ISO/TC 58/SC 2/WG 6 - Gas cylinder valves - Specifications and testing

This document specifies the procedures and acceptance criteria for manufacturing tests and examinations (sometimes called "initial inspection and tests") of valves designed and type tested in accordance with ISO 10297. This document is applicable to: a) cylinder valves intended to be fitted to refillable transportable gas cylinders; b) main valves (excluding ball valves) for cylinder bundles; c) cylinder valves or main valves with integrated pressure regulator (VIPR); d) valves for pressure drums and tubes. NOTE Where there is no risk of ambiguity, cylinder valves, main valves, VIPR and valves for pressure drums and tubes are addressed with the collective term “valves” within this document. The principles of these manufacturing tests and examinations can be beneficially applied to cylinder valves type tested to national or International Standards other than ISO 10297.

This document specifies design, type testing, marking, manufacturing tests and examinations requirements for ball valves used as: closures of refillable transportable gas cylinders, pressure drums and tubes; main valves for cylinder bundles; valves for cargo transport units [e.g. trailers, battery vehicles, multi-element gas containers (MEGCs)]; which convey compressed gases, liquefied gases and dissolved gases. NOTE 1 In this document, the term “valve” is used with the meaning of “ball valve”. This document does not apply to ball valves for: oxidizing gases as defined in ISO 10156; toxic gases (i.e. gases listed in ISO 10298 having an LC50 value ≤ 5 000 ppm acetylene for single gas cylinders, pressure drums and tubes. NOTE 2 The reason for the exclusion of oxidizing gases is that the use of ball valves as closures of high-pressure cylinders for oxidizing gases is known to lead to specific ignition hazards that cannot reasonably be mitigated through the ball valve design or type testing. Safety hazards concern both the ball valve itself and any downstream equipment. NOTE 3 The reason for the exclusion of acetylene for single gas cylinders, pressure drums and tubes is that the risk of an acetylene decomposition cannot reasonably be mitigated through the ball valve design or type testing. This document does not apply to ball valves for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), cryogenic equipment, portable fire extinguishers and cylinders for breathing apparatus. NOTE 4 Requirements for valves for cryogenic vessels are specified in ISO 21011. NOTE 5 Certain specific requirements for quick-release valves for fixed fire-fighting systems in addition to those that are given in this document are specified in ISO 16003.

This document, in conjunction with ISO 10297 and ISO 14246, specifies design, type testing, marking and manufacturing tests, and examinations requirements for quick-release cylinder valves intended to be fitted to refillable transportable gas cylinders, pressure drums and tubes which convey: — non-toxic; — non-oxidizing; — non-flammable; and — non-corrosive; compressed or liquefied gases or extinguishing agents charged with compressed gases to be used for fire-extinguishing, explosion protection, and rescue applications. NOTE 1 The main application of such quick-release cylinder valves is in the fire-fighting industry. However, there are other applications such as avalanche airbags, life raft inflation and similar applications. NOTE 2 Where there is no risk of ambiguity, gas cylinders, pressure drums and tubes are addressed with the collective term "cylinders" within this document. This document covers the function of a quick-release cylinder valve as a closure. This document does not apply to quick-release cylinder valves for cryogenic equipment and for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This document does not apply to quick-release cylinder valves if used as the main closure of portable fire extinguishers because portable fire extinguishers are not covered by transport regulation. Quick-release cylinder valves of auxiliary refillable propellant gas cylinders used within or as part of portable fire extinguishers are covered by this document, if these cylinders are transported separately, e.g. for filling (see UN Model Regulations, Chapter 3.3, Special Provision 225, second note[1]).

This document specifies the requirements for valve protection caps and valve guards used on cylinders for liquefied, dissolved or compressed gases. Valve protection caps and valve guards are some of the options available to protect cylinder valves, including valves with integral pressure regulators (VIPRs) during transport. This document is applicable to valve protection caps and valve guards which inherently provide the primary protection of a cylinder valve. It can also be used to test other equipment (e.g., handling devices) attached to cylinder packages, even in cases where the cylinder valve is inherently able to withstand damage without release of the content. This document excludes protection devices for cylinders with a water capacity of 5 l or less and cylinders whereby the protection device is fixed by means of lugs welded or brazed to the cylinder, or is welded or brazed directly to the cylinder. This document does not cover valve protection for breathing apparatus cylinders. NOTE Small cylinders (e.g., medical cylinders) are commonly transported in an outer-packaging (e.g., pallet) to meet transport regulations. This document does not specify requirements that could be necessary to enable the valve protection device to be used for lifting the cylinder.

ISO 15996:2017 specifies design, type testing and marking requirements for cylinder valves incorporating residual pressure devices, hereinafter referred to as residual pressure valves (RPVs). This document applies to the following types of RPVs: a) cylinder valves intended to be fitted to refillable transportable gas cylinders; b) main valves (excluding ball valves) for cylinder bundles; c) cylinder valves or main valves with integrated pressure regulator (VIPR); d) valves for pressure drums and tubes; which convey compressed or liquefied gases. NOTE Where there is no risk of ambiguity, cylinders, pressure drums, tubes and cylinder bundles are addressed with the collective term "cylinder" within this document. These requirements are in addition to those in ISO 10297. For RPD stand-alone devices this document can also be applied. ISO 15996:2017 does not apply to RPVs for portable fire extinguishers, cryogenic equipment, low pressure refrigerant gases (cylinder test pressure less than 50 bar), dissolved gases or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

ISO 17879:2017 specifies the design, type testing, marking and manufacturing tests and examinations requirements for self-closing cylinder valves intended to be fitted to refillable transportable gas cylinders which convey compressed, liquefied or dissolved gases. NOTE 1 The main applications for such self-closing cylinder valves are in the calibration gas and beverage industries. ISO 17879:2017 covers the function of a self-closing cylinder valve as a closure. NOTE 2 Requirements for standard cylinder valves are given in ISO 10297. Requirements for quick-release cylinder valves are given in ISO 17871. ISO 17879:2017 is not applicable to self-closing cylinder valves for cryogenic equipment, for portable fire extinguishers, or for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). NOTE 3 Requirements for valves for cryogenic vessels are specified in ISO 21011 and at a regional level, for example, in EN 1626. Requirements for valves for portable fire extinguishers at a regional level are specified, for example, in EN 3 series. Requirements for self-closing LPG cylinder valves are specified in ISO 14245. NOTE 4 Additional requirements for pressure-relief devices might be specified in international/regional regulations/standards.

ISO 10297:2014 specifies design, type testing and marking requirements for: a) cylinder valves intended to be fitted to refillable transportable gas cylinders; b) main valves (excluding ball valves) for cylinder bundles; c) cylinder valves or main valves with integrated pressure regulator (VIPR); which convey compressed, liquefied or dissolved gases. ISO 10297:2014 covers the function of a valve as a closure. It does not apply to valves for cryogenic equipment, portable fire extinguishers and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and quick-release valves (e.g. for fire-extinguishing, explosion protection and rescue applications), non-return valves or ball valves.

ISO 17871:2015 in conjunction with ISO 10297:2014 and ISO 14246:2014 specifies design, type testing, marking and manufacturing tests, and examinations requirements for quick-release cylinder valves intended to be fitted to refillable transportable gas cylinders which convey non-toxic, non-oxidizing, and non-corrosive compressed or liquefied gases or extinguishing agents charged with compressed gases to be used for fire-extinguishing, explosion protection, and rescue applications. ISO 17871:2015 covers the function of a quick-release cylinder valve as a closure. ISO 17871:2015 does not apply to quick-release cylinder valves for cryogenic equipment, for portable fire extinguishers, or for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

ISO 10297:2006 specifies valve design, production and marking requirements, and type test methods for valves intended to be fitted to gas cylinders which convey compressed, liquefied or dissolved gases. ISO 10297:2006 does not apply to valves for cryogenic equipment, for fire extinguishers or for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Additional specific requirements for valves fitted with pressure-reducing devices (see ISO 22435 and EN 738-3), residual pressure-retaining devices and non-return devices (see ISO 15996), and bursting discs and pressure-relief devices (see ISO 4126 and prEN 14513) are not covered by ISO 10297:2006. NOTE Requirements for valves for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are specified in ISO 14245 and EN 13152, and in ISO 15995 and EN 13153. Requirements for valves for cryogenic vessels are specified in ISO 21011. Further specific requirements for valves for breathing apparatus are specified in EN 144-1, EN 144-2 and EN 144-3.

ISO 15996:2005 specifies requirements for residual pressure valves, with or without a non-return function, for gas cylinders and the methods of testing such valves, for type approval. ISO 15996:2005 is applicable to valves to be fitted to gas cylinders of up to 150 l water capacity, intended to contain compressed, liquefied or dissolved gases. ISO 15996:2005 does not cover valves for fire extinguishers, cryogenic equipment or liquefied petroleum gas.