How to Store Oxygen Cylinders

Store oxygen cylinders safely to avoid fires.

Oxygen cylinders are needed by medical offices and patients with various respiratory or cardiovascular ailments. It 's important to handle your oxygen cylinders correctly to avoid starting a fire. Although your oxygen cylinders won't burn on their own, they're a fire hazard when mixed with a heating source and any sort of flammable substance. Keep yourself and your family or staff safe by knowing how to store oxygen cylinders.

Instructions

1. Store oxygen cylinders in a cool place, away from a heating source. A heating source can be a heater, oven, fireplace--or even a large, sunny window. Don't store them in a small space that includes a heater.

2. Keep the cylinders in a stable and upright position. Oxygen cylinders are heavy and can cause damage if they fall on somebody or something.

3. Make sure that no one smokes or lights a flame of any sort near the storage area. Place a large "no smoking" sign in the general vicinity of the oxygen cylinders.

4. Store your oxygen cylinders in ventilated areas. Small areas with very limited airflow can be prone to catching on fire if any oxygen vents out of the cylinders.

5. Don't store oxygen cylinders in rooms where someone may use electrical items that create heat, such as electric blankets, electric razors or hair dryers. Also, don't store them where any oil, grease or other flammable liquids can spill or be used on or near the cylinders.

Tips & Warnings

• Familiarize yourself with proper safety and handling of your oxygen cylinders before accepting them into your home or office. Speak with your oxygen distributor about where the safest storage spaces in your home or office are.

References

• Cylinder Oxygen

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish