EN 13953:2026

• Abstract:

  This document specifies the design, testing and marking requirements for spring loaded pressure relief valves (PRV), for use in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders of water capacity of 0,5 l up to and including 150 l.; These PRVs can be either an integral part of a cylinder valve (see EN ISO 14245 [4] and EN ISO 15995 [5]) or a separate device.

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 27-Oct-2026
• ICS: 23.060.40 - Pressure regulators
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 286 - Liquefied petroleum gas equipment and accessories
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 286/WG 2 - Design and manufacture of accessories (valves, gauges, fittings) for LPG pressure vessels designed in WG1
• Current Stage: 6055 - CEN Ratification completed (DOR) - Publishing
• Start Date: 31-Aug-2026
• Due Date: 24-Sep-2026
• Completion Date: 31-Aug-2026
• Directive: 2008/68/EC - Directive 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the council of 24 September 2008 on the inland transport of the dangerous goods
• Mandate: M/TDG - Standards for referencing in the RID-ADR
• Ref Project: kSIST FprEN 13953:2026 - LPG equipment and accessories - Pressure relief valves for transportable refillable cylinders for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

• Revises: EN 13953:2020 - LPG equipment and accessories - Pressure relief valves for transportable refillable cylinders for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
• Effective Date: 11-Sep-2024

EN 13953 is a CEN standard for spring-loaded pressure relief valves (PRVs) used on transportable refillable LPG cylinders. It specifies design, testing and marking requirements for cylinders with water capacity from 0,5 l up to and including 150 l, whether the PRV is integral with a cylinder valve or a separate device. The document is aimed at valve manufacturers, cylinder manufacturers, test laboratories, and technical buyers who need to check LPG safety devices for service conditions and conformity testing.

What does EN 13953:2026 specify?

EN 13953:2026 specifies requirements for spring-loaded PRVs for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders. It covers the valve as a safety device, the tests used to qualify the design, the production checks applied to manufactured valves, and the marking and documentation needed for use and traceability.

The document is organized into clauses 1 to 11 and four annexes. Annex A is informative and explains PRV terms graphically, while Annexes B, C and D are normative and set special low-temperature requirements, PRV sizing, and production testing.

Annex	What it covers
Annex A	Terms used with PRVs, with a figure showing start to discharge pressure, reseat pressure, pop action and flow rating pressure
Annex B	Special low-temperature requirements for PRVs used below -20 °C
Annex C	Sizing of PRVs for LPG cylinders
Annex D	Production testing for each PRV and each PRV batch

What are the key requirements of EN 13953:2026?

EN 13953:2026 sets requirements for materials, design, type testing, production testing, marking and documentation. In practice, this means the standard does not just describe the valve - it also defines how to prove that the valve works, how to size it for the cylinder, and what information must be kept with it.

Operating conditions and application range

EN 13953:2026 requires PRVs to be suitable for a minimum operating temperature of -20 °C and a maximum operating temperature of 65 °C. For more severe European conditions, the PRV must also be suitable for -40 °C and meet Annex B.

For cylinders above 7,5 l water capacity, the PRV must operate with pop action. That matters because larger cylinders need a valve that opens quickly and predictably under overpressure.

Materials and compatibility

EN 13953:2026 requires all materials in contact with LPG to be chemically and physically compatible with LPG and to meet EN ISO 11114-1 and EN ISO 11114-2. Metallic parts must have adequate strength, and spring materials must be stainless steel with the stated chromium and nickel content.

Non-metallic parts in LPG contact must not distort, harden, swell or stick in a way that affects operation. Rubber materials must meet EN 549 for gas, lubricant, ageing, compression, ozone and liquid-phase exposure, with a specific mass-change allowance stated in this document. In practice, this is about avoiding leakage, loss of function and premature aging in real LPG service.

Design features that affect safe operation

EN 13953:2026 requires the sealing element carrier to be metallic with a minimum melting point of 450 °C, and the design must guide and secure the sealing element so it cannot come loose in service. Means must also be provided to lock or seal the PRV against tampering, and adhesive is not allowed for that purpose.

If the PRV is fitted with a protection disc or cap against foreign matter, that protection must not be displaced unintentionally except by discharge from the valve. Where liquid off-take conditions could submerge the PRV, an internal tube to the vapour space is required. This is important because installation details can change how the valve vents and reseats.

Pressure setting, sizing and threads

EN 13953:2026 requires the nominal set pressure to be between 1,0 MPa and 3,0 MPa, as chosen by the valve manufacturer. The required nominal discharge capacity for the cylinder must be calculated according to Annex C.

End connections for direct cylinder fitting must use either a taper thread or a parallel thread with a sealing and securing method. Where a vent extension or discharge pipe is used, the valve must be arranged so that the connection can be made to the PRV body.

Type testing and performance limits

EN 13953:2026 requires type testing in accordance with clause 7 and Table 1, using air or nitrogen unless otherwise stated. The tests include dimensional checks, hydraulic pressure proof, leak tightness, start to discharge pressure, discharge capacity and reseat pressure, endurance cycling and visual inspection.

The performance limits are practical acceptance checks: start to discharge pressure must stay within the stated tolerance of nominal set pressure, reseat pressure must remain at or above 70 % of nominal set pressure, leak rate must not exceed 15 cm³/h, and the valve must withstand endurance cycling without losing those values. In plain terms, the valve must open where intended, close again properly, and keep working after repeated operation.

Marking and records

EN 13953:2026 requires marking on the valve body, including manufacturer identity, type number, date code, nominal set pressure, nominal discharge capacity, the -40 °C marking where relevant, and EN 13953 or EN when the PRV is not integral with the cylinder valve. Clause 11 also requires drawings, material specifications, certificates, fitting information, use conditions and compatibility evidence to be available for testing.

These records matter because the valve’s approval depends on the design version, the materials used and the intended service conditions.

What terms does EN 13953:2026 define?

• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) - A low-pressure liquefied gas made mainly of propane, propene, butane, butane isomers and butene, assigned to specific UN numbers.
• Pressure relief valve (PRV) - A self-closing valve that discharges vapour automatically at a predetermined pressure.
• Nominal set pressure - The pressure at which the PRV is set to start discharging.
• Start to discharge pressure - The inlet pressure where steady bubbles first appear at the outlet through the water-seal test method.
• Pop action - Rapid opening of the sealing element until the PRV is fully open.
• Reseat pressure - The inlet pressure where the sealing element seals again after pop action.
• Flow rating pressure - The inlet pressure used when measuring discharge capacity.
• Standard temperature and pressure (STP) - 15,6 °C and 1,013 bar absolute, used for discharge capacity reporting.

Who uses EN 13953:2026?

EN 13953:2026 is used by PRV manufacturers, LPG cylinder and cylinder-valve manufacturers, test laboratories, and conformity assessment bodies. It is also relevant to quality managers, design engineers, and buyers who need to specify or verify valves for LPG cylinders.

In practice, these users rely on it for design approval, prototype testing, production inspection, material selection, marking checks and documentation control. It also helps suppliers of springs, seals, sealants and metallic materials understand the performance expectations for components used in PRVs.

What changed in EN 13953:2026 from the previous edition?

EN 13953:2026 will supersede EN 13953:2020. The document states these major changes:

• addition of the water capacity range in the scope
• addition of requirements for rubber material
• change to the nominal set pressure
• clarification of the discharge capacity test
• clarification of the endurance test

Which standards are used with EN 13953:2026?

EN 13953:2026 uses several referenced standards for materials, testing and related valve work:

• EN 549 - provides requirements for rubber materials used for seals and diaphragms in gas equipment.
• EN 751-1, EN 751-2, EN 751-3 - cover sealing materials for threaded joints.
• EN 837-1 - gives requirements for Bourdon tube pressure gauges used in testing.
• EN 12164, EN 12165, EN 12420 - cover copper and copper alloy product forms used for metallic components.
• EN 13906-1 - supports the design of compression springs.
• EN ISO 11114-1 and EN ISO 11114-2 - cover material compatibility with gas contents for metallic and non-metallic materials.
• ISO 2859-1:1999 - sets the sampling procedures used for production batch inspection.
• EN ISO 14245 and EN ISO 15995 - are referenced for cylinder valves when the PRV is integral with the cylinder valve.
• EN ISO 13341 - gives guidance on fitting valves to gas cylinders.
• CEN/TS 16765 - is cited for environmental considerations in LPG equipment standards.

What does the EN 13953:2026 document contain?

EN 13953:2026 contains a complete test and qualification structure for PRVs, including the sequence of type tests in Table 1 and the acceptance criteria linked to each test. It also includes a graphical explanation of PRV terms in Annex A and a low-temperature procedure in Annex B.

Annex C gives the sizing formula for the required nominal discharge capacity of a valve for a cylinder, which is used when selecting or specifying the PRV. Annex D sets the production testing scheme, including setting, leak testing, batch sampling and rejection rules. The document also requires a written test report and a defined set of design and material records, which makes it usable for type approval, production control and technical file review.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
oSIST prEN 13953:2025
01-september-2025
Oprema in pribor za utekočinjeni naftni plin (UNP) - Varnostni ventili za premične,
ponovno polnljive jeklenke za UNP
LPG equipment and accessories - Pressure relief valves for transportable refillable
cylinders for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Flüssiggas-Geräte und Ausrüstungsteile - Druckentlastungsventile für ortsbewegliche,
wiederbefüllbare Flaschen für Flüssiggas (LPG)
Équipements et accessoires GPL - Soupapes de sécurité des bouteilles transportables
et rechargeables pour gaz de pétrole liquéfiés (GPL)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 13953
ICS:
23.020.35 Plinske jeklenke Gas cylinders
23.060.40 Tlačni regulatorji Pressure regulators
oSIST prEN 13953:2025 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

oSIST prEN 13953:2025
oSIST prEN 13953:2025
DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 13953
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2025
ICS 23.060.40 Will supersede EN 13953:2020
English Version
LPG equipment and accessories - Pressure relief valves for
transportable refillable cylinders for Liquefied Petroleum
Gas (LPG)
Équipements et accessoires GPL - Soupapes de sécurité Flüssiggas-Geräte und Ausrüstungsteile -
des bouteilles transportables et rechargeables pour gaz Druckentlastungsventile für ortsbewegliche,
de pétrole liquéfiés (GPL) wiederbefüllbare Flaschen für Flüssiggas (LPG)
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 286.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 13953:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

oSIST prEN 13953:2025
prEN 13953:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
Introduction . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Operating Conditions . 7
5 Materials . 7
5.1 General . 7
5.2 Metallic materials . 8
5.3 Non-metallic materials . 8
5.4 Lubricants, sealants and adhesives . 8
6 Design . 8
6.1 General . 8
6.2 Threads . 9
6.3 Springs . 9
7 Type testing . 10
7.1 General . 10
7.2 Test requirements . 11
7.3 Dimensional checks . 12
7.4 Hydraulic pressure proof test. 12
7.5 Leak tightness test and subsequent ageing . 12
7.6 Start to discharge pressure test . 13
7.7 Discharge capacity and reseat pressure test . 13
7.8 Leak tightness tests . 13
7.9 Endurance test . 14
7.10 Visual inspection . 14
8 Test report . 14
9 Production testing . 14
10 Marking . 15
11 Documentation . 15
Annex A (informative) Terms used with PRVs . 16
Annex B (normative) Special low temperature requirements for PRVs . 17
Annex C (normative) Sizing of PRVs for LPG cylinders . 18
Annex D (normative) Production testing . 19
Bibliography . 20

oSIST prEN 13953:2025
prEN 13953:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 13953:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 286 “LPG
Equipment and accessories”, the secretariat of which is held by NSAI.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 13953:2020.
This document has been prepared under a standardization request addressed to CEN by the European
Commission. The Standing Committee of the EFTA States subsequently approves these requests for its
Member States.
The major changes to this revision include:
— addition of water capacity range in the scope;
— addition of requirements for rubber material;
— change to the nominal set pressure;
— clarification to discharge capacity test;
— clarification to endurance test
This document has been submitted for reference in
— the RID and/or
— the technical annexes of the ADR
NOTE These regulations take precedence over any clause of this standard. It is emphasized that RID/ADR are
being revised regularly at intervals of two years which may lead to temporary non-compliances with the clauses of
this standard.”
oSIST prEN 13953:2025
prEN 13953:2025 (E)
Introduction
This document calls for the use of substances and procedures that may be injurious to health and/or the
environment if adequate precautions are not taken. It refers only to technical suitability. It does not
absolve the user from their legal obligations at any stage.
Protection of the environment is a key political issue in Europe and elsewhere around the world.
Protection of the environment in this document is understood in a very broad sense. The phrase is used,
for example, in relation to the total life-cycle aspects of a product on the environment, including
expenditure of energy, and during all phases of its existence, from mining of raw materials, to fabrication,
packaging, distribution, use, scrapping, recycling of materials, etc.
It is essential that provisions be restricted to a general guidance. Limit values are specified in national
laws.
Protection of the environment is a key political issue in Europe and elsewhere, for CEN/TC 286 this is
covered in CEN/TS 16765 [2] and this Technical Specification should be read in conjunction with this
document.
It has been assumed in the drafting of this document that the execution of its provisions is entrusted to
appropriately qualified and experienced people.
All pressures are gauge pressures unless otherwise stated.
In this document, the unit bar is used due to its universal use in the field of technical gases. However, it is
to be noted that bar is not an SI unit, and that the corresponding SI unit for pressure is Pa (1 bar = 10
5 2
Pa = 10 N/m ).
NOTE This document requires measurement of material properties, dimensions and pressures. All such
measurements are subject to a degree of uncertainty due to tolerances in measuring equipment, etc. It can be
beneficial to refer to the leaflet “measurement uncertainty leaflet” SP INFO 2000 27 [3].
oSIST prEN 13953:2025
prEN 13953:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies the design, testing and marking requirements for spring loaded pressure relief
valves (PRV), for use in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders of water capacity of 0,5 l up to and
including 150 l.
These PRVs can be either an integral part of a cylinder valve (see EN ISO 14245 [4] and EN ISO 15995
[5]) or a separate device.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 549:2019+A2:2024, Rubber materials for seals and diaphragms for gas appliances and gas equipment
EN 751-1, Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases and
hot water - Part 1: Anaerobic jointing compounds
EN 751-2, Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases and
hot water - Part 2: Non-hardening jointing compounds
EN 751-3, Sealing materials for metallic threaded joints in contact with 1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases and
hot water - Part 3: Unsintered PTFE tapes
EN 837-1, Pressure gauges - Part 1: Bourdon tube pressure gauges - Dimensions, metrology, requirements
and testing
EN 12164, Copper and copper alloys - Rod for free machining purposes
EN 12165, Copper and copper alloys - Wrought and unwrought forging stock
EN 12420, Copper and copper alloys - Forgings
EN 13906-1, Cylindrical helical springs made from round wire and bar - Calculation and design - Part 1:
Compression springs
EN ISO 11114-1, Gas cylinders - Compatibility of cylinder and valve materials with gas contents - Part 1:
Metallic materials (ISO 11114-1)
EN ISO 11114-2, Gas cylinders - Compatibility of cylinder and valve materials with gas contents - Part 2:
Non-metallic materials (ISO 11114-2)
ISO 2859-1:1999, Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes — Part 1: Sampling schemes indexed by
acceptance quality limit (AQL) for lot-by-lot inspection
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
oSIST prEN 13953:2025
prEN 13953:2025 (E)
3.1
liquefied petroleum gas
LPG
low pressure liquified gas composed of one or more light hydrocarbons which are assigned to UN 1011,
UN 1075, UN 1965, UN 1969 or UN 1978 only and which consists mainly of propane, propene, butane,
butane isomers, butene with traces of other hydrocarbon gases
3.2
pressure relief valve
PRV
self-closing valve which automatically, without the assistance of any energy other than that of the vapour
concerned, discharges vapour at a predetermined pressure
Note 1 to entry: This is known as a “safety valve” in ADR.
3.3
nominal set pressure
predetermined pressure of the pressure relief valve at which the valve is set to start to discharge
3.4
start to discharge pressure
inlet pressure at which a steady stream of bubbles appear at the outlet of a pressure relief valve through
a water seal of not more than 50 mm water column, or other equivalent method
3.5
pop action
rapid opening of the pressure relief valve sealing element so that the pressure relief valve is fully open,
resulting from an increase of inlet pressure creating a sudden increase in force and compression of the
spring
3.7
reseat pressure
inlet pressure at which the sealing element effects a seal with the valve seat after the valve has been
subjected to pop action
3.8
flow rating pressure
inlet pressure at which the discharge capacity is measured
3.9
discharge capacity
capacity at the flow rating pressure of a pressure relief valve expressed in m /min of free air at STP
3.10
nominal discharge capacity
minimum discharge capacity at the flow rating pressure expressed in m /min of free air at STP rounded
down to one decimal place
3.11
sealing element
non-metallic resilient component which affects a seal by contact with the valve seat
oSIST prEN 13953:2025
prEN 13953:2025 (E)
3.12
valve seat
normally raised area of the valve body on to which the sealing element effects a seal
3.13
cylinder valve
primary shutoff device intended for liquid filling and liquid or vapour service fitted to LPG cylinders
Note 1 to entry: The valve can also include additional devices e.g. liquid level indicator, excess flow device,
pressure relief valve, sediment tube, non-return valve and eduction tube.
3.14
leak tightness
resistance to leakage to atmosphere across the valve seat or any other pressure containing component
when the valve is closed
3.15
standard temperature and pressure
STP
15,6 °C (288,7 K), 1,013 bar absolute (0,101 3 MPa absolute)
4 Operating Conditions
4.1 Terms used with PRVs are described graphically in Annex A.
4.2 Valves designed in accordance with this document shall be suitable for:
— a minimum operating temperature of −20 °C.
— a minimum operating temperature of −40 °C for those parts of Europe where valves are subject to
more severe temperature conditions. The material and design shall be shown to be satisfactory for
operations under these conditions and shall meet the requirements of Annex B. Where the PRV is
integral with a cylinder valve suitable for temperature of −40 °C, the PRV shall also be designed and
tested for a temperature of −40 °C; and
— a maximum operating temperature of 65 °C.
5 Materials
5.1 General
5.1.1 Materials in contact with LPG shall be physically and chemically compatible with LPG under all
normal operating conditions for which the valve is intended and shall meet the requirements in
accordance with EN ISO 11114-1 and EN ISO 11114-2.
5.1.2 Materials for valve components shall be selected to give adequate strength in service.
Consideration should be given to all modes of failure including atmospheric corrosion, brass
dezincification, stress corrosion, impact or material failure.
5.1.3 Alternative materials to those listed in 5.2 are not precluded, providing they can be shown to be
equivalent.
oSIST prEN 13953:2025
prEN 13953:2025 (E)
5.2 Metallic materials
5.2.1 Hot stamped brass shall be non-porous and shall be suitable for machining or other processes.
Sand-cast brass shall not be used.
Leaded brass shall be CW614N, in accordance with EN 12164, or CW617N in accordance with EN 12420
or EN 12165.
Cold drawn brass rods up to 45 mm wide in cross-section shall only be used after heat treatment and
testing for internal cracking. Cold drawn brass rods greater than 45 mm wide in cross-section shall not
be used.
Components produced from stamping brass shall not exhibit cold shuts, also known as folds, or surface
defects such as a crack which may lead to leakage or component failure.
5.2.2 Springs shall be manufactured from stainless steel wire and shall contain not less than 16 %
chromium and not less than 6 % nickel.
5.3 Non-metallic materials
Non-metallic materials in contact with LPG shall be compatible with LPG and shall not fail during the
valve service life. They shall not distort, harden, swell or adhere to the body or seat face to such an extent
as to impair the function of the valve.
Non-metallic materials which are exposed to UV shall be UV resistant as confirmed by the material
manufacturer.
Rubber materials in contact with LPG, for temperatures of –20 °C (−40 °C for low temperature
applications) to + 65 °C, shall meet the requirements of EN 549 for resistance to:
a) a gas (n-
...