Cylinder Siting

The following guidance has been taken from LPGA COP 24 - Part 6.

Quick Links

Scope

The code covers the installation and safe use of Propane in cylinders at commercial and industrial premise.

It relates to Propane cylinders located outdoors supplying appliances via a fixed pipework installation and Propane appliances connected to equipment indoors.

It does not cover:

• Non refillable cylinders

• The use of LPG fuelled Mechanical lifting and maintenance equipment eg, Gas powered forklift trucks

Definitions:

Commercial Premise
A structure of a permanent nature, to which appropriate building regulations apply, which is a place of work and which is used for office, catering, retailing and similar purposes.

Industrial Premise
A structure of a permanent nature, to which appropriate building regulations apply, which is a place of work and which is used for manufacturing purposes.

Training
Everyone responsible for installing or using LPG cylinders and/or appliances that operate on LPG should be trained to ensure that they understand the properties and hazards of LPG and appropriate fire and other precautions.

Installation and servicing work should be carried out by appropriately trained competent persons (eg, CORGI registered gas installers).

Return to top

Access & Egress

When looking at the premise for a suitable cylinder location, consideration must also be given for the future delivery and exchange of the cylinders and safety of the driver.

Manual handling of cylinders which includes lifting or dragging must be avoided wherever possible and delivery of 47kg and 19kg cylinders should be made using a cylinder trolley or similar equipment. Therefore the following points need to be considered:

Avoid:

• Steep slopes

• Flights of steps

• Slippery and uneven surfaces

• Across soft surfaces such as grass, earth etc.

• Any physical obstructions such as drainpipes, parked vehicles etc.

• Confined spaces

Cylinder Location

Cylinders must be:

• Installed in the upright position with valves uppermost so that vapour will be withdrawn in use.

• Located against a wall or structure of the building with at least 30 minutes fire resistance.

• Located in the open air outside buildings and situated on firm level ground in a well ventilated area.

• Positioned where they remain accessible at all times.

• Where they do not obstruct any means of access to and from the property.

• Sited where they are reasonably protected from accidental damage or interference by persons, animals or vehicles etc.

Cylinders Must Not Be Located:

• In any cellars, basements or sunken areas

• Less than 1 metre measured in the horizontal plane from the nearest cylinder valve from:

  • Fixed sources of ignition

  • Unprotected electrical equipment

  • Excessive heat sources

  • Doors, air bricks, ventilation ducts, flue terminals, openable win

• Less than 0.3 metre measured vertically above the cylinder valve(s) from the items listed above unless a non-combustible weatherproof hood, which does not impair access to the valves, is provided.

• Closer than 2 metres measured in the horizontal plane from:

  • Untrapped drains
  • Unsealed gullies
  • Openings to cellars

Unless an intervening diversion wall not less than 250mm high is provided.

• Within 3 metres of any corrosive, toxic or oxidising materials unless a fire resistant barrier is interposed.

• The area around the cylinders should be kept clear of litter, vegetation or other flammable materials.

• Associated equipment eg manifolds, automatic changeover devices, pressure regulators etc.Should be located as close as practicable to the cylinder(s) and located above the cylinder shrouds. Flexible connections should be short as practicable whilst being long enough to provide the flexibility required without excessive strain on the end fittings.

Recommended Cylinder Locations

The diagram below outlines the recommended siting for cylinders.

Return to top

The total quantity of LPG cylinders shall not exceed 100kg unless a full, documented risk
assessment has been carried out.

Appliances should be sited away from escape routes and combustible material. Adequate provision for ventilation of the room shall be made when the appliances are in use.

Cylinders should not supply LPG to more than one appliance.

Cylinders must be positioned upright on a firm level hard standing. Cylinders that are liable to be knocked over should be secured or provided with barriers.

Where reasonably practical cylinders shall be protected from unauthorised interference.

The storage of rubbish, cardboard or other flammable materials should not be permitted adjacent to cylinders. Where necessary a physical barrier protecting the space around the cylinders should be considered.

Cylinders should be accessible to authorised persons and emergency services at all times.

Important note:

Where commercial or industrial premise shares a building with or under residential accommodation the following shall apply:

• Either no more than 15kg of LPG should be left in the premise out of hours, or 60 minutes fire resisting separation should be provided between the premise and the accommodation.

• The Storage of Propane Cylinder is NOT permitted in premises. (Refer to Storage of Cylinders paragraph)

• There should be no direct connecting doors or access between the two premises.

Return to top

The installation of appliances and equipment should only be undertaken by competent persons and should comply with the requirements of relevant Building Regulations where applicable.

All appliances should be installed in compliance with Part B - ‘Gas Fittings’ and Part E - ‘Gas Appliances’ of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.

Appliances should be installed with adequate flueing and ventilation. Detailed guidance is contained in BS 5440: Parts 1 & 2 respectively.

Appliances should be installed and maintained to ensure satisfactory performance and proper combustion to avoid excessive carbon monoxide being produced.

LPG fired appliances with automatic ignition or permanent pilots shall not be installed in cellars or basements below ground level which have no natural floor level ventilation.

Only room sealed appliances may be installed in bathrooms or shower rooms.

Return to top

Spare cylinders (those not connected to any gas system) should be kept to a minimum
consistent with the rate of usage.

Full and empty cylinders shall be stored out of doors in a well ventilated position (Detailed requirements are given in LPGA COP 7).

Cylinders should be stored in an upright position with valve closed and with the protective plugs or caps in position.

The storage area should be flat and level without any low unventilated cavities and well away from drains or gullies. (Refer to siting distances)

The storage area should not obstruct means of access, passageways or emergency exits.

LPG cylinders should not be stored within 3m of any compressed gas cylinders, corrosive, toxic or oxidant materials.

Return to top

LPG vapour lines should not enter the building except under the control of a pressure regulator.

For most appliances the nominal working pressure is 37mbar, however there may be portable appliances that will require a variable gas inlet pressure of 0.75bar to 1bar.

Return to top

Hoses used as flexible connections to cylinders should comply with BS 3212 type 2 and should be marked accordingly.

Hoses marked BS EN 559 may be used for welding and cutting purposes.

Hose diameter should be compatible with the hose end nozzles.

The regulator may be fitted directly to the cylinder valve outlet for single cylinder use, or mounted separately on a manifold for multiple cylinder use.

Emergency Shut-Off Valves

Multiple cylinder installations should be fitted with an emergency shut-off valve at the point where the supply enters the premises.

Pipework

Should conform to the requirements of BS 5482: Part 1 and COP 22.

Return to top