|
What do cylinder colours signify?
Cylinders are painted in a single colour, or have one body colour and different colour
on the shoulder (the curved part at the top of the cylinder). These colours basically
indicate to the user the potential hazards of the product within the container. Specific
products such as dissolved acetylene, argon and helium have specific colour codes. |
| |
|
|
Can I identify the product in the cylinder from the cylinder colour?
No. The cylinder colour will only indicate the hazards associated with the contained
product. The product label is the primary means of identifying the product, and
the product label must always be checked before use. |
| |
|
|
There are several labels on the cylinder. Which one is the product label?
The product label is shown on the attached cylinder identification chart. |
| |
|
|
Why are cylinder colours changing?
For many years, different standards for cylinder colour coding have been in force in
each European country. With the increasing movement of cylinders across borders,
confusion and potential safety hazards have resulted. To minimise the risk to gas
users, we are adopting a single harmonised standard for cylinder shoulder colours
across Europe. |
| |
|
|
What are the main changes?
Some shoulder colours will remain as they are:
- Flammable: Red
- Toxic: Yellow
Other shoulder colours are new:
- Inert: Bright Green
- Oxidising: Light Blue
- Oxygen: White
There are other specific colour changes, details of which are given in the BCGA
technical information sheet - available from the BCGA website www.bcga.co.uk
|
| |
|
|
Will the cylinder body colours change?
Yes, in some cases. Air Products will adopt a standard scheme for the various
categories of gases:
- Standard gases: Graphite Grey
- Food grade gases: Light Grey
- Special and ultra high purity gases: Metallic Grey
- Breathing and diving gases: Dusty Grey
Full details of both the old and new colour schemes are shown on the attached ID
chart, copies of which you will have received by post. |
| |
|
|
Are there any other changes to the cylinder construction?
No. There are no alterations to either cylinder valves or valve guards. This is simply a
colour change. |
| |
|
|
When will I have cylinders delivered bearing the new colours?
We are starting the painting programme during September 2004. You may therefore
have deliveries of cylinders with both the old and new colours from October onwards.
Air Products has many hundreds of thousands of cylinders in the marketplace, and
we estimate it may take up to 10 years to complete the programme fully. All of the
new cylinder identification charts therefore show old and new colour schemes for this
reason. |
| |
|
|
What will the colour coding convention be for cylinder banks and packs?
Air Products is moving towards a standard design for banks and packs, the main
feature of which is a protective shroud covering the upper part of the cylinders. Since
the shoulder will therefore not be exposed, all cylinders in packs and banks will be
painted the relevant shade of grey for standard gases, food grade gases etc as
detailed above. The primary means of identification will be an oversize label on the
shroud. |
| |
|
|
Who should I notify of these changes?
Anyone in your organisation who handles or uses gas cylinders should be made
aware of these changes, particularly the importance of checking the product label
before use. |
| |
|
|
How can I obtain additional copies of the cylinder identification literature?
Call our customer services department on 08457 020 202. |
