Safety of Medical Gases

Fire and explosion risk:

• Some materials which do not normally burn in air will burn in an atmosphere of oxygen, nitrous oxide or in gas mixtures containing more than 21% oxygen. The gases do not burn themselves, but strongly support combustion, and therefore special attention should be directed to the hazards associated with smoking and naked flames.
• A facility which stores medical gases should have appropriate labels on the door regarding fire and explosion risk.
• When the medical gases are being driven in a vehicle the appropriate sticker should also be on display.
• When using medical gas cylinders, it is most important that no part of the cylinder valve or equipment is either lubricated with, or contaminated with, oil or grease. This is due to the risk of spontaneous combustion that can occur with high pressure gases in the presence of hydrocarbons.