Cabinet for gas cylinders: types, how to choose, design requirements and installation site

From the moment of creation and with the further development of the gas industry, its main direction is considered to be full gas supply to all residents of the country. Therefore, the construction of main gas pipelines is carried out in order to provide the maximum number of consumers with gas.

And although the gasification process has been going on for decades, there is still no centralized gas supply in remote settlements on the outskirts of the country, as well as in small summer cottages and suburbs. That is why many owners of gas equipment have to use gas cylinders. But how to store them correctly and is it necessary to buy a cabinet for gas cylinders?

This is what we will talk about in our article - we will consider the most pressing issues on safe content gas cylinders at home, legal requirements and optimal solutions for the use of special cabinets.

Storage procedure for gas cylinders

While providing convenience and comfort in the home, gas is nevertheless particularly dangerous. Cases are not uncommon domestic gas explosion and cylinders through the fault of users. Therefore, the operation of household gas cylinders must be carried out in accordance with safety requirements.

In the legislation of the Russian Federation, the procedure for transportation, storage and safe operation is regulated by a number of regulations. So, PP RF N 410 of May 14, 2013 concerns measures to ensure safety in the use and maintenance of gas equipment. Its provisions regulate the use of gas in household cylinders and obliges to use only serviceable cylinders that have not expired.

Moreover, the owners themselves must monitor the condition, timely repair and maintenance of containers with liquefied domestic gas, without interfering with the scheduled maintenance by representatives gas company.

Rules of operation, maintenance, repair and refueling of cylinders registered in Resolution No. 91 dated June 11, 2003.

It is also indicated here that the standard service life of pressure vessels, which include cylinders with liquefied domestic gas, is determined by the manufacturer. And after the expiration of the service life, it is prohibited to use such a cylinder.

Also, the legislation provides for the procedure for storing gas cylinders. Requirements of Article 92 PP RF N 390 of 04/25/2012 "On the fire regime" states: cylinders for household gas appliances with a volume of more than 5 liters should be located in cabinets made of non-combustible materials near a blank wall of the wall.

Thus, a cylinder cabinet is a mandatory attribute that must be made in accordance with article 93 of this decree.

Arrangement and installation of the cabinet

As mentioned above, the use of cabinets for storing gas cylinders is a prerequisite for their operation in accordance with the law of the Russian Federation.

The main criteria that all gas cylinder cabinets must meet:

• be made of non-combustible materials (both the body and all its component parts);
• be locked;
• have special blinds for ventilation;
• have warning notices “Flammable. Gas".

Due to their properties, the non-combustible materials used for the manufacture of the cabinet not only do not ignite, they also do not smolder and do not allow the spread of fire. Thus, they form a high fire safety with the risk of fire or explosion.

Metal is considered a reliable material from the point of view of fire safety. It is from it that special cabinets are made - storage for gas cylinders. They are designed taking into account all the necessary conditions for connecting a gas cylinder.

Cylinder cabinet design

Any metal cabinet for household gas cylinders consists of the following components:

• outer casemade of steel sheets with a thickness of at least 1 mm;
• door - single-leaf or double-leaf;
• inner tray for cylinders - it can be solid or made in the form of a lattice;
• stationary cylinder mount - a special mount, which is located inside the cabinet and serves to securely hold the cylinder inside;
• holes on the back wall for gas hoses;
• ventilation holes - they are made regardless of a one-piece inner pallet or made in the form of a lattice;
• metal handles and latches on the cabinet doors;
• fasteningsfor the ability to hang a padlock.

It is important that the handles and latches on the doors must also be made of fire-resistant material. It is not allowed to manufacture plastic handles.

Often, cabinets are made in one piece, but there are options in the form of an assembled structure. The cabinet is completely covered with polymer paint (epoxy-polyester paint, which is most often called powder paint). It is fire resistant and keeps the cabinet from corrosion.

Where can the cylinder cabinet be placed?

It is strongly not recommended to install gas cylinders in storage rooms.

The legislation does not prohibit, as a last resort, to put a balloon, connected to the stove or other gas-using equipment, in the kitchen, subject to the mandatory observance of two conditions:

• the height of the ceilings must be at least 2.2 meters;
• the presence of a vent for ventilation.

When using a gas cylinder in the kitchen, it is important not to re-plan the premises, in particular to combine the kitchen with the balcony, removing the doors and windows. This is prohibited by law.

General rules for the operation of gas cylinders indoors:

• cylinder volume up to 5 liters;
• distance from the stove (place with an open fire) at least half a meter and at least one meter from heating devices;
• should not be installed next to a window;
• distance from the front door at least 10 cm;
• the wall should not be made of flammable materials;
• ensure free access to the points of attachment of the gas hoses.

When installing a cabinet for a gas cylinder on the street, choose stationary products that can be securely fixed to one of the walls of the building. In internal non-residential premises (annexes), portable cabinets are usually used.

General rules for installing cabinets for storing household gas cylinders:

• the side of the house is selected with the priority of the least exposure to sunlight;
• the side to which the cabinet is adjacent must be made of non-combustible materials;
• at least 5 meters from the entrance to the house or the descent to the basement;
• the presence of a foundation of at least 10 centimeters;
• free access to the points of attachment of gas hoses.

It is important that when installing in annexes or outdoors, grounding must be provided, which will eliminate the possible occurrence of static voltage.

According to Art. 91 PP RF N 390 storage of gas cylinders is not allowed:

• in living rooms and premises;
• in basements and basements;
• in rooms without natural light.

It should be provided that the place where the cabinet is installed is not a walk-through. This will reduce the risk of any mechanical damage to the cabinet surface.

For installation, a set of fasteners is used, which ensures that the cabinet is connected to the surface and guarantees stability during use.

Cabinet selection recommendations

The choice of cabinet depends on the volume of the gas cylinder. Depending on the purpose of use, cylinders of 5 liters, 12 liters, 27 liters, 40 liters are used for household gas. and 50 l.

In case the gas will be used only for cooking, small displacement options will do. If gas is also needed for autonomous heating, then you should pay attention to large volumes.

Also, the size of the cabinet depends on the number of cylinders. Often, several gas cylinders are used: the main one and the reserve one. This is convenient in winter, when the gas supply of the main cylinder is running out, and you only need to switch the gas supply to the spare cylinder. Both the joint arrangement of the cylinders in the cabinet and separated by a partition are provided.

When choosing, it is also useful to evaluate the dimensions of the building in which the cabinet will be installed. After installing it, there should be free space for the owner to move comfortably.

Self-made cabinet

The cost of cabinets for gas cylinders starts at 2500 rubles. If you have certain skills and follow a number of rules, you can make and assemble a similar product with your own hands.

Algorithm of actions before starting work:

• decide on the type of construction of the future cabinet, calculate the number of gas containers included in it;
• make a drawing with the definition of cabinet parameters - height, width, depth;
• select the required material - high quality steel.

It is worth paying attention to thorough preparation for work, it is on this that the further correct implementation of the cabinet for the gas cylinder depends.

Algorithm of actions for direct assembly of the cabinet:

• assembly of the frame from metal corners;
• creation of a tray for cylinders;
• sheathing of the frame with metal sheets;
• making a hole for a hose in the back or side of the cabinet;
• making holes for ventilation with a diameter of 1 cm with a distance between them 7-8 cm - the number of holes on one side is at least 16;
• execution of fasteners for cylinders - fastening of cylinders with a chain is allowed, while the bows of the chain must be tightly pulled;
• installation of door hinges and structures for a padlock.

When assembling the cabinet, you can use the welding machine with the appropriate skills performing welding works.

If the cabinet is planned to be used inside the building, then it is necessary to consider the presence of legs, at least 10 cm high.

The final stage is the coating of the entire structure with polymer paint. After complete drying, it remains to install the cabinet in the chosen place and secure it securely.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

For a visual representation of the cabinets for gas cylinders and the procedure for assembling it, it is worth watching the video below.

This video shows how to properly install and use the gas cylinder cabinet:

This video shows the self-assembly of the gas cylinder cabinet:

Regardless of the purpose for which the gas cylinder is used, it is always necessary to remember about safety. That is why the presence of metal cabinets is considered a prerequisite that will prevent hit of ultraviolet radiation on the cylinders, their mechanical damage and will protect against the consequences explosion.

Would you like to supplement the above material with useful information and recommendations for the storage and operation of domestic gas cylinders? Or do you still have questions that we have not covered in this article? Ask our experts and other site visitors in the comments block.