Compressed Gas Cylinders

We provided compressed gas cylinders, supplies, and accessories to the university community on both UPC and Health Sciences campus.  We stock the most commonly requested items and will special order any item you request.

• On-line order (coming soon)
• Fax  (213) 749-9821
• Campus Mail (UPX-7777)

Information needed to complete the order:

• Building and Room Number (Delivery Point)
• Contact person, email address, telephone number and department name
• Secondary contact person, email address, telephone number and delivery point
• When ordering liquid nitrogen or liquid carbon dioxide contact Purchasing Services directly (213)740-2281

• All gas cylinder orders must have Financial System expenditure card stamp.
• A signature is required and the name must be printed next to the signature.
• All gas cylinder orders received by 3:00 p.m. will be processed on the day received. Orders received after 3:00 p.m. will be processed with the next business day's orders.  Depending on availability, gases will be delivered the next business day.  However, if the gas ordered is not in stock, please refer to the delivery schedule listed below.
  • Standard Gases – Allow 3 to 5 working days for delivery.
  • Special Mixed Gases – Allow 20 working days for delivery.
• In an expreme emergency situation we may be able to do same day delivery for gases that are in stock.  There will be additional $50.00 charge for this service. 
• Faxed orders are accepted.  Please send originals via campus mail
• An active account number is required.  If the account is inactive, it will cause a delay in processing your orders.
• Empty gas cylinders require a pickup slip.  Please contact (213) 743-2299 with the number of cylinders corresponding serial numbers to be picked up so that we may prepare the appropriate paperwork in advance.
• Please note that there will be a daily rental charge (Demurrage) for use of all cylinders.  In the event a cylinder is lost or stolen while in your possession, the full replacement cost ($200.00) will be charged to your department.  Please notify Material Management Services immediately to avoid ongoing demurrage charges. There will be no refund if a lost cylinder is found.  However, because the cylinders are hazardous material, we must be notified to pick up the empty cylinder.
• There will be a restocking fee for all gases ordered by departments and returned to stock.

Effective July 1, 2005, there will be a $10.00 service charge for deliveries of new cylinders and pick up empty cylinders to any building without elevator service.

Material Management provides next day delivery on stocked items.
 
A packing slip indicating the item description and the quantity ordered will be attached to your delivery.  You will be asked to sign your name on the Palm PC as proof of delivery and on the driver's log.

*Please check all orders upon receipt.  Any omissions, error or damage to cylinders should be reported to Mailing & Material Management by calling (213)743-2299.

If the area is not accessible to delivery personnel:

• A delivery attempt notice will be placed on the door with additional instructions.
• A service fee may be assessed for re-delivery.

*Cylinders cannot be left in unsecured areas (including hallways).  If delivery personnel cannot secure cylinders, the item will be returned to Material Management.

For emergency orders or to request special handling, contact Material Management at
(213) 743-2299.

• Same day handling service fee: $50.00 up to 2:30 pm.  Orders after 2:30 pm will be delivered by 11:00 am the next day.

Upon receipt of cylinders, please inspect each cylinder as follows:

• Upon receipt of cylinders, please check if it is the correct gas or proper calibration for mixed gases
• Remove plastic on the valve and check the treads before putting on the regulator
• Check cylinder to see if it's the correct valve for your regulator
• Place regulator on valve. Check to see if there is proper pressure
• Check for leaks. (Use soap and water when checking)
  

If you encounter a problem, it is imperative you report it to Material Management (213) 743-2299 within 24 hours of receiving your gas.

Remember it is imperative that you follow this procedure, so that we can correct any problems you may encounter in a timely manner.

• Gas purchases from Material Management are billed monthly and may be reviewed on your ASR
• Demurrage (rental) charges are assessed at a rate of $0.25 per cylinder per day
• Monthly Gas Cylinder statements are sent to the departments for review; please notify Material Management for any discrepancies
• Customers who move tanks to another location must contact Material Management (213) 743-2299 or mail7777@usc.edu to update the location and billing information

• Returns may receive a credit if requested within 3 days of receipt of order and must have the plastic valve on.
• 20% re-stocking fee will be assessed on cylinders and equipments for any exchange or returns.
• Special order items may not be returned unless they are defective. 
• Special gas-mixture cylinder rental fee is NON-REFUNDABLE.
• All other returns will be credited only if they are in new condition, in original box.
• All cylinders (except "E" size oxygen) must be capped with the right threaded cap before returning for transport.  Customers returning cylinders with missing caps will be assessed a $15.00 NON-REFUNDABLE replacement charge.
• All empty cylinders must be returned to Material Management to avoid
  continuing demurrage charges.

Compressed gas cylinders should be handled as high-energy sources and therefore as potential explosives and projectiles.  Prudent safety practices should be followed when handling gases since they expose workers to both chemical and physical hazards.

• Cylinders should be marked with a label that clearly identifies the contents.
• All gas cylinders, full or empty, should be properly secured in an upright position with cylinder chains top and bottom fastened to a solid support.
• Do not try to repair damaged cylinders or valves.
• Cylinders are to be tightly capped before they are moved.
• Flammable gases and materials are stored a minimum of 20 feet from cylinders containing oxidizers.
• Oxygen cylinders are kept free of oil or grease to prevent possible explosion.
• Cylinders awaiting delivery should be stored and secured according to their hazard classes.
• Cylinders should not be located where objects may strike or fall on them.
• At the time of delivery, cylinders must be secured.

Compressed gases normally being stored at Mailing & Material Management Services:

PRESSURE REGULATORS
Pressure regulators are used to reduce the high pressure of a gas cylinder or gas pipeline to a working pressure that is compatible with operating equipment and instruments.  A regulator controls only the pressure; it does not measure or control flow unless equipped with devices specifically designed for that purpose.

TYPES OF REGULATORS

Single Stage Regulators
In single stage regulators, the pressure of the gas in the cylinder pushes on the valve, opposing the force of the pressure adjusting spring.  But, as a high pressure cylinder empties, there is less force against the valve stem and the delivery pressure increases.
This means that frequent adjustment is needed to maintain a constant delivery pressure.

Two Stage Regulators
Two stage regulators is really two regulators in series in a single body.  The first-stage is very much like the second-stage, with an inlet chamber, a stem, a diaphragm, and a pressure adjusting spring.  The spring in the first-stage is not adjustable.

The first-stage will reduce the inlet pressure to an intermediate pressure usually less than
500 PSIG.  The second-stage reduces the intermediate pressure to the desired working pressure.  Because the second-stage sees only minor inlet pressure variations from the first-stage, a two-stage regulator will maintain a steady outlet pressure throughout the life of the cylinder, therefore, frequent adjustment is not required.

If you have any questions regarding regulators, please contact the Material Handling Supervisor (Compressed Gas Cylinders) Roy MacAdam (213) 743-2207 or macadam@usc.edu