Gas, Compressed & Toxic

All compressed gases (which include toxic gases) present physical hazards due to their high pressure.To learn about  management of compressed gases, see the EH&S publication, Compressed Gas Cylinders: Proper Management and Use. Units wishing to order and maintain gases, must contact EH&S for a hazard evaluation and written purchase approval, before ordering any gases.

Toxic gases are gases that::

  • Cause significant acute health effects at low concentrations
  • Have a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) health rating of 3 or 4
  • Have low occupational exposure limits, or are pyrophoric. Contact the Office of Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S) to advise them of your plans to acquire the gas. Refer to the EH&S Campus Toxic Program Fact Sheet, which provides the basics about what you need to know.

Such gases may be available as:

  1. Returnable cylinders.  Ask suppliers for a list of available gases.
  2. Non-refillable, non-returnable gas cylinders.  EH&S discourages buying non-returnable cylinders, when other options are available, because EH&S must dispose of any full, partially full, and empty cylinders,
  3. Lecture bottles, which are typically disposed of as hazardous waste; please visit the EH&S website for more information.

Contracted Suppliers: 
Praxair is the UC Berkeley preferred supplier for compressed gases.

Airgas Inc. is an additional source available to campus customers under a systemwide agreement. See the UC Strategic Sourced gas suppliers for more information

For Linde Gas & Electric (Formerly Praxair)

  • Establish a Linde Gas & Electric account (if you have not already done so) In order to process an order you must have an established account on record with Linde Gas & Electric. Fill out the New Account form or call Linde Gas & Electric at (800) 660-2066. Fax completed form to Linde Gas & Electric at (800) 660-2099.
  • Select gases from the Linde Gas & Electric BearBUY catalog. Include only gas items in your cart. When completed, route the cart for authorization and approval per your department’s established requisition workflow process.

To coordinate delivery

  • University staff should specify "Preferred San Francisco Bay Area delivery location" and delivery time when the order is placed. Linde Gas & Electric will deliver during normal business hours.
  • If a department is unable to receive delivery, Linde Gas & Electric will work with the department to reschedule delivery at a mutually agreeable date and time.

Linde Gas & Electric's delivery response times, after receipt of your order for:

  • Industrial gases - within 2-5 working days
  • Specialty, medical, and electrical gases - within 10 working days

To coordinate returns 
For Linde Gas & Electric Cylinders

  • Download the Linde Gas & Electric order form for the type of gas you are returning. See ("Request Compressed Gas" above.) Indicate that you want to arrange for cylinder pick-up.
  • Fax completed order form to Linde Gas & Electric : (800) 660-2099 or call (800) 660-2066.

    Refer to Office of Environment, Health and Safety for more information about diposing of lecture bottles which are typically disposed of as hazardous waste.

Linde Gas & Electric Contact Information 
Praxair Service Center 
Phone: (800) 660-2066 
Fax: (800) 660-2099

Territory Manager: Sarah Love
Email: Sarah.Love@linde.com

For Airgas 
To order compressed gas from Airgas, departments have two options:

  • Order directly from Airgas and use your bluCard for purchases under $5,000 including sales tax.
  • Use a BearBUY Non-Catalog Form.
    • Select Airgas as the supplier and enter a detailed description of the items and quantities ordered. 
    • Scan required backup documentation and attach electronic copies to the form.
    • When completed, route the form for authorization and approval per your department’s established requisition workflow process.

Relevant Policy/Procedures: Refer to the Toxic Gas Program on the EHS website.  If unsure that a gas is toxic, contact EHS.

Lecture bottles are typically disposed of as hazardous waste; please visit the EH&S website for more information.


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