transporting welding tank

Mark @ Everlast · Jul 2, 2014

I can defer to others with more knowledge, but I believe it is illegal, and at the very least unsafe to transport any gas cylinder in an enclosed vehicle.

George2615 · Jul 2, 2014

Basically tanks should be transported upright. Here's a link.
302 Found

Link doesn't post properly from my phone. Try this www site.
(Vcu.edu/oehs/chemical/labsafe/compgas.pdf)

jim_wilson · Jul 2, 2014

Found another thread with a lot of discussion about how to transport tanks. Seems like the consensus is - transporting acetylene tanks (which I'm not doing) - should definitely be transported upright - and if they're not - don't use them for a few hours.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...-your-6.html?highlight=transporting+cylinders

Transporting inside a closed vehicle - is not a good idea at all - but especially not a good idea for the flammable gases.

Otherwise - transporting cylinders with shielding type gases horizontally - gets done all the time.

When I have transported the 40 and 80cf tanks in the back of the Suburban - I've always wedged them into a milk crate or something to keep them from moving around - and kept the windows open. Putting them into the trailer - for one 80cf tank - just seemed a little like overkill. Plus the trailer beats the **** out of things if it's not loaded down with some weight.

dragoneggs · Jul 3, 2014

George2615 said:
Basically tanks should be transported upright. Here's a link.
302 Found

Link doesn't post properly from my phone. Try this www site.
(Vcu.edu/oehs/chemical/labsafe/compgas.pdf)

Kind of like carrying a weapon... pointing down whether it be a gun, knife... or a pressurized bottle.

Arc weld · Jul 3, 2014

There was a plumber in BC that had a B tank in his trunk. He used a remote starter to start his car. Good thing! The car exploded, most likely because the B tank had the tiniest of leak. Even with dry ice, they warn you not to transport in your trunk and if you carry it in the car, have ALL the windows open. High pressure cylinders can be laid horizontal but it's a real good idea to have them secured. I had a guy come with a 300 cu. ft. oxygen stuffed into a Chevette. Had to fold the passenger forward to fit it in diagonally.:confused3:

aczlan · Jul 3, 2014

Arc weld said:
I had a guy come with a 300 cu. ft. oxygen stuffed into a Chevette. Had to fold the passenger forward to fit it in diagonally.:confused3:

Rocket powered Chevette anyone?

Aaron Z

Gary Fowler · Jul 3, 2014

They are pretty safe if you keep the protective caps in place. I wouldn't transport acetylene inside a vehicle as even a slight leak could be fatal(acetylene and propane are heavier than air and would settle to the floor where a slight spark from any electrical item could set it off), but for compressed gas, put it in your car, secure it so it doesn't roll around and keep the windows open if it is inert gas. Even if you are in an accident, the bottle should still be ok with the cap on it. Not the best of transport methods, but still pretty safe. I would put it in with the bottom end facing forward and fully against the seat on the passenger side. As long as it is butted up and doesn't have a running start, even if the valve is knocked off (impossible with the cap on) it wont go any where and will just set against the seat and expel all the gas. I transport them in my truck the same way with the butt end against the front of the bed and ratchet straps securing it to the side of the bed for tall bottles and the small short ones (80 CF), I just stand up and strap them to the side of the bed with ratchet straps.

Fifelaker · Jul 3, 2014

Acetylene should be standing the rest can be in any position. If you lay an acetylene cylinder down let it stand upright for a day to let the acetone to reach the bottom.