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This is a list of some gas related safety terms.
Autoignition Temperature - The lowest temperature at which a material will ignite and sustain combustion in the absence of a spark or flame.
Corrosive - A substance that erodes and deteriorates materials with which it comes in contact, such as metals, fabrics and human tissue.
DOT - Abbreviation for Department of Transportation whose Title 49 Code of Regulations regulates the movement of hazardous materials.
Flammable Gas - Any gas that will ignite easily and burn rapidly.
Flammable Limits - The minimum concentration of vapor in air or oxygen below which propagation of a flame does not occur on contact with a source of ignition, and the maximum proportion of vapor or gas in air above which propagation of a flame does not occur; usually expressed in terms of percentage by volume of gas or vapor in air. A change in temperature or pressure may vary the flammable limits of a gas.
Flash Point - The lower temperature at which a liquid will give off enough flammable vapor to form an ignitable mixture in air.
Frangible Disc - A non-reclosing pressure relief device actuated by inlet static pressure and designed to function by the bursting of a disc at a predetermined pressure.
Fusible Plug Safety Device - A non-reclosing pressure relief device designed to function by the yielding or melting of a plug at a predetermined temperature.
Hydrostatic Test - A cylinder test required by the Department of Transportation to determine the wall thickness by measuring the elastic expansion of the cylinder.
Inert - Gases which do not react with other materials at ordinary temperature and pressure are classified as inert. They do not represent a hazard unless they are released in a confined space, thereby displacing the amount of oxygen necessary to support life. Use of adequate ventilation and monitoring of the oxygen content in confined places will minimize the danger of asphyxiation.
L.E.L. - Abbreviation for Lower Explosive Limit. The minimum percent by volume of a gas which, when mixed with air at Normal Temperature and Pressure will form a flammable mixture.
Liquefied Compressed Gas - A gas which, under the charged pressure, is partially liquid at a temperature of 70oF.
MSDS - Abbreviation for Material Safety Data Sheets which describe the physical and health hazards of each gas or other material. These data sheets also provide precautionary information on the safe handling of the gas as well as emergency and first aid procedures.
Oxidant - Gases which do not burn, but which support combustion, are classified as oxidants. It is essential that all possible sources of ignition be eliminated when handling oxygen and other oxidants. Do not allow oil, grease, or other readily combustible materials to come in contact with cylinder, piping or equipment used for oxidant services. Do not store combustible oxidizer materials with oxidants.
Pressure or Safety Relief Devices - A device designed to prevent rupture of a normally charged cylinder when it is inadvertently exposed to a fire or intense heat.
Pressure Relief Valve - A pressure relief device which is designed to open and close at a predetermined pressure
Propagation of Flame - The spread of flame from the source of ignition through a combustible mixture.
psia - Abbreviation for pounds per square inch absolute. One atmosphere pressure equals 14.696 psia. (psia = psig + 14.696)
psig - Abbreviation for pounds per square inch gauge. Gauge pressure always ignores the first atmosphere absolute (14.696 psia)
Pyrophoric Substance - A substance that will ignite in air at or below room temperature in the absence of added heat, shock or friction.
Threshold Limit Value - Ceiling - (TLV) - The airborne concentration of substances that should never be exceeded, not even instantaneously.
Threshold Limit Value - Time Weighted Average - (TWA) - The time weighted average airborne concentration of substances for a normal 8-hour workday or 40-hour workweek, to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without adverse effect.
Toxicity - The ability of a chemical or gas to produce injury once it reaches a susceptible site in or on the body. |
