LPG cylinder recertification and testing

Liquefied petroleum gas (also called LPG, GPL, LP Gas, or autogas) is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuelin heating appliances and vehicles, and increasingly replacing chlorofluorocarbons as an aerosol propellant and arefrigerant to reduce damage to the ozone layer, inferring that it is flammable.

Varieties of LPG bought and sold include mixes that are primarily propane, mixes that are primarily butane, and the more common, mixes including both propane (60%) and butane (40%), depending on the season – in winter more propane, in summer more butane. Propylene and butylenes are usually also present in small concentration. A powerful odorant, ethanethiol, is added so that leaks can be detected easily. The international standard is EN 589. In the United States, thiophene or amyl mercaptan are also approved odorants.

LPG has been used in vehicles for many years. Strict safety standards ensure that LPG as a motive power, is as safe as petrol and diesel fuels. These standards plus the availability and cost of LPG make it an attractive option for use in motor vehicles.

The Dangerous Goods Act, which is administered by the WorkCover Authority, NSW requires LPG tanks to be stamped indicating the date on which the tanks were last inspected. These inspections must be conducted every ten years. As such, owners must ensure that the LPG tank is inspected before a period of ten years has elapsed after the date indicated on the tanks. This date will be checked by authorised LPG examiners at the time of inspection for renewal of registration.