How to Store CO2

The best way to store CO₂ is upright in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area below 70°F, with tanks and cylinders secured by chains or straps to prevent tipping. Whether you’re managing a single cylinder or an entire inventory, proper storage prevents dangerous pressure buildup, product loss, and safety incidents.

Below, you will learn:

• How to store CO₂ tanks safely in your facility and outdoors
• How to store CO₂ cylinders with proper valve protection and inventory management
• What temperature ranges are ideal for CO₂ storage
• Why CO₂ monitors are required and how to set them up correctly

WestAir provides carbon dioxide to its customers across California and Arizona.

How to Store CO₂ Tanks

Store CO₂ tanks upright in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources, secured with chains or straps to prevent tipping. By following these specific requirements, you can safely store your CO₂ tanks:

• Temperature: keep tanks below 70°F to prevent pressure buildup and safety valve releases.
• Securing: use chains or straps positioned two-thirds up the tank height.
• Distance from heat: maintain at least 20 feet from furnaces, boilers, or welding areas.
• Ventilation: ensure adequate fresh air circulation, especially in enclosed storage areas with multiple tanks.
• Inventory separation: store full tanks apart from empties with clear marking.
• Signage: post compressed gas storage signs with emergency contacts.
• Protection from impact: position away from forklift routes and high-traffic areas.

Can CO₂ Tanks Be Stored Outside?

Yes, CO₂ tanks can be stored outside with proper weather protection and security measures. Outdoor storage provides excellent natural ventilation.

Build or buy a covered cage that protects tanks from rain, snow, and direct sunlight. The covering prevents rust and extreme temperature fluctuations while the cage provides security against theft.

Monitor outdoor temperatures more frequently during summer months. Direct sunlight can heat tanks above safe temperatures – even on mild days.

Use tank heaters when temperatures drop below freezing if your equipment needs consistent pressure. Cold weather won’t damage tanks but can drop internal pressure below the 12-15 PSI that is required by many systems.

How to Store CO₂ Cylinders

Store CO₂ cylinders upright with valve protection caps in place, secured against walls or in racks, with full cylinders separated from empty ones. Following these guidelines keeps your team safe and your inventory organized.

Securing and Positioning CO₂ Cylinders

Always keep protective caps on cylinder valves when not in use. These caps prevent valve damage that could turn a cylinder into a projectile if the valve breaks off.

Secure cylinders using chains, straps, or purpose-built cylinder stands. Small operations might chain individual cylinders to walls, while larger facilities use steel racks that hold multiple cylinders.

Keep cylinders away from electrical circuits and grounding sources. If a cylinder touches live electrical equipment, the current can burn through the cylinder wall and cause an explosion.

Store cylinders where oil and grease can’t reach them – especially the valve area. These substances can react violently with pressurized CO₂ under certain conditions.

Managing Full vs. Empty Cylinders

Separate your full and empty cylinders into clearly marked areas. This prevents accidentally connecting empty cylinders to your system and helps track when you need to reorder.

WestAir offers telemetry not only on bulk, but also on packaged gases – with WestAir, you don’t have to worry about running out of CO₂.  

Label empty cylinders immediately after use with tags or “MT” (empty) markings. Move them to your designated empty storage area the same day to maintain accurate inventory.

Store specialty gas mixtures containing CO₂ separately from pure CO₂ cylinders. Different gas mixtures require different handling procedures and using the wrong one can damage equipment or create hazards.

How Long Can You Store CO₂ Cylinders?

CO₂ cylinders can be stored indefinitely if they pass regular inspections. Check the last hydrostatic test date stamped on each cylinder – they need retesting every five or ten years depending on the cylinder type.

Inspect cylinders visually each time you move them. Look for dents, cuts, gouges, or excessive rust that could weaken the cylinder wall.

Rotate your cylinder inventory using a first-in, first-out system. Mark receipt dates on new cylinders to ensure older inventory gets used first.

Further Reading: What Are the Industrial Uses of Carbon Dioxide?

What Temperature Is Safe for CO₂ Storage?

Keep CO₂ tanks and cylinders below 70°F for safe storage, with 87.8°F being the critical temperature where CO₂ converts entirely to gas. These limits apply whether you’re storing tanks or cylinders, indoors or outside.

The 70°F recommendation gives you a safety buffer. Above this temperature, pressure increases rapidly inside the container, making handling more dangerous and increasing the chance of venting through relief valves.

At 87.8°F, liquid CO₂ can no longer exist, since this is the critical temperature. Above this point, the gas is stored as a supercritical fluid, and tank pressure rises quickly. If pressure exceeds the relief valve setting, the tank may vent to release excess gas, which can waste product and create hazards in enclosed areas.

Monitor storage temperatures daily during summer months or in facilities without climate control. A simple min/max thermometer shows if temperatures exceeded safe levels overnight or during weekends.

Safety concerns aren’t the only issue with high temperatures – warm CO₂ doesn’t carbonate beverages properly, causes inconsistent weld quality, and can trigger false alarms on pressure monitoring systems.

Install temperature alarms in storage areas holding a lot of inventory. Set alerts at 65°F to give your team time to respond before reaching the 70°F threshold.

Consider these factors for different environments:

• Warehouse storage: maintain HVAC between 60-68°F year-round.
• Outdoor cages: provide shade covering and ensure adequate ventilation.
• Delivery trucks: never leave cylinders in vehicles overnight during summer.
• Production floors: position them away from heat-generating equipment.

Cold temperatures won’t damage cylinders but significantly reduce internal pressure. At 0°F, CO₂ pressure drops to about 300 PSI compared to 850 PSI at 70°F. Beverage systems, welding equipment, and some industrial processes won’t function properly at these reduced pressures.

Do You Need CO₂ Monitors in Storage Areas?

Yes, CO₂ monitors are required by OSHA, IFC, and NFPA codes for storage areas – CO₂ is odorless, colorless, and displaces oxygen at floor level where it accumulates. 

Mount monitors 12 inches from the floor in any enclosed space storing CO₂.

Set three alarm levels: 

• 5,000 PPM (ventilate and investigate)
• 15,000 PPM (increase ventilation immediately)
• 30,000 PPM (evacuate and call the fire department).

Use NDIR sensor monitors that trigger exhaust fans automatically when CO₂ levels rise. WestAir partners with CO2Meter, which offers monitors with these features plus remote displays so workers can check levels before entering storage areas.

Test monitors monthly and train staff on alarm responses. Portable monitors add extra protection for workers moving between areas.

Position remote displays outside storage rooms — this prevents workers from walking into dangerous CO₂ accumulations. Remember that CO₂ incidents happen fast and proper monitoring is your only warning.

The Bottom Line

Proper CO₂ storage comes down to these essentials: keep tanks and cylinders upright and secured below 70°F, separate full from empty inventory, and install monitors where required. These practices protect your team and prevent you from losing product due to venting.

Further Reading: Is Carbon Dioxide a Greenhouse Gas?

Tyler O'Brien

Tyler is a results-driven marketing professional specializing in the industrial gases and equipment industry, bringing his 10 years of technical expertise and digital marketing acumen to the complex industrial gas B2B environment.