Gidds,
The reason your landlord may have the compressed gas clause in your lease agreement most likely stems from Fire code regulations prohibiting the storage and/or use of Liquefied Petroleum Gases within or around type R occupancies with an exception for single family dwelling. If you live in an ICC code state, then fire code section 3803.2 describes where LPG containers may be used. It is VERY LIMITED. If yours is not an ICC state then you will most likely have a similar municipal code, just the section numbers are different.
Most people cannot distinguish the difference between different types of gas cylinders. They do not distinguish between an O2 cylinder, a scuba air cylinder, and a 20lb propane tank. NY state has added a section to the fire code 3805.3 that excludes apartment dwelling use of LPG almost entirely. There is sound reasoning for this but I do not have the space to discuss it here, if you need to know PM me.
Since a SCUBA cylinder is not LPG, nor does it posess any specific hazard as adressed by the code, it's use and storage is regulated by chapter 30. Chapter 30 if the ICC Fire Code places no restrictions on the use or storage of an air cylinder within a group R occupancy (your apartment).
Here's the rub...
The landlord is just trying to protect himself. Since it would be too difficult to explain to every tenent exactly why they cannot have a propane grill on their balcony it is easier to place a blanket statement in the lease that prohibits compressed gas cylinders (remember most people don't know the difference between a tank and a cylinder). If you know the property manager well enough, you could attempt to explain this to him. Most likely, since it is hard to explain, you could just store them in your apartment (move them after dark).
Anyway, I'm sure this didn't help much but maybe you can understand why the clause is in your lease.
Ken
