You must know the properties of the gases you are dealing with

Information on the properties of the gases, how to identify hazards, first aid and fire fighting measures as well as handling and storage information is available on Safety Data Sheets which are freely available from your gas supplier.

Question 3 of 10 - Lighter than air

Each gas has it’s own characteristics which affect:

  • The way your body reacts to the gas
  • The gases behaviour in the atmosphere around you

Five gases are listed below. If these gases were to leak from a poor connection or faulty regulator which one is lighter than air and would rise up and collect in roof spaces?

Acetelyne
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
Propane
Argon

 


Sorry that was incorrect. Acetylene is lighter than air.
That was correct. Acetylene is lighter than air.

Acetylene has a specific gravity of 0.9 which means that it is lighter than air and will collect at high level.

It also has a flammability range of 2% - 82%. So if it does leak from a poor connection and there is no high level ventilation then the gas will collect, mix with the air and form a vapour cloud.

If there is an ignition source the vapour cloud will ignite with potentially fatal consequences.

Please select an answer before proceeding
 

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