Health & Safety Policy Arrangements Temporary Compressed Gas Installation (Inert and Oxidising Gas Only) (HSA 23)

Health & Safety Policy Arrangements Temporary Compressed Gas Installation (Inert and Oxidising Gas Only) (HSA 23)

Version Date Author Changes 1 CB First written arrangements

1. Purpose To set a standard for INERT AND OXIDISING GAS temporary gas installations in use in University laboratories. All users of temporary compressed gas supply systems shall adhere to these standards without exception. All current temporary compressed gas supplies shall be updated to meet the necessary standards within two weeks of issue. Warning; Flammable and Toxic gas supply shall only be permanent installations and at no point must a temporary compressed gas supply system be used for these groups of gases. 2. Initial Request i. Prior to a temporary compressed gas supply being installed, the proposing user shall submit an application to the appropriate College H&S co-ordinator, detailing the requirement for a temporary compressed gas supply. ii. The installation may not proceed until confirmation has been received from the H&S coordinator in writing iii. The installation will be inspected against the initial set-up checklist by the assigned H&S coordinator prior to commencement of use. iv. The installation will be issued a reference number for the duration of its use and will be safety tagged by the H&S co-ordinator indicating the system safe for use. Application form (hyperlink) 3. Time Limits For Temporary Installations All temporary compressed gas supply systems shall have a maximum permissible operation period of 3 months, with an option for a maximum 1 month extension, if deemed essential to keep the system in use for a longer period of time. The extension is granted following a successful application process, authorised by the appropriate H&S co-ordinator. Requirements for use beyond the maximum permissible 4 month period shall be considered for a fixed gas supply system and subject to all current legislation, PSSR2000, and require a full Written Scheme of Examination. 4. Mandatory Requirements of ALL Temporary Installations All temporary compressed gas supplies will consist of the following items:- 1) Maximum permissible outlet pressure of 10 barg (145 psi) 2) Cylinder mounted gas regulator designed for use with the specific gas.* 3) Cylinder mounted regulator shall meet the requirements of inlet pressure and outlet pressure with gauges for each. 4) Cylinder mounted regulator must be fitted with a regulator PRV (pressure relief valve).

5) Cylinder mounted regulator to be of suitable material of construction to suit the specific gas.* 6) Cylinder mounted regulator shall be the correct orientation to meet the cylinder valve design. 7) Cylinder mounted regulator must not be modified by the user and shall be purchased fit for purpose. 8) Cylinder mounted regulator must be within its 5 year life please check date markings on regulator body. 9) Low pressure flexible hose shall be fit for purpose, gas type and pressure dependant.* 10) It is not permissible to use worn drive hose clips to secure the low pressure hose to the cylinder mounted regulator nor the process equipment. Twin ferrule gas compression fittings or hose barb with flexible hose fitted by means of sized O clips are acceptable. 11) The gas cylinder shall be supported at all times by suitable means, chain, strap or bracket to a suitable fixed point. It must not be fixed to a portable table or bench. The bracket shall be fixed by means suitable to support the weight of the gas cylinder. 12) The restraining device shall be located so it is approximately 2/3rds up the cylinder. The restraining device must never be below the midway point of the gas cylinder. * (check against material safety data sheets for suitability. Alternatively use Air Liquide s encyclopaedia on gases as it defines what is compatible with the gas. 5. Inspection Schedule Once installed, users must undertake a comprehensive inspection regime, with the responsible person being named on the application: 1) Weekly leak test all gas joints with approved leak detection methods. 2) Weekly visual health check by the user, Health Check document to be completed and sent to the appropriate H&S co-ordinator at the start of each week. 3) Monthly Health Check inspection by designated competent person. 6. Operator Duties 1) Only those who have undertaken the University s compressed gases e-learning programme and practical training may be authorised to set up a temporary compressed gas supply. The temporary compressed gas installation must be inspected and passed fit for purpose by the designated competent person prior to use. 2) The temporary compressed gas supply shall be leak tested weekly by the trained operator using approved leak detection methods. 3) The temporary compressed gas supply shall receive a weekly visual inspection by the operator in line with the University s checklist (see section 7). This shall be submitted to the appropriate college H&S advisor at the start of each week. Weekly health check doc (hyperlink)

4) All temporary compressed gas supplies shall be turned off at the gas cylinder each night unless this will interfere with the current experiment. 5) Only those who have undertaken the University s compressed gases e-learning programme and practical training may be authorised to; manually handle and/or replace gas cylinders (in accordance with the safe operating procedure for changing a cylinder) and operate the temporary compressed gas supply system.

7. Weekly User s Mandatory Check For Temporary Compressed Gas Supply 1) Leak test all joints to include all gas fittings and joints from the gas cylinder to process equipment using an approved gas detection fluid/device. 2) Visual inspection of the cylinder mounted regulator. Confirm the gas type is compatible to that of the gas it is intended for. Check inlet pressure is equal to or greater than the gas cylinder fill pressure. Check the date is current. Never use out of date equipment. Confirm that you are using the correct orientation of the cylinder regulator to meet with that of the gas cylinder valve. Side outlet use a side inlet or top outlet use a bottom inlet. Check the outlet pressure meets requirements. Max 10barg. Check the regulator is marked with manufacturer or suppliers name. Check no PTFE tape in use or present on fittings. Check no damage to the low pressure flexible hose. Check there are no worn drive hose clips in use. Check the gas cylinder is suitably secured. Signed off by operator/user 8. Monthly Mandatory Competent Persons Health Checks for Temporary Compressed Gas Supply 1) Leak test all joints to include all gas fittings and joints from the gas cylinder to process equipment using an approved gas detection fluid/device. 2) Visual inspection of the cylinder mounted regulator. Confirm the gas type is compatible to that of the gas it is intended for. Check inlet pressure is equal to or greater than the gas cylinder fill pressure. Check the date is current. Never use out of date equipment. Check the temporary compressed gas supply system has been weekly inspected. Confirm that you are using the correct orientation of the cylinder regulator to meet with that of the gas cylinder valve. Side outlet use a side inlet or top outlet use a bottom inlet. Check the outlet pressure meets requirements. Max 5barg. Check the regulator is marked with manufacturer or suppliers name. Check no PTFE tape in use or present on fittings. Check the regulator HP inlet fitting for damage to the face seal or if appropriate sealing washer in place and in good serviceable condition. Only replace with gas specific seal. Check the threads on the HP inlet fitting are not damaged. Check the LP outlet fitting is not damaged. Ensure the pressure control knob is captive when fully backed off. Check the regulator has not been tampered with or modified. Check the gauges are not damaged. Confirm the inlet stem is straight and not bent as this could indicate it has been dropped.

Check no damage to the low pressure flexible hose. Check there are no worn drive hose clips in use. Check the gas cylinder is suitably secured. NB only remove the regulator if this will not interfere with the experiment. Inspection may have to be earlier or later than set monthly period if this should arise. Signed off by competent person 9. Records All records must be forwarded to the appropriate H&S co-ordinator.

Temporary Compressed Gas Installation Section 1 Application: College: Building Location: Room No: Project: Project Investigator: Expected timescale of installation: Reason for temporary installation (rather than permanent fixed): Section 2 - Permission: Temporary Gas Installation Number: Approved By: Section 3 - Initial set-up check by H&S co-ordinator: Standards to be confirmed by the H&S co-ordinator on initial set-up: 1 Confined space risk assessment (oxygen depletion) undertaken 2 Maximum permissible outlet pressure of 10barg (145psi) 3 Maximum permissible outlet pressure of 10barg (145psi) 4 Cylinder mounted regulator shall meet the requirements of inlet pressure and outlet pressure with gauges for each. 5 Cylinder mounted regulator must be fitted with a regulator PRV (pressure relief valve). 6 Cylinder mounted regulator to be of suitable material of construction to suit the specific gas. 7 Cylinder mounted regulator shall be the correct orientation to meet the cylinder valve design. 8 Cylinder mounted regulator must not be modified by the user and shall be purchased fit for purpose. 9 Low pressure flexible hose shall be fit for purpose, gas type and pressure dependant. 10 Worn drive hose clips are not used to secure the low pressure hose to the cylinder mounted regulator nor the process equipment. Twin ferrule gas compression fittings or hose barb with flexible hose fitted by means of sized O clips are acceptable. 11 The gas cylinder shall be supported at all times by suitable means, chain, strap or bracket to a suitable fixed point. It must not be fixed to a portable table or bench. The bracket shall be fixed by means suitable to support the weight of the gas cylinder. 12 The restraining device shall be located so it is approximately 2/3rds up the cylinder. The restraining device must never be below the midway point of the gas cylinder.

Section 4 - Weekly checks Competent person to undertake weekly checks: Check 1 Leak test all joints to include all gas fittings and joints from the gas cylinder to process equipment using an approved gas detection fluid/device. 2 Carry out visual inspection of the cylinder mounted regulator: Is the gas type compatible to that of the gas it is intended for. Check that the inlet pressure is equal to or greater than the gas cylinder fill pressure. Is the equipment date current. Never use out of date equipment. Is there correct orientation of the cylinder regulator to meet with that of the gas cylinder valve. Side outlet use a side inlet or top outlet use a bottom inlet. Dies the outlet pressure meet requirements. Max 10 barg. Is the regulator marked with manufacturer or suppliers name. Confirm that no PTFE tape is in use or present on fittings. Check there is no damage to the low pressure flexible hose. Check there are no worn drive hose clips in use. Check the gas cylinder is suitably secured. Pass/ Yes Fail/ No Action taken Checked by/date

Section 5 - Monthly checks: Competent person to undertake monthly checks: Training undertaken: Date Check undertaken by Pass/Fail Section 6 Request for extension of 3 month temporary installation Reason for request for extension: Reason why installation may not be fixed: Extension Approved by:

Process for Temporary Compressed Gas Installation User requires a temporary gas installation Application to H&S co-ordinator Meets temp installation requirements Doesn t meet temp install requirements Install inspected Permanent installation required Doesn t meet standards Meets standards User must upgrade to meet standards - do not use until tagged ID no given and tagged Weekly user check Monthly check