Tips for Using a Rented Helium Tank Safely
Rented Helium Cylinders allow you to fill balloons with helium for hours of enjoyment. Since helium stored in cylinders is under high pressure, make sure that you exercise caution when transporting, storing or using a rented helium cylinder to avoid injury. Note the following tips to help you use your helium cylinder safely.
Safety
- Read all warnings and instructions on the rented helium cylinder or provided by the rental store before use.
- When transporting the cylinder, the regulator (inflator) should be removed to prevent damage.
- Use care when handling the helium cylinder and always keep it in the upright position when in use.
- To move the cylinder, strap it to a wheeled trolley, a sack barrow or cylinder trolley is ideal.
- Follow safe lifting practices when loading, unloading or moving a cylinder.
- Secure the cylinder when transporting it in a vehicle.
- Only transport and use a helium cylinder in a well-ventilated area.
- Do not allow helium-filled balloons to contact overhead power lines. Electricity can flow through a balloon's string/ribbon and cause electric shock or electrocution to the one holding it. In addition, foil balloons reportedly have caused power outages by hitting power lines. ideally foil & latex balloons should be weighted with a single balloon weight so they can not float away quickly, weights are available in our online store.
- Do not breathe helium from Balloons or Helium cannister/cylinder. Helium is a non-flammable, colourless, odourless, tasteless, inert, non-toxic gas, but inhalation of it can deprive the lungs of oxygen and lead to asphyxiation.
- Keep unauthorized individuals away from the helium cylinder.
- Always keep watch over the rented helium cylinder, it is your responsibility that the cylinder & inflator are not lost or damaged, the deposit paid is not refundable unless all equipment is returned in good condition.
Setup
- Set the helium cylinder in the upright position on a flat, level surface.
- Either place the helium cylinder in a stand or secure it to a post, tree or wall to prevent it from tipping over.
- Check all of the parts of the cylinder & inflator for wear, damage and leaks before use. Contact your rental store immediately if you find the cylinder or any of its parts to be faulty, It's always best to have a to have a go & try it out before you use at your event.
Instructions
- Do not open the the cylinder valve before attaching the inflator, the gas is under very high pressure, the inflator acts as a regulator to decrease the pressure.
- Inflate balloons as near to your event as possible, Latex balloons have a limited float time, 10" between 7 - 9 hours, 12" between 12 - 14 hours, Latex ballons can be treated with Hi-float to extend the float time, available online in our store.
- Foil balloons should float for at least a week.
- Use the helium cylinder only for filling balloons.
- Attach balloon inflator to the cylinder, only hand tight as the pressure from the cylinder makes the seal.
- Point the helium inflator away from you and then open the valve slowly, there should be no escaping helium until the inflator cone is pulled back to inflate a balloon.
- Inflate latex balloons slowly to a round - rather than pear - shape to allow for expansion. Overfilling can cause balloons to burst, or use more helium than the manufacturer states, which may lead to a shortage of helium.
- Inflate foil balloons & valved latex balloons very slowly so as not to damage the self seal properties of the valve, foil balloons should not be over inflated, they should be squishy, not firm to the touch, as the helium will need room to expand as it gets warm, if overfilled the seam will split. In cold conditions foil balloons will appear to be going down, this is due to the helium contracting, as soon as the balloon is in warmer conditions it will plump up again.
- Tightly secure the main valve on the helium cylinder after each use to prevent the possibility of helium escaping.
- Remove the inflator when not in use, to remove turn off main valve, purge the remaining helium from the inflator, you won't be able to remove it until this is done.
It is your responsibility to use the rented equipment safely
Transport - Delivery and collection by a BOC driver to a business address only
- BOC drivers are trained to take appropriate safety precautions when delivering cylinders. If the driver believes delivery cannot be made whilst guaranteeing the safety of the driver, customer personnel or property (such as tiles, carpet and merchandise), the driver may need to abort the delivery.
- To avoid this happening the customer should notify and discuss with BOC any cylinder handling, access or delivery restrictions at time of order, such as vehicle size, weight, height, pedestrian zones, parking restrictions, steps and stairways.
- Cylinders must never be transported on an escalator. Bear in mind that BOC vehicles must not be left unattended for excessive time.
Transport - Delivery and collection by the customer
- Check the cylinder is not leaking before transporting it.
- Use an open vehicle where possible. If using a closed vehicle, ensure there is good ventilation.
- Always make sure the cylinder is properly secured so it cannot move, even during emergency braking.
- Unload cylinders as soon as possible.
- Do not use or store cylinders in a vehicle.
- Should your vehicle be involved in a fire, call the Fire Brigade and inform them that you are carrying a high-pressure balloon gas cylinder.
- If you are carrying a load containing 20 or more balloon gas cylinders your journey may come within the scope of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
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