gas bottle storage

[dave144]

Not sure if this is in the right area but worth a try. What are the rules regarding the storage of large propane gas bottles and storing propane with acetylene? I was under the impression that they could not be stored together but cannot find any info to back it up.

[GuinnessMK]

I'm not sure, but last time we did a laboratory fit out, we had to seperate any gases that were "fuel" from any "oxygen or oxidising" gases, something like 6m apart.

So two types of fuel together doesn't seem to bad, as long as the quantities aren't excessive.

A quick google brings up this page: http://www.bath.ac.uk/internal/safety/1section_4-2... which mentions "Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Regulations 1972" Might be worth a phone call to the HSE or the local fire brigade in the morning?

[Brite spark]

dave144 said:

Not sure if this is in the right area but worth a try. What are the rules regarding the storage of large propane gas bottles and storing propane with acetylene? I was under the impression that they could not be stored together but cannot find any info to back it up.

when you say large cylinders I assume you mean this is going to be work related storage rather than home use? ie large quantities? pretty sure there are maximum storable amounts but not 100% sure

acetyclene isn't normally stored with the oxygen when the refrigeration contractors are on site, not sure where you would stand with propane though, easiest way would be to speak to a company like boc gasses for advice, sure they have supplied bottle cages to site in the past for storage of bottles seperately

or google suggests

http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/...
http://www.bcga.co.uk/publications/Publications%20...

[Cabinet Enforcer]

Advice on LPG cylinders and acetylene:

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/chis5.pdf

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg327.pdf

Should not be stored together, as acetylene is not stable.

[dave144]

Thanks for the info, i didn't think it was right but they argued that propane and acetylene are fuels and are ok as long as they are kept away from sources of oxygen. I had a look on the BOC website but it was hard to clarify what the rules were as there are only two propane and one acetylene bottle.

I'm trying to bring my new workplace into the 21st century but they have just built a new cage for the bottles without any thought on the safety implications.