Glasgow City Council

EDUCATION SERVICES

Technician Support Service

Technician Guidance Sheets TGS/10a

Use & Inspection of Gas Cylinders & Associated

Regulators

Issued by Technician Support Service

Date September 2017 (revised)

Objectives: The objective of this Guidance Sheet is to instruct Senior Support Service
Technicians and Support Service Technicians in the annual inspection and
safe use of gas cylinders and associated regulators

Persons responsible: Senior and Support Service Technicians (Science & Technical)

USE & INSPECTION OF GAS CYLINDERS AND ASSOCIATED REGULATORS GUIDANCE SHEET 10a
 Gas Cylinders & Regulators

The purpose of this Guidance Sheet is to provide information on the safe use and inspection of gas
cylinders and associated regulators.

Anyone who examines, refurbishes, fills or uses a gas cylinder should be suitably trained and have the
necessary skills to carry out their job safely. They should understand the risks associated with a gas
cylinder and its contents. Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Safe Use of Gas Cylinders 2004.

Gases that are normally stored and used for educational purposes are as follows:

Oxygen
Nitrogen
Carbon Dioxide
Argon Mix

Due to the differences in cylinder and regulator design, sulphur dioxide is covered separately in
Technician Guidance Sheet TGS/10b.

The following notes are guidance concerning the handling, storage, and use of gas cylinders and
inspection of gas regulators to ensure that they are safe for use. The two main sets of regulations
covering gas cylinders/regulators are:

The Carriage of Dangerous Goods & Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2004
The Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999

The law requires that all gas cylinders, which in the case of Glasgow schools are hired via a reputable
supplier, are examined and tested by the company that supplies the cylinder. The use of gifted cylinders
or regulators is strictly forbidden.

Gas regulator must only be used if it is less than 5 years old. If the regulator is more than 5 years old, it
must be replaced. Information on purchase date can be found on the record sheet, contact TSS if further
information is required. Gas regulators must be barcoded and added to the TSS inventory for each
school.

An HSE approved body, carries out the initial examination. Within Glasgow City Council Education
Services all regulators are owned by the individual school. It is the responsibility of the school to ensure
the test records are retained for a period of at least five years.
Purchase, inspection and certification will be arranged by Technician Support Service through a registered
outside agency. Regulators purchased after 1998 carry the marking BS EN ISO2503.

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 General Inspections
Senior Support Service Technicians are responsible for maintaining records of regulator inspections as
well as the safe handling and storage of cylinders and regulators.

Support Service Technicians (core science or technical) are responsible for carrying out the following
inspections:

Regulators
Check that the regulator is suitable for use with the gas in the cylinder, under no circumstances should a
regulator be used on a gas cylinder that contains a different gas from that which the regulator is designed
to dispense.

Inlet Pressure Outlet

Gauge Pressure
Gauge

Entry Stem

Regulator Control Valve

Users should carry out and record an external visual inspection of the gas regulator 3 times per year.
This will determine whether there are obvious signs of physical damage to the valves, gauges, casing or
coupling. If the regulator is not attached at the time of inspection, the regulator threads should be checked
for signs of damage, before attaching to carry out the leak test described below. An external visual
inspection should also be carried out on each occasion of use.

Leak tests should be carried out and recorded on the record sheet provided, see appendix 1, on the
following occasions -

1. Annually
2. After fitting a regulator to the gas cylinder

In addition - Leak tests should be carried out if there is reason to suspect a leak and the results recorded
in the additional comments section of the record sheet.

The record sheet must be retained by the school for a minimum period of five years and be made
available to council safety officers and officers of the HSE as requested.

Cylinders
Gas cylinders, which in the case of Glasgow schools are hired via a reputable supplier, are inspected and
tested by the company that supplies the cylinder. Gas should be added to TSS Chemical Inventory within
2 days of receipt.

Cylinder
Control Valve

Cylinder
Spindle Key
Regulator
Control Valve
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Cylinders cont.
Users should carry out an external visual inspection annually and on each occasion of use to determine
whether there is obvious damage.

External visual inspection involves checking

• If the regulator doesn’t seat properly
• If mounting cylinder threads are damaged (if regulator is not attached)
• If the spindle valve requires greater force than normal to turn on or off the supply

Should any of the above be applicable, do not use and immediately return the cylinder to the
supplier.

Precautions
• Do not use gas cylinders for any other purpose than the transport and storage of gas
• Always double-check that the cylinder / gas is suitable for the intended use
• Fire extinguishers must never be used as a source of carbon dioxide for laboratory use
• When using a carbon dioxide cylinder (with jet freezer adaptor) to make dry ice, suitable
protective equipment must be worn to prevent burns i.e. gloves and goggles/face visor. This is
only possible if the cylinder is a ‘siphon type’ cylinder (see SSERC dry ice maker for further info)
• Hydrocarbon Contamination
Do not use oil, grease or other hydrocarbon substances on the cylinder valves for lubrication.
Where there is contamination of this kind contact with oxygen can, in certain conditions result in
an explosion. The dangers of this practise both to the users of the cylinders and to the
employees of the supplier are obvious. If any cylinders do accidentally become contaminated,
they should not be used but set aside and clearly labelled. The supplier should then be informed
immediately
• Never use PTFE tape on the regulator or cylinder to create a seal
• Cylinders or regulators gifted to the school must never be used or accepted

Storage
• Entry door(s) to storage area(s) must display “Compressed Gases” safety sign. See Science
Safety File, Appendix 4
• Cylinders should not be stored within chemical stores or in classrooms
• Access to cylinder keys should be restricted to authorised staff i.e. keys should not be kept with
the cylinder
• Protect gas cylinders from external heat sources that may adversely affect their mechanical
integrity. Do not store next to radiators or other heat sources
• Ensure the valve is kept shut on empty cylinders to prevent contaminants entering the cylinder.
• Store gas cylinders securely when they are not in use, they should be properly restrained against
the wall or in trolleys designed for the purpose. This will prevent them from falling over
• Gas cylinders must be clearly marked to show their contents and the associated hazards
• Store cylinders where they are not vulnerable to hazards caused by impact, e.g. under shelves

Handling
• Cylinders must be transported and securely stored in the trolleys provided for this purpose
• Use gas cylinders in a vertical position, unless specifically designed to be used otherwise
• Cylinders of capacity greater than 19.5 Kg for Oxygen (X), 6.35 Kg for Carbon dioxide (VB), 6.35
Kg for Nitrogen (F) and 19 Kg for Argon mix (X) must not be used within schools. See
appendix 1 for cylinder sizes
• Do not drop, roll or drag gas cylinders
• Wear suitable eye protection, gloves and when required, suitable safety shoes for handling gas
cylinders/regulators
• Do not use valves, shrouds and caps for lifting cylinders unless they have been designed and
manufactured for this purpose
• Any cylinders or regulators involved in an incident (i.e. subject to a fall) must be withdrawn from
service, set aside and clearly marked. No repairs to either cylinder or regulators should ever be
attempted

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Installation of Regulator
• Before connecting a gas regulator to a gas cylinder check they are suitable for the type of gas and
pressure being used, i.e. the pressure of gas in a gas cylinder should never exceed that
maximum pressure allowed for the regulator – both values are displayed on the equipment
• Do not attempt to attach the regulator unless both values are known
• Remove the protective cap from the cylinder, clean with a dry, lint free cloth to remove any debris,
do not use if any debris remains and return to supplier
• Note: carbon dioxide regulators are provided with a nylon washer which must be fitted within the
side entry stem prior to installation

nylon washer

• The nylon washer should be checked for signs of damage on an annual basis and each time the
regulator is installed. Replacement nylon washers are available from TSS
• Make sure the cylinder outlet is not facing yourself or in close proximity to the wall, slowly open
the cylinder valve just enough to allow gas to blow any debris out and quickly close again. This
process is known as ‘snifting’
• Remove the protective cap from the regulator, clean with a dry, lint free cloth to remove any
debris. Retain the protective cap for use when regulator is in storage
• Check for marks or damage on the thread and regulator seating, which may cause a loose fit and
result in gas leakage
• Check the regulator control valve is in the closed (no flow) position by turning fully anticlockwise
• Using a spanner, attach the regulator to the cylinder, there is no need to over tighten the regulator
connection
• Carry out a leak test and record the results on the inspection record, see appendix 1

Producing a flow of gas

Cylinder and regulator control valves should always be opened slowly. Hammers, mallets or excessive
leverage must never be used on a stiff or frozen cylinder valve. Should this be the case, return to supplier.

1. Open the two valves in the following order

2. Turn the cylinder spindle key or cylinder control valve (whichever is applicable). This will
introduce some gas to the regulator head. The inlet pressure gauge should show a reading
3. Slowly open the control valve until the required flow rate is achieved. The outlet pressure gauge
will show almost zero unless pressure is applied to the outlet i.e. connected to gas equipment

Turning off
1. Close the regulator control valve and then the cylinder control valve
2. Vent the regulator by turning the regulator control valve on until all gas contained within the
regulator is released
3. Once all gas in the regulator is released, fully close the regulator control valve
4. Both the inlet pressure gauge and outlet pressure gauge will read zero

Removal of Regulator
1. Make sure both control valve and regulator valve are fully closed and that any excess gas has
been vented
2. Use an adjustable spanner to remove the regulator
3. Clean both regulator outlet connection and cylinder inlet connection with a clean dry cloth to
remove any debris and replace protective caps
4. If the cylinder is empty, mark ‘empty’ and arrange uplift as soon as practicable
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Inspection Record
The Senior Support Service Technician should maintain a record of inspections, using the record sheet
provided. Any faults detected in the gas cylinder should be reported to the supplier immediately and
recorded under additional comments. Any faults detected in the regulator should be reported to TSS and
recorded under additional comments.

Inspection records should be made available to Health and Safety Officers, TSS Staff and any Officer of
the Council if so requested. Records of completed inspections must be retained, in a safe place, for
minimum period of five years after the last entry.

APPENDIX 1

General Inspections
The gas regulator must be checked for leaks by carrying out a simple Leak Test on the occasion of:
• Each assembly of regulator and cylinder
• On an annual basis, the results of which should be recorded
• If there is a suspected leak

Leak Test
• Wear goggles or face visor for this test
• With the regulator fitted to the cylinder attach a short length of rubber tubing to the outlet and
close the open end with a lab screw clip
• With a paintbrush apply a 1% Teepol solution over the joints and the outside of the regulator.
Other generic detergents should never be used due to the hydrocarbon content which may
result in contamination
• Adjust the output pressure to a very low flow rate
• If any leaks are indicated by the appearance of small bubbles and if there is obvious signs of
damage, return the cylinder to the supplier for further testing. Contact TSS if there is damage to
the regulator
• If there are no obvious signs of damage, remove the regulator, wipe clean with a clean dry, lint
free cloth and re-attach the regulator to re-test
• If leak remains, return cylinder to the supplier and contact TSS for further advice regarding the
regulator
• Once leak test is complete please ensure that you remove any remaining Teepol solution with a
damp cloth and dry the regulator
• Vent the regulator by turning the regulator control valve on until all gas contained within the
regulator is released
• Ensure all valves and/or connections are closed, before returning to storage

Cylinder size

References have been made to:

SSERC Bulletin 205
SSERC Bulletin 227
SSERC Hazardous Chemicals
Safe Use of Gas Cylinders HSE 2004
th
Safe Guards in the school laboratory 11 Edition

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 Glasgow City Council

EDUCATION SERVICES
Technician Support Service TGS10/a
Gas Cylinder Regulator Inspection

Gas Regulator: Oxygen Barcode: Date of Purchase:

Visual Inspection Physical Regulator
Inspection Date Comments Signed
damage – Yes/No Leak test ()

Gas Regulator: Carbon Dioxide Barcode: Date of Purchase:

Visual Inspection Physical Regulator
Inspection Date Comments Signed
damage * – Yes/No Leak test ()

Gas Regulator: Argon Barcode: Date of Purchase:

Visual Inspection Physical Regulator
Inspection Date Comments Signed
damage – Yes/No Leak test ()

Additional Comments:

*Carbon Dioxide regulators should include an additional physical check of the nylon washer annually