Acetylene FAQs

Whenever you are carrying cylinders, please follow these simple but important guidelines

• Ensure the valve is closed
• Disconnect any regulators and re-check the valve is closed
• Always take care when lifting – cylinders are heavy

Please read our safety datasheet 'General Cylinder Handling'.

• Secure cylinders in an upright position during storage, transportation and use. Use a suitable trolley when moving cylinders
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required by legislation and your company guidelines
• If you need to transport an acetylene cylinder horizontally, ensure it is left to stand upright for 24 hours prior to use
• If using acetylene for welding and cutting, use all required approved gas control equipment and safety devices as required by legislation and your company guidelines
• Use an approved lighting up and shutting down procedure for your welding or cutting torch

Take a look at our video offering additional information about the safe use of oxygen and acetylene for trained users of these gases:

• When not in use, store gas cylinders closed and in a secure well-ventilated area
• Never store acetylene cylinders in an occupied building, unventilated rooms, underground rooms or in areas accessible to the public
• Store and use acetylene cylinders in an upright position to avoid loss of solvent which reduces the cylinder capacity. Provide a means of preventing cylinders from falling if accidentally bumped
• Keep cylinders away from external sources of heat
• Separate flammable gas cylinders from oxygen and other oxidizing gas cylinders during storage and keep full acetylene cylinders separate from empty ones

Cylinders are very heavy and travel at the same speed as your vehicle. However, unlike your vehicle, they are not fitted with any brakes and unless they are adequately secured they can move forward under braking and cause severe damage.

There are some basic safety rules to follow:

• No smoking
• Check that cylinder valves are properly closed
• If the cylinder is designed to have a cylinder valve cap, then one should be fitted
• Ventilate your vehicle and keep windows open. Do not transport a cylinder in the car boot
• Dismantle equipment such as regulators and hoses and torches
• Ensure all cylinders are properly secured and prevented from moving during your journey
• Go directly to your destination
• Immediately unload when arriving at destination or if stopping for a longer time and store cylinders in a ventilated place

• UN/ID No: UN1001
• Proper shipping name: ACETYLENE, DISSOLVED
• Class or Division: 2
• Tunnel Code : (B/D) Label(s): 2.1
• ADR/RID Hazard ID no: 239
• Marine Pollutant: No

When you handle cylinders we strongly recommend that you wear

• safety glasses
• safety shoes
• ordinary work gloves

For cutting and welding operations you should use

• welder’s gloves
• welder’s helmet and goggles
• leather sleeves
• leather apron
• and other standard protective equipment in accordance with the appropriate task risk assessment

Safety Boot