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Figure 4-33.—Identifying color patterns for gas cylinders. | Up
Steelworker Volume 01 - Building manual for how to work with steel | Next
Chapter 5 Gas Welding |
by the stenciled name of the gas. For a complete listing
of compressed-gas cylinders, refer to MIL-STD 101B,
“Color Code for Pipelines and for Compressed-Gas
Cylinders.”
NOTE: Ensure you have a manual with the latest
up-to-date changes inserted, as changes may occur in
MIL-STD 101B after this manual is published. It should
be noted that the color code of cylinders shown in figure
4-32 is military only; the commercial industry does not
necessarily comply with these color codes.
Handling and Storing Gas Cylinders
Each compressed-gas cylinder carries markings in-
dicating compliance with Interstate Commerce Com-
mission (ICC) requirements. When the cylinders are at
your work site, they become your responsibility. There
are several things you should not do when handling and
storing compressed-gas cylinders.
. Never fill your own cylinders. It requires special
training and special equipment.
. Never alter or fix the safety devices on a cylinder.
It is illegal and also stupid. The only personnel permitted
to work on cylinder safety devices are the cylinder
owners and suppliers.
l Never store cylinders near a heat source or in
direct sunlight. Heat causes the gas inside a cylinder to
expand. This could result in cylinder failure or fire.
l Never store cylinders in a closed or unventilated
space. If one of the cylinders were to leak, it could cause
an explosion or asphyxiate someone entering the space.
Store cylinders in protected, well-ventilated, and dry
spaces. Protect the cylinder valves and safety devices
from ice and snow. A safety device may not work if it is
frozen.
l Never store fuel cylinders and oxidizers within
the same space. Oxidizers must be stored at least 50 feet
from fuel cylinders. Use fire-resistant partitions
between cylinder storage areas.
l Never mix empty cylinders with full cylinders.
Do not mix cylinders that contain different gases.
Always replace the cylinder cap and mark the cylinder
“Empty” or “MT.” Store the cylinders in a cool, dry
place ready for pickup by the supplier. Even in storage,
chain the cylinders when they are stored in the upright
position.
l Never drag a cylinder to move it. When available,
use a cylinder truck. If at all possible, leave the cylinders
on the hand truck and operate them from there;
otherwise, tilt the cylinder slightly and roll it on the
bottom edge. Always install the cylinder cap before
moving the cylinder. Never use slings or magnets to
carry cylinders. If you lift a cylinder upright by the cap,
make sure that it is screwed on tightly. If the cylinder
cap comes off, the cylinder could fall and either crush
your foot or snap the valve off. If a cylinder is dropped
and the valve breaks, it could launch itself like a rocket.
When cylinders have been stored outside in freezing
weather, they sometimes become frozen to the ground
or to each other. This is true particularly in the antarctic
and arctic areas. To free the cylinders, you can pour
warm water (not boiling) over the frozen or icy areas.
As a last resort, you can pry them loose with a prybar.
If you use a prybar, never pry or lift under the valve cap
or valve.
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