Handbook for Process Safety in Laboratories and Pilot Plants

19 Administrative Safeguards for Hazards in LAPPs

19.1. Good Practices for Compressed Gas and Cryogenic Cylinders

Procedures are key safeguards in managing the risks of compressed gas cylinders. The hazards of compressed gas cylinders are covered in Section 10.6.2. Engineered controls to manage risk for compressed gas cylinders are included in Section 17.2. This section covers best practices for compressed gas cylinder procedures and other administrative controls.

Gas cylinders are designed as transportation containers, not pressure vessels for process use. As such they are not intended to replace a well‐designed pressure vessel as DOT design standards are not intended to adequately cover pressure cycling and fatigue. Hence using one as a low‐cost alternative for an accumulator or mixing vessel is usually not safe, nor is it allowed by code.

19.2 Regulations and Standards for Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids

Most countries have comprehensive regulations covering the transport, storage, and use of compressed gases and cryogenic fluids. Local fire codes will often incorporate relevant industry consensus standards for specific gases in addition to those listed in NFPA 55 [95] and NFPA 45. Table 10‐5 lists standards for specific gases. Table 13‐1 lists additional NFPA standards that have been useful in LAPP fire and explosion hazard control. Some examples of national regulations, consensus standards, guidance documents, and other information sources are listed for many common ...