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.
At 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
degassing- internal inspection
- external inspection
- valve inspection or replacement
- new LPG gas bottle expiry date stamp
Please see: Gas Bottle-Cylinder Testing Facts
External Gas Cylinder Testing
The external surface of the gas bottle is inspected for defects, as defined by the applicable LPG gas cylinder testing Standard, AS 2337.1-2004.
Failure in any one category of the gas cylinder testing is cause for condemning the gas bottle.
LPG Gas Cylinder-Bottle Testing Preparation by De-gassing
At the start of the LPG gas cylinder-bottle testing process, the gas bottle is totally emptied of any remnant gas.
The old gas valve is then removed to facilitate the internal gas cylinder testing.
Internal Gas Bottle Inspection & Testing
LPG gas cylinder-bottle testing includes an internal inspection.
Any gas bottle that fails to meet the gas bottle testing Standard is condemned.
Cylinder Neck
The neck of the gas bottle is a critical area of gas cylinder inspection & testing, as it is the point of attachment for the valve.
Once again, failure in any area of LPG gas bottle-cylinder testing is cause for condemnation.
New LPG Gas Bottle Expiry Date – LPG Expiry Date
Gas bottles that pass all of the LPG gas cylinder-bottle testing are stamped with a new LPG gas bottle expiry date, showing the month and last two digits of the year.
Valve Installation After Successful LPG Gas Bottle-Cylinder Testing Procedure
After successful LPG gas cylinder-bottle testing procedure, the next step is the installation of a new valve, as shown in the picture.
The old valves are discarded and recycled.
LPG Tank Testing for Vehicles
LPG 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.
Expired 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:
- Pour warm water (not boiling water) down the side of the bottle.
- Wait a few minutes.
- Run your hand down the side of the bottle.
- It will feel cool to the touch at the level of LPG and you may notice a condensation line.
- You now know how much gas is left in your bottle
- 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
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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Eric Hahn has over a decade of experience in the LPG industry and has become a key figure in shaping how LPG is marketed and communicated. As the creator of one of the world’s first LPG blogs, Eric has authored over 200 technical posts, helping educate and inform the industry and consumers.
Eric has served on multiple committees for Gas Energy Australia and the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to important discussions and advancements within the global LPG sector. He has presented at WLPGA Annual Conferences, sharing his expertise as a speaker, panellist, and panel chair.
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Steve Reynolds
Technical Consultant
Steve Reynolds is a leading expert in the LPG industry with over 22 years of experience. As part of the national management team at ELGAS, Steve ensures the safe and efficient storage, handling, and transportation of LPG. He serves as the lead investigator for incidents and collaborates with authorities on industry developments.
Steve is a technical advisor to Standards Australia and Gas Energy Australia (GEA), and an active member of the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to global standards and technical reviews. He holds a BSc. (Hons) in Industrial Chemistry from UNSW and has held senior safety and technical roles at ELGAS, making him a trusted authority in LPG safety and standards.