Storing Gas Cylinders (Safety)

Name: William
Status: other
Grade: other
Location: AL

Question: I am a local Fire Inspector. Our hospital is wanting to
store hydrogen cylinders in proximity to oxygen cylinders. I ran
across your site and wanted to ask the experts...Is this a safe
practice?
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William,

There is no incompatibility between hydrogen and oxygen, if anything they 
would combine and form water.  The large cylinders that I work with are 
required to be chained to the wall or something immobile when not in direct
use.  The small ones should be clamped down with a chain or similar as well.  
The main hazard with cylinders is not actually them causing a fire, but 
rather if they fall over and the regulator hits a surface hard and breaks 
loose, then you effectively end up with a heavy, metal rocket.  The larger 
cylinders could easily vent enough pressure to bust through concrete walls.

Matt Voss
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Sorry for the delayed response. Hydrogen gas and oxygen gas react explosively. 
Vendors of these
gas cylinders can and will supply recommended safe handling procedures. I
seriously doubt that storing them in proximity to one another will be a
recommendation. There are issues that apply to each of these gases -- for
example high pressure oxygen should not come into contact with oils and/or
greases; hydrogen cylinders must be securely electrically grounded. In any
case storing them in close proximity certainly will NOT be recommended.

Vince Calder
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