LPG Cylinder Storage Requirements: Everything You Need to Know
Australia has specific standards in place for the storage and handling of LPG cylinders. These rules and requirements primarily focus on safety and should always be observed.
In a nutshell, the AS/NZS 1596:2014 standard states that indoor storage should be avoided whenever possible, and only allows very small sizes, with extensive precaution. Gas bottles should also be stored upright in a well-ventilated area and away from any ignition sources.
What the AS/NZS 1596:2014 Standard Says About LPG Cylinders Storage
Gas bottle storage regulations (LPG storage requirements) are based on the AS/NZS 1596:2014 (Superseding AS/NZS 1596:2008). They are primarily LPG gas cylinder storage rules (gas bottle storage regulations) and LPG gas bottle safety-related and should be observed at all times for gas bottle safety and LPG gas cylinder safety:
- To ensure that any gas leaks from the gas bottles do not accumulate in the storage area, all gas bottle storage areas must have sufficient ventilation, per gas bottle storage regulations. The ventilation must be able to disperse any gas in the storage area to safe levels.
- With LPG gas bottle storage regulations¹, the gas bottle must always be upright, disconnected, valves closed, and safety caps on², when not in use.
- Under LPG tank regulations, gas bottle storage must be prevented from falling and protected from impact and damage, especially to the valve.
- LPG gas cylinder storage rules (LPG storage requirements) require that LPG gas bottle storage should always be in a well-ventilated area away from any flame, heat, or other ignition source
- Minor indoor LPG gas bottle storage is permitted under LPG gas cylinder storage rules & regulations¹
- Indoor gas bottle safety and gas cylinder safety limits on quantity apply. As per AS/NZS 1596:2014 Table 2.1, the maximum quantity of LP gas cylinders indoors or within a roof and 3 or more walls should only be up to 10kg per 10 square metre floor area, up to 30kg.
- Forklift cylinders not being used must be stored outside in well-ventilated LPG storage space. This is typically in a storage cage at least 6 metres (20 feet) from other structures.
- LPG should never be stored in excess of 50C (122F) or near a heat source.
- Even though permitted, indoor LPG gas bottle storage should be avoided whenever possible, for gas bottle safety
¹Gas Bottle Storage Regulations: Australian Standard AS1596-2008 in Section 2;
²Safety cap use where and when applicable
Australian LPG Gas Bottle Storage Regulations
It is best advised to store LPG gas bottles (propane or butane) outdoors. Since this makes LPG cylinders more vulnerable to natural forces (rain, snow, wind, etc.), it’s best to use cylinders with a corrosion-resistant finish or other surface protection coating.
The outdoor storage space must also be of heavy-duty construction, especially in industrial settings where LPG is required for heating or operation.
If your worksite requires several LPG cylinders stored for reserve, we advise securing them properly with individual safety chains made of heavy-duty steel to prevent unwanted falls and damage to the bottles.
As stated in the previous section, you can store small LPG bottles inside your home. The limit is 10kg per 10 square metre floor area and a total quantity of 30kg. That means you can store three 8.5kg ELGAS LP gas bottles if you have a 30-square-metre home. Note that balconies are counted as indoor spaces.
The standard LPG gas cylinder storage rules specify how much gas bottle storage you may have inside of a structure, but it varies by structure type and size.
LPG Gas Cylinder Storage Rules
The Standard LPG gas bottle storage regulations do specify:
1. Avoid Indoor Storage Including Not-in-Use Forklift Cylinders
LPG gas bottle storage and use indoors, whether the gas cylinder storage is full or nominally empty, should be avoided whenever possible, per the gas bottle storage regulations (propane tank safety regulations) and for gas bottle safety and LPG gas cylinder safety. Forklift bottles not in use should be stored outdoors.
LPG gas bottle storage (propane gas storage) should preferably be located outdoors.
2. Knowledge of Storage Hazards and Risks
Having LPG cylinders at home or in your business means you should have basic knowledge of LP gas storage hazards and risks associated with improper gas cylinder storage and use. Make sure the gas bottle is not directly exposed to sunlight when in an outdoor environment. Contact ELGAS at 1800 819 783 if you see obvious rusting on the surface and its corrosion-free finish has worn out.
Always place safety signage on your LPG storage space and have chain restraints to secure the cylinders firmly.
3. Upright, Well-Ventilated, and Away from Ignition Sources
LPG gas bottle storage should always be kept upright and in a well-ventilated area away from any flame, heat, or other ignition source. Forklift cylinder storage cages should be at least 6 metres from buildings.
4. Protection from Physical Impact
LPG gas bottle storage must be protected from any physical impact for gas bottle safety and LPG gas cylinder safety.
5. Protected from Falling Over
LPG gas bottle storage should be located so that they are not likely to be damaged or dislodged under normal use circumstances. A retention chain or strap should be used.
Any trolley or stand in which the gas bottle storage is housed shall be of metal construction and of adequate stability.
6. LPG Cylinders Must Not Block Escape Routes or Near Combustible Materials
LPG gas bottle storage should be kept in a location that does not hinder people’s escape. LPG gas storage (propane gas storage) should be well away (at least 6 metres) from any combustible or waste materials.
7. Segregated from Oxidizing and Toxic Gases
LPG gas bottle storage shall be kept at least 3m from oxidizing gases, like oxygen.
The exception is where the LPG gas bottles and oxidizing gas form part of a portable oxy-fuel system used for welding, brazing, cutting or similar applications.
8. Valves Closed When Not in Use
LPG (propane) gas bottle storage should always be stored with all their valves closed, when not in use, for LPG gas bottle storage safety.
Any gas bottles in use shall be connected only to an approved appliance and used in accordance with AS 5601/NZS 5261 or other applicable Standards.
LPG gas bottles and their fittings shall be inspected for leaks prior to LPG gas bottle storage (propane gas storage) or use.
Workplace safety LPG gas bottle storage regulations and guidelines may apply even to quantities defined as minor LPG gas cylinder storage in this LPG gas cylinder storage rules Standard.
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Can You Use a Propane Tank Indoors
According to the Australian Standards, you can store a small propane tank indoors and use a propane tank indoors for things like a wok burner. The Australian regulations permit you to have 10kg indoors per dwelling.
However, you cannot use a propane tank indoors for a cabinet heater, which is a heater with a propane tank inside. Cabinet heaters are specifically prohibited.
LPG Gas Bottle Storage Regulations at Home
Detached House or Single-storey Attached Dwelling
In Australia, with LPG gas cylinder storage (propane gas storage) at home, gas bottle storage (propane tank safety regulations) permits you to have 10kg indoors per dwelling. Please note that balconies are considered indoor areas for LPG gas cylinder safety.
As there are no 10kg gas bottles available in Australia, the limit for LPG gas bottle storage at home is effectively one 9kg BBQ-sized gas bottle or two of the smaller 3.7kg BBQ gas bottles.
According to the gas bottle storage regulations, the maximum gas cylinder storage of combined indoor and outdoor gas bottles (not connected) must not exceed 50kg, and no single gas bottle can exceed 15kg.
Note that 45kg LPG gas bottles connected to your home do NOT fall under this LPG gas cylinder storage limitation.
Multi-storey Attached Dwellings
Once again, in Australia, the gas bottle storage regulations (propane tank safety regulations) permit you to have 10kg indoors, per dwelling, inclusive of balconies.
Shops, Offices & Laboratories (indoors)
The maximum total quantity is 30kg per occupancy (propane gas storage), with a maximum gas bottle size of 15kg, per the LPG gas cylinder storage rules and regulations and for LPG gas cylinder safety.
Special Note to Hospitality Establishments
If you have gas patio heaters and you store them inside during non-business hours, you may need to remove the gas bottles before bringing them indoors to avoid exceeding these gas bottle storage regulations (propane tank safety regulations) and LPG gas cylinder safety limits.
Outdoor areas of hotels, restaurants & cafes
10 kg per 10 m² of floor area, up to a maximum total quantity of 30kg with a maximum gas bottle size of 15kg, per the LPG gas cylinder storage rules & propane tank safety regulations.
Factories & Warehouses (indoors)
45 kg per 50 m² floor area, up to a maximum total gas bottle storage (propane gas storage) quantity of 180 kg per occupancy with a maximum gas bottle size of 45kg.
Temporary Structures
Special gas bottle storage (propane gas storage) regulations apply to temporary structures. This includes open-air and temporary structures such as marquees, tents, booths, and under awnings.
General Gas Bottle Safety & Gas Bottle Storage Regulations
- For LPG gas bottle safety, storage (propane gas storage) should be outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Gas cylinder storage should not be indoors.
- LPG gas is heavier than air and will collect in low areas instead of dissipating. As a result, there must be adequate ventilation and air movement in any LPG gas bottle storage area.
- If gas is released without adequate ventilation, gas dissipation occurs slowly, and the accumulated gas remains within its explosive range for a longer period.
- Gas bottle storage areas must be away from ignition sources as per the gas bottle storage regulations (propane tank safety regulations).
- LPG gas cylinder storage must always be stored upright so that the LPG gas cylinder safety pressure relief valve is in the vapour section of the cylinder.
- You should treat any LPG gas bottle storage (propane gas storage) that has ever been filled as a full cylinder, even if you believe it to be empty. Only gas cylinder storage purged with inert gas can be once again considered empty.
- Never open the valve of any unconnected gas bottle storage, even if it is believed to be empty, as there is almost always some remnant gas in every gas cylinder storage.
- Never have more gas cylinder storage than is required.
- LPG gas bottle storage must prevent falling, movement or physical damage by storing them in approved cages/racks, securing the cylinders with LPG gas cylinder safety chains or using other approved retention methods.
- Placarding of gas bottle storage areas is required by the gas bottle storage regulations (propane tank safety regulations) when the combined capacity of the LPG gas cylinder storage exceeds 500 litres of water capacity.
An MSDS for LPG should be located in close proximity to the LPG gas cylinder storage area for fast reference in a gas bottle safety emergency
The Smell of Safety: Gas Leaks & Odourised Gas
LPG (propane and butane) and natural gas (methane) are odourless gases in their natural state.
The distinctive smell that people associate with these gases is actually added to them as a safety measure. When filling, 0.1 to 0.2% of Ethyl Mercaptan (C2H5SH) is added to the gas. It is a sulphur-containing compound that produces an unpleasant odour, like rotten eggs or garlic.
Ethyl Mercaptan is helpful when detecting gas leaks. If you smell rotten eggs in your kitchen, immediately suspect it is an LPG leak, leave the area immediately, avoid using any electrical appliances, and contact the emergency services (000). LPG is a highly flammable and combustible gas, so do not try to investigate further, as it could be dangerous.
History of Adding Odourant to Gas
For many decades, the gaseous fuels industry has added odourants to LPG and Natural Gas so that people can detect gas leaks with nothing more than their noses.
Without the addition of an odourant, leaking gas could collect without being detected. This would create a dangerous condition that could lead to an explosion or fire.
Much research has gone into the science of odourants and Ethyl Mercaptan is almost universally recognised as the best choice. As a result, it is the most commonly used odourising agent.
The smell of Ethyl Mercaptan is often compared to rotten cabbage.
The strength of the odourant has caused some people to refer to the process of adding it as “stenching.”
How & When it Gets Added
In the case of LPG, the Ethyl Mercaptan is added to the gas as it leaves the main storage terminals. The amount added and the process are both carefully controlled.
The terminals themselves have gas detectors that can identify gas leaks without any odourant having been added.
Special Cases with No Odourant
There are certain applications where the odourant is not added. Facilities that use odourless gas must have the same gas detection equipment as the gas terminals.
For example, Butane is commonly used as an aerosol propellant. Needless to say, we wouldn’t want things like hair spray and deodorant to smell like rotten cabbage!
Odourant Fade
Ethyl Mercaptan is not a perfect odourant. Under some circumstances, it can fade away and be replaced by a gentler-smelling odour that might not be recognised as a gas leak.
Odourant fade is rare, but it can happen. While very few instances of odourant fade have been recorded in Australia, it has happened in other countries.
The presence of rust or moisture within an LPG tank could cause this fade. To prevent this, new cylinders are filled with dry and inert nitrogen gas, which prevents rust and eliminates moisture.
Once filled with LPG, the risk is virtually eliminated.
What You Can Do
LPG users can also assist in avoiding odourant fade by making sure that all disconnected gas cylinders have their valves closed, even when completely empty, to stop air (oxygen) and moisture from getting inside the cylinder.
This helps prevent the possibility of internal rusting.
When gas cylinders are periodically re-inspected, rust and moisture are also looked for. The presence of either is cause for condemnation of the cylinder.
So, now you know why gas smells the way it does and why it is the ‘Smell of Safety’.