Independent School District 196
Compressed Gases Management Plan
Compressed gas cylinders can be extremely hazardous when misused or abused. The purpose of enforcing a
compressed gases policy is to ensure that proper storage, handling, and use of compressed gas cylinders are
practiced and maintained by both students and employees.
This policy will subsume compressed gas requirements enforced by the following regulatory agencies:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
o 29 CFR 1910.101-105 (General Requirements)
o 29 CFR 1910.252 (General Requirements)

The Department of Transportation (DOT)
o 49 CFR 171-179/14 CFR 103 (Hazardous Materials Regulations)

NFPA 55, Standard for the Storage, Use, and Handling of Compressed and Liquefied Gases in Portable
Cylinders

NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Fire Windows

Compressed Gas Association (CGA), Standards for Visual Inspection
Responsibilities
Department Coordinators/Supervisors are responsible for implementing this operating procedure within their
departments, when applicable, and ensuring that their personnel fully comply. Specific responsibilities include:
1. Ensuring compliance.
2. Providing the appropriate personal protective equipment.
3. Ensuring that employees are trained on the storage, transporting, ordering, disposal, identification, and
inspection of compressed gas cylinders.
4. Notifying Health and Safety when new hazards are introduced or when processes are added or modified.
5. Seek assistance with Health and Safety to evaluate hazards.
Employees are responsible for complying with the requirements of this operating procedure. Specific
responsibilities include:
1. Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
2. Attending required training sessions.
3. Storing, transporting, ordering, disposing, identification, and inspecting of compressed gas cylinders.
4. Communicating with their manager/supervisor of the department’s needs.
Office of Health and Safety is responsible for the development and administration of the district’s compressed
gases management program. Specific responsibilities include:
1. Assisting with hazard assessments and PPE selection, when requested.
2. Providing annual training.
3. Conducting an audit of departments for compliance.
Types of compressed gases:
Oxygen
A colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. Oxygen will not burn, but it supports and can greatly accelerate
combustion. Primarily oxygen is used in most welding processes; however, in most school districts oxygen may
be kept in the nurses’ office for assistance breathing.
Oxygen will undergo highly exothermic reactions or explosions with many materials, and should never be placed
near heat, ignition sources, combustible materials, or incompatible chemicals. It is critical that no oil, grease, or
other readily combustible materials or substances come into contact with oxygen cylinders, valves, regulators,
gauges, or fittings.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a non-combustible gas that in high concentrations can paralyze the respiratory center and is
considered an industrial hazard. Carbon dioxide has a higher density then air making it heavier than air causing it
to collect in low lying areas.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. Hydrogen is a flammable gas. A mixture of hydrogen with
oxygen or air in a confined area will explode if ignited by spark, flame or other source of ignition. Hydrogen
flames are virtually invisible.
Acetylene
Acetylene is a colorless gas with distinct garlic-like-odor. Like most other combustible gases, acetylene ignites
readily and in certain proportions forms a flammable mixture with air or oxygen. The flammability range of
acetylene (2.5 to 81 percent acetylene in air) is greater than that of many other commonly used welding gases.
Because acetylene is an asphyxiate that displaces oxygen in the air and causes rapid suffocation due to oxygen
deficiency, a mixture of acetylene with oxygen or air in a confined area will explode when brought in contact with
a flame or other source of ignition. Compressed acetylene may cause frostbite upon direct skin contact with
escaping gas from the cylinder. Therefore all cylinders should be handled with extreme care.
Currently there is no occupational exposure limits associated with acetylene from OSHA, the National Institute of
Occupational Safety (NIOSH), or the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).
However, OSHA does have specific regulations regarding acetylene under the standard 1910.102 and oxygen fuel
gas welding and cutting under 1910.253.
Argon and Helium
Argon and helium are classified as inert gases. Inert gases are simple asphyxiates that displace oxygen in the air
and cause suffocation due to oxygen deficiency. Because argon and helium are classified as inert gases they do
not burn nor do they support combustion. However, because argon and helium are located in most school districts
they still must be handled with extreme care. Most helium compressed gases are used for special events within
most school districts, and argon is primarily used as a shield in welding processes in auto shops.
Currently there are no OSHA, NIOSH, or ACGIH occupational exposure limits associated with these gases.
However there are specific procedures to be followed with the safe handling and use of these containers. Both
helium and argon are stable at room temperature, in closed containers, under normal storage and handling
conditions, and both are considered non-corrosive gases.
Propane
Propane gas is derived from petroleum and natural gases and is used in various applications. Under the ACGIH
propane is classified as a simple asphyxiate and can be liquefied with increased pressure. It is stable when stored
as a liquid in steel tanks under its own vapor pressure.
Propane can be a dangerous fire and explosion hazard when mixed with air or exposed to heat or flame. Propane
is heavier than air and like carbon dioxide will collect in low lying areas. Propane vapors may flow on surfaces
for considerable distances, reach an ignition source, and flash back. Propane itself reacts vigorously with
oxidizers and explosively with chlorine dioxide. It should be stored in well-ventilated, low fire risk areas, away
from heat, ignition sources and oxidizing agents, including oxygen and chlorine. Propane is regulated by many
governing bodies and the following are the occupational exposure limits:
Storage of compressed gases
Storage procedures for compressed gas cylinders include the following:
 Cylinders that are stored inside of buildings will be stored in well-protected, well-ventilated, dry locations
at least twenty (20) feet from heat sources or highly combustible materials such as oil or accelerator.
 Compressed gas cylinders will be adequately secured to prevent tipping and knocking.
 Valve protection caps will be in place, hand tight, except when cylinders are in use or connected for use.
 Employers will ensure that all compressed gas cylinders, portable tanks, and cargo tanks, have pressure
relief devices installed.
 All empty cylinders will have their valves closed.
 Compressed gasses will be stored in metal containers built according to D.O.T. 49 CFR 171-179 and
marked accordingly.
 Any doors or windows in a storage area must conform to the installation of fire doors and windows code
(NFPA 80-1970).
 Signs will be posted stating “Danger-No Smoking, Matches, or Open Lights” where compressed gases are
being stored. Exemptions include: gases below 41 p.s.i. at 68 degrees F., cylinders with a capacity of 4
fluid ounces or less, compressed air used to convey materials, compressed air machinery, or equipment
used on transformation vehicles.
Transporting cylinders
 The protective cap must be in place.
 Avoid dropping and striking cylinders together. The cylinder should not be lifted by the cap.
 Use a cradle for hoisting.
 Use a suitable hand truck with the cylinder firmly secured. Avoid dragging, sliding or rolling cylinders.
 Cylinders must be secured in a positive fashion with straps or chains while being transported and when in
motor vehicles.
 Use the freight elevator when possible. If a freight elevator is not available, do not use an elevator with
people in it and do not allow other people to enter the elevator when transporting cylinders.
 Storage, use, and handling areas will be secured against unauthorized entry or access to unauthorized
personnel.
Disposal of cylinders
 Close and tighten valves and replace safety caps on cylinders.
 Contact supplier/vendor to obtain guidelines for the shipment of cylinders to be returned.
 Identify the gas that was in the container. Valves will be removed from empty nontoxic gas cylinders
before disposal as metal scrap.
 Contact the Health and Safety Office for removal of cylinders that cannot be returned to the
supplier/vendor or for disposal of orphaned cylinders.
Identification of compressed gas cylinders
 The contents of any compressed gas cylinder are clearly identified. Gas identification should be stenciled
or stamped on the cylinder or a label. Commercially available three-part tag systems may be used for
identification and inventory.

Compressed gas cylinders are not to be accepted for use that does not legibly identify its contents by
name. If the labeling on a cylinder becomes unclear the cylinder should be marked “contents unknown”
and returned to the supplier. Do not rely on the color of the cylinder for identification. Color-coding is
not reliable because cylinder colors may vary with supplier. Also, never rely on labels on caps because
they are interchangeable.

All gas lines leading from a compressed gas supply should be clearly labeled to identify the gas and the
area served. The labels should be coded to distinguish hazardous gases such as flammable, toxic, or
corrosive substances. Signs should be posted in areas where flammable compressed gases are stored or
used, identifying the substance and appropriate precautions.
Inspection of compressed gas cylinders
Compressed gas cylinders will be visually inspected before each use and once per calendar year in accordance
with the following guidelines. Any cylinder failing to meet these requirements will be removed from service.
Documentation of inspection records, MSDS, and specified paperwork will be stored onsite where compressed
gases are used. The Health and Safety Department will maintain copies of records.
Dents—Dents are deformations caused by the cylinder coming in contact with a blunt object in such a way that
the thickness of metal is impaired. Only cylinders that have major dents that do impair the metal wall will be
removed from service.
Cuts, gouges, and digs—These are deformations caused by the contact with a sharp object in such a way as to cut
into or upset the metal of the cylinder, decreasing the wall of thickness at that point. Cylinders that have cuts,
gouges, or digs that decrease the thickness of the metal wall will be removed from service.
Corrosion and pitting—Cylinders that have corrosion and pitting in the cylinder involving the loss of wall
thickness caused by a corrosive media will be removed from service.
Bulges—Cylinders which have definite bulges will be removed from service.
Neck—The cylinder neck will be examined for serious cracks, folds, and flows. Neck cracks are determined by
testing with a soap solution. Cylinders found to have a serious neck crack will be removed from service.
Foot-Ring and Head-Ring—Cylinders will be removed from service when the head-ring and/or foot-ring becomes
so distorted that they no longer maintain the cylinder in a normal upright position or when the head-ring becomes
so distorted it no longer adequately protects the valve and the neck area of the cylinder.
Emergencies
In the event of a leak or suspected leak of gas, evacuate the building or area. Activate the fire alarm by pulling the
nearest fire alarm or calling the main office to contact 911. Follow the building specific emergency action plan.