Cell Biology and Anatomy

Department Gas Cylinder Information

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Cylinder Safety

Gas Cylinder
Safety Rules

1. ALL tanks must be secured with a tank tie-
down in the lab. (NO EXCEPTIONS)

2.Tanks may ONLY be transported with a
securely tightened metal cap (so keep track of
your lab’s tank caps).

3.Tanks may ONLY be transported with an
approved cart which has a strap or chain to
immobilize the tank.

*Failure to follow these 3 simple safety rules
can result in stiff fines from the Safety Office!

Cylinder Safety PDF

Tank Rental Control Measures

2008 - 2009 Gas

We have contracted with two vendors for our bottled gas:

Liquid Nitrogen - Air Gas
Compressed Gases - Air Liquide

We are trying to keep a minimum of tanks on-site to better manage the rental fees
charged to us. We are charged for each tank shipped to us (whether it is being used,
not being used or empty) that is on-site on the last business day of the month. If one of
our tank?s is moved to another department we continue to be charged rental fees until
that tank is returned to Air Liquide (we are financially responsible for all tanks shipped to our department). To this end the following measures have been implemented:

1.No CO2 tanks will be left in the outside gas cylinder cage (this is to reduce the
number of tanks which are “borrowed” from us by other departments). Other gases
can be left in the gas cylinder cage as we have not seen this problem with them.

2.Do NOT lend or borrow tanks with other departments. We can TRANSFER a tank if
it is an emergency. The transfer can ONLY occur if the other lab is using Air Liquide
for their gas, otherwise the tank may NOT be transferred. You MUST notify Syndi
Espinosa in the CGEN department office when a transfer occurs and provide her
with the tank?s barcode # or serial number and the other department?s name/
Lab.

3.Fill out a tank return form when you return an empty or no longer in use tank to the
gas cylinder cage so that a pick-up can be scheduled to return the tank to Air Liquide.
All returned tanks MUST be placed on the LEFT side of the cage. The RIGHT side of
the gas cylinder cage is ONLY for FULL, UNUSED tanks. Tanks placed there will
NOT be returned to Air Liquide and will continue to incur a rental charge.

4.When you remove a tank from either the gas cylinder cage or RES 368 (where we
have tie-downs for 2 back-up CO2 tanks) make sure to fill out a Gas Order Form so
that a replacement tank can be ordered. Failure to do so can result in there not being
a tank there when you or someone else needs it.

5.We are also joining with other departments which use Air Liquide to subscribe to the Air Liquide on-line gas cylinder tracking program (S.C.O.U.T.) which will allow Syndi
Espinoza and Larry Oakford to check what tanks Air Liquide says we have. Hopefully this will allow us to head off any accounting errors by either us or Air Liquide before they become a catastrophe.

It is critical that everyone follow these policies in order to maintain the
department?s financial health.

Your co-operation is very important and appreciated. Thank you.

Tank Rental Controls PDF

Departmental Gas FAQ

Where is the gas cylinder cart located?

The cart is located in RES 222. Please return the cart to this room once you are
finished moving your gas cylinders. Bad things happen to those who fail to return the
cart in a timely manner….

Where are new cylinders delivered?

New Cylinders are delivered to the tank cage outside the east end of RES which
is accessible from the basement level. Our department has it?s own defined area for
newly delivered tanks. Do not remove tanks from any other departmental areas, they
are not yours … you have not paid for them… you are not paying rental charges for
them (see next entry).

May I borrow a tank from another departmental area in the gas cylinder cage?

NO! This is purely and simply a case of THEFT and should not be done.

Where do I find/return the paperwork when I return/need to order a cylinder of
gas?

The forms are located on Syndi Espinosa?s desk and on this web page. Completed forms are to be returned to her for processing.

May I lend a tank of gas to another lab in another department?

NO!

May I borrow a tank of gas from another lab in another department?

NO!

Can I transfer a tank of gas to/from another lab in another department?

Yes, but only in an emergency and only if that lab is using Air Liquide to purchase
gas. If they are using Air Liquide record the bar code or serial number of the tank being
transferred and which lab it went to or came from. Give this information to Syndi
Espinosa in the department office so she can contact Air Liquide to transfer financial
responsibility for the tank.

Can I move a gas cylinder without a cap?

NO! Compressed gas cylinders are very dangerous. The valve stem at the top
of the tank is fragile and can easily break off if the tank falls to the floor. This causes all
of the gas in the tank to stream out creating a very deadly missile which can go through
concrete walls and can cause physical damage, injury and even death to whatever
might be in its path. Every time you move a gas cylinder, whether it is from one place in
the lab to another or to/from the gas cylinder cage it should have that cap securely
screwed onto the top of the cylinder protecting the valve stem.

How do I safely transport a gas cylinder?

First, make sure that the cylinder cap is securely attached. Next, make sure that
the cylinder is strapped into a gas cylinder cart when it is being moved so it can?t
accidentally fall out of the cart.

Who takes care of the Liquid Nitrogen?

Larry Oakford. He makes sure the tank is ready to be filled and he maintains the
levels in the liquid nitrogen freezers in the walk-in cold room on the 2nd floor of RES.

When are the Liquid Nitrogen Freezers filled?

They are filled about every 2 weeks just before the truck comes to refill the 250
liter supply tank. This regimen keeps the level in the freezers well within operating
parameters.

What should I do if I have problems with the Liquid Nitrogen Tank?

Contact Larry Oakford as soon as possible (RES 222, x2066).

Gas Cylinder FAQ PDF

Gas Cylinder Forms

Gas Cylinder Return Form

Gas Cylinder Order Form