Gases High Pressure

State the gas, the quantity (m³ or kg), the cylinder size and valve outlet the ship uses, and whether you are exchanging cylinders the ship owns or renting the supplier’s. For refrigerant give the exact R-number; do not accept a substitute without the plant maker’s agreement.

Check the cylinder marking on delivery. COSWP notes that several marking standards are in use worldwide; each cylinder should carry the gas name and chemical formula or symbol, and under BS EN 1089-3 the body colour indicates the contents — for example oxygen white, acetylene maroon, nitrogen black, CO₂ grey. Refrigerant cylinders have no allocated colours, so read the label.^[1]

COSWP: secure cylinders so they can be released quickly in a fire, fit valve caps when not in use, keep valves and fittings free of oil, grease and paint, and never draw gas without the correct pressure-reducing regulator. Store flammable gases separated by type, empties apart from full, in a well-ventilated space without temperature extremes or ignition sources, marked "No smoking".^[1]

For gas welding COSWP calls for non-return valves next to the torch and flame arrestors in the oxygen and acetylene lines (usually on the low-pressure side of the regulators), and warns never to use acetylene above 1 atmosphere gauge, because it can explode under excessive pressure even without air.^[1]