esv.vic.gov.au
New cylinder valve
to launch in 2020
By Jason Treseder, Senior Gas Engineer
A new, safer LPG cylinder connection will be available in Australia in 2020.
The existing Type 21 POL design of
LPG cylinder valve connections will be
modified to the CGA 791 Quick Connect
Coupling (QCC) on leisure LPG cylinders.
These smaller cylinders range from
3kg to 9kg and are commonly used with
portable gas appliances like barbecues
and patio heaters. Larger cylinders
will not be affected by the upcoming
change.
The current Type 21 cylinder valve outlet
connection has been the default LPG
cylinder connection for many years.
However, a number of incidents involving
the cylinder valve connection, including
the tragic death of a man in Footscray
where leaking cylinders exploded during
transport, convinced regulators the
Type 21 connection was no longer
suitable for leisure use.
The QCC connection has a number of
safety advantages over the current Type
21 connection, listed below.
» The cylinder valve incorporates a
check valve that will only enable gas to
flow when a gas- tight connection is
made. This will reduce the risk of high-
pressure gas escaping if the cylinder
valve is opened during transportation or
disconnected during use.
» The connection is a large diameter
right-handed thread and able to be
operated without the use of tools.
» Perishable rubber seals are located within
the body of the gas valve. This means
they can be assessed by a competent
assessor as part of the refilling process,
and replaced with the cylinder valve
every 10 years, as part of the cylinder
test process.
» The connection incorporates a thermal
fuse that will cause the internal check
valve to close and shut off gas flow in the
event the connection is exposed to a fire.
» The new connection is readily available
and used internationally, in the USA and
New Zealand.
» The QCC valve is compatible with
existing appliances that use the Type
21 connection, which will assist in the
transition process.
The next stage will involve the supply
of all new appliances with a QCC
hose connection, requiring a cylinder
with a QCC cylinder valve. In time, all
leisure cylinders and associated gas
appliances will be operating with a QCC
connection. Leisure LPG cylinders have
a 10-year test cycle and it is expected
a full transition to QCC cylinders will be
achieved within a 10-year time-frame.
Further details will be provided by
ESV once transition timing is finalised.
The additional safety features of the
QCC cylinder connection are expected
to significantly reduce the number of
incidents and injuries involving leisure
LPG cylinders.
The cylinder connection is mandated
through Australian Standards, which
means introducing a new connection
design. This will involve changing the
standards in a coordinated sequence
to ensure the transition minimises the
impact on current cylinder owners.
The transition will start with the
progressive introduction of cylinders
with a QCC cylinder valve. The QCC
valve is compatible with both QCC
hose connections and the Type 21 hose
connections. This means owners of
existing appliances will not need to
do anything when the new cylinder
valves arrive.
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