1910.253(b)(3): Fuel-gas cylinder storage
Key takeaways
- 1910.253(b)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart Q).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $11,443 in current penalties.
- Related part: 1910.253(b) Cylinders and containers (902 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.253(b)(3) ("Fuel-gas cylinder storage") is one requirement inside 1910.253 Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart Q). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(3) Fuel-gas cylinder storage. Inside a building, cylinders, except those in actual use or attached ready for use, shall be limited to a total gas capacity of 2,000 cubic feet (56 m3) or 300 pounds (135.9 kg) of liquefied petroleum gas. 3 citations
(i) For storage in excess of 2,000 cubic feet (56 m3) total gas capacity of cylinders or 300 (135.9 kg) pounds of liquefied petroleum gas, a separate room or compartment conforming to the requirements specified in paragraphs (f)(6)(i)(H) and (f)(6)(i)(I) of this section shall be provided, or cylinders shall be kept outside or in a special building. Special buildings, rooms or compartments shall have no open flame for heating or lighting and shall be well ventilated. They may also be used for storage of calcium carbide in quantities not to exceed 600 (271.8 kg) pounds, when contained in metal containers complying with paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (g)(1)(ii) of this section.
(ii) Acetylene cylinders shall be stored valve end up. Open (b)(3)(ii) 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.253.
Where and how often it was cited
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.253(b)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Safety of Compressed Gas Cylinders on Portable Carts (2021-11-18)
- Storage of oxygen and acetylene cylinders for construction vs. general industry. (2006-05-10)
- General industry and construction standards regarding "in use" or "ready to use" and "storage" of compressed gas and oxygen cylinders for welding; §1910.253(b)(2)-1910.253(b)(4) and §1926.350(a)(10). (2006-05-08)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.253(b) Cylinders and containers 902 citations
- 1910.253(b)(4) Oxygen storage 563 citations
- 1910.253(b)(4)(iii) 470 citations
- 1910.253(b)(2) Storage of cylinders—general 313 citations
- 1910.253(b)(2)(ii) 200 citations
- 1910.253(b)(2)(iv) 105 citations
- 1910.253(b)(4)(i) 92 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5) Operating procedures 16 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5)(ii) 11 citations
- 1910.253(b)(1) Approval and marking 7 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5)(iii) 5 citations
- 1910.253(b)(5)(ii)(D) 4 citations
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About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.253 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.