Gas Help Needed

[Sorbello]

Hi I'm Nichola from Manchester (UK) and I need urgent Help!!!

I've just had a 17kg propane gas canister delivered to use with a oxycon....my only issue was that the bloke delivering was concerned that I wanted to use it in an upstairs studio (I have ventilation)...as he said it would be better to keep outside and pipe it up using copper piping and 2m flexi hose....I am using a Smiths little torch.....I need your advice please...what should I do? Buy a shed???


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[MMM Jewellery]

17 Kg is pretty big- a 4 kg cylinder would be more than enough for a smiths little torch. I have a sivert with a massive blowtorch and I don't use that much gas, just use a 4 kg cylinder and it lasts years (although I only work a few times a month as a hobbyist). The risk is that there is a leak and a big bang, or a fire elsewhere and a big bang, so the smaller the better. The advice to have it outside is so that you can safely shut it off in the event of an accidental fire, without having to go near the fire.

I'd swap your big cylinder for a smaller 3.9 Kg one, always use gas leak liquid on connections, and store the cylinder outside when not in use. Or if you can, buy a shed!! You should still keep the cylinder outside tho, even in a shed (although I dont!!) This is my pragmatic advice- I'm sure someone who specialises in HSE could give you a more correct answer, and your insurance company may have a different answer too.

Cheers Matt

[Goldsmith]

The problem with propane is that if you do have a leak the gas is heavier than air and can form a pool on the floor if it leaks from the cylinder, which can then be ignited.
If you do use a propane gas cylinder upstairs you really need ventilation to the outside at floor level to be safe. Or as Matt says get a smaller cylinder and store it outside when not in use.


James

[Sorbello]

Thanks Matt & James, I've decided to empty out the shed and do all my soldering outside. I think I was being a cheapskate as the 17kg at £35 was cheaper than the smaller canisters...I'm going to rethink for the smaller canister for the winter months so, thanks again guys


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