Compressed Gasses

Special systems are needed for handling materials under pressure. Cylinders pose mechanical, physical and/or health hazards, depending on the compressed gas in the cylinder.

Inert gases - non-toxic and non-flammable gases contained in high-pressure cylinders such as helium, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, etc.

Toxic or inflammable gases: gases such as methane, feron or others.
These instructions apply to all gas cylinders, including lecture bottles, but not to disposable or reusable cylinders of cooking gas.

  1. Before ordering a gas cylinder, the manager of the laboratory must verify that the type of gas and its quantity in the cylinder are in the Weizmann Institute's poison permit and that the infrastructure in the laboratory is suitable for storing and working with this gas (contact the chemical safety officer and poisons officer in the safety unit for help and instructions).
  2. As a rule, do not store or install flammable or toxic compressed gas cylinders inside a laboratory. Therefore, the law mandates the transfer of piping for external storage. For special cases, it is possible to obtain permission from the WIS safety unit to insert a gas cylinder to the laboratory, when additional engineering measures are installed such as: a detector, a suction cabinet and other measures as needed (Please consult with the WIS safety unit).
  3. In case that the scope of the work with a specific gas is in small amounts, you must plan the purchase of small gas cylinders - Lecture bottles.
  4. Gas cylinders will be transported by the supplier to the building and by a WIS employees to a specific laboratory, but not by students
  5. When receiving the gas cylinder, the following tests must be performed:
    1. Visual integrity of the cylinder and checking the validity of the hydrostatic test (in general validity of the test is up to five years, while for some toxic gases it can be less).
    2. A laboratory or department will not keep in the laboratories a cylinder gas that the hydrostatic test validity is not valid.
    3. On the neck of the cylinder includes the following data (to be checked by the person ordering the balloon):
      1. Standard of production
      2. Serial number
      3. Commercial symbol, the manufacturer's name and/or the order’s name
      4. The name of the manufacturer and/or of the order
      5. Fill date
      6. All the dates on which the cylinder was hydrostatically tested
      7. Maximum working pressure
      8. Gas name and UN number
    4. Gas cylinders with valve protection caps must be individually secured. 
    5. Storing or moving gas cylinders will be performed by an authorized and trained WIS employee and not by students.
    6. Cylinders must be always secured in an upright position. Use suitable racks, straps, chains, or stands to support cylinders against an immovable object, such as a bench or a wall, during use and storage. Do not allow cylinders to fall or lean against one another.
    7. Use an appropriate cart to move cylinders.
    8. Cylinder should not be used until completely empty. Slight pressure should be left to keep contaminants out.
    9. Oil or grease near high pressure oxygen cylinder can cause fire or even an explosion. 
    10. Always wear goggles or safety glasses with side shields when handling compressed gases.
    11. Always use appropriate gauges, fittings, and materials compatible with the gas being handled.
    12. When work with a toxic, corrosive, or reactive gas is planned, the user should be aware of information concerning specific handling requirements as described in the SDS. Generally, these gases will need to be used and stored with local exhaust ventilation, such as a lab hood or a gas cabinet designed for that purpose.