Safety Issues: High Pressure vs. Low Pressure Carbonation Systems

We get asked all the time about the safety of high pressure gas cylinders. At Tri-State Carbonation Services, our systems rely on a low pressure system for beverage carbonation.

Compressed Gas Cylinder Hazards

Is compressed gas in a cylinder a physical hazard? It most certainly is. In a matter of seconds, the 1963 Indiana State Fair turned dark. Within the Coliseum, spectators gathered for an ice-skating performance.

A leaky valve on a rather small propane tank was the cause of the disaster. All along, it was assumed that the tank was running a heater, but with the leak, much of the gas escaped. When it ignited, 74 people were killed, and another 400 were injured.

Explosions like this are rare, and remind us of why it’s so important to heed these potential hazards. Compressed gas cylinder safety is important on the work-site. We must be extra careful that we don’t become so accustomed to seeing these tanks and moving them that we let our guards down and forget the dangers that they pose.

Here’s a quick list of hazards associated with gas cylinders:

• Weight alone: If these cylinders fall or roll, their weight alone can trigger a disaster, do damage, and injure or even kill workers.

• Threatening contents: Within these gas cylinders may be threatening contents that are flammable, explosive, or corrosive.

• Projectile potential: Because these gas cylinders are pressurized, projectile potential is a concern. If a valve breaks off or a regulator becomes detached, they can be projected across work environments, flying at dangerous speeds and harming those in their path.

Read more by visiting the Safety by Design website and reading their article on Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and OSHA Guidelines. You decide which you’d prefer in your business. If it’s time to make the switch, complete the form below.