Cylinders used for the transport of gas in the UK are subject to periodic inspection and test. The relevant Regulations are the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2007 (S.I.1573), known as CDG Road. These put into UK law the same framework which applies throughout the European Union, i.e. ADR 2007 (The European Agreement on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road) and the TPED (The Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive). Since ADR is revised every 2 years the UK Regulations change similarly.
The periods of inspection for cylinders are defined in ADR in packing instruction P200 in section 4.1. For most gases the period is 10 years.
The method of inspection is also defined in ADR in section 6.2. This requires that seamless steel cylinders be tested in accordance with BS EN 1968, seamless aluminium to BS EN 1802 and welded steel to BS EN 1803. Other types are also specified.
To try to achieve free movement of cylinders between European states a system was introduced over the past few years of requiring the inspection bodies carrying out the periodic inspection and test to be formally appointed by the Department for Transport. Since July 2006 it has been the law that only such appointed bodies could carry out this work.
BCGA is aware that some inspection bodies continue to carry out periodic inspection and test work on cylinders without being appointed by DfT. This may be from ignorance or negligence, but we would like to be advised when evidence exists of this activity. We shall bring it to the attention of the Health & Safety Executive who are responsible for enforcing this aspect of UK law.
Steve Elliott
Sept 2007
