The mental sloppiness of this article is so fucking BULLSHIT and yet no one picks up on it, and why is the management of Elgas, so fucked in the head that they failed to review this crap and to allow it to remain as is on the website?
If I was to write it, at best I could do it at around 1/10th of the size on the text only - maybe 1/2 the size with much better and only relevant pictures..
This is what I mean about I hate dealing with people who have no standards.
I have had dealings with the management and head office of Elgas and they are Retarded Cunts....
This shit on their website shows it.
https://www.elgas.com.au/blog/396-gas-bottle-cylinder-testing-facts
Gas Bottle Testing - LPG Gas Cylinder Testing Procedure - LPG Gas Bottle Expiry Date
The gas bottle expiry date is marked on the bottle with the month and 2 digits of the year. If a gas bottle is undamaged, it can be refilled an unlimited number of times prior to expiry. Once older than 10 years, it must be inspected and tested by a licensed test station, prior to refilling.
Gas bottle expiry date stamps are first applied by the manufacturer. As long as the bottle remains undamaged, it can be refilled without limit in the first 10 years. Once a bottle is over 10 year, it must be re-inspected before refilling. The gas bottle expiry date and manufacturer is stamped into the neck ring, as shown.
LPG gas cylinder testing regulations require that gas cylinders be inspected and tested every ten years. It is both dangerous and illegal to fill out-of-date or damaged cylinders. Expiry requires LPG gas cylinder testing and re-stamping, by an approved test station, prior to refilling.
LPG gas cylinder testing includes LPG gas bottle expiry confirmation; Degassing; Internal inspection; External inspection; Valve inspection or replacement; and New LPG gas bottle expiry date stamp. The testing is done every 10 or 15 years, depending on the vessel size and the country.
Gas cylinder testing is the periodic inspection and hydrostatic testing (in some cases) of gas cylinders.
LPG gas cylinder testing must be done every ten or fifteen years by a licensed test station. LPG gas cylinder testing procedure may also include any refurbishment or painting required.
LPG Gas Bottle Expiry Date
The LPG gas bottle expiry date exists for safety reasons. The first LPG gas bottle expiry date is 10 years from the date of manufacture, which is either painted on the gas bottle or stamped into the neck ring. The gas bottle must be tested after expiry. If it passes, a new LPG gas bottle expiry date is placed on the gas bottle indicative of 10 years from the re-test date.
Is There Any Expiry Date for Gas Cylinder - How Long Do Gas Bottles Last Before They Expire
Gas bottles last 10 or 15 years before they expire. There is an expiry date for gas cylinders. The expiry date is marked on the bottle as month and year. Depending on gas cylinder size, the expiry date is either 10 or 15 years*. (See image)
(etc., etc., etc.)
The test date marked on the bottle is the month and year. The bottle may be refilled at any time during its first 10 years, unless damaged. A bottle with an inspection dated older than 10 years* cannot be refilled but the contents can be used. The test dated is typically stamped into the neck ring but is painted on the bottle in certain countries.
LPG gas cylinder-bottle testing must be done every ten or fifteen* years because the LPG gas bottles expire. It is illegal to fill a gas bottle that is past its LPG gas bottle expiry date but you are allowed to use it, past the LPG gas bottle expiry date, if it still contains gas.
*10 year LPG gas bottle expiry applies to BBQ sized bottles whilst larger home and commercial size bottles are now 15 year LPG gas bottle expiry date. Different rules may apply in different countries.
Car Gas Tank Expiry Date - LPG Tank Testing
LPG tank in cars and vehicles must be re-inspected every ten years. The LPG tank testing, including its structural integrity, internal and external inspections, pressure relief valve and functionality must be tested and inspected to be sure it is up to spec.
The car gas tank expiry date is the same story as for other gas cylinders. Vehicle or car gas tank expiry date is 10 years and the testing involves the same procedures, with the addition of the removal of the car gas tank from the vehicle. As with other gas cylinders, it is illegal to refill an out-of-date car gas tank.
BBQ Gas Bottle Testing
It is illegal to fill and out-of-date BBQ gas bottle and dangerous to fill a damaged one. BBQ gas bottles cannot be refilled until re-tested and stamped with a new date by a certified test station.
What is LPG Gas Cylinder Testing (Gas Bottle Testing) Procedure & LPG Gas Bottle Expiry Date
LPG gas cylinder testing procedure, when gas bottles expire, in summary:
• Gas cylinder testing of gas bottles, cylinders and larger tanks must be done periodically for safety and re-certification, when gas bottles expire.
• LPG gas bottle expiry date periods vary, with 10 year LPG gas bottle expiry date being the most common for BBQ LPG gas bottle expiry date period.
• The LPG gas cylinder testing date is permanently marked or stamped when gas bottles expire.
• The LPG gas bottles are subject to internal and external gas cylinder inspection and testing for rust and any other damage.
• Physical LPG gas cylinder testing procedure, including pressure tests, may be required depending on the type and size of vessel and the country where tested.
• LPG gas cylinder testing normally includes the replacement of the main valve when gas bottle testing takes place, for re-certification, when gas bottles expire.
• A new LPG gas bottle expiry date, of equivalent duration, is stamped into the neck ring after the new LPG gas cylinder testing.
• Only approved LPG gas cylinder testing facilities are authorised to do gas cylinder testing and re-certify gas bottles, cylinders and tanks when gas bottles expire.
Gas Bottles
Gas bottles are typically steel vessels for storing LPG (propane). BBQ gas bottles come in 9kg and 4kg gas bottle sizes. Home gas bottles come in 45kg, 90kg and 210kg sizes.
Gas bottles contain liquid and gas, as LPG - Liquefied Petroleum Gas - liquefies under relatively low pressure.
LPG gas bottle sizes vary, with small BBQ gas bottles being portable, as used in camping.
LPG Gas Cylinder Testing Procedures & Inspection: Step-by-Step Summary
After the 15 or 10 year LPG gas bottle expiry date, and any subsequent fifteen or ten year periods, the LPG gas cylinder testing must be redone. The cylinder 'test station' will stamp a new inspection date into the neck ring, assuming that the LPG gas cylinder testing passed.
The following is a step-by-step summary of LPG gas cylinder testing procedure and inspection, when gas bottles expire:
Determination that the 15 or 10 year LPG gas bottle expiry date has been reached.
External gas cylinder testing is performed.
LPG Cylinder is degassed to allow for internal gas cylinder inspection & testing.
Old valve is removed and an internal gas bottle inspection is done.
The cylinder neck and valve threads are inspected for any damage as part of the LPG gas cylinder testing procedures.
A new LPG gas bottle expiry date is stamped into the cylinder neck ring.
A new valve is installed after successful completing of gas cylinder testing.
Any required refurbishment, including painting, is performed.
The cylinder is ready for refilling and return to use.
Any cylinders that failed the LPG gas cylinder testing, at any point, are condemned and recycled.
Please note that if at any time a cylinder fails part of the LPG gas cylinder testing procedure, they condemn the cylinder without bothering to do any further gas cylinder testing.
Continue reading to learn the details involved in each step…
LPG Gas Bottle Expiry Date for Gas Bottle Testing
Gas bottles cannot be refilled if damaged or if they have not been tested in the past 10 years. You can tell gas bottle expiry date by looking at the date stamped on the neck ring.
Gas bottle manufacturers apply a date stamp when manufactured. It can be refilled as often as desired in the first 10 years, assuming it remains undamaged. Once its older than 10 years, it cannot be refilled until it is re-inspected.
The gas bottle manufacturer places the original inspection expiry date on the neck ring at the time of manufacture. The gas bottles inspection stamps are valid for ten years to LPG gas bottle expiry date, when gas bottles expire.
Gas bottles do expire on the LPG gas bottle expiry date for LPG bottles or cylinders. LPG gas bottle expiry date periods vary – with 10 to 15 years being typical. When the 15 or 10 year LPG gas bottle expiry date is reached, the gas bottles expire and can be used but cannot be refilled.
After the 15 or 10 year LPG gas bottle expiry date, and any subsequent ten year periods, the gas bottles expire and LPG gas cylinder testing must be redone.
10 year LPG gas bottle expiry date applies to BBQ sized bottles whilst larger home and commercial size bottles are now 15 year LPG gas bottle expiry date. From 2009, as a result of Elgas complying with the requirements of AS 2030.5, all 45kg to 210kg cylinders in Australia had their inspection frequency increased from a 10 to 15 year LPG gas bottle expiry date.
The cylinder 'test station' will stamp a new inspection date into the neck ring, assuming that the cylinder passes the gas cylinder testing.
So, inspection is always important to examine the entire neck ring to find all of the LPG gas bottle expiry dates that may be present, as it is impossible to remove the old stamps.
How Long Do They Last Before Gas Bottles Expire
BBQ sized gas bottles expire after 10 years. Larger 45kg to 210kg gas bottles expire after 15 years. To determine when gas bottles expire, you need to look at the gas bottle's neck ring, where the date stamps are located.
Look carefully all around the neck ring, as older bottles may have more than one date stamped into the neck ring.
External Gas Cylinder Testing
The external surface of the gas bottle is inspected for defects, as defined by the applicable LPG gas cylinder testing Standard, AS 2337.1-2004. Failure in any one category of the gas cylinder tesing is cause for condemning the gas bottle.
The kind of things they look for during the inspection are swelling of the cylinder walls, the depth and diameter of any dents, the length and depth of any gouges, the depth and intensity of any corrosion, the presence of any cracks, or any damage from fire or heat.
The gas bottle in the picture was condemned for fire damage.
LPG Gas Cylinder-Bottle Testing Preparation by De-gassing
At the start of the LPG gas cylinder-bottle testing process, the gas bottle is totally emptied of any remnant gas. The old gas valve is then removed to facilitate the internal gas cylinder testing.
A degassing station is shown in the picture to the right.
Internal Gas Bottle Inspection & Testing
LPG gas cylinder-bottle testing includes an internal inspection. Any gas bottle that fails to meet the gas bottle testing Standard is condemned.
A flexible scope, with illumination, is used for the inspection of the inside of the gas bottle.
The interior inspection is for rust, scale, corrosion or any contamination.
Normally, if the bottle has been kept either full of LPG or empty with the valve closed, internal rust and corrosion are not a problem.
Cylinder Neck
The neck of the gas bottle is a critical area of gas cylinder inspection & testing, as it is the point of attachment for the valve. Once again, failure in any area of LPG gas bottle-cylinder testing is cause for condemnation.
The valve threads are inspected to see if they are clean and intact, damage free, free of burrs and cracks or any other imperfections that could affect the integrity of the connection.
New LPG Gas Bottle Expiry Date - LPG Expiry Date
Gas bottles that pass all of the LPG gas cylinder-bottle testing are stamped with a new LPG gas bottle expiry date, showing the month and last two digits of the year.
In addition the test station stamps its own unique test station mark onto the gas bottle.
Both stamps are typically applied in previously unmarked areas of the neck ring, as shown to the right.
Valve Installation After Successful LPG Gas Bottle-Cylinder Testing Procedure
After successful LPG gas cylinder-bottle testing procedure, the next step is the installation of a new valve, as shown in the picture. The old valves are discarded and recycled.
Refilling
While not part of the formal 15 or 10 year LPG cylinder testing procedure, the new valve installation should always be leak tested when refilled.
In fact, this is the standard procedure for all subsequent refilling, as well.
Additional Swap Scheme Procedures
Swap programs, such as SWAP'n'GO®, also refurbish the gas bottles after gas cylinder testing but before they are refilled.
Refurbishment
In addition to the normal 10 year LPG BBQ bottle test expiry date procedures, over half of the gas bottle inspections by SWAP’n’GO would also be repainted. Many would also be shot blasted prior to painting.
The end result is a refurbished gas bottle in near new condition, with a new LPG gas bottle expiry date stamp that is valid for ten more years.
The picture shows gas bottles being repainted on an automated coating line.
Gas Bottle Recycling
SWAP’n’GO bottles that fail gas bottle testing are condemned, when gas bottles expire.
They are safely retired by punching a large hole in the side, so upon inspection the metal recycling workers know that they have been safely decommissioned.
Please see Safe Gas Bottle Disposal & Recycling
In addition to recycling the steel from the gas bottles, the brass from the valves is also recycled.
LPG Gas Cylinder Testing Services - 10 Year LPG BBQ Bottle Test
LPG gas cylinder testing services are available for people who wish to keep a particular cylinder. They can have the 10 year LPG BBQ bottle test done by an independent test station, when gas bottles expire.
These test stations go through exactly the same 10 year LPG tank test expiry date procedures, as described above.
Comments, questions or feedback?
Please Email us at: blog@elgas.com.au
The information in this article is derived from various sources and is believed to be correct at the time of publication. However, the information may not be error free and may not be applicable in all circumstances.
No comments:
Post a Comment