Oxy acetylene storage at home?

[ELL]

I am concerned that if I get oxy acetylene and store it at home, I run the risk of it exploding somehow and blowing up my house and possibly my neighbours. How likely is this? Is there a safe way to store the bottles? Thanks.

 

[tom2207]

they dont explode often



usually just once

 

[tom2207]

As long as your not doing something extremely silly oxy acet will pose very very low risks , a calour gas bottle would be far riskier in my eyes , granted I wouldnt keep oxy acet in a basement without ventilation for example

 

[ELL]

they dont explode often



usually just once

You only die once too, what's the fuss all about?

 

[8ob]

I am concerned that if I get oxy acetylene and store it at home, I run the risk of it exploding somehow and blowing up my house and possibly my neighbours. How likely is this? Is there a safe way to store the bottles? Thanks.

There are guidelines on BOC’s website about safe storage of bottles, signage is important.

Bob

 

[Melvyn Best]

they dont explode often



usually just once

I’ve only seen one in my lifetime

 

[awemawson]

I made an external cage to hold my oxy-acetylene and propane bottles, thread here :

Oxy-Acetylene Storage Cage

Oxy-Acetylene Storage Cage

www.madmodder.net

 

[tom2207]

You only die once too, what's the fuss all about?

no ones ever wanted a second go ,,, and if your not about then you wont mind ,,, having said that it would ruin the weekends plans

Ive seen some hairy things done with bottles , but what I would say is make sure you get flash arrestors and decent hoses ,, a lot of folk just get second hand hoses and thats something I wouldnt be keen on , get into the practice of turning bottles off when not in use too ... but dont skimp on arrestors.

 

[skotl]

Might be worth starting with your insurers. If they come back with a firm no, or a billion pound excess, then that's the decision made!

 

[chunkolini]

If you smell garlic make a hasty exit

 

[redlig]

If you smell garlic make a hasty exit

If you can't smell anything then it's too late and doesn't matter anyway.

 

[anto44]

I don't think I've ever heard of an oxygen or acetylene cylinder exploding other than where they were in a building that caught fire, the cylinders themselves just exploding is very unlikely.
When you think of the amount of gas cylinders that are out there, you never really hear of any failures, their reliability is very impressive.

 

[Porkypine]

You're as likely to be hit by falling space debris I'd think. I really would'nt worry about it

 

[8ob]

Them main issue is endangering the emergency services, if the workshop was to go up in flames in your absence the fire brigade and others need to know what they are dealing with.

Bob

 

[Erie Fred]

Propane IMHO is worse, as it flows down, so it will seek out and pool into low spots.
Acetylene not so much.

 

[Morris]

I've had oxy-acetylene for years, never think about the possibility of explosion. Proper flashback arrestors and be sensible.

 

[winchman]

Having witnessed an Acetylene bottle on fire after a flash back arrestor failed.
From memory but it was years ago the fire man explained this.
The base of the bottle will have a fusible plug the purpose is to allow pressure release if the bottle is heated
The Acetylene will just burn but there is a small chance that the flame will make its way inside the bottle but unlikely as no oxygen in the bottle.
The issue is what other stuff the flame can heat up, usually the Oxygen bottle next to it and these can explode when heated.
The donned a flame proof suit, turned the bottle off with the key, sprayed it with a fine mist of water and placed the lot in a skip full of water for a few days.
As mention BOC will have a guide and no doubt the bottled gas association will have info too, I would ask your insurance first.

Homepage - BCGA

bcga.co.uk

Signage is key so people are aware of the potential risk

Cylinders in Fires - BCGA

Last updated 01/01/2025 Gas cylinders are designed and constructed to safely contain a gas under pressure. All cylinders contain gases which are stored under pressure, this can vary from a low pressure to a very high pressure. This pressure can result in significant stored energy being...

bcga.co.uk

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Long gone but when I had bottles I kept them outside - without hoses etc attached

 

[brightspark]

Might be worth starting with your insurers. If they come back with a firm no, or a billion pound excess, then that's the decision made!

yep take the chance mine are in a metal garage away from the house and not near anything flammable there next to the pit thats full of water so can soon shove em in and not loose sleep though it

 

[brightspark]

no ones ever wanted a second go ,,, and if your not about then you wont mind ,,, having said that it would ruin the weekends plans

Ive seen some hairy things done with bottles , but what I would say is make sure you get flash arrestors and decent hoses ,, a lot of folk just get second hand hoses and thats something I wouldnt be keen on , get into the practice of turning bottles off when not in use too ... but dont skimp on arrestors.

and purge the hoses when finished and slacken the regulators off to zero