44,000 gas cylinders undergo safety inspection in Oman

Muscat: More than 44,000 gas cylinders were inspected by authorities in the April to August period to ensure consumer safety standards.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, represented by the Directorate General for Specifications and Measurements (DGSM) said that the total number of the gas cylinders handed over to the inspection station during April to August 2016 stood at 44,446.
They were divided into two categories based on capacity; 48 litres and 108 litres.
At the inspection station, 36,456 cylinders were approved to be safe while 7,992 were rejected, according to the DGSM.
The inspections aims to make sure that the Omani standard specifications for gas cylinder safety are followed.
The inspections are carried out to ensure consumer safety and include thorough inspection of the cylinder’s base for rust, leakages and dents. Hydraulic pressure tests are also conducted.
According to the DGSM, the handed over cylinders are divided into many categories at the inspection station; the first one covers all cylinders that are valid for refilling which should have clear data label specifying the empty cylinder weight, and the date of last time it was inspected. Also, the valid cylinders should have a valve free of defects.
The second category is the cylinders that exceeded the date of periodical inspection, or have unclear data label. The last category is the cylinders with visible defects; such as damage resulted from a fire, rust, and valve leaking.
The DGSM asserted that there are a number of requirements should be met in regard with the liquefied gas cylinders. Based on these requirements, gas cylinders should meet the Omani standard specifications; the valve should meet the Omani standard specifications; the cylinders should be closed during transportation and delivery; the color should be unified reflecting sun rays – the DGSM recommends using gray color for all cylinders.
According to the DGSM, cylinders in stock at refilling points and stations should be 30cm high from the floor. At the refilling stations, cylinders should be stocked at roofed and well- ventilated places. All cylinders should be inspected after 15 years from the date of manufacturing.