TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO STANDARD

Requirements for the Marking and Labelling of

GAS CYLINDERS

TTS 21 10 505
Part 1 — 1980
Industrial and Domestic Gas Cylinders

Copyright © 1981

Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards 1982.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form

without the prior permission of the TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
BUREAU OF STANDARDS in writing.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO BUREAU OF STANDARDS

Lot 1 Century Drive, Trincity Industrial Estate,
Macoya, Tunapuna.
Tel: 662-4482

GRADE 3
 TTS 21 10 505 — Part 1 — 1980

GENERAL STATEMENT
"The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards is a statutory body under the authority of the Standards
Act, No.38 of 1972.
The main functions of the Bureau are to promote and encourage the maintenance of standards, improve the
quality and performance of goods produced and used in Trinidad and Tobago, ensure industrial efficiency,
assist in industrial developement and promote public and industrial welfare, health and safety. The Bureau
does not deal with standards for food, drugs, cosmetics and agricultural produce as these are handled by
seperate governmental bodies.
Standards are formulated by consultation with interested parties, and public comment is invited on all draft
specifications before they are transformed into standards by the procedure laid down in the Standards
Regulations 1976.
The Bureau controls the Trinidad and Tobago Standard Mark, which may be used to distinguish goods of
reliable quality made or used in Trinidad and Tobago, or goods for which an export standard has been set.
The Standard Mark is issued in accordance with the Standards Regulations 1976.
The Bureau maintains a reference library which contains standards from many overseas standards organiza-
tion; these standards may be consulted upon request. The Bureau also acts as sales agent for publications
of these organizations.
The Bureau's activities are covered by a regular Newsletter, amd technical reports are issued form time to
time."

AMENDMENTS ISSUED SINCE PUBLICATION

AMENDMENT NO. DATE OF ISSUE TEXT AFFECTED

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 TTS 21 10 505 Part 1 — 1980

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO STANDARD

Requirements for
THE MARKING AND LABELLING OF GAS CYLINDERS

PART I
INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC GAS CYLINDERS

The committees responsible for the formulation of this Trinidad and Tobago Standard are as follows:

SECTIONAL COMMITTEE ON MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Members Representing

Prof S Satcunanathan (Chairman) University of the West Indies

St. Augustine

Mr. A Aii Industrial Gases Ltd

Mr. J Burgess Ministry of Education and Culture

Mr. A Chu Man Chew Association of Professional Engineers

Mr. M Douglas Ministry of Works, Transport and

Communications

Mr. G N King Trinidad Manufacturers Association

Mr. R Mends Ministry of Petroleum and Mines

Mr. C Ramsey Trinidad and Tobago Oil Company

Mr. A C Rapier Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Mr. R Harnarine (Secretary) Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of

Mr. B Harnanan (Alternate) Standards

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 TTS 21 10 505 Part 1 — 1980

SPECIFICATIONS COMMITTEE ON COLOUR CODING

Members Representing

Mr. Frank Look Kin (Chairman) Ministry of Petroleum and Mines

Mr. Asraph Ali Industrial Gases Ltd.

Mr. Gary Fitzwilliam (Alternate)

Mr. Allan Austin Federation Chemicals

Mr. Rupert A King Factory Inspectorate — Ministry of

Labour

Mr. Kenneth Lewis Trinidad and Tobago Oil Company

Mr. Gerald Popplewell Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division,

Ministry of Health

Mr. Samuel Simon Trinidad and Tobago Fire Services

Mr. Dharamjit Singh Texaco (T'dad) Inc.

Mr. Rodney Harnarine (Secretary) Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of

Mr. Bertrand Harnanan (Alternate) Standards

3
 TTS 21 10 505 — Part 1 — 1980

CONTENTS

Page

0 FOREWORD 5
1.0 SCOPE 5

2.0 DEFINITIONS 6

3.0 CLASSIFICATION 6

4.0 REQUIREMENTS 6

5.0 COLOUR CODING 11

6.0 LABELLING AND MARKING 12

4
 TTS 21 10 505 — Part 1 — 1980

0 FOREWORD

0.1 This specification was declared a standard by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards on
1980-08-29 , after the draft finalized by the Specifications Committee on Colour Coding and the
Sectional Committee on Mechanical Engineering had been approved by the Standards Council.

0.2 This standard was prepared as a means of ensuring safety and reducing the number of accidents caused as
a result of inadequate identification of contents of gas cylinders.

0.3 In the past it was customary to mark gas cylinders with single colours as a means of identification of their
contents, but with the increasing number of gases and gas mixtures available commercially in Trinidad and
Tobago, the number of colours used is insufficient. Because of the increased importation of gases from
different countries, several colour codes were in use, and it became necessary to rationalize the colours
used on cylinders.

0.4 This standard defines such a method of identification which incorporates colour coding, marking and
labelling.

0.5 Where appropriate, internationally recognized warning marks and symbols are used on labels.

0.6 In preparing this standard, assistance has been derived from:

(a) Indian Standard 4379 — 1967 Specification for Identification of Industrial Gas Cylinders;

(b) British Standard 349 — 1973 Specification for Identification of the Contents of Industrial
Gas Containers;

(c) ISO/R 448 — 1965 Marking of Industrial Gas Cylinders for the Identification of
the Content; and
(d) Trinidad and Tobago Standard Labelling, Warning Marks and Symbols for Use on Packages.
21 10 500 — Part 4

0.7 This standard makes reference to BS 5252 — 1976 Framework for Colour Co-ordination for Building
Purposes.

0.8 This standard supplements the requirements of the Gas Cylinders Ordinance (1949) Chapter 30 No. 3, of
the laws of Trinidad and Tobago.

0.9 This standard is the first of a series of Trinidad and Tobago Standards related to the Labelling and
Marking of gas cylinders. Part 2 of this standard deals with medical gas cylinders.

1.0 SCOPE

1.1 This standard specifies requirements for the marking and labelling of industrial and domestic gas cylinders
for identification of contents. It covers fixed or portable cylinders (other than those exempted in 1.2).
intended for the storage or transport of gases.

1.2 This standard does not cover the following:

(a) fire extinguishers or aerosol dispensers;

(b) cylinders or containers that are pressurized for the purpose of transporting solids or liquids;

EXAMPLE:—

Cylinders pressurized with air for the transport of cement.

(c) cylinders that form part of the working mechanism of a vehicle ;

EXAMPLE: —
A compressed air tank for a compressed air braking system; and
(d) gas cylinders intended for use on aircraft or seagoing vessels (other than barges, and fixed or
floating platforms used in the petroleum and other industries).

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 TTS 21 10 505 Part 1 — 1980

2.0 DEFINITIONS

2.1 For the purpose of this standard the following definitions shalt apply:

2.1.1 Colour Code Region — means that part of the cylinder surface between the valve base and a plane cutting
the cylinder at 300 mm from the valve base. Where the cylinder is less than 600 mm in length, the colour
code region shall extend at least 1/3 the overall length from the valve base.

2.1.2 Cylinder — means any metallic vessel or container that is not a pipe or part of a pipe, and which is used
primarily for the storage and/or transportation of gas or gas mixtures above atmosphere pressure.

2.1.3 Cylinder Bank — means a group of cylinders connected through their valves.

2.1.4 Gas — means any matter in the gaseous or vapour state, liquid/vapour interphase, including a gas dissolved
in a solvent under pressure.

2.1.5 Industrial or Domestic Use — means the use of a gas for industrial or commercial process, cooking, heating
or for scientific purposes.

2.1.6 Standard Cubic Metre — is the cubic metre which is measured at a temperature of C and a pressure of
101.325 kPa (1013.25 m bar), dry.

2.1.7 Tube Trailer — means a bank of cylinders of minimum length 4.8 m (16 ft) installed horizontally on a
truck or trailer.

3.0 CLASSIFICATION

3.1 For the purpose of this standard, gas cylinders shall be classified according to their dimensions as in Table
1.

TABLE 1
(Clause 3.1 )
DIMENSIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF GAS CYLINDERS

EXTERNAL DIMENSIONS
CLASSIFICATION

DIAMETER (mm) LENGTH (HEIGHT) (mm)

TYPE A 500 and less 2500 and less

TYPE B 500 and less more than 2500

TYPE C Over 500 ANY LENGTH

4.0 REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Type_A_ _Cylinders — All cylinders that are classified in this category shall be colour coded in accordance
with 5.1 and shall be labelled in accordance with 6.1.

4.1.1 If Type A Cylinder is a fixed installation or forms part of a plant , such a cylinder shall be colour coded
according to 5.1; and in addition shall be labelled with the name of the gas in accordance with 6.2.

4.2 Ty_pe B Cylinders — All cylinders that are classified in this category shall be colour coded in accordance
with 5.1

4.2.1 If a Type B cylinder is a fixed installation or part of a plant, such a cylinder shall be colour coded in ac-
cordance with 5.1, and shall be labelled with the name of the gas in accordance with 6.2.

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 TTS 21 10 505 Part 1 — 1980
*
4.2.2 A type B cylinder fixed on a tube trailer shall be colour coded in accordance with 5.1 and the tube trailer
shall carry signs on the rear and on both sides in accordance with 6.3.
.. t
4.3 Tye C Cylinders — All gas cylinders that are classified in this category are not required to be colour
coded *, but shall be marked in accordance with 6.2.

4.3.1 If these cylinders are used for the bulk transportation of gas, the truck or trailer on which they are
mounted shall carry signs on the rear and on both sides in accordance with 6.3.

4.4 Colour Coding — All gas cylinders shall be painted in their colour code region with the colours set out in
Table 2 to indicate the gas contained in them.

4.4.1 Colours — The colours to be used for painting cylinders are those set out in Table 3.

4.5 imported Gases and Cylinders

4.5.1 Cylinders of Types A and B containing gases manufactured outside Trinidad and Tobago are not required
to be colour coded in accordance with 5.1, but shall be labelled in accordance with 6.4

4.5.2 Cylinders shall be painted and marked as required by this standard when refilled in Trinidad and Tobago
for use in this country.

4.5.3 Where gas is imported in Type C cylinders and is transferred in Type A or Type B cylinders, the latter
shall be colour coded and marked as required by 5.1 and 6.1.

4.6 Storage and Transportation.

4.6.1 No gas shall be stored or transported in a cylinder which is not labelled or colour coded, as required by
this standard.

4.6.2 When cylinders are being transported they shall be labelled in accordance with the requirements of 6.4.
Alternatively the vehicle transporting the cylinders shall carry a sign in a conspicious place showing the
dame of the gas or gases and cautionary notes which identify the properties of the gas or gases.

TABLE 2
(Clause 4.4)
COLOUR CODE AND CAUTIONARY LABEL (Clause 6.1 (c) ) FOR GASES FOR INDUSTRIAL OR DOMESTIC
USE

COLOUR CODE RECOMMENDED CAUTIONARY NOTE

CHEMICAL OR
AND SYMBOL
TRADE NAME OF
GAS AND FORMULA
MAIN BAND. NOTE SYMBOL AND WORD
COLOUR COLOUR
(1)
(2) (3) (4) (5)

1. Anhydrous Yellow Avoid Inhaling Skull "Poison"

Ammonia NH Gas
3
2. Argon Ar Brown Blue Avoid Inhaling
Gas

3. Acetylene Red t Highly Explosive Flame,

C2 H2 Avoid Naked "Flammable"
Flames and

* As a safety precaution, it may be necessary to paint the body of large pressure vessels with a heat
reflective colour.
ISee Figure 1
t Do not use grey or white for the rest of the cylinder.
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 TTS 21 10 505 Part 1 — 1980

COLOUR CODE
CHEMICAL OR RECOMMENDED CAUTIONARY NOTE
TRADE NAME OF AND SYMBOL
GAS AND FORMULA BAND
MAIN
NOTE SYMBOL AND WORD
COLOUR COLOUR

(1)
(2) *(3)
(4) (5)

Sparks. No
Smoking within
3 metres
Working pressure
should not exceed
100 kPa (15 psig).

Always keep
cylinder in an
upright position

4. Carbon Silver — Avoid Inhaling

Dioxide CO gas
2

5. Carbon Yellow Brown and Avoid Inhaling Skull, "Poison"

Monoxide CO Red Gas Flame, "Flammable"

6. Chlorine Ci2 Yellow Green Avoid Inhaling Skull, "Poison"

gas Corrosive

7. Compressed Grey — Should not be

Air used for first aid
(Industrial) aid or breathing

8. Ethane Red t Gre∎ Avoid Inhaling Flame, "Flammable"

C 2 H6 Gas. Keep away
from naked
flames and sparks
Highly Explosive"

9. Ethylene Red t Blue Avoid Inhaling Flame "Flammable"

C2 H gas. Keep away
4
(Ethene) from naked
flames and
sparks. Highly
Explosive

10. Fluorine, F2 Yellow Black "Avoid contact Skull, "Poison"

with skin. Corrosive
Avoid inhaling
gas.

11. Helium, He Brown — Do not use

grease or oil
Avoid Inhaling
gas
* See Figure 1
t Do not use grey or wh'te for the rest of the cylinder.

8
 TTS 21 10 505 - Part 1-1980

• COLOUR CODE RECOMMENDED CAUTIONARY NOTE AND

CHEMICAL OR
SYMBOL
TRADE NAME OF
GAS AND FORMULA MAIN BAND
COLOUR COLOUR NOTE SYMBOL AND WORD
(1) (2) ( * 3) (4) (5)

12. Hydrogen H 2 Red t Yellow "Keep away from Flame

naked flames and
sparks" Highly
Explosive.
Avoid Inhaling Gas.

13. Hydrogen Yellow Red "Avoid contact Skull, "Poison"

Chloride HC1 with skin. Avoid Corrosive
inhaling gas

14. Krypton Kr Brown Green Avoid Inhaling —

Gas

15. Liquefied Red — "Avoid naked Flame

Petroleum (lower flames. Handle "Flammable"
Gas (LPG) • part of with care.
(Propane, cylinder Keep cylinder
C 3 El in white in an upright
8
Butane or grey) position. If
C 4 H10 or you smell gas,
Propane-Butane disconnect the
Mixture ) cylinders
immediately
and put it
outdoors

16. Neon, Ne Brown Yellow Avoid Inhaling Gas

17. Nitrogen N 2 Orange Avoid Inhaling

Gas

18. Oxygen 0 2 Black Do not use oil Oxidiser

or grease. Do
not use oxygen
for compressed
air. Keep away from
naked flames
and sparks. No
Smoking

19. Propylene Red t Black Avoid Inhaling Flame,

(Propene) gas. Avoid "Flammable"
C 3 H6 naked flames
Handle with care
Keep cylinder in
upright position

*See Figure 1
tDo not use grey or white for the rest of the cylinder
 TTS 21 10 505 Part 1 — 1980

COLOUR CODE RECOMMENDED CAUTIONARY NOTE AND

CHEMICAL OR SYMBOL
TRADE NAME OF
GAS AND FORMULA MAIN BAND
COLOUR COLOUR
NOTE SYMBOL AND WORD
(1) (2) (*3) (4) (5)

20, Refrigerant Green — Avoid Inhaling

Gases Gas. Trade name
of gas and type

21. Sulphur Yellow Blue High concentration Skull, "Poison"

Dioxide affects the skin.
SO 2 Avoid contact
with skin. Avoid
inhaling Gas.

TABLE 3
(Sub Clause 4.4.1)
STANDARD COLOURS OF PAINT

STANDARD COLOUR BS 5252 REFERENCE NUMBER

Red 04 0 45

Orange 06 E 53

Yellow 10 E 53

Green 14 E 53

Blue 20 D 45

Brown 04 C 39

Silver 10 A 03

Grey 00 A 05

White 00 E 55

Black 00 E 53

5.0 COLOUR CODING

5.1 Colour Code for Typelk, Type B Cylinders — The colour code for type A and type B cylinders shall be as
in Figure 1. The colours to be used for each gas are set out in Table 2.

5.1.1 The most hazardous property of the gas shall be indicated by the main colour as follows:
(a) Poisonous, corrosive or toxic gases — yellow;
(b) Flammable or Explosive Gases — red.

5.1.2 Refrigerant gases of the halo-hydrocarbon series shall be identified by the main colour, green.

5.1.3 The inert gases shall be identified by the main colour, brown

* See Figure 1
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 TTS 21 10 505 Part 1 — 1980

300mm Main Colour for Gas Property Identification

PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION

SIDE VIEW

Colour Band for Gas Identification

Main Colour for Gas Property Identification

GAS AND PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION

SIDE VIEW

LAYOUT OF COLOUR CODE (TYPE A, TYPE B CYLINDERS)

FIG 1

6.0 LABELLING AND MARKING

6.1 Type A cylinders shall be legibly and durably marked in close proximity to the valve, with the following
information written in the English Language:

(a) the name or chemical formula of the gas it contains as set out in Table 2;

(b) the name and address, or the trade mark of the manufacturer of the gas; or the firm which filled the
cylinder;

(c) any cautionary note and warning symbol set out in Table 2 as applicable to the gas; and in
accordance with TTS 21 10 500 — Part 4*;

(d) the net contents of gas in the cylinder in terms of mass (kilograms) or volume in Standard Cubic
Metres; and
(e) the maximum pressure of the gas (at 27 °C ) in kilopascals.

6.1.1 In the case of refrigerants the trade name and type number may be used.

6.1.2 In the case of mixtures of gases (other than liquefied petroleum gases and air), the names of each gas shall
appear on the label.

6.1.3 The letters and numbers used for the name and chemical formula shall be most prominent. They shall be
legible and have a minimum height of 1125 of external diameter of the cylinder, but not less than 6 mm.
*Requirements for Labelling — Part 4 - Warning Marks and Symbols,
11
 TTS 21 10 505 Part 1 — 1980

6.1.4 The information required by 6.1 may be displayed on the cylinder by stamping, stencilling, transfer, ad-
hesive label or print.

6.2 Fixed Installations — Cylinders that are affixed to a particular location or a plant shall be marked in
accordance with 6.1.

6.2.1 The characters used in marking the name of the gas shall be legible and have a minimum height of 6 mm.

6.3 Bulk Transportation Cylinders, Bulk Carriers and Tube Trailers — Bulk carriers and tube trailers used for
the bulk transportation of gas shall carry signs on both sides and the back showing the name of the gas and
cautionary notes which identify the properties of the gas. The characters used in marking the name of the
gas shall have a minimum height of 150 mm, and shall be legible.

6.4 Imported Gases — When gases are imported into Trinidad and Tobago and the cylinders are painted in
colours different from those set out in Table 2, the name of the gas shall be displayed on the cylinder by
stamping, stencilling, transfer, adhesive label or print. Where applicable cautionary notes and warning
symbols should be affixed to the cylinder. The minimum height of the characters used for marking shall
be as in 6.1.3.

1981-11-30

12
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