Seeking Clarity on Safe Distances for Fuel and Oxygen Cylinders in India: Storage, Transport, and Use

Dear All,

As per ANSI Z49.1:2005, Oxygen Gas Cylinders in storage shall be kept at a safe distance of 6.1 meters from combustible gas cylinders.

According to the Gas Cylinder Rules 2004, Chapter 2, General Provisions, Section 21: Storage of cylinders: Cylinders containing flammable gases and toxic gases shall be kept separated from each other and from cylinders containing other types of gases by an adequate distance or by a suitable partition wall.

Gas Cylinder Rules 2004 do not specify the exact distance required, and both regulations mentioned above pertain to the storage of gas cylinders only.

Now, my questions are:

1. What should be the safe distance between fuel and Oxygen during storage as per statutes in India? Which is the latest applicable Act/Rule in India regarding the same?

2. What should be the safe distance while transporting fuel and Oxygen as per statutes in India? Is transporting them in the same trolley safe or not?

3. What should be the safe distance between fuel and Oxygen during use as per statutes in India?

I request clarification on these topics. If you do not have updates on Indian statutes, please provide information based on any other relevant legalizations.

As per ANSI Z49.1:2005, Oxygen Gas Cylinders in storage shall be kept at a safe distance of 6.1 meters from combustible gas cylinders. According to the Gas Cylinder Rules 2004, Chapter 2, General Provisions, Section 21: Storage of cylinders, cylinders containing flammable gases and toxic gases should be kept separated from each other and from cylinders containing other types of gases by an adequate distance or by a suitable partition wall. However, the Gas Cylinder Rules 2004 do not specify the exact distance, and both regulations pertain to the storage of gas cylinders only.

Questions on Safe Distances for Gas Cylinders

Now, my questions are:

1. What should be the safe distance between fuel and oxygen during storage as per the statutes in India? What is the latest applicable Act/Rule in India regarding the same?

2. What should be the safe distance while transporting fuel and oxygen as per the statutes in India? Is transporting them on the same trolley safe?

3. What should be the safe distance between fuel and oxygen during use as per the statutes in India?

I kindly request your insights on this topic. If you do not have updates on Indian statutes, please provide information based on any other relevant legislation.

Regards,
Abhay

Please feel free to ask if you have any questions.

I am attaching the NFPA-55 homework which I received from a friend. The requirements related to the distances to be observed between various types of gases are mentioned on Page No. 9 (Table 2-1.5).

1. While storing, a 10-foot distance shall be maintained between fuel and oxygen cylinders.

2. NEVER KEEP FUEL & OXYGEN IN THE SAME VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION. So, no question of safe distance arises. It is not safe to transfer fuel & oxygen cylinders in the same trolley. A trolley designed for two cylinders shall be used to keep both the oxygen & fuel cylinders upright, held with a chain while in use.

3. No specific distance is mentioned in statutes while in use. Other precautionary measures like leaks around the valve stem, leaks from the regulator, fuse plug, providing hoods over the cylinder to prevent the fall of hot spatters, etc., shall be ensured as better prevention.

RAVINATH

@PTRC

Dear Sir,

Thanks for providing me with the NFPA 55 standard. Table 2-1.5 is basically for Toxic Gases. If I understood correctly, whereas in our case, both LPG and Oxygen are not toxic. However, this document also clearly mentions a distance of 6.1m.

@Ravinath

Thanks for your input into the thread. I just want to know whether this 3-meter distance is safe during storage, whereas all the documents state that the safe distance to be maintained is 6.1m. Is this based on practicality only? Please have a look at the trolley in the attached file and give your suggestion. Is this transportation safe, especially when keeping both cylinders in the same trolley and using them on-site?

@Yadvinder Sharma

First of all, a warm welcome to the forum. I hope we will learn a lot from your side.

Now, my purpose is to raise an objection against the existing practices in our plant regarding the storage of cylinders. It's not in the main storage but in site-wise storage. The management is not convinced by my inputs, so I thought of studying more about it before giving further proposals. I request you to please go through the attachment and provide your valuable comments.

@ All: Please go through the attachment and add value to the thread, please.

@Abhay: Thanks for your inputs.

Thanks in advance to all.

I have also observed a wrong practice in the handling and transporting of chlorine cylinders. Please provide your comments on the hazards associated with this practice and suggest corrective actions for transporting them.

Regards,
Hansa Vyas

In my opinion, it's okay to transport the same in this bobcat. What's missing is that it's not secured properly. If this cylinder is kept in a vertical position and properly secured, I believe there will be no more issues. Let's wait for expert advice. Hope to receive replies soon.

Thank you.

On 29-06-10, a newspaper reported this case (clipping in my storage): In Bhayandar (East) in a welding unit in Kasturi Ind Estate, Jagdish Sahani was rolling the cylinder with his leg when the cylinder burst. His leg was dismantled and thrown 300 meters away. The police took 3 hours to find the leg. His other leg was injured to an extent that it had to be amputated in the hospital. I have not seen any follow-up news on what happened next.

Such an incident happened in our plant too. An employee was rolling an O2 cylinder when it burst, causing his leg to be torn into pieces.

Regards,
Hansa Vyas

Dear friends,
Interesting discussion.
Solve the problem :
Oxygen cylinders in storage will be separated from fuel gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil and grease) by a minimum distance of 6 meters (20 feet) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 1.8 to 2 meters high having a fire resistance rating of ½ hour.
This is only for bulk storage, not for cylinders in service. Even at site if storgae is necessitated this seperation is essential. You make a combined cage, have a fire resistant partition between O2 and fuel gases and again sepereting full and empty cyinders and have sign boards (Fuel gas - empty - full, O2 Empty - full etc. ) you are safe with your storage.
Regards
Kesava Pillai

Dear Sir,

Thank you for coming back and providing your valuable advice. You have resolved the issue regarding storage. Now, I request further guidance on transportation and usage. How much distance should be ensured during transportation and when in use? I have attached the photos in an earlier reply showing the practice we are following. Is that method correct and safe? Please guide.

Thank you for the information, Hansa. When and where did that happen? I am interested in knowing if the victim received compensation and was rehabilitated.

For the information of all members: I have been editing a bimonthly on Occupational Health and Safety in Gujarati for the last 20 years. Those interested may request me for a sample copy. The April issue is in press.

Interesting Discussion.

Good evening to all.

For the picture attached by Hansa -

1. The equipment being used for transporting the cylinder seems to be an Earth/Soil handling equipment.
2. From a safety point of view, equipment should only be used for the purpose they are meant for and not for other purposes.
3. The cylinder being transported is not secured.
4. A question - is the driver aware of the hazards of the material (Chlorine) he is handling and is he competent enough/trained for such material handling?
5. The cart is hydraulically operated. The hydraulic system may malfunction or may be misoperated, causing the toppling of the cylinder. A simple cart can be fabricated with arrangements for securing the cylinder and may be attached to a tow car or any other mode of transport.

Dear Hansa,

Thanks for the welcome. I was unable to visit the site due to personal reasons, so I missed out on many discussions. The current topic of discussion is quite interesting and will greatly assist us in developing and implementing safe practices for handling cylinders at the job site.

Could you please take some time to gather details, investigation reports, and any photos related to the incident you mentioned earlier? The improper practice of rolling cylinders and pushing them with legs seems to be prevalent in many industries. Sharing these details will enable me to motivate relevant individuals to adhere to safety protocols.

Dear PTRC,

I kindly request you to share the necessary details. Your cooperation will be truly beneficial.

Thank you.

How much distance should be maintained while transporting and during use between oxygen and fuel gas (LPG or DA)? Can anyone provide a solution to this? If you can reference any act or rule, it would be very helpful to me.

Thanks in advance.

Safety Distances in Gas Cylinder Storage

Safety distances are mentioned in the Gas Cylinder Rules 2004. These distances are based on the quantity being stored. Please refer to Form F, where distances are mentioned under the "Conditions" heading. You can find other details in the forms attached in the rules. The reference pages are 43 to 46 in the 2008 edition. The rules are the same for all toxic and flammable gases.

Regards

Hi all,

What should be the safe distance between LPG cylinders room and fuel room while storage in industries? Which is the latest applicable Act/Rule in India regarding the same?