Attachment_35_Safe_Handling_Storage_and_Use_of_Gas_Cylinders.pdf

Facility Operations and Maintenance

Services – COBRATF

Attachment 35

Safe Handling Storage and Use of Gas Cylinders

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE

Organization: Center for Domestic Preparedness Date: June 24, 2013

Title: Safe Handling, Storage and Use of Compressed Gas Cylinders

CDP-COBRATF-8.2.5

I. Purpose

This operation establishes the procedures for the safe handling, storage and use of compressed gas cylinders

II. Supersession

This SOP supersedes:

SOP 8.2.4, Safe Handling, Storage and Use of Gas Cylinders, Effective 10/28/2011

III. Authority

COBRATF Standards Document

IV. References

None noted

V. Definitions

A. GC – Gas Chromatograph

B. MINICAMS – Miniature Continuous Air Monitoring Systems

C. psi – Pounds Per Square Inch

VI. Responsible Office

Air Monitoring

VII. Standard Operating Procedures

NOTE 1: See attached hazard assessment (Appendix A)

NOTE 2: Access to and use of compressed gas cylinders are limited to authorized personnel only through a locked gate.

A. Monitor Compressed Gas Cylinder Residual Pressure

1. Daily – check residual pressure on all four compressed gas cylinder systems

a. Training Building – Hydrogen (H2) – 10 cylinders on manifold

b. Training Building – Helium (He) – 10 cylinders on manifold

c. Incinerator – Hydrogen (H2) – 1 cylinder

d. Incinerator – Helium (He) – 1 cylinder

2. IF pressure is less than or equal to 200 psi in any system THEN proceed with change out of cyclinders as outlined below; IF pressure is greater than 200 psi, no further action required.

CDP-COBRATF-8.2.5

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 2

3. Recheck all tank pressures daily.

B. Prepare for Compressed Gas Cylinder Changout

1. Gather required tools and supplies

a. Brass crescent wrench

b. Hand trucks with security chain

c. Safety shoes

d. Hand protection

e. Leak detection solution (soap bubble solution)

2. Review compressed gas cylinder key safety precautions below

a. When storing or moving a compressed gas cylinder, ensure that the cylinder cap is securely in place at all times when not secured with safety chains.

b. Do not expose compressed gas cylinders to temperatures higher than 50 o C (122 o F).

c. Never use a compressed gas cylinder that cannot be positively identified with the proper labeling.

d. Never lubricate, modify, force, or tamper with a compressed gas cylinder valve.

e. Straps, chains, or a suitable stand that will prevent them from falling must restrain compressed gas cylinders at all times.

f. Use the main valve to turn off compressed gas cylinders (rather than the regulator valve) when gas is not needed.

g. Always ensure all protective caps are connected to each compressed gas cylinder whenever they are not properly chained and in use at the manifolded compressed gas cylinder banks.

h. Always ensure all compressed gas cylinders are properly secured at all times with the chains used to secure the compressed gas cylinders while they are not being moved.

i. In the event a wrench is needed to connect compressed gas lines, always use a brass wrench.

j. All faulty compressed gas cylinders should have a tag attached stating the problem with the cylinders. Place the faulty cylinder(s) in the empty cylinder storage area after tagging.

C. Changeout of Compressed Gas Cylinders 1- 9 at Training Building Area (H2 or He)

1. Fully close nine of the ten manifolded compressed gas cylinder bank valves and the corresponding compressed gas cylinder valves.

2. Slowly bleed the line pressure on the nine closed compressed gas cylinders by loosening the line connection to the compressed gas cylinder valves.

3. Completely disconnect the compressed gas cylinder lines from the nine closed compressed gas cylinders.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 3

4. Install the protective caps on all nine disconnected compressed gas cylinders and remove the chain securing those nine compressed gas cylinders.

5. Secure each compressed gas cylinder to a hand truck with a chain and move the used compressed gas cylinders to the proper empty storage area.

6. Secure the empty compressed gas cylinders with the chains in the proper empty storage area.

7. Replace the nine empty compressed gas cylinders with nine new charged compressed gas cylinders, secure with the appropriate chains and reconnect the lines.

8. Slowly open the compressed gas cylinder valves on the compressed gas cylinders.

Check the connections on each compressed gas cylinder with soap bubble solution to verify that no leaking of compressed gas is occurring at the connection points and regulator fittings.

D. Changeout of Compressed Gas Cylinder 10 at Training Building Area (H2 or He)

1. Fully close manifolded compressed gas cylinder bank valve on the tenth compressed gas cylinder and the corresponding compressed gas cylinder valve.

2. Slowly open the closed nine manifolded valves.

3. Replace gas cylinder ten per section VII.C.2 – 8.

E. Changeout of Compressed Gas Cylinder at Incinerator Stack (H2 or He)

1. Close compressed gas cylinder valve of the compressed gas cylinder (H2 or He) to be replaced.

2. Slowly bleed the line pressure on compressed gas cylinder by loosening the line connection to the compressed gas cylinder valve.

3. Completely disconnect the compressed gas cylinder lines from the compressed gas cylinders.

4. Install the protective caps on the disconnected compressed gas cylinder and remove the chain securing the compressed gas cylinders.

5. Secure the compressed gas cylinder to a hand truck with a chain and move the used compressed gas cylinder to the proper empty storage area.

6. Secure the empty compressed gas cylinder with chain in the proper empty storage area.

7. Replace the empty compressed gas cylinder with full compressed gas cylinder, secure with chain, remove the protective cap and reconnect the supply lines.

8. Open the compressed gas cylinder valve. Check the connections on the compressed gas cylinder with soap bubble solution to verify that no leaking of compressed gases is occurring at the connection points and regulator fittings.

F. Verify that the psi reading is greater than 200 psi and there are no signs of leakage.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 4

VIII. Forms Prescribed

None noted

APPROVED BY:

Gary L. Milner Date

Assistant Director, COBRATF

Center for Domestic Preparedness

Quality Review Date Chemical Hygiene Review Date

(John Blandamer)