Handling pressurised gas cylinders

Compressed gases are stored in heavy-walled metal cylinders designed, produced, and tested for use with compressed gases. Cylinders are made in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. They range from small lecture bottles, often used for demonstration purposes, to large cylinders over 3 meters long. Cylinders for transportation must meet CSA standard CAN/CSA-B339 “Cylinders, Spheres and Tubes for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods”. This standard covers requirements for the manufacturing, inspection, testing, marking, requalification, reheat treatment, repair, and rebuilding of cylinders, spheres, and tubes (containers) for the transportation of dangerous goods. In addition, it includes the requirements for the qualification of new designs and registration requirements. You should also consult CAN/CSA-B340 “Selection and Use of Cylinders, Spheres, Tubes, and Other Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Class 2”.

Cylinders that meet these criteria are often referred to as “TC-approved” cylinders. Cylinders are permanently marked, typically on the shoulder or the top surface of the neck.

Usually, cylinders must be retested or inspected every five or ten years. The date of each test must be stamped on the cylinder.