Compliance Graphic

CGA’s November & December 2020 Safety Publications (New Releases & Revisions)

January 21, 2021

During November and December 2020, the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) issued the following new and revised safety standards, guidelines, and position statements:

CGA G-8.5, Standard for Nitrous Oxide Security and Control (Formerly SB-6)

Released: November 5, 2020 (1st Edition)

This publication is intended to help bulk manufacturers, commercial carriers, container fillers, distributors, and legitimate medical, commercial, and industrial users take effective steps to help prevent theft or improper use of nitrous oxide.

See CGA G-8.5 Details

CGA G-19.3, Standard for Repurposing Industrial Gas Equipment into Natural Gas Service

Released: November 5, 2020 (1st Edition)

The intent of this publication is to provide requirements for repurposing industrial gas equipment into natural gas service and not the reverse. Natural gas equipment, after its first use, is typically saturated with hydrocarbons. Such equipment, if improperly cleaned, poses a serious risk of oxygen related fire or explosion.

For that reason, this publication does not address repurposing natural gas equipment into other industrial gas service. Typically, industrial gas equipment is interchangeable between nitrogen, oxygen, or argon (per manufacturer’s instructions) and thus could pose a heightened risk of oxygen-related fire or explosion.

Equipment that has been used in any of the following industrial gases is covered by this publication: oxygen; helium; hydrogen; argon; nitrogen.

CGA G-19.3 covers the following types of equipment:

  • transport trailers
  • ISO tank containers
  • multi-element gas containers (MEGCs)
  • cryogenic fluid bulk tanks
  • pressure vessels
  • cylinders
  • portable tanks
  • vaporizers
  • pumps and process related equipment
See CGA G-19.3 Details

CGA M-20, Guideline for the Implementation of Unique Device Identification

Released: December 16, 2020 (2nd Edition)

This publication applies to manufacturers, distributors, and specification developers of medical devices used in the medical gas and gas equipment industry.

CGA M-20 is based upon:

  • 21 CFR Part 830
  • FDA’s GUDID guidance
  • CGA PS-53, Position Statement on Pressure Regulators, Cylinder Valves, and Cylinders with Valves as Medical Devices
See CGA M-20 Details

CGA M-26, Guideline for Mitigating Oxygen Fires in Personal Use

Released: December 16, 2020 (1st Edition)

This publication addresses the mitigating strategies to reduce the risk of fires involving patients caused by the improper use of high pressure oxygen, liquid oxygen, oxygen concentrators due to various ignition sources (e.g., smoking, electrical heaters, gas stoves, etc.)

See CGA M-26 Details

CGA P-16, Guideline for Nitrogen Purging of Containers

Released: November 23, 2020 (4th Edition)

This publication is intended to protect personnel during the vaporization of liquid nitrogen and the subsequent use of gaseous nitrogen for purging containers. It should be read thoroughly before using nitrogen to purge a container.

CGA P-16 describes a recommended procedure for nitrogen purging of containers to ensure the safest possible work environment during the nitrogen application process. It also describes protecting the container from hazards associated with exposure to liquid nitrogen.

See CGA P-16 Details

CGA PS-4, CGA Position Statement on Periodic Proof Testing of Stationary, Vacuum-Jacketed Tanks for Cryogenic and Refrigerated Liquids

Released: December 4, 2020 (3rd Edition)

Provides CGA’s position on whether stationary, vacuum-jacketed storage tanks for cryogenic and refrigerated liquids in service should be subjected to periodic proof tests above the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP).

See CGA PS-4 Details