Since gas use was integral to the UH accident and since compressed gas cylinders present serious safety issues, several specific examples of improper gas and gas cylinder usage are detailed here.
1. Cylinders in the laboratories adjacent to POST 30 as well as in several laboratories located in different buildings, contained Teflon tape on the CGA connection threads to the cylinder valve
outlet (Figures 1 and 2). This is a standard safety problem noted at many user locations. Users mistakenly believe Teflon tape is required to seal the threads, which are straight rather than
tapered, but it provides no advantage and might leak the connection. Instead, Teflon tape serves as a lubricant to provide a better fit. Teflon tape should never be used for straight-threaded connections such as CGA.