Are your gas cylinders stored correctly?

Chemstore offer a range of safe storage solutions in accordance with BCGA Guidance Note 2

CHEMSTORE, who have more than 23 years’ experience in the field of hazardous materials and dangerous goods storage, are reminding users of gas cylinders to check they are storing the units correctly.

In its Guidance Note GN2 for the storage of gas cylinders in the workplace, the British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) recommends that gas cylinders should be stored externally in well-secured compounds or cages rather than in storage cabinets.

Chemstore’s GasVault units, which are specifically designed to provide a safe, ergonomic range of storage solutions for gas cylinder products, are designed in accordance with this guidance.

As explained in the BCGA guidance, all gas cylinders – even those containing inert gases – will eventually rupture if exposed to fire, so firefighters want to be able to see and apply cooling water to the cylinders from a distance.

They also want cylinders secured against theft, which is why external storage in locked cages, such as the GasVault unit, is their preferred method of storage.

The standard range of GasVault units includes several variations, although bespoke designs to satisfy specific site layouts and storage requirements are also available.

Key features of some of the standard GasVault units include: 

• Roofing to prevent rainwater corroding cylinder fittings and manifolds, thereby helping to keep cylinder storage and operation safe
• Raised non-slip and corrosion-free aluminium chequer-plate flooring to prevent ground water from corroding cylinder bases
• All cylinders secured vertically using heavy-duty lockable chain restraints. This ensures cylinders cannot fall even in the event of fire or under high-pressure water jets from fire hoses.

Chemstore say GasVault units are manufactured in accordance with ISO 9001:2015, and full structural certification and a 10-year structural warranty are available. Units are generally delivered to site 3–4 weeks from receipt of order and are fully assembled, ready for immediate use.

If necessary, the GasVault units can be easily relocated on site by fork-lift or crane, and minimal maintenance is required over the life of the store.