Gas Cylinder Carts For Uses Other Than Transportation: Good Idea Or Unsafe Practice?

Compressed gas cylinder carts are widely used in research for transporting cylinders. Invariably the question arises if they can be used as to secure cylinders in place so that they can be used directly off the cart.

NFPA 55 Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code in 7.1.8.4 requires that cylinders in use or storage be secured to prevent them falling by corralling or securing them to “a cart, framework, or fixed object”. The International Fire Code (IFC) in 5303.5(2) allows securing them to a “cart or other mobile device” designed for their movement. CGA P-1 Standard for Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Containers in 5.8.4 requires cylinders be secured from falling or rolling. It does not specify any further details of what is, or is not, acceptable.

So, it seems that the practice of using a compressed gas cylinder directly from a cart is allowed but is it a safe practice?

Using compressed gas cylinders directly from a cart is extremely typical in welding and burning applications (welding carts). The problem with using a compressed gas cylinder secured to a cart is how stable is the cart? Most carts are designed to stay at rest only in the perfectly vertical position on flat ground. (Think of a standard welding cart.) These type carts have some resistance to being tipped or pulled over but they are very limited in how much force they can resist, particularly from the front or back.

Many cylinder transport carts are angled to make the weight distribution more spread out and allow easier movement. These carts are much more stable in their short axis (forward or backward motion) but no more or even less stable in their sideways motion.

In both cases, incidents can happen that can cause an accident. These include:

·????????Tripping and falling against the cart

·????????Hitting the cart with another moving object

·????????Pulling on the connection too hard or from a different direction

·????????Pushing the cart to move it slightly only to have it tip over

Since the cap will normally be off when the cylinder is in use, any fall is much more likely to result in a sheared valve and uncontrolled cylinder release. In that case, ?both the cylinder and the contents may both become a hazard.

These incidents happen more often than you may believe. They are often highly embarrassing and cause the individual to pick up the cylinder and pretend it never happened. Some are investigated but more probably go unreported.

In my opinion, this is a very unsafe practice. Cylinders are very safe when used correctly and restrained against falling. When they can fall, they become significantly more hazardous. I can appreciate the desire to be able to move a cylinder around easily for leak testing, charging, or numerous other instances. I recognize that welding carts are so ubiquitous that their use will never be prohibited or curtailed. I acknowledge that these incidents rarely have escalated to major accidents. I suggest that this is a poor practice that needlessly raises the risk of a serious accident that could lead to injuries and facility damage.

The alternative is not very difficult. Simply secure the cart to something more stable. I have seen these carts tied, bungee corded, and clamped to benches, columns, or large stationary equipment. It only takes a moment and it effectively removes the hazard. I still remember the comment that the individual made when the incident shown in the last picture was investigated. “I watched if fall and wondered if I’d see my family again.” Thankfully they did but a moments extra work could have removed the hazard entirely.

For more information on handling, storing, and using compressed gases safely consider the following resources:

·????????Transporting Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Dewars On an Elevator, https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/transporting-compressed-gases-cryogenic-dewars-elevator-palluzi

·????????What Do the Numbers Stamped on a Compressed Gas Cylinder Mean?, https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/what-do-numbers-stamped-compressed-gas-cylinder-mean-richard-palluzi

·????????Venting Gas Cylinders in a Laboratory, https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/venting-gas-cylinders-laboratory-richard-palluzi/

·????????The 10 Most Common Laboratory Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety Issues, https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/10-most-common-laboratory-compressed-gas-cylinder-safety-palluzi/

·????????Storage of Incompatible Gases: Easily Said, Harder To Evaluate, https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/storage-incompatible-gases-easily-said-harder-evaluate-palluzi/

·????????Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety In Research Applications, https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/compressed-gas-cylinder-safety-research-applications-richard-palluzi/