or exposed to fire compressed gas cylinders shall not be shipped. Under such circumstances, the supplier needs to be consulted for advice.
• Different gases in bulk transport racks shall not be intermixed and kept clear of flammable materials.
• Fire extinguishers (DCP or CO2 type) shall be in place on all vehicles transporting compressed gas cylinders.
• Compressed gas cylinders shall not be transported by aircraft or helicopter, in any normal situation.
• Compressed gas cylinder, when transported via marine vessel shall be kept in racks or baskets in the vertical position and securely fastened by chain or straps.
• Compressed gas cylinders present in a workspace or storage area must be in a dry well-ventilated area.
• Only move a cylinder, even for short distances, with the regulator and gauges removed, the cylinder valve closed and the safety cap screwed in place.
• Compressed gas cylinders must be in an upright position, and secured to a wall or an immovable object by an appropriate strap or chain above the midpoint and below the shoulder, or in a holder designed for that purpose (never secured to utilities)
• Compressed gas cylinders are located so, that the point-of-use valve is away from immediate hazards and within immediate reach (where the cylinder valve is located within immediate reach, a separate point-of-use shut-off valve is not required).
• Compressed gas cylinders should not be located in any exit or corridor providing access to exits, under a fire escape, outside exit stair, passage, and a ramp, or within 1 meter of any exit.
• When transporting cylinders by a crane or fork lifter, a suitable platform shall be used. Slings shall not be used for this purpose. Valve protection caps (where the cylinder is designed to accept a cap) shall always be in place.
• Cylinders should be moved by tilting, rolling, or dragging them on their bottom edges. Dragging and sliding cylinders should be avoided. When cylinders are transported by vehicle, they must be secured in position. Cylinders shall not be dropped or struck or permitted to strike each other violently.
• Valve protection caps shall not be used for lifting cylinders from one vertical position to another. Bars shall not be used under valves or valve protection caps to pry cylinders loose when frozen to the ground or otherwise fixed; the use of warm (not boiling) water is recommended. Valve protection caps are designed to protect cylinder valves from damage. Before raising cylinders provided with valve protection caps from a horizontal to a vertical position, the cap should be properly in place. The cap should be turned clockwise to ensure that the cap is hand-tight.
• A suitable cylinder frame/truck, chain, or other steadying devices shall be used to keep cylinders from being knocked over while in use.
• Unless cylinders are secured on a special truck, regulators shall be removed and valve protection caps, when provided for, shall be put in place before cylinders are moved.
• Cylinders not having fixed hand wheels shall have keys, handles or nonadjustable wrenches on valve stems while these cylinders are in service. In multiple cylinder installations, only one key or handle is required for each manifold.
• Magnets shall not be used for lifting the cylinder.
• Mandatory PPE including safety shoes should be used during handling.
• The main cylinder valve should be closed as soon as it is no longer necessary that it be open (i.e. it should be closed when the equipment is not operating).
• Cylinders shall be kept far enough away from welding or cutting operations so that sparks, hot slag, or flames will not reach the cylinder. If this is not possible, a fire-resistant shield shall be provided.
• Cylinders shall not be placed in an area where they might come in contact with or become part of an electric circuit. Contacts with third rails, trolley wires, etc. shall also be avoided. Cylinders shall be kept away from radiators, piping systems, layout tables, etc. that may be used for grounding electric circuits such as the tapping of an electrode against a cylinder to strike an arc.
• Cylinders shall never be used as rollers or supports, whether full or empty.
• The numbers and markings stamped into cylinders shall not be tampered with or changed.
• Empty cylinders should be marked "Empty" or "MT" segregated from full cylinders and promptly returned to the supplier with valve protection caps in place. All valves shall be closed.
• No person, other than the gas supplier, shall attempt to mix gases in a cylinder. No one, except the owner of the cylinder or person(s) authorized by the owner, shall refill a cylinder.
• Cylinders are not to be refilled by anyone except the gas supplier.
• No one shall tamper with or remove the cylinder’s valve safety devices.
• Ensure that Industrial standard gloves are used when handling Compressed Gas Cylinders.

The cylinder is heavier than 20 kg and requires to be lifted, the following points need to be taken care of:

·         Lift compressed gas cylinders only by using a cradle in which a compressed gas cylinder is protected and secured.

·         Compressed gas cylinders shall always be lowered or lifted carefully during their loading and unloading to and from vehicles and marine vessels;

·         Compressed gas cylinders shall not be lifted using ropes, chains, or slings unless the cylinder was manufactured with lifting lugs.

·         Compressed gas cylinders shall be transported in such a manner that will prevent dropping or violent contact with other cylinders or similarly hard objects.

·         Transport large compressed gas cylinders on a wheeled hand trolley, or another proper vehicle.

·         Secure the cylinders to the trolley.

·         When forklifts are used, a cradle shall also be used, which will protect the cylinder and valve from being struck during transit.

·         Tipping, dragging, sliding, rolling, or dropping cylinders shall not be allowed; this may cause damage and/or open the cylinder valve.

·         Transporting a compressed gas cylinder trolley by hitching to the back of a vehicle shall be prohibited.

·         When transporting a compressed gas cylinder, gauges shall be disconnected and removed and ensured valves are closed and capped. Transport racks for cylinders shall be maintained in a good condition and subject to the periodic requirements for lifting equipment inspection and color coding.