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How to Safely Store CO2 Cartridges — A Practical Guide for B2B Buyers
CO2 cartridges may be small, but their storage requirements are not.
If you’re stocking, shipping, or distributing CO2 cartridges in bulk, this guide is for you. Let’s make your warehouse safer, your shipments cleaner, and your operations more compliant.
Why Storage Matters — More Than You Think
Classified as UN1013, Class 2.2 non-flammable compressed gas, CO2 cartridges must be treated with care.
Even minor storage mistakes can lead to:
Gas leakage or pressure loss
Rust and label degradation
Customs clearance failure
Safety risks for your staff
Cartridges are often silent on the shelf — but if stored incorrectly, they can become the loudest liability in your warehouse.
5 Key Tips for Proper Storage of CO2 Cartridges
1. Keep It Dry and Ventilated — Moisture Is the Silent Killer
Humidity is one of the biggest enemies of CO2 cartridge packaging and surface integrity.
Damp conditions can cause:
Box deformation and collapse
Rust on the steel surface
Smudged or unreadable labels
✔ Store cartons on raised pallets, not directly on the floor
✔ Use dehumidifiers in coastal or high-humidity regions
✔ Consider desiccants or lined cartons for long-distance shipping
2. Control the Temperature — 49°C (120°F) Is Your Red Line
Cartridges are pressure vessels. When warehouse temperatures exceed 49°C (120°F), internal pressure builds up — increasing the risk of rupture or seal failure.
✔ Never store near boilers, heating units, or sun-exposed areas
✔ In hot regions, invest in passive shading or active ventilation
Reference:
OSHA CO2 Storage Regulations(https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.101)
3. Store Vertically — Never Lay Them Flat
Each cartridge has a valve or sealed tip. Prolonged horizontal storage can stress seals and affect pressure integrity.
✔ Store cartridges vertically in trays or upright boxes
✔ Avoid leaving half-full inner cartons open or unbalanced
4. Don’t Store CO2 With Incompatible Materials
Even though CO2 is non-flammable, it’s still considered a dangerous good.
✘ Do not store with alcohol, solvents, or aerosols
✘ Avoid proximity to strong oxidizers or corrosive cleaners
✘ Keep separate from food products unless food-grade certified
Mixing incompatible goods can trigger warehouse regulation violations — or worse, trigger customs rejections.
5. Label Everything — Clearly, Permanently, and Correctly
You might not look at the label daily, but your customs officer or distributor will.
✔ All cartons should display:
UN1013
Class 2.2 gas symbol
Upward arrows (↑)
Batch number and packaging date
✔ Use waterproof or laminated labels when possible
✔ Pallets should carry lot-level information and visible warning stickers
Recommended Resources (For Compliance Teams)
OSHA U.S. Compressed Gas Rules
Compressed gases (general requirements) – OSHA (https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.101)UK HSE Compressed Gas Safety
Drum / cylinder handling – HSEUN/ADR Transport of Dangerous Goods
Dangerous Goods – UNECE(https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods)
You can forward these to your compliance officer, warehouse manager, or regional distributor for internal training and SOP alignment.
Pro Tips for Warehouse Managers
Rotate inventory using FIFO (First In, First Out)
Never stack more than 2–3 master cartons high unless reinforced
Perform monthly visual inspections for corrosion, dents, or wet cartons
Assign one trained staff member to monitor dangerous goods handling
Use lockable DG zones if sharing space with other products
Looking for Compliance-Ready CO2 Cartridges?
At Alizee, we don’t just manufacture CO2 cartridges — we help our partners ship and store them safely, globally, and compliantly.
Whether you’re setting up a new warehouse, managing regional distribution, or sourcing for your brand, we provide:
Fully certified CO2 cartridges (CE / ISO / UN1013)
Export-ready documentation and labeling
Storage checklists and handling SOPs tailored to your operation
Let us help make your CO2 supply chain cleaner, safer, and easier to manage.
