DGYS xxx:2019  
  
 
 
 
DRAFT  GUYANA STANDARD  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Specification  
for 
 The storage, handling and transportation of LPG cylinders  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guyana National Bureau of Standards    
 
 
Comments Period: November  05, 2019 to January  03, 2020. DGYS xxx:2019  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PUBLISHED BY THE GUYANA NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS,  
FLAT 15, SOPHIA EXHIBITION COMPLEX,  
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA.  
COPYRIGHT © GUYANA NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, 2005.  
 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION  
MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM, IN AN ELECTRONIC  
RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OR OTHERWISE, WITHOUT THE PRIOR  
PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER.  DGYS xxx:2019  
   
 
Content s 
 
                                                                                                                      Page   
 
 
Foreword  i  
 
Members of the Technical Committee – Mechanical Engineering  ii 
 
Standard  
 
1. Scope                                                                                                              1 
 
1
 
  
2. Definitions                                                                                                      1 
 
3. Cylinder specifications        1 
 
4. Handling  6 
 
5. Transportation         6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DGYS xxx:2019  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
i 
        Foreword  
 
 
This Guyana Standard was adapted by the Technical Committee –. 
 
In the formulation  of this standard, assistance was derived from the following publications:  
 
(a) LPG Road Transport Standard.  Shell International Petroleum Company 
Limited.  October 2002.  
(b) The storage of LPG in cylinders and cartridges at distributors, dealers, 
retailers, etc.  and at customers ’ premises.  
 
This standard was developed to establish requirements for the safe use and storage of LPG 
Cylinders.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DGYS xxx:2019  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ii 
 
 
Members of the Technical Committee –  
 
Name       Affiliation  
Mr. Gavin Todd      National St andards Council  
Mr. Haimwant Persaud     SOL Guyana  Inc. 
Mr. Gavin G. Marshall     SOL Guyana Inc.  
Mr. Carl Foo       Environmental Protection Agency  
Mr. Suraj Nazir      GUYGAS  
Ms. Troleisha Barry  Competition and Consumer 
Affairs Commission  
Ms. Thandiwe Benn  Guyana Energy Agency  
Mr. Pameshwar Jhruveanand  GUYOIL  
Mr. Shailendra Rai  Guyana National Bureau of 
Standards  
Mr. Hemraj Sanichara  Guyana National Bureau of 
Standards  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DGYS xxx:2019  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
iii 
Specification  
for 
 LPG cylinders  - qualification, labelling, stor age, handling and 
transportation  
 
1 Scope   
 
This standard applies to the storage and handling of portable containers used for 
storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (LPG)  and to the transportation of these 
containers.   
 
2 Definitions   
          
 For the purp ose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply:  
 
2.1 liquefied petroleum gases (LPG):  Material composed primarily of the following 
hydrocarbons either by themselves or as mixtures: propane, butane, propylene and 
butylene.  
 
2.2 container:  Any ve ssel, including  tanks and cylinders that are used for transporting or 
 storing LPG.  
  
2.3 cylinder:  A portable container  designed and constructed to contain LPG  with a water 
capacity  less than 454 k g . 
 
 
3 Cylinder specifications   
 
3.1 Containers  specifications   
 
Cylinders shall conform to the following specifications  and be stamped to indicate 
such:  
 
(a)  DOT 4B -240 ; 
(b)  DOT 4BA -240 ; DGYS xxx:2019  
  (c)  DOT  4BW -240 ; or 
(d)  DOT  4E-240 ; 
 
In cases where the above specifications are not met, a working pressure of 16.56 
Kg/cm2 (240 psi) or more shall be clearly marked by the manufacturer on the 
cylinder . 
 
 
 
 
 
1 
3.2 Cylinder markings  
  
 Cylinders shall be properly marked with the following :  
 
(a) tare weight ; 
(b)  water capacity ; 
(c) serial number ; 
(d) manufacturer or trade name ; 
(e) date of manufacture or last test date ; 
(f) tester’s symbol ; and  
(g)    Cylinder specification or  working pressure . 
 
3.3 Connections and a ppurtenances   
 
Cylinders shall  be fitted with the following connections and appurtenances:  
 
(a) safety  relief device  that is designed to relieve vapour.  
 
(b) cylinder shroud, in  good condition that is securely welded to the cylinder 
body, and protects the service valve. In the event that the cylinder is not fitted 
with a shroud , a neck ring should be fitted onto the cylinder to allow a valve 
protection cap to be screwed onto the cylinder ; and  
 
(c) foot ring, in good condition that is securely welded to the cylinder body, 
enables the cylinder to stand in a stable, vertical position, and prevents 
contact between the cylinder bottom and the ground.  
 
3.4 Cylinder body   
 
The body of the cylind er shall be in good condition, and the following shall apply:  
 
(a) there are no sharp dents or cuts ; 
(b) no dents on welds ; 
(c) no evidence of exposure to fire or excessive heat ; 
(d) no bulging of cylinder ; 
(e) no corrosion pitting ; and  
(f) no general corrosion that could weaken the cylinder wall . 
 DGYS xxx:2019  
  3.5    Cylinder repairs:   
 
Repairs  or replacement of non -pressure parts of the cylinder such as the foot ring and 
neck ring shall  be done only if welding or excess heat is not applied to the pressure 
bearing part of the cylinder. After repairs are completed, the cylinder shall be 
subjected to testi ng for requalification. Repairs or replacement of pressure bearing 
components of cylinders shall  not be performed.  
 
 
 
 
2 
3.6    Cylinder requalification   
 
Cylinders shall be requalified period ically according to the following intervals:  
  
(a) every 12 years if the previous requalification method used was the DOT water 
jacket type hydrostatic test; or  
 
(b) Every 7 years if the previous requalification method used was the DOT simple 
hydrostatic test.  
 
(c) Every 5 years if the previous requalification method used was visual inspection.  
 
3.6.1  Water jacket type hydrostatic test  
 
A pressure of twice the marked service pressure is applied, using a water jacket so 
that the total expansion of the cylinder during th e application of the test pressure can 
be observed and recorded for comparison with the permanent expansion o f the 
cylinder after depressuris ation. Cylinders that passed the retest are mar ked with the 
month and year (for example, 8 -04 – August, 2006 ). Cyli nders that leak or for which 
the permanent expansion exceeds 10% of the total expansion shall be rejected.  
 
3.6.2 Simple h ydrostatic test  
 
Cylinders are filled with water and a pressure of twice the marked service pressure is 
applied. The cylinder is caref ully observed while under test pressure for leaks, 
swelling or bulging indicating weakness. Cylinders that passed the test are marked 
with the month and year (see 3.6.1 ). Cylinders that leak or develop swelling or bulging 
shall be rejected .  
 
3.7 Storage  location   
 
Cylinders in storage shall be located in such a manner that exposure to corrosive 
substances or atmospheres, excessive temperature, tampering and physical damage 
are minimi sed. They shall  be stored outdoors  in a secure, well ventil ated environmen t 
from  doorways or openings of buildings frequented by the public. Stora ge of LPG 
cylinders shall not  be below ground level, that is,  in pits or basements. Escape and 
access routes from the premises  shall not  be blocked or in any way obstructed. 
Cylinder s hall not be stored with oxidizers.  DGYS xxx:2019  
   
3.8 Outdoor storage  
 
Storage should shall  be in cages or cabinets that are robust and capable of supporting 
the full weight of the cyl inders to be stored. They shall  be of strong steel frame 
construction and  provide adequate  ventilation . The following requirements shall  be 
observed:  
 
(a) cages shall  be positioned safely in the open air on level ground in accordance 
with      the separation distances in Table 1 ; 
 
3 
             (b) if storage is in petrol stations , a separation di stance of not less than 4 m  from 
petrol umps, petr ol tank manlids, vents etc. shall be observed;  
 
(c) cages shall  be kept locked and under direct supervision in order to deny 
 unauthori sed access;  
 
(d)  cages shall  have the marking , “Danger ”, “H ighly flamm able LPG ”, “No  
smoking ” or “open flame ” and “Emergency Procedures” ; 
 
(e)  cylinders shall  be stored with their valves upright, and with the valves  
uppermost;  
 
(f)   a dequate provision shall be made to prevent  vehicular impact with the cage; 
and 
 
 (g) all combustible material shall be stored no less  than 4 m away from the cage . 
 
 
3.9 Separation distances  (Drawing not provided)  
 
Table 1  shows the horizontal distance away from the following areas that a quantity 
of LPG shall  be stored:  
 
(a) line of  adjoining buildin g that may be or is built upon ; 
(b) busy thoroughfares or sidewalks ; and  
(c) line of adjoining property occupied by places of public gathering .  
 
 
Table 1  
 
Quantity of LPG stored  
(kg)  Horizontal distance to 
a 
(m)  Horizontal 
distance to b 
and  c 
(m)  
0 to 325  0  0  
326  to 1,135   0  3  
1,136  to 2,725  3.  3  
2,726  to 4,540   6  6  DGYS xxx:2019  
  Over 4,540  8  8  
  
Note:    For the purpose of determin ing the quantity of LPG stored above, 
all cylinders shall be considered full regardless of the quantity actually 
in them.  
 
 
 
 
 
4 
 
3.10 Indoor storage   
 
Where cylinders are stored inside buildings, no more than 27 kg  LPG shall nor be 
stored.  If more than 27 kg  are stored indoors, the building shall be constructed using 
a non -combustible material having a fire resistance of not less th an 1 hour and one 
of the following means of ventilation shall be used on the building : 
 
(a) mechanical ventilation that shall discharge air at a minimum rate of 0.3 m³ 
per minute per square meter of floor area ; or  
 
(b) where natural ventilation is used, permanent regularly spaced openings 
shall be provided at both high and low levels on the outside walls to ensure 
sufficient natural ventilation . These openings shall total at least 2.5% of the 
total roof and outside wall area.  
 
Ventilation points shall be arranged to provide air movement as uniformly 
as possible, and shall be provided at ground level and at high points on the 
wall. Ventilation shall  discharge to safe locations which are within the 
separation distances specified in Table 1 .  
 
The following s hall also apply for indoor storage  (would this apply to bottlers as 
well?) : 
 
(i) storage shall be at the ground floor level with at least one side of the   store 
as the building’s external wall;  
 
(ii) no more than 2000 kg of LPG, and no other flammable mat erial s hall be 
stored in this building;  
 
(iii) where the storage area is within a building , the internal walls separating the 
store from the rest of the building sh all be of concrete construction;  
 
(iv) cylinders shall not be stored within an enclosed cupb oard or cabinet within 
a building;  
 
(v) LPG cylinders shall n ot be stored below ground level;  
 DGYS xxx:2019  
  (vi) escape exits shall be provided  a clear distance of no more than 12 m from 
any part of  the building to an escape exit;  
 
(vii)   all cylinders shall be stored upr ight with the pressure relief valve positioned 
in direc t contact with the vapour space and  
 
(viii)  the requirements for fire extinguishers shall be observed.  
 
(ix) storage area shall have the following markings: “ Danger”, “Highly 
flammable LPG”, “No  smoki ng” , “open flame” and “Emergency 
Procedures”  
 
5 
3.11  Cylinder stacking   
 
Cylinders  shall  be stacked one on top of the other.  The following shall  be observed:  
 
(a) the shrouds must be of sufficient diameter that the stack will be stable and of 
sufficient heigh t that the cylinder  valves will not be damaged;  
 
 (b) thin pieces of wood may be used to separate the layers. These pieces of  
              wood shall be flat and undamaged; and  
 
(c) cylinders of less than 20 kg shall  be stacked no higher than four high. 
Cylinders between 21 kg and 35kg shall  be stacked no more than two high. 
Cylinders greater than 35 kg shall  not be stacked more than one high.  
 
3.12  Fire e xtinguishers   
 
Storage locations shall be provided with the appropriate number of extinguishers 
for de aling with LPG fires according to the following volumes:  
 
(a) less than 400 kg     - One 9 kg  BC extinguisher ; 
(b) 400 – 5,000 kg      - Two 9 kg  BC extinguishers ; and  
(c) Over 5,000 kg     - Two 9 k . BC extinguishers plus one extra for  
every additional 10,000 kg  of LP G (please 
clarify) .  
 
3.13  Cylinders for display   
 
LPG cylinders that are stored for display, use and sale inside retail areas shall be 
subject to the following conditions:  
 
(a) cylinders l arger that 25 kg capacity shall  not be stored inside retail 
 premis es for display, use or sale ; and  
 
(b) only gas free cylinders sh all be stored in permanent window or other point 
of  sales display.  
 DGYS xxx:2019  
  4 Handling  
  
 When handling LPG cylinders , care shall  be exercised and  the following shall  be 
observed:   
   
          (a) cylinders shall  not be rolled on their sides but s hall be either carried bodily, 
rolled on their foot rings or carried by properly designed mechanical handling 
equipment;  
 
(b) Cylinders shall  always be handled in a manner that minimi ses damage to valves,  
foot rings, shrouds and caps.  
 
6 
 
Cylinder filling:  LPG cylinders shall be filled only by the owners provided that the owners 
carry on an authori sed business. In circumstances where the owner of a cylinder does not 
carry on an authori sed LPG business a cylin der shall be filled by permission of the owner by 
an authori sed LPG business only.  
 
5 Transportation   
 
  In the process of transportation of cylinders, the following shall be observed:  
 
(a) vehicles shall not be loaded above the g ross vehicle weight of the  vehicle ; 
 
(b) cylinders shall be determined leak free before loading them on vehicles. ; 
 
(c) all cylinders greater than 4.5 kg  LPG capacity shall be transported in an upright 
position, with the pressure relief device in direct contact with the vapour spac e 
of the  cylinder;  
 
(d) the cargo space in which the LPG is stored shall be isolated from the driver’s 
 compartment, the engine and the exhaust system ; 
 
(e) cylinders shall  be transported in open bodied vehicles . Small cylinders may be 
transported in passe nger cars up to a limit of 40 kg  They shall be fastened 
securely in position to minimi se the possibility of movement, tipping, or physical 
damage either to themselves or the supporting structure.  The restraint used 
shall  take int o consideration movement th at may arise from both braking and 
acceleration forces ; and  
 
(f) cylinders shall  be stacked safely. In addition to the requirements for cylinder 
 stacking (above),  the following shall  be observed:  
 
(i) stacking shall  be done in such a manner that no more t han ¼ of the height 
of the top layer of cylinders is higher than the height of the sides of the 
truck.  
  
 (ii) persons shall not be allowed to travel within the cylinder containing 
structure   of the vehicle ; 
 DGYS xxx:2019  
        (iii)   cylinders shall not  be dropped o r thrown onto or off the vehicles, or rolled                   
horizontally along the ground , but trundled on the foot ring or moved in a 
properly designed wheelbarrow;  
 
                    (iv)  vehicles transporting more than 225 kg  LPG shall have a clea rly visible sign 
that reads “Danger ”,” Highly f lammable gas ” or “No Smoking ”; and 
 
 (v) each vehicle shall be equipped with at least one approved portable fire 
extinguisher having a minimum capacity of 9 kg  dry chemical with a B:C 
rating.  
Exception:  The pr ovisions of this section do not apply to the transportation of LPG on 
vehicles on which LPG is used as the fuel for its propulsion.  
7