Helium is used to make balloons float. Helium balloon gas is a safe, non-flammable, non-toxic gas which is lighter than air. It can be used safely either indoors or outdoors, provided appropriate care and attention is taken.
Helium Safety Advice
- NEVER INHALE HELIUM. IT CAN CAUSE SUFFOCATION AND IN EXTREME CASES DEATH.
- NEVER drag a cylinder along the ground.
- Use cylinders in an upright position and secure them to prevent toppling.
- Do not attempt to catch a falling cylinder; move out of the way.
- The valve on high-pressure balloon gas cylinders should never be opened unless the appropriate filling kit is attached.
- Keep the cylinder in a well ventilated area away from fire risk and sources of heat. Do not store in damp areas.
- Always secure cylinders if transporting them and keep them ventilated.
- Always remove the filling kit if transporting them.
- Remember to turn off the cylinder valve (on top of the tank) before attempting to remove the filling kit.
- Never allow children or unauthorised persons to handle or use the tanks.
- Always use a trolley for moving large cylinders of helium.
- Never use equipment which may be damaged.
- Never attempt to repair a helium tank or inflation equipment that you think may be damaged.
- When inflating balloons, point the filling kit/inflator away from you.
- When inflating large balloons, you may wish to use eye protection in case of bursting.
Rental Helium Cylinders
| Name | Maxi | Midi | Mini |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | X30S | X20W | X10W |
| Contents | 7.82m3 | 5.21m3 | 2.61m3 |
| Weight | 49kg | 25kg | 12kg |
| Height | 1050mm | 870mm | 655mm |
| Diameter | 230mm | 203mm | 176mm |
| Balloon Type | Number of balloons filled per cylinder | ||
| 9" Latex | 935 | 620 | 310 |
| 10" Latex | 860 | 575 | 290 |
| 11" Latex | 605 | 400 | 200 |
| 12" Latex | 495 | 330 | 165 |
| 16" Latex | 195 | 130 | 65 |
| 18" Foil | 535 | 360 | 180 |
Helium Balloon Capacity & Float Times
The listed average inflation sizes, flying times, and numbers of balloons per helium tank are conservative averages. Actual flying times may vary depending on temperature and atmospheric conditions.
Latex & Cloudbuster Balloon Helium Chart
| Balloon Type | Inflated Diameter | Lift Ability | Gas Capacity | Avg. # per 242ft3 tank | Avg. Float Time* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5" (13cm) Round | 5" (13cm) | N/A | 0.06 cu ft (.002m3) | N/A | N/A |
| 9" (23cm) Round | 9" (23cm) | 0.2 oz. (6g) | 0.25 cu ft (.007m3) | 900 | 12-16 hours |
| 11" (28cm) Standard & Special Colors | 11" (28cm) | 0.35 oz. (10g) | 0.5 cu ft (.015m3) | 484 | 18-24 hours |
| 11" (28cm) Metallic & Pearl Colors | 11" (28cm) | 0.35 oz. (10g) | 0.5 cu ft (.015m3) | 484 | 16-18 hours |
| 16" (41cm) Round | 16" (41cm) | 1.2 oz. (34g) | 1.5 cu ft (.042m3) | 160 | 30+ hours |
| 18" (46cm) Round | 18" (46cm) | 1.8 oz. (51g) | 2 cu ft (.056m3) | 121 | 36+ hours |
| 24" (61cm) Round | 24" (61cm) | 4 oz. (120g) | 5 cu ft (.142m3) | 48 | 2-4 days |
| 6" (15cm) Heart | 6" (15cm) | N/A | 0.05 cu ft (.002m3) | N/A | N/A |
| 11" (28cm) Heart | 11" (28cm) | 0.1 oz. (3g) | 0.3 cu ft (.009m3) | 806 | 8 hours |
| 15" (38cm) Heart | 15" (38cm) | 0.4 oz. (11g) | 0.61 cu ft (0.020m3) | 396 | 12 hours |
| 3' (.9m) Heart | 3' (91cm) | 6 oz. (168g) | 7 cu ft (.198m3) | 34 | 3-5 days |
| 12" (38cm) Quick Link | 12" (31cm) | 0.5 oz. (14g) | 0.6 cu ft (0.02m3) | 396 | 12+ hours |
| 16" (41cm) GEO Donut® | 16" (41cm) | 0.5 oz. (14g) | 0.7 cu ft (.020m3) | 345 | 22-26 hours |
| 16" (41cm) GEO Blossom® | 16" (41cm) | 0.4 oz. (11g) | 0.6 cu ft (.017m3) | 403 | 18-24 hours |
| 30" (76cm) Metallic & Pearl Colors | 30" (76cm) | 6.5 oz. (184g) | 8 cu ft (.226m3) | 30 | 3-5 days |
| 3' (.9m) Giant (inflated to 2.5') | 2.5' (76cm) | 6.5 oz. (184g) | 8 cu ft (.226m3) | 30 | 3-5 days |
| 3' (.9m) Giant (inflated to 3.0') | 3.0' (91cm) | 12 oz. (339g) | 15 cu ft (.425m3) | 16 | 3-5 days |
| 4' (1.2m) Cloudbuster** | 4' (1.2m) | 1.7 lb. (771g) | 34 cu ft (0.963m3) | 7 | 4-5 days |
| 5.5' (1.7m) Cloudbuster** | 5.5' (1.7m) | 4.7 lb. (2.13kg) | 66 cu ft (1.868m3) | 4 | 8 days |
| 8' (2.4m) Cloudbuster** | 8' (2.4m) | 15.5 lb. (7.03kg) | 267 cu ft (7.561m3) | 1 | 18 days |
Ultra Hi Float®
We recommend applying Ultra Hi Float to latex balloons. Ultra Hi Float can increase flying times by up to 25 times. Hi Float is available for purchase in our Balloon Decorating section.
Foil Balloon Helium Chart
| Balloon Description | Inflated Size</th> | (Width x Height) | Lift Ability | Gas Capacity | Avg. # per 242ft3 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18" (46cm) Heart | 14"x 13" | 36cm x 33cm | 0.1 oz. (2g) | 0.5 cu ft (.014m3) | 484 |
| 18" (46cm) Round | 13.5"x 13.5" | 34cm x 34cm | 0.1 oz. (2g) | 0.5 cu ft (.014m3) | 484 |
| 18" (46cm) Square | 13"x 13" | 33cm x 33cm | 0.1 oz. (3.5g) | 0.6 cu ft (.017m3) | 403 |
| 18" (46cm) Diamond | 18" x 17" | 46cm x 43cm | 0.14 oz. (4.06g) | 0.54 cu ft (0.015m3) | 448 |
| 20" (51cm) Star | 18" x 18" | 46cm x 45cm | 0.1 oz. (3g) | 0.6 cu ft (.017m3) | 403 |
| 24" (61cm) Round Crystal | 24" x 23" | 61cm x 58cm | 0.5 oz. (12.9g) | 1 cu ft (.03m3) | 231 |
| 24" (61cm) Heart Crystal | 24" x 23" | 61cm x 58cm | 0.4 oz. (11.8g) | 1 cu ft (.028m3) | 244 |
| 31" (79cm) Round | 24" x 24" | 61cm x 61cm | 1.5 oz. (43.6g) | 1.6 cu ft (.045m3) | 151 |
| 34" (86cm) Diamond | 28" x 28" | 71cm x 71cm | 1.5 oz. (43.7g) | 1.5 cu ft (.042m3) | 161 |
| 36" (91cm) Heart | 27.5"x 27" | 70cm x 69cm | 1.9 oz. (53g) | 4 cu ft (.113m3) | 61 |
| 36" (91cm) Round | 27"x 27" | 69cm x 69cm | 2.3 oz. (66g) | 4.4 cu ft (.125m3) | 55 |
| 36" (91cm) Star | 31.5"x 30" | 80cm x 76cm | 1.1 oz. (32g) | 2.5 cu ft (.071m3) | 97 |
