DGYSxxx  : 20 19 
 
 
  
DRAFT GUYANA  STANDARD  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Specification  
for 
The storage, handling and transport of  
steel compressed gas cylinder  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Guyana National Bureau of Standards  
 
Comments Period: November 05 , 2019 to January 03 , 2020. 
                                                                                                                                                           GYS 453 : 2008  
   
 
 
 
Warning for WDs and CD s 
This document is a Draft Guyana  Standard. It is distributed for review and comment. It is subject to change 
without notice and may not be  referred to as National Standard.  
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent righ ts of 
which they are aware and provide  supporting documentation  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, elec tronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or 
posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested 
from GNBS  at the address below . 
 
Guyana National Bureau of Standards  (GNBS)  
Flat 15, Sophia Exhibition C omplex,  
Sophia  
Georgetown, Guyana.  
Telephone: 592 -219 -0064 – 66 
Fax: 592 -219 -0070  
Email: standards@gnbsgy.org  
Website: www.gnbsgy.org  
                                                                                                                                                            GYS 453 : 2008  
  Contents  
                                                                                                                                                   
 Page  
Foreword      i 
 
Members of the Technical Committee – Mechanical Engineering      ii     
 
Standard  
 
1. Scope   1 
    
2. Definitions  1 
 
3. Cylinde r specifications  1 
 
4. Storage                3 
 
5. Handling                     4 
 
6. Transportation                4 
 
Appendix A – Cylinder nesting             6 
 
 
  
  
   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
i                                                                                                                                                            GYS 453 : 2008  
  Foreword  
 
This Guyana Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee – Mechanical Engineering and 
approved by the National Standards Council in 2008.  
 
In the preparation of this standard, information was derived from the following publications:  
 
(a) Compressed Gas Association Incorporated, Handbook of Compressed Gases,  Third 
edition, New Y ork; Chapman and Hall, 1990;  
 
(b) Compressed Gas Association Incorporated, Pamphlet C -1 – Methods for Hydrosati c 
Testing of Compressed Gas Cylinders, Sixth edition, 1991; and  
(c) Compressed Gas Association, Incorporated, Phamplet C -13 – Guidelines or Periodic 
Visu al In spection and requalification of Acetylene Cylinders, Third edition, 1992.  
 
This standard was developed to establish requirements for the safe use of storage of steel 
compressed gas cylinders.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ii                                                                                                                                                            GYS 453 : 2008  
  Members of the Technical Committee - Mech anical Engineering  
 
Name   Affiliation  
Mr. Melvyn Sankies  (Chairperson ) - Faculty of Technology, University of Guyana  
Mr. Compton Spar man  - Guyana Fire Service Department  
Mr. August Harris  - Demerara Oxygen Company Limited  
Ms. Devika Sarju  - Choke Service S tation  
Mr. Earl Morris  - Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated  
Mr. Stanley Sahib  - Infinity Service Station  
Mr. Sherwyn Clarke  - Guyana Energy Agency  
Mr. Forrest Smartt (Technical Secretary)  - Guyana National Bureau of Standards  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Iii                                                                                                                                                            GYS 453 : 2008  
  Specifi cation  
for 
The storage, handling and transport of steel                                    
compressed gas cylinders  
 
1   Scope  
 
This standard specifies the minimum requirements for the storage, handling and vehicular 
transport of steel high pressure compr essed gas cylinders and acetylene . 
 
This standard does not cover the storage, handling and transport of ammonia cylinders.     
 
2  Definitions  
 
For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply:  
 
2.1 compressed gases :  Any material or mixture having in the container or absolute pressure 
exceeding 40 psi at 70  0F, having an absolute pressure exceeding 10 psi at 130  0F, or any liquid 
material  having a vapour exceeding 40 psi absolute at 100 0F, as determined by ASTM Test D -323 
“Standard t est method for vapour pressure of petroleum products”.  (Reid method)  
 
2.2 CGA: Compressed Gas Association.   
 
2.3 cylinder :  A portable container designed and constructed to contain compressed gases with a 
water capacity of 454kg Department of Transportati on (DOT).  
 
2.4 DOT: Department of transportation.  
 
2.5 nesting:   A Three point contact system where cylinders are in contact at three points  ; either 
with a secure wall or with another cylinder.  (See Appendix A).   
 
3 Cylinder speciation  
 
3.1 Containers s pecifications  
 
Cylinders shall conform to the following specifications and be stamped to indicate such:  
(a) DOT -3A; 
(b) DOT -3AA;  
(c) DOT -8; or  
(d) DOT -8AL.  
 
 
1                                                                                                                                                            GYS 453 : 2008  
  Note:  In cases where the above specifications are not met, a service pressure of 176 kg/cm2  (250  
psi) is used for acetylene cylinders and 127  kg/cm2 (1800 psi) for high pressure cylinders or 
more which shall be clearly marked by the manufacturer on the cylinder.  
3.2 Cylinder markings  
Cylinders shall be clearly marked with the following information:  
(a) the specif ication under which they are made;  
(b) the service pressure for which they are designed;  
(c) a serial number of the manufacturer;  
(d) a symbol of the manufacturer;  
(e) date of manufacturer or last test date; and  
(f) a tester’s symbol.  
 
3.3 Connections and appurtenances  
 
Cylin ders shall be fitted with the following connections and appurtenances:  
 
(a) a necking to facilitate the proper fitting of the cylinder cap of the cylinder;  
(b) a cylinder valve for filling and withdrawal of gas from the cylinder; and  
(c) a safety relief device that is  designed to relieve pressure build up in cylinders.  
 
3.4 Cylinder body  
The body of the cylinder shall not have:  
(a) sharp dents or cuts;  
(b) dents on welds;  
(c) evidence of exposure to fire or excessive heat;  
(d) bulging;  
(e) corrosion pitting; and  
(f) corrosion that could weake n the cylinder wall.  
 
3.5 Cylinder repairs  
Repairs or replacement of non -pressure parts of the cylinder such as the foot and neck rings shall 
be done only if welding or excess heat is not applied to the pressure bearing part of the cylinder.  
3.6 Cylinder r equalification  
Cylinders shall be requalified periodically according to the following intervals:  
(a) every 10 years if the retest marking has a star(*); and  
(b) every 5 years if the retest marking has no star.  
 
2                                                                                                                                                            GYS 453 : 2008  
  3.6.1  Water jacket type hydrostatic test  
Test press ures of 236.3 kg/cm2 (3360 psi) for 3AA2015, 265.5 kg.cm2 (3775 psi) for 3AA2265 and 
281 kg/ cm2 (4000 psi) for 3AAA2400 cylinders are used in the hydrostatic testing of the high 
pressure cylinders .  The total expansion of the cylinder during the applicatio n of the test pressure 
shall be obs erved and recorded for comparis on with the permanent expansion of the cylinder after 
depressurization.  
Cylinders that passed the retest are marked with the month and year (e.g. August, 2004).  Cylinders 
that have a perman ent expansion exceeding 10% of the total expansion shall be rejected.  
Note:  This does not apply to acetylene cylinders.  
4 Storage  
The following requirements shall be observed:  
(a) cylinders shall be stored in a well ventilated area and shall not be subjected to ignition 
sources or ambient temperatures above 125 0F (51.7 0C).  They shall be stored and secured 
in an upright position and shall not be exposed to continuo us dampness, salt or other 
corr osive chemicals or  fumes.  Corro sion can damage cylinders and ca use their valve 
protection to stick;  
 
(b) cylinders shall be placed in a location where they will not be subjected to mechanical 
or physical damage and shall not be left unattended in hallways, corridors, stairways or 
other areas of access and or eg ress.;  
 
(c) the names of the gases stored in appropriately selected areas shall be  prominently 
posted.  Flammable gases shall be stored separately from oxidizing gases.  A minimum 
distance of 6.1m or noncombustible  barrier at least 1.5m high having a fire resistance of a t 
least one and a half hour, shall separate the se gases.  A CGA shoulder decal shall be used to 
identify cylinder contents;  
 
(d) the cylinder storage areas shall be marked with cautionary signs, such as ‘storage o f 
flammable, oxidizer or toxic materials;”  
 
(e) whe re removable caps are provided for valve protection, the user shall keep such caps 
on the containers at all times, except at time of filling or withdrawal or gas from the 
cylinder;  
 
(f) when empty cylinders are to be returned to the vendor, they shall be marke d “Empty” 
or “MT” .  Empty cylinders shall be segrega ted from full cylinders.  
 
(g) All compressed gas cylinders in service or in storage at user’s location, shall be 
secured to prevent falling.  At gas manufacturer’s facilities and distributors storage house,  
 
3                                                                                                                                                            GYS 453 : 2008  
   
the nesting of cylinders shall be the method of storage.  ( See Appendix A).  In seismically  
active areas additional measures shall be required to prevent cylinders from falling in 
storage.  
 
Note:  Before the storag e of compressed gas cylinders at  any b ond or storage house, the Guyana Fire  
Service  Department shall be consulted to inspect the proposed site of storage.  
5 Handling  
Compressed gas cylinders shall:  
(a) Not be rolled on their sides but shall be rolled on their foot rings or bottom;  
(b) Be handled in a  manner that minimizes damage to valves, foot rings and caps; and  
(c) Not be rolled, dropped, slid or allowed to come in contact with sharp objects.  They 
shall not be exposed to fire or flames from welding torches.  
 
5.1 Cylinder filling  
Compressed gas cylinde rs shall be filled only by the owners, provided  that the owners carry on an 
authorised business.  In circumstances where the owner of a cylinder does not carry on an 
authorized compressed gas business, a cylinder shall be filled by permission of the owner of an 
authorized compressed gas business only.  
6 Transportation  
In the process of transportation of cylinders, the following shall be observed:  
(a) Vehicles shall not be loaded above the gross vehicle weight;  
(b) Cylinders shall be determined leak free before load ing into vehicles;  
(c) The cargo space in which the cylinders are stored shall be isolated from the driver’s 
compartment, the engine and the exhaust system  
(d) Cylinders shall be transported in open bodied vehicles.  They shall be fastened securely 
in an upright p osition, m inim izing the possibility of move ment , tipping, or physical damage 
either to themselves or the supporting structure.  The resistant used shall take into 
consideration movement  that may arise from braking and acceleration forces;  
(e) Cylinders shall n ot be dropped or thrown onto or off the vehicles , or rolled horizontally 
along the ground;  
(f) 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;  
(g)   Only one cy linder shall be handled or moved at a time;  
(h)   The cover cap shall be screwed on tight and remain on for value protection during 
transportation until the cylinder is in place and ready to use;  
(i)  Cylinders shall not be transported with the regulator attached to the cylinder;  
 
 
4                                                                                                                                                            GYS 453 : 2008  
  (j)   Vehicles transporting gas shall have a sign indicating the name of the gas being 
transported.  The size of the letters indicating the name of the gas being transported shall 
have a minimum of 5.08 cm height.  The letters of the name of the gas transported shall be 
black with white background; and  
(k) No compressed gas shall be transported in a cylinder which is not properly labelled as 
specified in 4.0(d).  
  
Note:  Cylinders that con tain compressed gases are primarily shipping containers  and shall not be 
subjected to rough handling or abuse.  Such misuse can seriously weaken the cylinder and render it 
unfit for further use or  transform it into a rocket having sufficient thrust to drive it through masonry 
walls.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5                                                                                                                                                            GYS 453 : 2008  
  Appendi x A 
Cylinder nesting  
 
PROPERLY NESTED CYLINDERS  
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 1  
 
 
 
IMPROPERLY NESTED CYLINDERS  
 
 
 
 
Figure 2  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6 
WALL MOUNTED  
NESTED UNSUPPORTED  
THREE POINT CONTACT SYSTEM 
ALL CYLINDERS ARE IN 
CONTACT ON THREE          
POINTS -EITHER WITH OTHER 
CYLINDERS OR WALL  THREE POINT CONTACT 
SYSTEM  
ALL CYLINDERS ARE IN 
CONTACT  WIT H OTHER 
CYLINDERS ON THREE 
POINTS  
END CYLINDERS NOT IN 
CONTACT WITH OT HER 
CYLINDERS ON THREE 
POINTS  END CYLINDERS IN 
CONTACT WITH 
OTHER CYLINDERS ON 
ONLY TWO POINTS