scope:

Large industrial and institutional users of argon, nitrogen, and helium need storage units on their premises with greater capacity than that provided by manifolded cylinders. These bulk supply systems are an assembly of storage containers, pressure regulators, pressure relief devices (PRDs), vaporizers, manifolds, interconnecting piping, and, where present, liquid transfer equipment. The inert gases are stored as gas or liquid in either stationary or portable containers. The bulk system terminates at the point where gas at service pressure enters the supply line.

This standard does not apply to carbon dioxide systems. For additional requirements on bulk inert gas systems at health care facilities, see CGA M-1, Guide for Medical Gas Supply Systems at Consumer Sites, NFPA 55, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code, and NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code [1, 2, 3].¹ Bulk carbon dioxide system requirements are found in NFPA 55 and CGA G-6.1, Standard for Insulated Liquid Carbon Dioxide Systems at Consumer Sites [2, 4].

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to provide information on installation of bulk inert gas systems for argon, nitrogen, and helium service.

¹ References are shown by bracketed numbers and are listed in order of appearance in the reference section.