Saturday, June 12, 2021

Gas Cylinder Rules

In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 5 &7 of the Explosives Act, 1884 and in Supersession of the Gas Cylinder Rules,2004, the Gas cylinder Rules,2016 is framed. The Rules has 73 Sections (numbered 1 to 73) covered under 9 Chapters (numbered I to IX), 6 Schedules (numbered I to VI).
The different Chapters with their titles in the Rules are as under:

Chapter - I: Preliminary

Chapter - II: General Provisions

Chapter - III: Importation of Cylinders

Chapter - IV: Examination and Testing of Cylinders

Chapter - V: Dissolved Acetylene Gas Cylinders

Chapter - VI: Filling and Possession

Chapter - VII: Power to Exempt

Chapter - VIII: Accidents and Inquiries

Chapter - IX: Powers

 

DEFINITIONS

RULE NO.2 (XVI) "CRYOGENIC CONTAINER " means a double walled insulated closed metal container having volume exceeding 500 ml but not exceeding 1000 liters intended for filling, storage and transport of cryogenic liquid fabricated as per codes approved by the Chief Controller;

RULE NO.2 (XVII) "CRYOGENIC LIQUID" means liquid form of permanent gas having normal boiling point below minus150 ° C;

RULE NO.2 (XXVI) "FLAMMABLE GAS" means any gas which, if either a mixture of 13 percent or less (by volume) with air forms a flammable mixture or the flammability range with air is greater than 12 percent regardless of the lower limit and these limits shall be determined at atmospheric temperature and pressure;

RULE NO. 2. (XXIII) "GAS CYLINDER" OR "CYLINDER" means any closed metal container having a volume exceeding 500 ml but not exceeding 1000 liters intended for the storage and transport of compressed gas, including any liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) container or compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder fitted to a motor vehicle as its fuel tank but not including any other such container fitted to a special transport or undercarriage and includes a composite cylinder and cryogenic container, however, the water capacity of cylinder used for storage of CNG, nitrogen, compressed air, etc., may exceed 1000 liters up to 3000 liters provided the diameter of such cylinder does not exceed 60 cm;

RULE NO. 2 (XXXII) "HYDROSTATIC STRETCH TEST" means subjecting the cylinder to a hydrostatic pressure equal to the test pressure of the cylinder and recording the permanent stretch undergone by the cylinder;


SALIENT FEATURES OF THE RULES 

RULE NO. 03 FILLING, POSSESSION, IMPORT AND TRANSPORT OF CYLINDER

No person shall fill any cylinder with any compressed gas or import, possess or transport any cylinder so filled or intended to be filled with such gas unless-

(a) Such cylinder and its valve have been constructed to a type and standard specified in Schedule I (Gas cylinder Standards)

(b) The test and inspection certificates issued by the inspecting authority in respect of cylinder and its valve are made available to the Chief Controller and prior approval of the said authority is obtained.

RULE NO. 5. SAFETY RELIEF DEVICES

(1) The cylinders manufactured in India, if fitted with safety relief devices in their bodies, shall have such safety devices manufactured and maintained in accordance with IS: 5903.

(2) The cylinders containing obnoxious or poisonous gases (carbon monoxide, Hydrogen chloride) shall not be provided with any safety device.

RULE NO. 6. MARKINGS ON CYLINDERS

The markings on cylinder shall be as follows:

(a) Every cylinder shall be clearly and permanently marked in accordance with following conditions by stamping, engraving or similar processes, namely:-

(i) On the shoulder of the cylinder which shall be reinforced by forging or other means; or

(ii) On such a part which is inseparably bound with the cylinder and which is not or only negligibly effected by the stresses due to the gas pressure within it

(b) The name plate shall not be affixed to the cylinder by soldering if there is a risk of corrosion or embitterment;

(c) In conjunction with the original marking, space shall be provided for stamping the test date obtained at the periodic inspection;

(d) Markings shall be so carried out and the letters and numerals used shall be of such shape and size that the marking is clear and easily readable and does not give place for misreading.

RULE NO. 8. IDENTIFICATION COLOURS

(1) Every person filling any cylinder with any compressed gas shall, before it is stored or dispatched, shall ensure that the cylinder is painted with appropriate identification colours specified in IS:4379 for industrial cylinders, IS:15683 or IS:2878 for fire extinguishers and IS:3933 for medical cylinders.

(2) The cylinders used for new gases and gas which identification colours are not provided, shall be painted with the colours indicated in the following table, namely:

 


(3) No person shall in any way interfere with or change the colour painted on a gas cylinder.

 

RULE NO. 9. LABELING OF CYLINDERS

(1) Every cylinder shall be labelled with the name of the gas and the name and address of the person by whom the cylinder was filled with gas.

(2) A warning in the following terms shall be attached to every cylinder containing permanent or liquefiable gas, namely:

"WARNING"

Gas Cylinders, Rules, 2016

(i) Do not change the colour of this cylinder.

(ii) This cylinder shall not be filled with any gas other than the one it now contains.

(iii) No flammable material should be stored in the close vicinity of this cylinder or in the same room in which it is kept.

(iv) No oil or similar lubricant shall be used on the valves or other fittings of this cylinder.

(v) Please look for the next date of test, which is marked on a metal ring inserted between the valves and the neck of the cylinder, and if this date is over, do not accept the cylinder for filling.

 

RULE NO.13 PROHIBITION OF EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AND INTOXICATED PERSON

No child under the age of eighteen years and no person who is in a state of intoxication shall be employed in-charge of loading or unloading or transport of any compressed gas cylinder or in any premises licensed under these rules.

RULE NO. 14 PROHIBITION OF SMOKING, FIRE, LIGHT AND DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES

(1) No person shall smoke and no fire, other than blow pipe flame for repairs, or no articles or such other substances of flammable nature or liable to spontaneous ignition or to cause or communicate fire or explosion shall be allowed at any time in proximity to a place where any cylinder for flammable gases is being filled, stored or handled.

(2) No person in or near any place where cylinders containing flammable gases are filled, stored or handled shall have in his possession matches, fuses, mobile phone or any other appliance for producing ignition or explosion.

RULE NO. 15 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

(1) The cylinder together with its valve and other fittings and the fittings and the identification colours under these rules shall always be maintained in good condition.

(2) No oil or similar lubricant shall be used on any valves or other fittings of any cylinder.

(3) No cylinder shall be subjected to any heat treatment or exposed to a high temperature or to the Sun or stored with any other flammable or explosive material.

(4) Every cylinder containing compressed gas shall have its valve securely closed so as to prevent leakage. Valves fitted to the cylinders containing liquefied petroleum gas and highly toxic gases like Boron Trifluoride, Carbon Monoxide, Fluorine, Hydrogen Chloride, Cyanogen Chloride, Chlorine Trifluoride, Hydrogen Cynide, Hydrogen Fluoride, Hydrogen Sulphide, Methyl Bromide, Nitrogen Tetroxide, Chlorine, Ammonia or Sulphur dioxide shall be provided with security plug on the outlet to act as a secondary means of safeguard against leakage of gas.

(5) If a leak in the valve cannot be rectified by tightening the gland nut or the spindle, the cylinder shall be removed to an open space where it is least dangerous to life and property and the filler shall be informed and in the case of LPG cylinder, the safety cap shall be fixed to arrest the leak and the cylinder shall be moved to an open space.

(6) Proper neutralisation or scrubbing system shall be provided in the cylinder filling and storage area for toxic and corrosive gases.

(7) Adequate emergency handling equipment's or kits and protective equipment's like hand gloves, gas masks, breathing apparatus, goggles, gum boots shall be provided in the toxic, corrosive and flammable gas storage shed.

(8) An efficient Emergency alarm with operating switch to be provided in toxic and corrosive gas storage area.

RULE NO.16. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AGAINST ACCIDENTS

(1) No person shall commit or attempt to commit any act, which may tend to cause a fire or explosion in or about any place where gas under pressure in a cylinders are stored, handled or transported.

(2) Every person storing compressed gas cylinders and every person in charge of or engaged in the storage, handling and transport of such gas cylinders, shall comply these rules, observe all precautions for the prevention of accident by fire or explosion and prevent any person from committing any acts.

RULE NO. 18. HANDLING AND USE

(1) The cylinder shall be adequately supported during handling.

(2) Conveyors, trolleys and cradles of adequate strength shall, as far as possible, be used when moving the cylinders and care shall be taken to avoid any damage to the cylinder valve.

(3) The cylinders shall be handled carefully and not be allowed to fall upon one another or otherwise subjected to any undue shock.

(4) Sliding, dropping or playing with cylinders is prohibited.

(5) Liquefied petroleum gas cylinder and cylinders containing liquefiable gases shall always be kept in an upright position and shall be so placed that they cannot be knocked over.

(6) The cylinders used in horizontal position shall be so secured that they cannot roll.

(7) Open flames, lights, mobile phones, lighting of fires, welding and smoking shall be prohibited in close proximity to any cylinder containing flammable gases except those while in use for welding, cutting or heating.

(8) Working places shall not be classified as storage places for the purpose of licensing.

 

RULE NO. 21. STORAGE OF CYLINDERS

(1) The cylinders shall be stored in a cool, dry, well ventilated place under cover, away from boilers, open flames, steam pipes or any potential sources of heat and such place of storage shall be easily accessible.

(2) The storage room or shed shall be of fire resistant construction.

(3) Thin wall cylinder such as liquefied petroleum gas cylinder and dissolved gas cylinder shall not be stacked in a horizontal position.

(4) The cylinders containing flammable gases and toxic gases shall be kept separated from each other and from cylinders containing other types of gases by an adequate distance or by a suitable partition wall.

(5) The cylinders shall not be stored under conditions, which will cause them to corrode.

(6) The cylinders shall not be stored along with any combustible material.

(7) Empty cylinders shall be segregated from the filled one and care shall be taken that all the valves are tightly shut.

RULE NO. 22. ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

In premises for filling and storing flammable gases in cylinder all electric meters, distribution boards, switches, fuses, plugs and sockets, all electric fittings, fixed lamps, portable hand lamps and motors, shall be of flame proof construction conforming to IS or IEC-60079-1, IS or IEC-60079-11 or any other standard as approved by the Chief Controller and shall be effectively earthed.

RULE NO. 29. LICENCE FOR IMPORT OF GAS CYLINDERS

(1) No person shall import any gas cylinders filled or intended to be filled with any compressed gas except under and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted under these rules and the relevant provisions of Foreign Trade (Development And Regulation) Act, 1992 (22 of 1992).

(2) No person shall import any valve and LPG regulator intended to be fitted on the gas cylinder except under and in accordance with the conditions of approval or licence granted under these rules.

(3) The person importing cylinders shall have necessary infrastructure, handling transportation and storage facility including emergency action plan and qualified and trained technical manpower.

RULE NO. 35. PERIODICITY OF EXAMINATION AND TESTING OF CYLINDERS

(1) No person shall fill any cylinder with any compressed gas unless the cylinder has been examined and subjected to hydrostatic test or hydrostatic stretch test as specified in IS:15975.

(2) Any testing station desiring to obtain recognition for periodical testing and examination of cylinders shall provide the facilities set forth in Schedule IV and shall submit to Chief Controller the particulars of the facilities provided and a scrutiny fee specified in Schedule V.

(3) The cylinder testing stations approved by the Chief Controller shall have the facilities for evacuation of cylinders, neutralisation or scrubbing for toxic and corrosive gases and cylinder condemnation.

(4) Permission for cylinders testing station shall initially be granted for a period of one year, which may be extended to a maximum period of ten years subject to the production of valid ISO accreditation certificate issued by any nationally or internationally accredited agency, testing records for the period of validity and on payment of fee as specified in Schedule V.

RULE NO. 38. RESTRICTION ON FILLING OF DISSOLVED ACETYLENE IN CYLINDERS

No person shall charge with acetylene any cylinder unless he is in possession of full particulars and the previous history of such cylinder and has otherwise assured himself that the cylinder complies with the requirements of these rules.

RULE NO. 39. EXAMINATION OF DISSOLVED ACETYLENE CYLINDERS BEFORE FILLING

(1) Whenever a cylinder is charged with acetylene, it shall be subjected to a thorough visual examination in accordance with IS:8433,

(2) If the history of cylinder shows that it has not been subjected to an examination within the previous two years, the valve shall be removed and the conditions of the porous substance at the neck of the cylinder shall be ascertained [determined] at that time. Period of periodical examination shall be one year in case the cylinders are filled with loose porous mass.

RULE NO. 40. LICENCE FOR COMPRESSION OF ACETYLENE

The compression of the acetylene gas into a cylinder shall be carried out only on such premises as are licensed by the Chief Controller or Controller.

RULE NO. 43. LICENCE FOR FILLING AND POSSESSION

(1) No person shall fill any cylinder with compressed gas and no cylinder filled with compressed gas shall be possessed by anyone except under and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted under these rules.

(2) The licensee shall be responsible, for all operations connected with the filling and possession of cylinders in the licensed premises.

RULE NO. 44. NO LICENCE NEEDED FOR POSSESSION IN CERTAIN CASES

Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 43, licence shall not be necessary for-

(a) Possession of any cylinder filled with a compressed gas by a carrier or other person for the purpose of transport in accordance with the provisions of these rules;

(b) Possession of cylinders for own use and not meant for sale or trading filled with,

(i) Any flammable and non-toxic gas when the total number of cylinders containing such gas does not exceed twenty five or the total weight of gas does not exceed 200 kg., whichever is less, at a time;

(ii) Any non-flammable non-toxic gas when the total number of such cylinders does not exceed two hundred at a time;

(iii) Any toxic gas when the total quantity of such cylinders does not exceed five at a time;

(iv) Acetylene gas contained in cylinder in dissolved state when the total quantity of such cylinder does not exceed twenty five at a time.

(c) The provisions of sub-clause 44(b) shall not be applicable for liquefied petroleum gas when the total quantity of gas does not exceed 100 kg at a time for own use, distribution or sale from a sales room belonging to the dealer or distributor of respective oil marketing company. Notwithstanding anything contained in rule 43, licence shall not be obligatory for working places where LPG cylinders are directly connected to the manifold, but the requirements of IS :6044 Part-1 shall be complied with ,such manifold installations and shall be constructed adapting the sound engineering practices

RULE NO. 67. NOTICE OF ACCIDENT

The notice of an accident required to be given under sub-section (1) of section 8 of the [Explosive] Act shall be given forthwith -

(a) To the Chief Controller or Controller under whose jurisdiction the area falls by Fax, e-mail followed by a letter giving particulars of the occurrence within twelve hours;

(b) To the District Authority concerned;

(c) To the officer-in-charge of the nearest Police Station by the quickest mode of communication.

RULE NO. 68. INQUIRY INTO ACCIDENT

(1) As per Section 9 of the [Explosive] Act a District Magistrate or a Commissioner of Police or a Magistrate subordinate to a District Magistrate or Chief Controller or an officer holds an inquiry.

(2) Where an accident has been attended with loss of human life, the Magistrate, may before the inquiry is adjourned to take evidence to identify the bodies and may order the internment thereof.

 

THE 6 SCHEDULES OF THE RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS

Schedule I

It shows, types and standards of cylinders or valves and LPG regulators

Schedule II

Particulars to be shown in the test and inspection certificates to be obtained from the Inspecting Authority in respect of cylinders manufactured in accordance with the approved design and specification or Code.

Schedule III

Particulars to be submitted by person desiring to fabricate cylinder, valves and other fittings.

Schedule IV

Facilities required for cylinder testing stations: Manager, Supervisor, Operator, Equipment, Accuracy, Calibration, Testing of cylinders and Record of Test.

Schedule V

Licence and other Fees with purpose and Authorities granting the Fees

Schedule VI

Transportation of Cylinders: Transport of cylinders by vehicles, Restriction on Transport, Loading and Unloading for Transport, Protection of valves during transport, How to handle Leaky Cylinders.

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