Here is the full text of the Georgia Tech Dangerous Gas Safety Program.

Summary of GT Dangerous Gas Safety Program

The GT Dangerous Gas Safety Program covers flammable and toxic gases in laboratories and is based on the International Fire Code (which is Georgia law), as well as the National Fire Protection Association Standards 45 (Laboratories),  55 (Compressed Gases), 318 (Semiconductor Facilities).  It also takes guidance from the publication Prudent Practices in the Laboratory (National Research Council, 1995) and Dangerous Gas programs in effect at other research universities in the US.

Requirements:

Flammable gases are defined as: (A) gases that, at ambient temperature and pressure, form a flammable mixture with air at a concentration of thirteen (13) percent by volume or less; or (B) Gases that, at ambient temperature and pressure, form a range of flammable mixtures with air wider than twelve (12) percent by volume, regardless of the lower explosive limit; (29CFR1910.1200). Examples: Hydrogen, Acetylene, Propane

  • Flammable gas cylinders in sprinkler equipped labs require flow restrictors and must be limited to no more than 1 backup cylinder per cylinder in use, not to exceed a total of 8 cylinders (or 2000 cubic feet) of flammable gas per lab.
  • Flammable gas cylinders in non-sprinkler equipped labs require flow restrictors and constant monitoring by the GT Dangerous Gas Monitoring System (DGMS). They must also be limited to no more than 1 backup cylinder per each cylinder in use, not to exceed a total 4 cylinders (or 1000 cubic feet) of flammable gas per lab.
  • Exceptions to the above rules can be made for lecture bottles which are kept in fume hoods.  Contact GT Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) for details.

Pyrophoric gases are defined as gases that will ignite spontaneously on contact with air at temperatures of 130oF (54.4oC) or below (29CFR1910.1200) Examples: Silane, disilane.

  • Purchases of pyrophoric gases require pre-notification of GT EHS and pre-approval by the GT Chemical and Environmental Safety Committee.
  • In sprinkler equipped laboratories, pyrophoric gas cylinders require containment in gas cabinets.
  • Exceptions to the above rules can be made for lecture bottles which are kept in fume hoods.  Contact GT EHS for details.
  • Pyrophoric gas cylinders are not allowed in non-sprinkler equipped laboratories.

Toxic Gases are defined as gases that have a Lethal Concentration-Fifty Percent (LC50) in air of 3000 parts per million (ppm) by volume or less of gas or gas vapor, or 30 milligrams per liter (mg/l) or less of mist, fume, or dust.  These gases will be rated a 3 or 4 on the health section of the NFPA warning diamond.  Toxic gases also include gases that are rated a 2 on the health section of the NFPA warning diamond AND have poor warning properties. Examples: hydrogen chloride, carbon monoxide.

  • Purchases of toxic gases require pre-notification of GT EHS and pre-approval by the GT Chemical and Environmental Safety Committee.
  • Toxic gases require containment in gas cabinets and monitoring by the GT DGMS.
  • Exceptions to the above rules can be made for lecture bottles which are kept in fume hoods.  Contact GT EHS for details.

The Georgia Tech Dangerous Gas Safety Program can be found here.

For more information contact Environmental Health and Safety at 404-894-4635.