Why is gas cylinder kept vertical?

Check your jurisdiction for specific requirements, such as the fire code for guidelines regarding the storage of flammable gas cylinders.
Store cylinders in a clearly identified, dry, well-ventilated storage area that is not exposed to heat or the direct rays of the sun, and away from doorways, aisles, elevators, gangways, and stairs.
The temperature of the storage area should not be above 51.7°(125°F)
Post "no smoking" signs in the area.
Store cylinders, both empty and full, in the upright position and secure with an insulated chain or non-conductive belt to protect cylinders from falling or becoming damaged.
During storage, close the cylinder valves with the protective caps in place.
With outside storage, place on a fireproof surface and enclose in a tamper-proof enclosure.
Protect cylinders from contact with ground, ice, snow, water, salt, corrosion, and high temperatures.
Protect cylinders from falling. Consider securing each cylinder separately to prevent other cylinders from falling when items are removed from storage.
Store acetylene and liquefied gas cylinders valve end up. Close the valve, and keep the protective device in place.
Store oxygen cylinders and fuel gas cylinders separately. Indoors, separate oxygen from fuel gas cylinders by at least 6.1 m (20 ft), or by a wall at least 1.5 m (5 ft) high with a minimum half-hour fire resistance. (From: CSA W117.2-19 "Safety in welding, cutting and allied processes". Local jurisdiction requirements may vary.)
Cylinders must also be separated away from flammable and combustible liquids and from materials that easily ignite (such as wood, paper, oil, grease, etc.), including calcium carbide, by similar requirements as oxygen cylinders (6.1 m, or a fire wall at least 1.5 m high with ½ hr fire resistance).
The building or room must be well ventilated.
If oxygen cylinders are stored in an outdoor acetylene generator house, the cylinders must be separated from the generator and carbide storage room by a non-combustible barrier with a fire resistance rating of at least 1 hour, that has no openings and is gas tight.

Note that when a single cylinder of oxygen and fuel gas are attached to a cylinder cart or secured to a wall or column at a workstation, this situation is not considered storage and the cylinders do not necessarily need to be separated by distance or a barrier.

Do not use a cylinder as an electrical ground connection.
Do not fasten cylinders to a worktable or to structures where they could become part of an electrical circuit.
Do not strike an arc on a cylinder.
Do not use a flame or boiling water to thaw a frozen valve. Valves or cylinders may contain fusible plugs which can melt at temperatures below the boiling point of water. Warm water is acceptable.
Do not use pry bars under valves or valve protection devices to pry cylinders loose when frozen to the ground. Use warm water.
Do not place or store cylinders in unventilated enclosures such as lockers or cupboards.
Do not use full or empty cylinders as rollers or supports.
Do not tamper with or alter safety devices.
Do not use a cylinder for any purpose other than to contain the gas for which the cylinder was designed.
Do not place acetylene cylinders in a horizontal position.
Do not accept compressed gas cylinders from the supplier unless they are properly labelled and have protective valve caps in place.
Do not store oxygen in an indoor acetylene generator room.

Mark or label them as "Empty cylinder".
Return empties to the supplier.
Remove regulators when not in use and store these away from grease and oil. Put protective caps on the fittings when in storage.
Keep cylinders and fittings from becoming contaminated with oil, grease or dust.
Do not use a cylinder that is not identified or if the label is not legible. The colours of industrial gas cylinders are not standardized.

There may be situations where empty cylinders should be stored separately from full cylinders, such as at a hospital when selecting an empty oxygen container unintentionally is not desired.

Close the valve before moving.
Keep valve protection caps in place and hand tightened when not in use.
To close the cylinder valves, remove the regulator and replace the valve protection cap and hand tight before moving a cylinder.
Move cylinders with appropriate trolleys and secure the cylinders in an upright position.
Use proper lifting cradles or a suitable platform when hoisting cylinders by a crane, derrick, or other hoisting mechanism.
Call the supplier to remove leaky cylinders immediately.
Secure cylinders in an upright position when cylinders are transported by motor vehicle. Close the value and use protective devices.

DO NOT

Do not lift a cylinder by the valve cap. Never sling with ropes or chains or lift with electromagnets.
Do not drag, slide, or drop cylinders. Do not roll on their sides.They can be rolled for short distances on their base.
Do not allow the cylinders to strike each other with force.
Never place cylinders on their sides as rollers to move equipment.
Do not lay acetylene cylinders on their sides. If an acetylene tank has accidentally been left on its side, set it upright for at least one hour before it is used.
Do not try to refill a cylinder or mix gases in a cylinder.

Before attaching the regulator, wipe clean the valve outlet with a clean cloth free of oil and lint and "crack" a secured cylinder by opening the valve slightly then closing it immediately to blow out dust or dirt from the valve outlet. Use two hands on the valve and stand at the side of the valve - never stand directly in front of or behind the valve outlet.

Do not crack fuel gas cylinders due to the chance for the gas to ignite by friction, heating, or other ignition sources. Never crack hydrogen cylinders since the release of compressed hydrogen may ignite by itself.

Document last updated on October 29, 2021

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Acetylene gas is commonly used for gas welding because of its simplicity in production and transportation and its ability to achieve high temperature in combustion (e.g. around 5,000o F).

Acetylene is highly unstable and flammable and would explode in elevated pressure when reacting with oxygen in air. Storing acetylene gas in cylinders under pressure is very dangerous. Gas acetylene used for welding purposes is stored in cylinders of liquid acetone contained in porous material (like firebrick). This is for cooling purpose in the event of thermal decomposition and to ensure that there is no free space left for acetylene gas. It also prevents the formation of high-pressure air pockets inside the cylinder. Dissolved acetylene in acetone will no longer be in contact with oxygen and is not subject to decomposition. Acetone is used because it is capable of dissolving large amount of acetylene gas under pressure without changing the nature of the gas.

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The cylinders for gas welding i.e. oxygen cylinders and acetylene cylinders, when not in use should be stored separately because any mixture of these gases resulting from accidental leakage can be highly explosive. When in use, acetylene cylinders should always be kept in upright position. Otherwise, acetone liquid will be drawn from the cylinders with the gas if they are kept horizontally, resulting in significant leakage of acetone liquid will result.

Note: Oxygen and acetylene gas cylinders are commonly used in construction sites for gas welding.

This question is taken from book named – A Self Learning Manual – Mastering Different Fields of Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q-A-Method) by Vincent T. H. CHU.

If you have a query, you can ask a question here.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 30, 2010 Letter # 20080123-8195 Whether empty compressed gas cylinders may be laid horizontally when stored.

Question (1): Does 29 CFR 1926.350(a)(9) prohibit laying empty compressed gas cylinders horizontally on the ground?

Answer (1): Title 29 CFR 1926.350(a)(9) requires employers to store all compressed gas cylinders (including empty ones) upright at all times. This paragraph provides:

Compressed gas cylinders shall be secured in an upright position at all times except, if necessary, for short periods of time while cylinders are actually being hoisted or carried.

The standard applies to all compressed gas cylinders, regardless of whether they are filled, partially filled, or empty. The standard only permits compressed gas cylinders to be horizontal for short durations when they are being hoisted or carried. Accordingly, laying empty compressed gas cylinders horizontally on the ground is a violation of Section 1926.350(a)(9).

Question (2): Does laying empty compressed gas cylinders horizontally on the ground constitute a de minimis violation of 1926.350(a)(9) because it does not create a hazard?

Answer (2): Laying empty compressed gas cylinders horizontally on the ground is not a de minimis violation of Section 1926.350(a)(9). De minimis conditions are those where an employer has implemented a measure different than one specified in an OSHA standard, that has no direct or immediate relationship to safety or health. One of the criterions OSHA uses to establish a de minimis condition is when an employer complies with the intent of an OSHA standard, yet deviates from its particular requirements in a manner that has no direct or indirect impact on employee safety or health.

The requirements in Section 1926.350(a)(9) are designed to eliminate both the actual hazard associated with storing full or partially full compressed gas cylinders horizontally, as well as eliminating the hazard of storing a compressed gas cylinder horizontally under a mistaken belief that such cylinder is empty. A mistaken belief that a compressed gas cylinder is empty and therefore does not present a hazard may result from several reasons, including: (1) the cylinder does not have a regulator; (2) the gauge is inaccurate, or (3) the employer is unable to ascertain that the cylinder is not totally empty (i.e. it contains a small amount of compressed gas that is undetectable but still hazardous). For all of these reasons, storing empty compressed gas cylinders horizontally on the ground would have a direct impact on employee safety and health, and therefore would not constitute a de minimis violation of Section 1926.350(a)(9).

If you need further clarification on this subject, please contact us by fax at: 202-693-1689, U.S. Department of Labor, Directorate of Construction Office of Construction Standards and Guidance. You can also contact us by mail at the above office, Room N3468, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, although there will be a delay in our receiving correspondence by mail. Sincerely, Richard Fairfax, Acting Director Directorate of Construction