An example of a gas cabinet is in Exhibit A. These are fully enclosed, noncombustible enclosures used to provide an isolated environment for compressed gas cylinders in storage or use. These typically have monitoring and/or alarm systems present
For gas cabinets, check to see if the cabinet has been compromised (i.e., exhaust disconnected, piping cut, panels removed, etc.). Note that gas cabinets will often alarm if they are opened. However, most of them have a window into which you can look to see if connections appear to be intact. Also check the vents drawing air into the cabinet. There should be a slight detectable flow. If you detect no flow, cite this in the inspection as well. Compromised or gutted gas cabinets are cited as part of the Ventilated Cabinets section of the inspection VEN02.
An exhausted enclosure is an appliance or piece of equipment that consists of a top, a back, and two sides that provides a means of local exhaust for capturing gases, fumes, vapor, and mists. An example of an exhausted enclosure is the valve manifold box pictured in Exhibit B. These enclosures contains gas or chemical distribution control elements (pressure regulators, solenoid valves, manual valves, pressure and flow controls, safety features). Notice that the front of the cabinet is entirely openable for access. The enclosure’s purpose is to provide a physical separation of the gas or liquid controls from users, contain small liquid leaks or ventilate gas leaks.
A gas room is a separately ventilated, fully enclosed room in which only compressed gases, cryogenic fluids, associated equipment, and supplies are stored or used. The photo on the right shows that these gases and equipment are stored in a fully enclosed room with separate ventilation (not shown).
Cite this on the inspection if a toxic, corrosive, pyrophoric, or carbon monoxides gas is present in the lab but not located in these types of enclosures (Exhibit C). For lecture bottles, cite if they are not in a fume hood. Also, use this citation if cylinders larger than a lecture bottle are stored in the hood. Just because it fits in the hood does not make it okay. It is important to note that the NFPA standard does not distinguish between sealed and open cylinders for toxic gas storage requirements.
Check to see if the fume hood’s certification is current. Citation of the fume hood’s certification as not being current is done as part of the Ventilated Cabinets section of the inspection VEN01.