Where to put cylinders before the torch is lit
Stored oxygen stays 20 feet from fuel gas or combustibles, or behind a noncombustible 5-foot barrier rated one-half hour, according to Legal Information Institute.
Key takeaways for how far to keep oxygen cylinders from fuel gas before welding starts
- Separate storage groups: Oxygen cylinders must be separated from fuel-gas cylinders by a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high with a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour, according to Legal Information Institute.
- Secure upright position: Compressed gas cylinders shall be secured in an upright position at all times except, if necessary, for short periods of time while cylinders are actually being hoisted or carried, according to Legal Information Institute.
- Valve orientation: Acetylene and fuel gas cylinders, including but not limited to welding and cutting fuel gas cylinders, shall be stored and used with the valve end up, according to California Department of Industrial Relations.
- Heated cylinder response: It is recommended that an area of 200 meters around the heated cylinder is evacuated immediately and the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) is called straight away, according to Health and Safety Executive.
The federal page mandates that compressed gas cylinders shall be secured in an upright position at all times except, if necessary, for short periods of time while cylinders are actually being hoisted or carried, according to Legal Information Institute. Furthermore, cylinders containing oxygen or acetylene or other fuel gas shall not be taken into confined spaces, according to Legal Information Institute. See Confined space entry records: 6 permit checks for a related entry record. When placing cylinders on your site, verify the 20-foot distance or the 5-foot barrier height and fire-resistance rating before the torch is lit. Ensure every cylinder is secured upright and confirm none are being moved into a confined area. If you are managing hot work handoffs, review the Hot-work handoff: 6 checks before the crew welds to align your cylinder placement with the broader safety protocol. For tracking these daily placement decisions, the Construction Daily Log Checklist for Supervisors provides a structure for recording where cylinders are standing.
How far each page says to keep oxygen from fuel gas
The federal rule sets a specific distance for oxygen cylinders in storage. According to Legal Information Institute, oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials, especially oil or grease, a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m). Alternatively, the rule permits a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour. This standard applies to the separation of oxygen from fuel gas or combustible materials during storage.
California regulations mirror this spacing requirement for oxygen cylinders. According to California Department of Industrial Relations, oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials, especially oil or grease, a minimum distance of 20 feet. The California page also allows a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour as an alternative to the 20-foot distance. This rule specifically addresses the separation of oxygen cylinders from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials in storage.
Canadian guidance provides the same measurement in both metric and imperial units. According to CCOHS, separate oxygen from fuel gas cylinders by at least 6.1 m (20 ft). The CCOHS page also states that a wall at least 1.5 m (5 ft) high with a minimum half-hour fire resistance can serve as the separation. This guidance specifies the distance between oxygen and fuel gas cylinders or the specification for the wall used to separate them.
The federal page cites 29 CFR § 1926.350, which governs gas welding and cutting. The California page cites California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1740, which covers the storage and use of cylinders. The Canadian page is a safety answer from CCOHS regarding welding and the storage and handling of compressed gas cylinders. You must check which jurisdiction applies to your job site to determine which specific citation governs your placement.
How cylinders are stored, moved, and kept out of confined spaces
The same source states that cylinders containing oxygen or acetylene or other fuel gas shall not be taken into confined spaces, according to Legal Information Institute. When storing or using acetylene and fuel gas cylinders, the valve end must be up, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. For quick closing, valves on fuel gas cylinders shall not be opened more than 1 1/2 turns, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. Store cylinders, both empty and full, in the upright position unless otherwise instructed, according to CCOHS. If an acetylene tank has unintentionally been left on its side, set it upright for at least one hour before it is used, according to CCOHS.
Reference table of publisher cylinder rules
Each row names the publisher and the exact rule stated on that page.
| Publisher | Rule/Requirement | Source Unit/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Information Institute | Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease) | A minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour, according to Legal Information Institute. |
| California Department of Industrial Relations | Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease) | A minimum distance of 20 feet or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour, according to California Department of Industrial Relations. |
| CCOHS | Separate oxygen from fuel gas cylinders | By at least 6.1 m (20 ft), or by a wall at least 1.5 m (5 ft) high with a minimum half-hour fire resistance, according to CCOHS. |
| Health and Safety Executive | Cylinders filled with compressed acetylene gas must be coloured 'Maroon' (RAL 3007) on both the shoulder and body of the cylinder | If the colour of the cylinder is different or has become obscured for some reason (eg paint overspray, abrasion, corrosion) it will be unlawful for you to use it with compressed acetylene gas, according to Health and Safety Executive. |
What the British page says after a cylinder has been heated
If a cylinder has been heated, the guidance is direct: it is recommended that an area of 200 meters around the heated cylinder is evacuated immediately and the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) is called straight away, according to Health and Safety Executive.
The recommendation is tied to the immediate hazard of a heated cylinder, and the instruction to call the Fire and Rescue Service is part of the same immediate response, according to Health and Safety Executive.
Cylinder colour is a specific identifier for compressed acetylene gas under this guidance. Cylinders filled with compressed acetylene gas must be coloured 'Maroon' (RAL 3007) on both the shoulder and body of the cylinder, according to Health and Safety Executive. If the colour of the cylinder is different or has become obscured for some reason, such as paint overspray, abrasion, or corrosion, it will be unlawful for you to use it with compressed acetylene gas, according to Health and Safety Executive. This colour rule is specific to compressed acetylene gas and does not apply to other gases or to cylinders not used with compressed acetylene gas.
Illustrative example of a spacing check
A yard holds a pair of storage groups. Oxygen stands on the north side and fuel gas stands on the south side. A tape shows 20 feet between the groups, so the distance separation is met and no barrier is required. In a tighter yard the same groups sit closer than that distance. A noncombustible wall 5 feet high, with the fire-resistance rating the storage rule names, stands between them and takes the place of the open gap. An acetylene cylinder was left on its side during a move. The crew stands it valve end up and waits 1 hour before use. Fuel gas valves stay inside the quick-closing limit already stated. No cylinder from either group is carried into a confined space. These round figures only show the check. They are not a measured reading from a real site.
Today's cylinder location and measured gap
Record the date, the standing position of the oxygen cylinders, and the measured distance to the fuel-gas cylinders. Enter that measured gap in the blank worksheet. If you use a barrier, note its height and confirm it is noncombustible. This entry goes in your Construction Daily Log Checklist for Supervisors before the torch is lit.
| Field | What you write |
|---|---|
| Example | Oxygen standing apart from fuel gas, gap checked, barrier noted if used |
FAQ about jobsite gas cylinder storage
What gap does the federal page require between oxygen and fuel gas?
The federal page states that oxygen cylinders in storage must be separated from fuel-gas cylinders by a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) according to Legal Information Institute. The rule is part of the gas welding and cutting standards found in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
What barrier can stand in place of that gap?
A noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high can stand in place of the 20-foot gap according to Legal Information Institute. This barrier must have a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour to be compliant with the storage separation rules. The barrier serves as an alternative to maintaining the full 20-foot distance between oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders.
May fuel-gas cylinders go into a confined space?
No, cylinders containing oxygen or acetylene or other fuel gas shall not be taken into confined spaces according to Legal Information Institute. Supervisors must ensure that these cylinders remain outside of any confined space entry area.
What temperature limits does the Canadian page post?
The Canadian page requires establishing and posting a maximum use temperature of less than 48.9°C (120°F) according to CCOHS. It also requires posting a maximum temperature for indoor and outdoor storage of less than 51.7°(125°F) according to CCOHS. These limits are specific to the storage and handling practices described in the CCOHS welding safety guidance.
What distance does the British page recommend around a heated acetylene cylinder?
The British page recommends that an area of 200 meters around the heated cylinder is evacuated immediately according to Health and Safety Executive. This recommendation is specifically for a heated acetylene cylinder and is part of the safe use guidance provided by the Health and Safety Executive. The Fire and Rescue Service should be called straight away in this scenario according to Health and Safety Executive.