Norms and Regulations

Central Gas Supply

Norms and Regulations

Agenda
1.0 Overview
2.0 Demands for the storage of Cylinders
3.0 Storage of Cylinders outside a building
4.0 Storage of Cylinders inside a building
5.0 Survey and Control Devices

1.0 Important valid Regulations

TRG 280: Principal demands for gas cylinders
BGV B6: (VBG/UVV 61 Gase): Directive to prevent accidents if gases
gases are involved.
BGV B7: (VBG/UVV 62): Areas and rooms which are designated for
oxygen applications
TRAC 204: for acetylene pipes- and hoses
TRAC 206: for acetylene bundles
TRAC 207: for acetylene safety devices
TRAC 208: for acetylene single cylinder device
Laborrichtlinie BGR120 (ZH1/119): applications in analytical
laboratories.

Important valid Regulations

Local security demands which override the Regulations

mentioned before are not covered here (for instance BASF
Werksnormen).
The validity of the german DVGW (Deutscher Verband Gas
Wasser) is not covered by the norms mentioned before.

Important valid Regulations

NEW
Summary of Norms and Regulations in the VDMA Einheitsblatt 4390-2.
Covers important demands for the Planning and Installation of new or
the extend and maintenance of existing SGE installations.

Important valid Regulations

VDMA Einheitsblatt 4390-2
available via:
Beuth Verlag GmbH,
Burggrafenstr. 6, 10787 Berlin
Telefon: 030 2601 0
Telefax: 030 2601-1260
E-Mail: postmaster@beuth.de

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Why do we need Norms and Regulations?

To prevent accidents and related costs.

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2.0 Gasstorage Principal Demands
Marking with Warning signs VBG B6 9
warning of toxic materials (VBG 125)
warning of explodable atmosphere (VBG 125)
warning of gas cylinders (VBG 125)

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Gas Storage/Centrals Principal Demands
In case of a fire gas cylinders need to be removed from the risk area or
they need to be protected with other suitable actions.
Alarm in case of damage for instance telephone.
Gas Cylinders need to be protected against falling.
Storage of cylinders: separated to types of gases.
No Storage of Cylinders in Stairway Areas, corridors, passages,
emergency exits.

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Gas Storage Principal Demands
Only experienced personal is allowed to handle gas cylinders.
Cylinders need to be operated in a designated way.
Damaged Cylinders need to be decompressed asap.
For handling of Cylinders with corrosive or toxic Gasen suitable clothes
need to be used.
Cylinders filled with oxidizing gases need to be oil and grease free.

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3.0 Open air Gasstorage
nach TRG 280 5.1.1

Open: min 2 sides

In case of only 1 side
open: depth < hight of
the open side

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Open Air Gas Storage - general demands
Cylinders need to be installed in a way that the natural air circulation is
not obstructed (VBG B6 14)
Access from outside, but protected against unauthorized persons
(VBG B6 22 Absatz 1)
Cylinders filled with gases heavier than air: no holes, canals in the area
of gas storage. (VBG 21 6)

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Open Air Gas Storage Protection Area around cylinders
If cylinders with flammable gases are sored open air then they are

surroundes with a protection zone.

Definition Protection Area:

Area around gas cylinders filled with flammable or toxic gases in case
the exit of gas or a gas mixture cannot be prevented. (TRG 280 2.9)
These protection areas are Ex-Zones according to ATEX .
(TRG 280 8.1.9; TRAC 206 4.3.3)

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Changes due to the ATEX law:
created/no law:

since 1994 in the EU

law:

since 01.07.2003

New:

Mech. Ex- Protection, (z.B. handwheels)

New:

Injuring means acting against a law!

Examination:

for instance BAM

Documentation:

manufacturer internal docus + manuals

in all european languages.

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ATEX: no changes apply to the Ex Zones
ex zones / definition gases:
Zone 0:
Is an area, where dangerous explodable atmosphere as a mixture from
air and flammable gases exists constantly, or for a long period of time
or often.
Zone 1:
Is an area, where under normal condition a dangerous explodable
atmosphere as a mixture from air and flammable gases can be build up.
Zone 2:
Is an area, where under normal condition a dangerous explodable
atmosphere as a misture from air and flammable gases normally not or
only short period of time exists.

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Protection Area for gascylinders filled with gas, lighter than air

in Rooms

Open Air

height h (m)

radius r (m)

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Protection Area for gas cylinders filled with gases, heavier than air

in Rooms

Open Air

Height h (m)

0,5

Radius r (m)

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Protection Area for several gas cylinders Top view

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Protection Area for several cylinders side view

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Open Air Gas Storage Protection area around gas cylinders
According to TRG 280, pic. 1-3; chapter 2 or TRAC 206 4.33
No expansion on neighbour or public ground. (TRG 280 5.3.3)
In protection areas no storage of flammable, explodable goods (TRAC
208 6.1).
Protection area manifolds for liquefied gases: Protection area
according to TRG 280 (VBG 21 6 (4).
Iiquefies gases: in protected area no opening to the bottom (VBG 21
6 (4) )

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Open Air Gas Storage Protection area around cylinders
Around gas cylinders a safety area of 5m is valid to protect against
dangerous devices. (TRG 280 5.3.4)
The distance of 5m can be shorter if a 2m high fire protected wall is in
between. (TRG 280 5.3.4)

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Cylinder Storage in
cabinets according to
TRG 280
for open air storage
Respect protection areas
of cylinders with different
dangerous gases if they
are stored in cabinets
(TRG 280 8.3.3)

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No protection zone around

cabinets (TRG 280 8.1.10)
Inside cabinets:
Ex-Area 2 flammable gases
(TRG 280 8.3.2)
Ex-Area 1 - Acetylene
(TRAC 206.4.2.7)
Outer walls non flammable
materials (TRG 280 8.3.1)
Opening for natural air
circulation 1/100 of the
base area , min. 100 cm
(TRG 280 8.3.1)

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4.0 Gas Storage inside the buildings

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Gas cylinders inside the building general demands
Ceiling resistant against Fire and heat. TRG 280 5.2.3; DIN 4102
Teil 4 und 7
Walls, ceiling, floor: gastight separation of working areas to
rooms with flammable, health damaging gases. (VBG B6 23
(7))
areas with > 6 cylinders filled with flammable gases: the whole
room, max. 5m around the gas cylinders, is Ex-Zone 1 (TRG 280
8.4.3)

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Storage of Gas cylinders inside buildings general demands
No storage / Use of gas cylinders in cellar rooms (exceptions can be
made by local authorities). (TRG 280 8.1.1)
In storage rooms no holes, canals or orifices to canals are allowed.
Easy Exit of storage rooms for flammable, toxic gases must be possible.
(TRG 280 5.2.9; VBG 61 23 (8))
No additional storage of flammable goods inside the cylinder storage
room.
(TRG 280 5.2.6)

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Gas cylinders inside the building protection area/distances

Acc. TRG 280, pictures 1-3, chapter 2

(TRG 280 oder TRAC 206 4.3.3)
Rooms < 20 m area complete room protected area
(TRG 280 5.2.11)

Distance to heater/radiator: min. 0,5 m (TRG 280 3.5)

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Gas cylinders inside the building protection areas/distances

distance flammable - oxidizing gases: 2 m (TRG 280 5.2.8)

distance acetylen - oxygen: 3 m (TRAC 206 4.2.3)

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Gas cylinders inside the building protection area/distances

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Gas cylinders inside the building Walls
Walls fire protective to neighbour rooms (without fire- and
explosion danger) (see: TRG 280 5.2.1; VBG B6 23)
Walls fire protective to neighbour rooms (with fire - and
explosion danger (see: TRG 280 5.2.1; VBG B6 23)
Walls for rooms with flammable, toxic Gases:
general: wall to an public exit without door. If the wall is < 2m no
window allowed. (see: TRG 280 5.2.7)
Exception: self closing and fire potected door.

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Gas cylinders inside the building - Ventilation
Demands for natural or technical ventlation
(see: TRG 280 5.2.5; VBG B6 14; TRAC 206 4.22)
natural ventilation ventilation orifice 1/100 of ground area of the
storage room directly to the outside of the building
(TRG 280 5.2.5)
natural ventilation orifices in accordance with the physics of
the gases (TRG 280 5.2.5)

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Gas Cylinders inside the building number of cylinders
Used cylinders x 3 = max. storage of cylinders in a room.
(TRG 280 8.4.4)
It is not allowed to store or use cylinders with selfcombustible
Gases with other gases. (TRG 280 8.4.1)

5.0 Survey of gas installations

Gas detection devices

No law for the usage
Recommedation to use gas detection for toxic and corrosive gases.
(VDMA 4390-2)

Survey of gas installations

GSPS System
GSPS controls the gas installation from off the start up and lateron
during the usage.

Survey of Gas Installations

Maintenance acc. to VDMA 4390-2

Acetylene yearly test of safety devices obliged
(TRAC 207 9.36)
Gas detection system yearly test required
(VBG B6 56)
Ordering the maintenace of a gas installation from an internal or an
external contractor the user of the gas devices fulfils the demands in
regard to prevent accidents.
(VDMA 4390-2)

Ladies and Gentlemen this report reflects the local german

requirements for the planning / layout / realisation /usage of gas
installations.
Whether these requirements are the same in your county or if your
requirments even override ours we cannot judge.
We find it important to show you which requirements in europes
biggest economy are valid since many decades and which might be
EU norms + regulations in the future.
All norms and regulations mentioned are available mostly in german
language.
In case of questions or if you plan a gas installation and you are not
sure about the layout pls ask us we will assist you with our knowledge
which is based on the german norms.
If you need explicit help about norms and regulations in your country pls
contact your local authorities or a GCE company.

Thank you for your attention !