Industry Standards for Gas Cylinders
The use of gas cylinders has tremendous value in the industrial and commercial sectors, due to their convenience and portability. Gas cylinders are also widely used in medical applications. But the safety of these cylinders and their contents is paramount. It is therefore of paramount importance that organizations and industrialists comply with stringent industry standards when it comes to selection, use, testing and maintenance of these cylinders
To ensure these standards, a set of industry standards is agreed upon between industry players and regulators. These standards are focused on safety, performance and product quality.
The most popular industry standard worldwide is the US Department of Transportation (DOT) specification. This is applicable to transportable compressed gas cylinders in the United States. These standards are designed to maximize safety in the transportation of compressed gases. This includes detailed directions for design and testing, as well as regulations for the manufacturing process.
In Europe, the requirements for gas cylinders comply with the Technical Specifications for Unfired Pressure Vessels (TPED) from the European Commission. TPED requirements are applicable to any type of container used for transporting or storing gases under pressure, let it be metal or plastic cylinders. All cylinders must achieve the set safety and design requirements before passing the technical assessment.
The industry sees standards such as British Standard (BS) – 5045 ‘Specification for Transportable Gas Cylinders’ and German Standard (DIN) – 4129 ‘Unfired Pressure Vessels – Cylinders and Receivers’ come into play. The Australian standard (AS) – 2030 is a mandatory safety requirement for gas cylinders.
The following are some of the important industry standards when it comes to gas cylinders:
•Selection: This includes selecting the right size and type of cylinder for a specific application in accordance with the manufacturer’s prescribed pressure and volume ratings. It also includes considering the nature of the stored gas, usage of the gas, the environment and applicable safety factors.
•Maintenance: This includes regular inspection and testing of cylinders, periodic replacement of valves and related components, as well as maintenance of the appropriate interior and exterior finish of the cylinder.
•Testing: This involves regular testing of cylinders, including the confirmation of their internal and external condition, according to the manufacturer’s requirements.
•Use: This involves the use of the right technique to ensure that cylinders are securely clamped, and that no excessive pressure is applied when closing valves.
•Valves: These must be installed according to the manufacturers instructions. In some cases, the manufacturer may require that the valve it supplies should not be replaced with other types.
The importance of complying with the industry standards for gas cylinders to ensure safety cannot be overemphasized. Organizations and industrialists must adhere to these standards without fail. High quality standards for gas cylinders will ultimately lead to improved safety and effective utilization in the commercial and industrial sectors.
