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Planning on making a propane tank cage

The Cobbler

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planning on making a cage for spare propane tank for the forklift at the volunteer warehouse.
I have most of the material ( not that much is needed)
We only have 1 spare tank , and no need for anything more as we have Nat Gas bbq, so nothing req'd there, but I'm thinking on double width , just in case.
Planning on I/S measure of 26" w x13" d X 32" tall .
make sense?
 
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isb cornbinder

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Make it easy on yourself. Don't build anything, Just set the spare tank in a corner and chain it to the wall. Add a lock, if you need to.
If you start mucking around and something goes wrong, you will be held responsible. It is likely there will be multiple forklift users. You do not want to be responsible for them.
Make sure that the tank is turned off after the last use.
 

BrandonV

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Dig Doug

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Make sure you have correct signage and fire extinguisher in correct locations

If your set on building something find a cage you like on line and copy it

just think about what the fire code is for your area.
 

Oldsnapper

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Make it easy on yourself. Don't build anything, Just set the spare tank in a corner and chain it to the wall. Add a lock, if you need to.
If you start mucking around and something goes wrong, you will be held responsible. It is likely there will be multiple forklift users. You do not want to be responsible for them.
Make sure that the tank is turned off after the last use.
Around here OH&S requires a loose bottles to be in cages.
 

Joemctag

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Where I live, a fire inspector goes to commercial locations once a year. Fire dept or county, I don’t know. They could discuss acceptable solutions. And you can give a record of all that to your director or whomever. Good luck!
 

bluedog225

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Even cheaper.

Wow that looks like an inefficient use of space. Seems way more than needed for airflow. Could fit 6 or 8 without much difficulty. Is there a reason?
 
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The Cobbler

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Yeah, dragging up an old thread... more than a year later I am proceeding with this plan.
I have most of the stuff compiled for free or next to free, other than the top & bottom which is being bent up in a couple of days . that is the major cost in this project . I managed to get some welded wire mesh off of kijiji that will work perfect . also have some nice brake bent angle for the framework ( 4 corners )
I will try to update as I go along .
 
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The Cobbler

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Even cheaper.

and Propane is supposed to be stored standing up... however most lift trucks they lay horizontal .
 
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Firebrick43

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Wow that looks like an inefficient use of space. Seems way more than needed for airflow. Could fit 6 or 8 without much difficulty. Is there a reason?
Its for 33 lbs forklift cylinders that would do just fine, for what ever reason the show 5 and 10lbs freon cylinders actually in it, not propane.

I don't see any being sold that refer to any code compliance .
There isn't much code about the actual rack, its mainly about where and how the rack is situated to openings, vehicular traffic, and fuel pumps.

8.4.1 Location of Storage Outside of Buildings

8.4.1.1Storage outside of buildings for cylinders awaiting use, resale, or part of a cylinder exchange point shall be located as follows:

(1)At least 5 ft (1.5 m) from any doorway or opening in a building frequented by the
public where occupants have at least two means of egress as defined byNFPA101, Life Safety Code

(2) At least 10 ft (3 m) from any doorway or opening in a building or sections of a
building that has only one means of egress

(3) At least 20 ft (6.1 m) from any automotive service station fuel dispenser
8.4.1.2 Distances from cylinders in storage outside buildings shall be in accordance with Table 8.4.1.2 with respect to the following:
(1)Nearest important building or group of buildings
(2)Line of adjoining property that can be built upon
(3)Busy thoroughfares or sidewalks
(4)Line of adjoining property occupied by schools, churches, hospitals, athletic fields, or
other points of public gathering
(5)Dispensing station

8.4.1.3 Cylinders in the filling process shall not be considered to be in storage.

8.4.2 Protection of Cylinders.

8.4.2.1Cylinders at a location open to the public shall be protected by either of the following:

(1)An enclosure in accordance with 6.16.5.2

(2)A lockable ventilated metal locker or rack that prevents tampering with valves and pilferage of the cylinders

8.4.2.2Protection against vehicle impact shall be provided in accordance with good engineering practice where vehicle traffic is expected at the location.
and Propane is supposed to be stored standing up... however most lift trucks they lay horizontal .
Vertical cylinders must be stored vertically and horizontal cylinders horizontally. And some cylinders such as most forklift cylinders are universal and may be stored either way.
 

bluedog225

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Timely. I was just working on my propane cage today. I’ll post pics tomorrow. Was wondering what color to paint. Looks like yellow may be the go to color.
 

bluedog225

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Found these old lockers at Restore. They are ventilated and I think they’ll work for storing propane tanks.

The propane company wont install a larger tank until I get the place piped for gas. Though I’m not sure why they give a ****. I’m out in the country. I could use the tank for my barbecue pit for all they know. And I’m paying for freight for the install.

Anyway, I was reading up on what color to paint these cages, and there was some guidance that they ought to be light colored to prevent heat buildup.

IMG_6310.jpegIMG_6309.jpeg
 

WildBill

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Is the cage for theft? For safety somehow? Just curious, I have no idea. And I have ten or so 20-100lb tanks around here freeballing it.
 

Firebrick43

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Is the cage for theft? For safety somehow? Just curious, I have no idea. And I have ten or so 20-100lb tanks around here freeballing it.
8.4.2 Protection of Cylinders.

8.4.2.1Cylinders at a location open to the public shall be protected by either of the following:

(1)An enclosure in accordance with 6.16.5.2

(2)A lockable ventilated metal locker or rack that prevents tampering with valves and pilferage of the cylinders

8.4.2.2Protection against vehicle impact shall be provided in accordance with good engineering practice where vehicle traffic is expected at the location.
 

Firebrick43

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Found these old lockers at Restore. They are ventilated and I think they’ll work for storing propane tanks.
Looks like they might work for small diameter tanks. Doubt a 100 lbs cylinder will fit in the door.
The propane company wont install a larger tank until I get the place piped for gas. Though I’m not sure why they give a ****. I’m out in the country. I could use the tank for my barbecue pit for all they know. And I’m paying for freight for the install.
Because its their tank and tanks are expensive, insanely expensive. Why would they put a bigger tank if your not consuming a significant amount of gas in comparison to the tank size?
Anyway, I was reading up on what color to paint these cages, and there was some guidance that they ought to be light colored to prevent heat buildup.
It doesn't matter much, they are ventilated and their is space between the walls/ceiling and the bottles themselves. Even dark green cages in the southern sun don't do much to significantly raise the temp of the bottle. A dark painted bottle however does.
 

bluedog225

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Is the cage for theft? For safety somehow? Just curious, I have no idea. And I have ten or so 20-100lb tanks around here freeballing it.

Yeah. I’m back off the road. People get back here and steal. I try to make casual theft a little harder. Make them work for everything. Sort of a hassle. Also keeps the tanks off the ground and upright. Looks organized. That’s the theory.
 

bluedog225

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Looks like they might work for small diameter tanks. Doubt a 100 lbs cylinder will fit in the door.

Because its their tank and tanks are expensive, insanely expensive. Why would they put a bigger tank if your not consuming a significant amount of gas in comparison to the tank size?

It doesn't matter much, they are ventilated and their is space between the walls/ceiling and the bottles themselves. Even dark green cages in the southern sun don't do much to significantly raise the temp of the bottle. A dark painted bottle however does.

Here’s the Texas guidance. And makes sense. YMMV. But yes, tank, not cage. You will note in my above post, I am paying full freight. I’m buying the tank.

IMG_3848.jpegIMG_3847.jpeg
 
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