Gas Bottle Testing – LPG Tank Testing | Gas Bottle Expiry Date

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Home 9 Residential LPG Blogs 9 Gas Bottle Testing – LPG Tank Testing | Gas Bottle Expiry Date

30 Aug, 2023 | Residential LPG Blogs

In this article:

Everything you need to know about Cylinder safety.

Gas Bottle Testing – LPG Tank Testing | Gas Bottle Expiry Date

Gas cylinder safety is important to you, your home, and your family. Required gas bottle testing (LPG tank testing) is an integral part of gas bottle safety.

45kg gas bottlesAt ELGAS, all our gas cylinders meet the strict Australian standards for safety.

Our gas bottle testing station technicians ensure gas bottle testing and maintenance that meets the highest standards, so you can use your LPG in confidence for BBQs, home and commercial applications.

Australian Standards for Home and Commercial Gas Cylinders

There are no set Australian standards for gas bottle manufacturing and there are many manufacturers.

However, gas bottles need to be maintained in perfect working order according to Australian testing standards.

With the SWAP’n’GO® network of close to 6,000 dealers in all Australian states, home gas bottle delivery, and refilling operations, we take gas bottle safety seriously.

Gas bottles are marked with a gas bottle expiry date stamp so you know when the next testing date is due.

If your gas bottle is undamaged it can be refilled any number of times prior to expiry.

Gas Bottle Testing – LPG Tank Testing – Gas Bottle Expiry Date

Gas bottle testing (LPG tank testing) is necessary because it is dangerous and also illegal to fill past the gas bottle expiry date or to fill damaged cylinders.

The cylinders require LPG tank testing and re-stamping at an approved test station.

If installing LPG at your home or business, the installation must be performed by a qualified gas fitter.

You will also need to store the gas bottles in a safe location.

A complete periodic LPG tank testing of an LPG cylinder every 10 or 15 years can include:

  • gas bottle expiry date confirmation
  • Gas Bottle Expiry - LPG Expiry Datedegassing
  • internal inspection
  • external inspection
  • valve inspection or replacement
  • new LPG gas bottle expiry date stamp

Please see: Gas Bottle-Cylinder Testing Facts

LPG Tank Testing for Vehicles

Toroidal Autogas fuel tankLPG tank testing in vehicles must also be inspected every ten years.

The Autogas LPG tank testing includes structural integrity, internal and external inspections, and pressure relief valve functionality.

The LPG tank testing expiry date is the same story as for other gas cylinders, and checks are mandatory.

As with other gas cylinders, it is illegal to refill an out-of-date car gas tank.

 

How to Dispose of Expired and Damaged Gas Cylinders

Even the toughest steel has its days, and SWAP’n’GO bottles and other large cylinders that fail gas bottle testing (LPG tank testing) are condemned.

Condemned gas bottles with large punctures for safe decommissioningExpired and faulty gas bottles are safely retired by punching a large hole in the side so metal recycling workers know the cylinder has been safely decommissioned.

In addition to recycling the steel from the gas bottles, the brass from the valves is also recycled.

Everything is taken care of by ELGAS experts who are experienced in retesting out-of-date cylinders, detecting gas leaks and other gas bottle testing services.

Your old gas bottle can be exchanged for one in as-new condition for no extra charge at ELGAS and SWAP’n’GO.

Please see: Gas Bottle Disposal & Where to Dispose of Gas Bottles Near Me – Gas Bottle Recycling

Checking Your LPG Gas Bottle Level

There are some gas bottle testing procedures you can perform yourself, including testing how much gas is left in your cylinder.

The easy steps to follow are:

  1. Pour warm water (not boiling water) down the side of the bottle.
  2. Wait a few minutes.
  3. Run your hand down the side of the bottle.
  4. It will feel cool to the touch at the level of LPG and you may notice a condensation line.
  5. You now know how much gas is left in your bottle
  6. Does your bottle need a refill? Contact ELGAS or visit your nearest SWAP’n’GO retailer

Please see: How to Check Gas Bottle Level – Gas Bottle Level Indicator

New to LPG? Choose ELGAS.

ELGAS is Australia’s largest LPG supplier and services the LPG energy needs of more than 350,000 homes and businesses. Whether you are looking for LPG for your home, LPG for your business, or SWAP’n’GO for your BBQ, contact ELGAS today!

Gas Bottle Testing and Refilling Your LPG Gas Cylinders

LPG is used for numerous applications that include cooking, heating, and hot water, so it is an important safety consideration to ensure your cylinder is in top working order.

In general, your gas cylinders can be automatically replaced with new ones.

That’s the beauty of having a gas contract with Elgas or being a SWAP’n’GO customer.

Make sure to check your gas bottle expiry date stamp periodically to ensure it hasn’t expired.

Refilling – While not part of the formal gas bottle testing process, the new valve installation should always be leak tested when refilled.

In fact, this is the standard procedure for all subsequent refilling, as well.

Refurbishment – In addition to the normal test procedures, over half of the bottles tested by SWAP’n’GO are also cleaned and repainted.

The end result is a refurbished gas bottle in as-new condition with a new gas bottle expiry date stamp that’s valid for ten years.

Recycling – SWAP’n’GO bottles that are condemned are safely decommissioned.

In addition to recycling the steel from the gas bottles, the brass from the valves is also recycled.

 

Gas Bottle Testing with a Licensed Testing Service

LPG is a volatile gas with tremendous power when under pressure, so it makes sense to trust the experts at ELGAS.

After the gas bottle expiry date, LPG tank testing must be performed.

The ELGAS gas bottle testing station technician will stamp a new gas bottle expiry date into the neck ring if the LPG gas cylinder is in top working order.

Here is a breakdown of some LPG tank testing procedures involved:

  • A determination that the gas bottle expiry date has been reached.
  • External gas cylinder testing is performed.
  • The LPG Cylinder is degassed to allow for internal gas bottle testing and inspection.
  • The old valve is removed and an internal gas bottle inspection is done.
  • The cylinder neck and valve threads are inspected for any damage.
  • A new gas bottle expiry date is stamped into the cylinder neck ring.
  • A new valve is installed after the successful completion of gas tank testing.
  • Any required refurbishment, including painting, is performed.
  • The cylinder is ready for refilling and return to use.
  • Any cylinders that fail the gas bottle testing, at any point are condemned and recycled.

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