Industrial Gas Requirements

Industrial gas & Lpg requirements Storage and delivery of compressed gases and LPG

Regulations

SANS 1186-1, Symbolic safety signs – Part 1: Standard signs and general requirements

SANS 10228, The identification and classification of dangerous goods for transport.

OHSAct, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993), Hazardous chemical substances regulation Transportation section 10.4

Transportation shall be carried out in accordance with Chapter 8 of the dangerous goods regulations of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act 93 of 1996) and the requirements of SANS 10228.

  • 10.4.1 – General transportation
  • 10.4.1.1 – When gas containers are packed in an outer container, the pack shall comply with the relevant transportation requirements of the National Road Traffic Act,1996 (Act 93 of 1996).
  • 10.4.1.2 – Containers transported in a vehicle shall be so blocked or braced (or both) as to prevent movement, and shall not project beyond the sides or ends of the Vehicle.
  • 10.4.1.3 – In no instance shall containers be so loaded into a vehicle that they can bounce or strike other objects. There shall be no sharp projections on the inside of the loading space, and adequate measures shall be taken to prevent containers from falling off the vehicle.
  • 10.4.1.4 – All full liquefiable gas cylinders and those containing residual gas shall be stacked in a vertical position during transportation. However, new or refurbished containers,      containing no liquefied petroleum gas, may be transported horizontally.

Storage

This information is produced as a guideline for storage of compressed gas cylinders and gives general guidelines on layout of a typical cylinder storage area.

1. Location

  • 1.1 – The storage area should not be directly under a normal occupied work area
  • 1.2 – Should be at least 6 meters from air conditioning and other air intakes
  • 1.3 – There should be a reasonable safe distance from hazards such has bulk storage of dangerous goods.
  • 1.4 – There should be 2 meter minimum gap between the external perimeter of the storage area and any external walls

2. Storage area requirements

  • 2.1 – Storage area should be suitably protected or enclosed by a fence of 2 meters in height
  • 2.2 – The area should be well ventilated and free from excessive temperatures
  • 2.3 – The surface should be concrete or another material able to withstand the weight of the cylinders and vehicles requiring access
  • 2.4 – If a roof is required, it should be of a safe, non-combustible breakable material
  • 2.5 – Signs should be promptly displayed, no smoking, compressed gas, flammable gas, ppe as required
  • 2.6 – Suitable fire extinguishers (dry powdered type) should be available for use on minor fires.
  • 2.7 – Adequate supply of water should be available, to cool cylinders should a fire occur
  • 2.8 – LPG vapour is heavier than air, leakage will sink to the ground and accumulate in low-lying areas, never store next to an open drain.
  • 2.9 – LPG is flammable like all petroleum fuels. It must be stored away from sources of ignition and in a well-ventilated areaaway from open flames, electrical appliances and power points.
  • 2.10 – Do not store LPG in a cellar or a closed area. The gas is heavier than air and will flow into low points and collect, causing a flammable mixture.

3. Cylinder storage segregation

  • 3.1 – Full and empty cylinders should be segregated
  • 3.2 – Oxygen or other oxidants should be a minimum of 3 meters from flammable or combustible gas or separated by a non-combustible fire wall
  • 3.3 – LPG must be a minimum of 3 meters away from all other stored cylinders, including empties
  • 3.4 – Never store cylinders near source of heat or potential source of heat.
  • 3.5 – Roofs shall be provided to protect cylinders from direct rays of the sun in areas where extremely high ambient temperatures prevail.
  • 3.6 – The bottom of the cylinders should be protected against rust.
  • 3.7 – Storage facilities should be planned so empty and full cylinders are separated
  • 3.8 – Never store flammable materials near oxygen cylinders
  • 3.9 – Smoking and open flames are prohibited in or near storage area.
  • 3.10 – Sparks producing portable electrical tools such as drills, grinders etc should not be used in the flammable gas storage area
  • 3.11 – Valves on cylinders not in use must be kept closed
  • 3.12 – Storage area must be well ventilated, clean and orderly.

Typical cylinder compound layout

Industrial Gas Requirements

Cylinder Transportation

Vehicle / driver compliance

4. Driver compliance- dangerous goods operator

  • 4.1 – Operators of dangerous goods vehicle should be 25 years and older to qualify for a licence
  • 4.2 – Licence type PrDP-d to be renewed every 2 years
  • 4.3 – Annual refresher courses for dangerous goods shall be conducted
  • 4.4 – Annual medicals are to be conducted to ensure employees are fit for work.
  • 4.5 – Dangerous goods vehicles that are 3500KG or more gross mass, the drivers to be licenced with PDP for dangerous goods
  • 4.6 – Vehicle under 3500kg gross mass, but carries dangerous goods in excess requires the driver to be licensed with the above mentioned

5. Vehicle compliance – dangerous goods

  • 5.1 – Municipal by-laws in various areas dictate that vehicles must have undergone and inspection at the fire department- once the requirements are met, a fire permit is issued which is displayed next to the licence disk on the windscreen.

6. Vehicle placarding and equipment requirements

  • 6.1 – 2 x 9KG fire extinguishers mounted to vehicle and easily accessible. The service label must be legible and extinguishers must be serviced as per SABS 1475
  • 6.2 – An 80 KMPH must be displayed at the rear of the vehicle
  • 6.3 – No flame placard displayed.
  • 6.4 – No smoking placard displayed.
  • 6.5 – Mixed load placard displayed.
  • 6.6 – All dangerous good vehicles must be fitted with a battery isolation switch.
  • 6.7 – Orange document holder must be fixed inside the vehicle and easily accessable
  • 6.8 – Tremcards must be placed in document holder covering the products being carried, those that are not applicable must be removed. Tremcards are valid for 3 years.
  • 6.9 – It is a legal requirement to ensure that 80% of the surround of the vehicle is covered with reflective tape for maximum visibility
  • 6.10 – Operator card must be displayed on all vehicles exceeding 3500kg, category code must read “G.D” (dangerous goods carrier)
  • 6.11 – Valid licence disk indicating tare and gross vehicle mass
  • 6.12 – Fire department permit displayed in windscreen
  • 6.13 – Orange Diamond to be displayed at the front of the vehicle. Diamond must be able to be removed from holder when vehicle is empty.

Vehicles that are not transporting dangerous goods when entering a public road must have placards.

Handling

Compressed gas cylinders should be handled only by those familiar with the hazards and who has been trained in proper handling techniques. Cylinders containing compressed gases are heavy and awkward to move, Improper handling can result in sprains, strains, falls, bruises, or broken bones. Other hazards such as fire, explosion, chemical burns, poisoning and cold burns occur if gasses accidentally escape from cylinders due to mishandling. Take the following precautions to prevent injuries caused by the improper handling of compressed gas cylinders

  • Never drag or slide cylinders, even for a short distance.
  • Cylinders should not be dropped or strike each other violently.
  • Cylinders must not be used as rollers for moving material or other equipment.
  • Do not tamper with valves.
  • Never permit oil, grease or combustible substances to come in contact with cylinders, valves, or other equipment.
  • Do not remove any product labels or shipping hazard labels.
  • Never Refill compressed gas cylinder. This is to be done only by qualified producers of compressed gasses.
  • Never lift a cylinder by its cap using a sling or magnet.
  • Never attempt to catch a falling cylinder.
  • Move cylinders using a suitable hand truck or cart.
  • Leave the valve protection cap and valve seal outlet in place until the cylinders has been secured and ready to use.
  • Secure cylinders when in storage, transit or in use.
  • When returning cylinders to the supplier, properly close the cylinder valve.
  • Use a cylinder cage or cradle to lift a cylinder.
  • Use proper PPE for cylinder handling.