Checking cylinder levels

[Allen Higginson]

I googled this the other night but now I can't find it.
THere is a requirement to check the contents of a cylinder by weighing or checking it's liquid level but I can't remeber what it is.
I have asked our "gas" guy but he told me that in the case of guaged cylinders check that the pressure is okay and for the likes of CO2 he recommended putting one of those sticker things on each cylinder (which I have seen before and are of little use).
Taking cylinders out of situ to weigh them is not a real option so can anyone give me the actual requirements,recommendations and relevant part of the BS that I can beat this guy around the head with??
I used to use one of those ultrasound meters (okay as long as you had plenty of KY!) and a radioactive one prior to this (brilliant aside fromnthe box being a ton weight!!).

Allen

[AnthonyB]

http://www.bamr.co.za/portalevel.shtml is still the best bet.

The old BS 5306-4 for CO2 requires:
a) Every 3 months Test and service all electrical detection and alarm systems.
b) Every 6 months Perform the following checks and inspections.
1) Externally examine pipework to determine its condition. Replace or pressure test and repair as
necessary pipework showing corrosion or mechanical damage.
2) Check all control valves for correct manual function and automatic valves additionally for correct
automatic function.
3) Externally examine containers for signs of damage or unauthorized modification, and for damage to
system hoses.
4) Check contents of pilot containers. Liquefied gas type should be within 10 % and non-liquefied
within 5 % of correct charge. Replace or refill any showing a greater loss.
5) Carbon dioxide containers, check weigh or use a liquid level indicator to verify correct content of
containers. Replace or refill any showing a loss of more than 10 %.
c) Every 12 months Carry out a check of enclosure integrity using the method given in Annex A. If the
measured aggregate area of leakage has increased from that measured during installation which would
adversely affect system performance, carry out work to reduce the leakage.
d) As required by BS 5430, but otherwise when convenient, remove the containers and pressure test

Lets you weigh them or Portalevel them
when necessary.

[Psuedonym]

AnthonyB has it spot on.
I used a liquid level indicator to suss the content level. You have to use a permanant marker though as well as those stickers. You can date the check as well as mark it.
Don't forget to check the pilot cylinder as well as the suppression cylinders.
Both fall under the PED regs for pressure testing.

With regard to the pressure testing you may find a client needs all doing at once. I once checked two sites both with 100 cylinders (!) per system and all manufactured and installed in the same year. This was our first service so I advised a rolling program for testing. A ridiculous situation really as the prior firm should have advised this years before they were all due.

Integrity testing is something to be carried out prior to an installation as well as part of a service routine and the client must be made aware of the importance of this test.