Gas is what our country is rich in. Recently, people very often argue on the topic that gas is not at all the property of the people, but rather what a narrow circle of oligarchs profit from. Today we will bypass this sensitive topic, but we will touch upon the issue of storing gas cylinders. This is a much more important and interesting topic for conversation. We will begin to understand this issue with general data on the topic.
Statistics
In our country, at least 40 million gas cylinders are in circulation; they are produced at 25 special plants. The main volumes fall on the model of 27 liters and 50 liters. These options make up about 85% of their total number.
The current GOST indicates that one cylinder can be in operation for 40 years, this is subject to all the rules and regulations. Technical inspection of the gas storage cylinder should be done every five years.
The legislative framework
Storage rules for gas cylinders were not taken from the sky and were not invented by someone for entertainment. All this was specially thought out and structured into official documents. Today there are several such documents that regulate all the rules relating to gas issues and everything related to this topic.
The main document is the “Industrial Safety Rules for Hazardous Production Facilities Using Equipment under Excess Pressure”. This document was approved in 2014 (March 25). This document was approved by order No. 116. The approval was made by the Federal Service of Rostekhnadzor of the Russian Federation.
Another document is “PPR in the Russian Federation”. This document dates from 2012.
There is also special GOST 15860-84. It strictly establishes all the rules and conditions for the technical operation of cylinders that are filled with liquefied hydrocarbons (pressure up to 1.6 MPa).
The legal framework on this subject cannot be called too extensive. But the three above documents provide absolutely all the nuances. There are no gaps or any ambiguities; everything is stated quite clearly and clearly.
Basic requirements for safety at home
These requirements apply to containers with propane, as well as butane, their mixture when used in everyday life. The rules are quite simple and logical:
- It is forbidden to store gas containers in private houses, as well as apartments, on stairwells, in basements and attics. In addition, gas containers cannot be stored on the loggias and balconies of multi-storey residential buildings.
- Kitchen gas stoves for cooking, gas units for heating water must have a gas supply from a cylinder that is installed only outside a residential building.
- In addition, at all entrances to private houses (townhouses, block sections, etc.) where there is the use of gas tanks, you need to place an information plate. It must have inscriptions in Russian: “Flammable. Gas cylinders. "
Also, you can not say about basic precautions:
- It is strictly forbidden to use household appliances if there is a gas leak, such a leak can be easily detected by a specific smell.
- It is forbidden to look for a violation of the tightness of any connections of the gas path line from entering the apartment to gas consumption devices using an open flame source. The search is carried out with soapy water.
There is an exception to these rules. It is permissible to store one tank with gas in the house (apartment), but its volume should not exceed five liters. Such a cylinder may be stored provided that it is connected to a stove.
All requirements for the storage of gas cylinders are aimed solely at ensuring safety and eliminating emergencies. It is worth noting that there is a category of people who are categorically afraid of gas. But I must say that it is strictly necessary to comply with all requirements for the storage of gas cylinders and their operation, then there is simply no reason for fear and there can not be! This must be understood.
Cabinet Requirements
There are not many requirements. They are quite simple, but very important, do not ignore them and neglect them:
- The gas tank must be installed in a special extension (cabinet for storing gas cylinders). Such an extension should be made of non-combustible material.
- The location of the cabinets is also regulated. The cabinet should be located at the dull outer walls of the building, at a distance of not less than five meters from the entrance to the house (basement, basement, etc.).
- Cabinets must always be locked, their doors must be equipped with special shutters for constant air access, ventilation and to prevent the accumulation of gas concentration inside the cabinet.
- A box for storing gas cylinders must be provided with inscriptions in Russian: “Flammable. Gas".
These are basic and important requirements. You must always follow them.
Storage of gas cylinders at the enterprise
The operation of gas cylinders on the territory of enterprises, in workshops of various industrial facilities and other similar facilities has a number of regulated rules and norms. Let's say that in enterprises can be used:
- Conventional household containers with gas.
- Gas containers with a volume of 10 to 50 liters, filled with technical gases (nitrogen, acetylene, helium, argon, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen, etc.).
The terms of operation, re-examination of containers are exactly the same as for gas tanks for domestic use (40 years of operation, inspection every five years).
The requirements for safe operation, as well as storage of gas cylinders at the enterprise are exactly the same as we described above for gas containers used in everyday life. Everything is extremely simple and clear. In fact, the company also has no danger in the operation and storage of gas cylinders. The rules are given, they must be observed, and then no problems will arise.
Requirements of norms in the territory, in the buildings of enterprises (organizations)
Sometimes it becomes necessary to create a permanent workplace, which should be equipped with cylinders with various gases. Such a workplace can be a post of a welder, some scientific laboratory, etc. In such cases, the composition of each individual installation that runs on gas should include no more than two containers with gas (capacity for operation plus a backup source).
Cylinders should be installed no closer than one meter from absolutely any heater, and also farther than five meters from sources of open fire. You should also take care of protection from direct sunlight.
If gas is used temporarily (for one day or shift), then they cannot be placed on evacuation routes, as well as tracks for moving goods or on the way of cars.
It is strictly forbidden to place cylinders with light combustible gases inside any shopping centers (for inflating balloons and for some other purpose). In addition, the instruction for storing gas cylinders prohibits the storage of oxygen cylinders inside the buildings of medical institutions.
Fire works
Before starting hot work (gas welding or cutting) at temporary places within the boundaries of settlements, as well as in some buildings and structures of any purpose (except for construction sites and private houses), by the head of the enterprise or organization, as well as the person responsible for compliance fire-prevention condition of the object (building) is issued a special outfit-admission in the prescribed form. This admission order disciplines, as it assigns all responsibility to all participants in the hot work.
Transportation
Now we will touch upon the problem of storage and transportation of gas cylinders. Transportation should only be carried out on specially equipped vehicles. They must have special warning signs. For the transportation of gas in containers, a special permit must be issued.
Do not transport containers with different gases together. Also, empty cylinders cannot be transported along with full ones. When transporting containers in a car, they are always laid horizontally. They must always lie below the sides of the car. Do not transport more than three rows of cylinders. If the container type is transported, the containers in the container are placed strictly standing.
Joint transportation of tanks filled with oxygen and acetylene is allowed. It is also allowed to transport a tank with household gas (a mixture of propane and butane) in a standing position without using containers, you only need to install a gasket between the cylinders and make a reliable fence for them.
Cylinder marking
Absolutely every gas tank has its own color designation:
- Household gas (propane-butane mixture) is marked in red.
- Oxygen is marked in blue.
- Acetylene tank is always white.
- Carbon dioxide / nitrogen is marked in black, has a corresponding mark in the chemical element or compound.
- The argon tank is gray.
- Helium is in the brown balloon.
Loading and unloading
There are a number of rules and requirements, all this must be strictly observed so that dangerous situations do not arise:
- You cannot carry out loading and unloading operations alone (at least two loaders).
- Do not work in overalls and mittens that are contaminated with fuels and lubricants or vegetable oils.
- Do not load oxygen containers into the car body if there are leaks or stains of fuels and lubricants, as well as some rubbish and other foreign objects.
- It is not allowed to carry gas cylinders on the arms or shoulders, as well as roll them on any surface.
- Do not hit balloons against each other and other objects.
- Do not throw containers with gas.
- Do not hold, feed, or carry tanks in a position where shutoff valves are at the bottom.
- It is forbidden to carry out loading and unloading operations with gas cylinders if they do not have locking nuts and protective caps.
Conclusion
Gas was relevant yesterday, needed today and will be in demand tomorrow. This is a cheap fuel option that is convenient for everyone. If you strictly observe all the requirements for storage and operation of gas cylinders, then no unpleasant moments will arise. Gas gives us warmth, but it requires attention. The requirements are quite simple, they require from people only self-discipline and discipline, and as we all know, order must be in everything, otherwise it cannot be!