How to Store Gas Cylinders Safely

Gas cylinders may seem like inconspicuous and well-fortified vessels for flammable gas, but it’s not impenetrable. If left in poor conditions, a gas cylinder’s outermost layer can degrade and lose its protective properties, creating a hazard in the zone it occupies.

Having said that, property owners need to practice proactive safety measures to ensure that their gas cylinders and gas bottles are safely stored in the right spaces. In doing this, the chance of explosions, leaks, and other catastrophic events drops significantly.

Whether your gas cylinders are situated in a home, a commercial space, or an industrial area, keeping them in the right storage compartments (and in the right conditions) is something you should prioritise for the health and safety of everyone around the area.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into six ways that you can store gas cylinders safely. Let’s jump right into it.

1. Familiarise Yourself With Local Laws

Appropriately storing gas cylinders isn’t just a recommendation, it’s a policy pushed by the local council. These guidelines are enforced to help create a safer environment in a standard household and for the broader community at large.

For Australians, the most important set of legal guidelines that you should familiarise yourself with if you’re storing gas cans is the Australian Standard (AS) 4332-2004.

This standard provides an outline of the safety requirements when storing and handling flammable gasses—which are the type of gasses often found within pressurised gas cylinders.

In particular, these laws discuss things from optimal cylindrical placements to safety distances. They’re fairly comprehensive and are a great resource to consult if you want to reduce the risk of accidents caused by improper storage.

They’re also legal obligations, so following them is the best course of action if you want to remain in good legal standing.

2. Put Gas Cylinders in Dedicated Containers

One of the requirements stated in the Australian Standard is to put gas cylinders in approved containers.

These containers aren’t made from wooden materials of flimsy quality. They’re durable and made from heavy-duty steel, capable of safely protecting gas cylinders from external variables—and vice versa.

The reason why it’s ideal to put these gas cylinders in these storage containers is because they help limit gas and chemical exposure. They also protect and fortify the gas container itself, preventing unauthorised access thanks to a padlock system.

Furthermore, these containers have ample ventilation, preventing any gas buildup. They also have chains that can secure the gas cylinder in an upright position, preventing it from tipping over upon impact or during earthquakes.

As much as possible, put these gas cylinders in the appropriate storage. This will help mitigate risk while keeping unauthorised personnel from accessing these potentially hazardous goods.

3. Don’t Exceed Maximum Allowable Gas Cylinder Amounts

In Australia and other countries, there are legal limits set in place regarding the amount of gas cylinders you can have indoors. This limit for Aussies is 10 kilograms of pressurised gas per dwelling or two 5-kilogram gas cylindrical units.

Sticking with this maximum allowable quantity is vital not only for legal purposes but also to keep the property in a safe condition. Exceeding this limit is a risk to you, your property, and everyone else who dwells in them. This is the case even if you have put your gas cylinders inside specialised gas bottle storage for Australian Climates.

Furthermore, it’s also good practice to not have more gas cylinders than necessary within your property. This is to ensure that, in the rare case of ignition, the follow-up chain reaction won’t devastate an area larger than you or the community can’t afford to lose.

The gas storage requirements differ whether you’re securing a residential or a commercial property. Balconies are considered part of the indoor storage unit, so don’t try to pull a fast one and assume that it’s safe to put your gas cylinders in there too.

4. Store Gas Cylinders Outdoors

As much as possible, store your gas cylinders in an extension or zone separate from your main living or working space. For instance, a garage or a locked shed makes for an optimal place to store your unused gas cylinders.

These designated equipment storage areas are great places to store your gas cylinders for a number of reasons. For one, these places will likely not be spotted and tampered with by the public or children, reducing the risk of hazards.

Secondly, outdoor storage also helps keep you safe in case there is a gas buildup or leak. The distance and secluded area of the gas cylinder help put some space between the primary quarters and the hazardous goods—giving you and anyone in proximity enough time to escape if things turn south.

Finally, outdoor storage units are often far from heat-igniting sources. It’s essential to keep gas cylinders away from stray heat coming from electrical circuits, heaters, and other appliances, as the intense heat can cause an unwanted reaction.

The nature of the environment should be free from direct sunlight and relatively cool. Ensure that it’s situated in a slightly elevated area to prevent floodwater from seeping through the bottom. Also, keep flammable material like branches, flammable wood, and dry leaves at least three feet away from the cylinder.

By storing gas cylinders outdoors, your main space will be much safer—which can give you and its dwellers added peace of mind.

5. Segregate Incompatible Goods

Another critical thing to do to keep gas cylinders from being in unsafe conditions is to separate the cylinder from other potential reactants.

Certain household compounds can react negatively when in contact with gasses like propane and diesel. It’s important to be informed about the compounds you shouldn’t put near these gasses to keep your house or property safe.

Some things you shouldn’t mix up include oxidising agents like hydrogen peroxide. When in proximity, these two compounds can spontaneously combust—damaging property and hurting people close to it.

Besides that, you should also consider placing gas cylinders away from flammable solvents. This helps reduce the likelihood of fires, explosions, and other dangerous events happening on your property.

You must also consider putting your gas cylinders away from flammable objects, like untreated wood, curtains, and paper documents. This helps reduce the chances of a fire outbreak. It also helps curb the spread of an ongoing fire from reaching the gas container—which can help reduce the risk of impending doom.

6. Dispose of Gas Cans Properly

You shouldn’t dispose of gas cylinders together with waste in your general rubbish bin. This can be detrimental to the environment, causing toxic substances to seep into the ground and into your neighbourhood.

Not to mention, disposing of gas cylinders recklessly is also considered illegal in some countries, including Australia. You may be fined if you get caught disposing of gas cylinders improperly.

To tread on the safe side, stay out of trouble by knowing how to dispose of gas cylinders the right way. You may be wondering how, well, It’s fairly simple. Take your old or empty gas cylinders to an authorised recycling facility. They have a collection point where you can drop off used and empty gas cans.

Before dropping them off, be sure to loosen the pressurised valve on top of the cylinder. This helps reduce the chance of liquified gas getting pressurised inside the can and building up.

If you don’t know where your local recycling facility is, then search online or ask the authorised seller of the gas cans for a lead. You may also ask your neighbour where they dispose of theirs.

We hope this article has helped you gain deeper insights into proper gas cylinder storage!