Transporting Gas Bottles etc...

[[Memphis]]

Is there a proper way to transport bottles of argon, c02 etc. ? My buddy and I are discussing it and we aren't really sure. He is thinking about buying a torch on kijiji, huge fn' bottle $400 blah blah blah, what we were wondering is it dangerous to transport these bottles in the back of a truck bed, laying on their side etc. I suggested that it isn't, and I really don't see the harm in doing it if it is secure from rolling around... Unless I am missing the obvious?
I have done it with co2 and argon and I haven't blown up yet... but I just want to doubt check...

For the gas in question: oxygen and acetylene

[XtremeJ]

I believe you are fine with argon, CO2 and mix. They are inert after all.

Definitely make sure you secure the bottles from moving around.

IF you transport acetylene, you should transport it in a vertical postition. IF you have to transport it lying down, then stand the cylinder vertical for 24 hrs before using it.

[gunsablazin]

acetelyne cylinders must NEVER be transported in any position other than upright. always upright never laid down.

[Timmay]

IF you transport acetylene, you should transport it in a vertical postition. IF you have to transport it lying down, then stand the cylinder vertical for 24 hrs before using it.

x2

Acetylene is diluted with acetone in the cylinders. If you use it after laying it down before 24 hours or so, you'll draw acetone out (the flame will turn purpleish). It's not an extremely horrible thing, you'll just be charged to re-charge the cyl with acetone when you return it.

[nissancrawler]

Our welding supplyiers (praxair/airgas) all said it was fine to transport it on it's side, with the above stipulation of waiting 24 hours before use. We just capped them, laid them in the truck bed, and strapped them in.

[jasonmt]

In Canada there are exemptions for the transportation of “Welding Gases” but the exemptions only cover shipping documents, safety marks and training but do not exempt you from loading and securing the cylinder in a manner that complies. As well Class 2.1 gasses such as acetylene are not covered by these exemptions if the cylinder capacity exceeds 46L.

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation (TDGR) issued by Transport Canada, Section 5.4 says only that the cylinders/containers shall be loaded safely and secured properly during transport. The TDG regulations also reference CSA B340 which requires that any Class 2 gas with a liquid phase (acetylene, propane, etc.) must be transported upright so that the safety valves are in contact with the vapour space, not the liquid.

To make the long story short:

1) Acetylene should be transported upright.

2) The chances of getting caught are small but if you happen to be either caught or involved in an accident while transporting stuff like this and not in compliance with the regulations the legal and liability implications are pretty scary. Having been involved in an accident where I was compliant within the 500kg exemption was bad enough…

[PTSchram]

Funny, my gas supplier alwyas told me to stand them up for the same period of time that they were laying down.

For havign been a safety guy for so long, I've sure done some sketchy stuff with compressed gas bottles. Truck beds full of tanks driving through the middle of town with acetylene, hydrogen and nitrous oxide along with argon, CO2 and He, tee hee hee.

I'd hate to think what would have happened.

[Wyoming9]

Most all cylinder transportation is now done with those steel pallets.

If you are on good terms with your supplier most will let you use a pallet to take your cylinders home and bring it back.

Also it is not hard to scrounge the parts to make a rack. I have even been told it would be legal at this time to make a rack that mounts in a receiver since you really don`t want to transport in a enclosed vehicle.:flipoff2:

[fLaT TiRe]

Most all cylinder transportation is now done with those steel pallets.

If you are on good terms with your supplier most will let you use a pallet to take your cylinders home and bring it back.

Also it is not hard to scrounge the parts to make a rack. I have even been told it would be legal at this time to make a rack that mounts in a receiver since you really don`t want to transport in a enclosed vehicle.:flipoff2:

It would seriously suck to get rearended with a nice sized tank hooked to your receiver fo sho:nuke:

[Brad]

It would seriously suck to get rearended with a nice sized tank hooked to your receiver fo sho:nuke:

dont know what those tanks are made of do ya?

[ChiScouter]

I was always taught that acetylene tanks were always to remain vertical, but every junkyard around here has them laying on their side in the back of a van or the trunk of a car. The guys leave them that way 24/7 hooked up and ready to cut. I have never heard of an accident but I never get too close to the tanks whan they are cutting.

[jasonmt]

dont know what those tanks are made of do ya?

Points actually pretty valid Brad as acetylene cylinders being fairly low pressure are typically around 0.135" WT in the larger cylinders.

Now if we are talking a 460 cubic foot XPR cylinder that weighs in @ 275#'s with a 0.575" WT...

[Loose07]

I was always taught that acetylene tanks were always to remain vertical, but every junkyard around here has them laying on their side in the back of a van or the trunk of a car. The guys leave them that way 24/7 hooked up and ready to cut. I have never heard of an accident but I never get too close to the tanks whan they are cutting.

I agree thats what they tought us in school was to leave them sit but the shop teacher said there was like some sort of wood fibers or something or nother in there and would plug up the reguator dont remember for sure i smoked alot of pot back then and hemight have been talkin about something else but the father in law has a junk yard and they are aways on there side and never had a issue as far as havin to pay for anything or flame burning funny or any probems of any sort

Just remember always have the top of the tank facing the cab on them high pressre tanks:flipoff2:

[demonranger]

yes they should be upright and not in a passenger compartment due to suffocation risk.

DOT regulations indicate

(2) For cylinders manufactured before
October 1, 2007, a cylinder must have
its valves protected by one of the following
methods:
(i) By equipping the cylinder with securely
attached metal caps of sufficient
strength to protect valves from
damage during transportation;
(ii) By boxing or crating the cylinders
so as to protect valves from
damage during transportation;
(iii) By constructing the cylinder so
that the valve is recessed into the cylinder
or otherwise protected to the extent
that it will not be subjected to a
blow when the container is dropped
onto a flat surface; or
(iv) By loading the cylinders in an
upright position and securely bracing
the cylinders in rail cars or motor vehicles,
when loaded by the consignor
and unloaded by the consignee.
(3) For cylinders manufactured on or
after October 1, 2007, each cylinder
valve assembly must be of sufficient
strength or protected such that no
leakage occurs when a cylinder with
the valve installed is dropped 1.8 m (6
ft.) or more onto a non-yielding surface,
such as concrete or steel, impacting
the valve assembly or protection
device at an orientation most likely to
cause damage. The cylinder valve assembly
protection may be provided by
any method meeting the performance
requirement in this paragraph (h)(3).
Examples include:
(i) Equipping the cylinder with a securely
attached metal cap.
(ii) Packaging the cylinder in a box,
crate, or other strong outside packaging
conforming to the requirements
of § 173.25.
(iii) Constructing the cylinder such
that the valve is recessed into the cylinder
or otherwise protected. <

[Brad]

Points actually pretty valid Brad as acetylene cylinders being fairly low pressure are typically around 0.135" WT in the larger cylinders.

Now if we are talking a 460 cubic foot XPR cylinder that weighs in @ 275#'s with a 0.575" WT...

Yep, you are right. Always forget that. Im used to OXY cylinders being like .250 armor plate right? Heard that might have changed since I learned it quite a few years ago though.

[spicer-44]

My father and I have been in the fab business for over fourty years and I watched him haul all kinds of bottles on there sides and also watched him cut with acetylene bottles layed on there sides no problem...In Indiana bottles are suppose to be hauled in the up rite position by law,,,, but nobody does...