Anyone handling a cylinder must first identify the gas inside the cylinder. Do not use or handle a cylinder if you have not identified the contents. Then you will not know what precautions to take in case of an emergency.
How are cylinders identified?
Gas cylinders are identified by stamps (die-cuts), stickers and the colour of the cylinder. The identification markings are determined by the different regulations.
Gas cylinder labels
For gas identification, the most important label is the product label. It contains the name of the gas, any applicable trade name, the composition (for mixtures), safety instructions, cylinder size, classification markings, and the gas supplier’s contact details. The background colour of the product label is white for medicinal gases, yellow for industrial gases, and green for food-grade gases. The information provided on the product label is based on the regulations issued by Fimea, the Finnish Medicines Agency.
Stamping of a gas cylinder
Another important means of identifying a gas cylinder is the permanent marking on the neck of the cylinder, known as stamping. The name of the gas contained in the cylinder is always marked on the shoulder of the cylinder. The markings also provide information about the cylinder’s inspections, manufacturer, weight, pressure and volume. All markings are made in accordance with the SFS-EN 13769 standard.
Gas cylinder colouring
The cylinders are coloured in accordance with EN 1089-3. According to the standard, the cylindrical part of the cylinders is white for medical gases. The rim of the cylinders indicates the type of gas contained in the cylinder.
Some gases have a specific identification colour:
- Medical oxygen – white
- Medical laughing gas – blue
- Medical quality nitrogen – black
- Medical carbon dioxide – grey
- Medical air – black/white
If the gas does not have a specific identification colour, then the colour of the hard part is determined by the gas property as follows:
- Oxidizable – blue
- Inert – green
- Toxic or corrosive – yellow
- Flammable – red
In the case of mixed gases, the neck section may have more than one colour depending on the gases. If the gases have the same concentration, stamping and painting are carried out in a predetermined sequence.
Gas cylinder color chart
The cylinder color chart includes all Woikoski’s medical gas cylinders to facilitate identification.
FIND OUT MORE
- Medical gasesMedical gas means a gas or gas mixture classified as a medicinal product, the use of which is based on a pharmacological effect.
- Gas trainingWoikoski Medical offers tailor-made gas training courses that provide a good preparation for safe handling of gases.
- Periodic inspection of gas cylindersDuring the periodic inspection, the cylinder is subjected to a test pull and an external and internal inspection.
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