Type of packagings
Cylinders, tubes, pressure drums and bundles of cylinders
Cylinders, tubes, pressure drums and bundles of cylinders are authorised provided the special packing provisions of 4.1.6, the provisions listed below under (1) to (9) and, when referred to in the column "Special packing provisions" of Tables 1, 2 or 3, the relevant special packing provisions listed below under (10), are met.
General
(1) Pressure receptacles shall be so closed and leakproof as to prevent escape of the gases;
(2) Pressure receptacles containing toxic substances with an LC50 less than or equal to 200 ml/m³ (ppm) as specified in the table shall not be equipped with any pressure relief device. Pressure relief devices shall be fitted on UN pressure receptacles used for the carriage of UN No. 1013 carbon dioxide and UN No. 1070 nitrous oxide.
(3) The following three tables cover compressed gases (Table 1), liquefied and dissolved gases (Table 2) and substances not in Class 2 (Table 3). They provide:
(a) the UN number, name and description, and the classification code of the substance;
(b) the LC50 for toxic substances;
(c) the types of pressure receptacles authorised for the substance, shown by the letter "X";
(d) the maximum test period for periodic inspection of the pressure receptacles;
NOTE: For pressure receptacles which make use of composite materials, the maximum test period shall be 5 years. The test period may be extended to that specified in Tables 1 and 2 (i.e. up to 10 years), if approved by the competent authority or body designated by this authority which issued the type approval.
(e) the minimum test pressure of the pressure receptacles;
(f) the maximum working pressure of the pressure receptacles for compressed gases (where no value is given, the working pressure shall not exceed two thirds of the test pressure) or the maximum filling ratio(s) dependent on the test pressure(s) for liquefied and dissolved gases;
(g) special packing provisions that are specific to a substance.
Test pressure, filling ratios and filling requirements
(4) The minimum test pressure required for is 1 MPa (10 bar);
(5) In no case shall pressure receptacles be filled in excess of the limit permitted in the following requirements:
(a) For compressed gases, the working pressure shall be not more than two thirds of the test pressure of the pressure receptacles. Restrictions to this upper limit on working pressure are imposed by special packing provision "o" of paragraph (10). In no case shall the internal pressure at 65 °C exceed the test pressure.
(b) For high pressure liquefied gases, the filling ratio shall be such that the settled pressure at 65 °C does not exceed the test pressure of the pressure receptacles.
The use of test pressures and filling ratios other than those in the Table is permitted, except where special packing provision "o" of paragraph (10) applies, provided that:
(i) the criterion of special packing provision "r" of paragraph (10) is met when applicable; or
(ii) the above criterion is met in all other cases.
For high pressure liquefied gases and gas mixtures for which relevant data are not available, the maximum filling ratio (FR) shall be determined as follows:
FR = 8,5 x 10(E-4) x dg x Ph
where:
FR = maximum filling ratio
dg = gas density (at 15 °C, 1 bar)(in kg/m³)
Ph = minimum test pressure (in bar).
If the density of the gas is unknown, the maximum filling ratio shall be determined as follows:
FR = (P x MM x 10(E-3)) / (R x 338)
where:
FR = maximum filling ratio
Ph = minimum test pressure (in bar)
MM = molecular mass (in g/mol)
R = 8,31451 x 10(E-2) bar·l·Mol(E-1)·K(E-1) (gas constant).
For gas mixtures, the average molecular mass is to be taken, taking into account the volumetric concentrations of the various components.
c) For low pressure liquefied gases, the maximum mass of contents per litre of water capacity shall equal 0.95 times the density of the liquid phase at 50 °C; in addition, the liquid phase shall not fill the pressure receptacle at any temperature up to 60 °C. The test pressure of the pressure receptacle shall be at least equal to the vapour pressure (absolute) of the liquid at 65 °C, minus 100 kPa (1 bar).
For low pressure liquefied gases and gas mixtures for which relevant data are not available, the maximum filling ratio shall be determined as follows:
FR = (0,0032 x BP - 0,24) x dl
where
FR = maximum filling ratio
BP = boiling point (in Kelvin)
dl = density of the liquid at boiling point (in kg/l).
d) For UN No. 1001 acetylene, dissolved, and UN No. 3374 acetylene, solvent free, see special packing provision "p" of paragraph (10).
(e) For liquefied gases charged with compressed gases, both components - the liquefied gas and the compressed gas - have to be taken into consideration in the calculation of the internal pressure in the pressure receptacle.
The maximum mass of contents per litre of water capacity shall not exceed 0.95 times the density of the liquid phase at 50 °C; in addition, the liquid phase shall not completely fill the pressure receptacle at any temperature up to 60 °C.
When filled, the internal pressure at 65 °C shall not exceed the test pressure of the pressure receptacles. The vapour pressures and volumetric expansions of all substances in the pressure receptacles shall be considered. When experimental data is not available, the following steps shall be carried out:
(i) Calculation of the vapour pressure of the liquefied gas and of the partial pressure of the compressed gas at 15 °C (filling temperature);
(ii) Calculation of the volumetric expansion of the liquid phase resulting from the heating from 15 °C to 65 °C and calculation of the remaining volume for the gaseous phase;
(iii) Calculation of the partial pressure of the compressed gas at 65 °C considering the volumetric expansion of the liquid phase;
NOTE: The compressibility factor of the compressed gas at 15 °C and 65 °C shall be considered.
(iv) Calculation of the vapour pressure of the liquefied gas at 65 °C;
(v) The total pressure is the sum of the vapour pressure of the liquefied gas and the partial pressure of the compressed gas at 65 °C;
(vi) Consideration of the solubility of the compressed gas at 65 °C in the liquid phase;
The test pressure of the pressure receptacle shall not be less than the calculated total pressure minus 100 kPa (1 bar).
If the solubility of the compressed gas in the liquid phase is not known for the calculation, the test pressure can be calculated without taking the gas solubility (sub-paragraph (vi)) into account.
(6) Other test pressure and filling ratio may be used provided they satisfy the general requirements outlined in paragraphs (4) and (5) above;
(7)
a) The filling of pressure receptacles may only be carried out by specially-equipped centres, with qualified staff using appropriate procedures.
The procedures shall include checks:
(i) of the conformity of receptacles and accessories with RID;
(ii) of their compatibility with the product to be carried;
(iii) of the absence of damage which might affect safety;
(iv) of compliance with the filling ratio or pressure of filling, as appropriate;
(v) of marks and identification.
b) LPG to be filled in cylinders shall be of high quality; this is deemed to be fulfilled if the LPG to be filled is in compliance with the limitations on corrosiveness as specified in ISO 9162:1989.
Periodic inspections
(8) Refillable pressure receptacles shall be subjected to periodic inspections in accordance with the requirements of 6.2.1.6 and 6.2.3.5 respectively.
(9) If special provisions for certain substances do not appear in the tables below, periodic inspections shall be carried out:
(a) Every 5 years in the case of pressure receptacles intended for the carriage of gases of classification codes 1T, 1TF, 1TO, 1TC, 1TFC, 1TOC, 2T, 2TO, 2TF, 2TC, 2TFC, 2TOC, 4A, 4F and 4TC;
(b) Every 5 years in the case of pressure receptacles intended for the carriage of substances from other classes;
(c) Every 10 years in the case of pressure receptacles intended for the carriage of gases of classification codes 1A, 1O, 1F, 2A, 2O and 2F.
For pressure receptacles which make use of composite materials, the maximum test period shall be 5 years. The test period may be extended to that specified in Tables 1 and 2 (i.e. up to 10 years), if approved by the competent authority or body designated by this authority which issued the type approval.
(10) Special packing provisions (see tab "Packing instruction P200"))
(11) The applicable requirements of this packing instruction are considered to have been complied with if the following standards, as relevant, are applied:
+------------+----------------+---------------------------------------------+
| Applicable | | |
| require- | | |
| mants | Reference | Title of document |
+------------+----------------+---------------------------------------------+
| (7) | EN 13365:2002 | Transportable gas cylinders - Cylinder |
| | +A1:2005 | bundles for permanent and liquefied gases |
| | | (excluding acetylene) - Inspection at the |
| | | time of filling |
+------------+----------------+---------------------------------------------+
| (7) | EN ISO 24431: | Gas cylinders - Seamless, welded and com- |
| | 2016 | posite cylinders for compressed and lique- |
| | | fied gases (excluding acetylene) - Inspec- |
| | | tion at time of filling |
+------------+----------------+---------------------------------------------+
| (7) a) | ISO 10961:2004 | Gas cylinders - Refillable welded steel |
| | | cylinders for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) |
| | | - Procedures for checking before, during |
| | | and after filling |
+------------+----------------+---------------------------------------------+
| (7) a) | ISO 11755:2005 | Gas cylinders - Cylinder bundles for com- |
| | | pressed and liquefied gases (excluding |
| | | acetylene) - Inspection at time of filling |
+------------+----------------+---------------------------------------------+
| (7) a) | EN ISO | Gas cylinders - Acetylene cylinders - |
| and | 11372:2011 | Filling conditions and filling inspection |
| (10) p) | | |
+------------+----------------+---------------------------------------------+
| (7) a) | EN ISO | Gas cylinders - Acetylene cylinder bundles |
| and | 13088:2012 + | - Filling conditions and filling inspection |
| (10) p) | A1:2020 | |
+------------+----------------+---------------------------------------------+
| (7) and | EN 1439:2021 | LPG equipment and accessories - Procedures |
| (10) ta b) | | for checking transportable refillable LPG |
| | | cylinders before, during and after filling |
+------------+----------------+---------------------------------------------+
| 7) | EN 13952:2017 | LPG equipment and accessories - Filling |
| | | operations for LPG cylinders |
+------------+----------------+---------------------------------------------+
(12) An interval of 15 years for the periodic inspection of refillable welded steel cylinders may be granted in accordance with special packing provision v (2) of paragraph (10), if the following provisions are applied.
1. General provisions
1.1 For the application of this section, the competent authority shall not delegate its tasks and duties to Xb bodies (inspection bodies of type B) or IS (in-house inspection services) (for the definitions of Xb and IS, see 6.2.3.6.1).
1.2 The owner of the cylinders shall apply to the competent authority for granting the 15 year interval, and shall demonstrate that the requirements of sub-paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 are met.
1.3 Cylinders manufactured since 1 January 1999 shall have been manufactured in conformity with the following standards:
- EN 1442; or
- EN 13322-1; or
- Annex I, parts 1 to 3 to Council Directive 84/527/EEC (*a)
as applicable according to the table in 6.2.4.
Other cylinders manufactured before 1 January 2009 in conformity with RID in accordance with a technical code accepted by the national competent authority may be accepted for a 15 year interval, if they are of equivalent safety to the provisions of RID as applicable at the time of application.
1.4 The owner shall submit documentary evidence to the competent authority demonstrating that the cylinders comply with the provisions of sub-paragraph 1.3. The competent authority shall verify that these conditions are met.
1.5 The competent authority shall check whether the provisions of sub-paragraphs 2 and 3 are fulfilled and correctly applied. If all provisions are fulfilled, it shall authorise the 15-year interval for the cylinders. In this authorisation, the type of cylinder (as specified in the type approval) or a group of cylinders (see Note) covered shall be clearly identified. The authorisation shall be delivered to the owner; the competent authority shall keep a copy. The owner shall keep the documents for as long as the cylinders are authorised for a 15 year interval.
NOTE: A group of cylinders is defined by the production dates of identical cylinders for a period, during which the applicable provisions of RID and of the technical code accepted by the competent authority have not changed in their technical content. Example: Cylinders of identical design and volume having been manufactured according to the provisions of RID as applicable between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1988 in combination with a technical code accepted by the competent authority applicable for the same period, form one group in terms of the provisions of this paragraph.
1.6 The competent authority shall monitor the owner of the cylinders for compliance with the provisions of RID and the authorisation given as appropriate, but at least every three years or when changes to the procedures are introduced.
2. Operational provisions
2.1 Cylinders having been granted a 15 year interval for periodic inspection shall only be filled in filling centres applying a documented quality system to ensure that all the provisions of paragraph (7) of this packing instruction and the requirements and responsibilities of EN 1439:2021 (or until 31 December 2024, EN 1439:2017) and EN 13952:2017 are fulfilled and correctly applied.
2.2 The competent authority shall verify that these requirements are fulfilled and check this as appropriate, but at least every three years or when changes to the procedures are introduced.
2.3 The owner shall provide documentary evidence to the competent authority that the filling centre complies with the provisions of sub-paragraph 2.1.
2.4 If a filling centre is situated in a different RID Contracting State, the owner shall provide additional documentary evidence that the filling centre is monitored accordingly by the competent authority of that RID Contracting State.
2.5 To prevent internal corrosion, only gases of high quality with very low potential contamination shall be filled into the cylinders. This is deemed to be fulfilled, if the gases conform to the limitations on corrosiveness as specified in ISO 9162:1989.
3. Provisions for qualification and periodic inspection
3.1 Cylinders of a type or group already in use, for which a 15 year interval has been granted and to which the 15 year interval has been applied, shall be subject to a periodic inspection according to 6.2.3.5.
NOTE: For the definition of a group of cylinders, see Note to sub-paragraph 1.5.
3.2 If a cylinder with a 15-year interval fails the hydraulic pressure test during a periodic inspection e.g. by bursting or leakage, the owner shall investigate and produce a report on the cause of the failure and if other cylinders (e.g. of the same type or group) are affected. In the latter case, the owner shall inform the competent authority. The competent authority shall then decide on appropriate measures and inform the competent authorities of all other RID Contracting States accordingly.
3.3 If internal corrosion as defined in the standard applied (see sub-paragraph 1.3) has been detected, the cylinder shall be withdrawn from use and shall not be granted any further period for filling and carriage.
3.4 Cylinders having been granted a 15 year interval shall only be fitted with valves designed and manufactured for a minimum 15 year period of use according to EN 13152:2001 + A1:2003, EN 13153:2001 + A1:2003, EN ISO 14245:2010, EN ISO 14245:2019, EN ISO 14245:2021, EN ISO 15995:2010, EN ISO 15995:2019 or EN ISO 15995:2021. After a periodic inspection, a new valve shall be fitted to the cylinder, except that manually operated valves, which have been refurbished or inspected according to EN 14912:2022 may be re-fitted, if they are suitable for another 15 year period of use. Refurbishment or inspection shall only be carried out by the manufacturer of the valves or according to his technical instruction by an enterprise qualified for such work and operating under a documented quality system.
4. Marking
Cylinders having been granted a 15 year interval for periodic inspection in accordance with this paragraph shall additionally be marked clearly and legibly with "P15Y". This mark shall be removed if the cylinder is no longer authorised for a 15 year interval.
NOTE: This mark shall not apply to cylinders subject to the transitional provision in 1.6.2.9, 1.6.2.10 or the provisions of special packing provision v (1) of paragraph (10) of this packing instruction.
(13) An interval of 15 years for the periodic inspection of seamless steel and aluminium alloy cylinders and bundles of such cylinders may be granted in accordance with special packing provisions ua or va of paragraph (10), if the following provisions are applied:
1. For the application of this paragraph, the competent authority shall not delegate its tasks and duties to Xb bodies (inspection bodies of type B) or IS (in-house inspection services) (for the definitions of Xb and IS, see 6.2.3.6.1).
1.2 The owner of the cylinders or bundles of cylinders shall apply to the competent authority for granting the 15 year interval, and shall demonstrate that the requirements of sub-paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 are met.
1.3 Cylinders manufactured since 1 January 1999 shall have been manufactured in conformity with one of the following standards:
- EN 1964-1 or EN 1964-2; or
- EN 1975; or
- EN ISO 9809-1 or EN ISO 9809-2; or
- EN ISO 7866; or
- Annex I, parts 1 to 3 to Council Directive 84/525/EEC (*b) and 84/526/EEC (*c).
as applicable at the time of manufacture (see also the Table in 6.2.4.1).
Other cylinders manufactured before 1 January 2009 in conformity with RID in accordance with a technical code accepted by the national competent authority may be accepted for a 15 year interval for periodic inspection, if they are of equivalent safety to the provisions of RID as applicable at the time of application.
NOTE: This provision is considered to be fulfilled if the cylinder has been reassessed according to the procedure for the reassessment of conformity described in Annex III of Directive 2010/35/EU of 16 June 2010 or Annex IV, Part II, of Directive 1999/36/EC of 29 April 1999.
Cylinders and bundles of cylinders marked with the United Nations packaging symbol specified in 6.2.2.7.2 (a) shall not be granted a 15 year interval for periodic inspection.
1.4 Bundles of cylinders shall be constructed such that contact between cylinders along the longitudinal axis of the cylinders does not result in external corrosion. The supports and restraining straps shall be such as to minimise the risk of corrosion to the cylinders. Shock absorbent materials used in supports shall only be allowed if they have been treated to eliminate water absorption. Examples of suitable materials are water resistant belting and rubber.
1.5 The owner shall submit documentary evidence to the competent authority demonstrating that the cylinders comply with the provisions of sub-paragraph 1.3. The competent authority shall verify that these conditions are met.
1.6 The competent authority shall check whether the provisions of sub-paragraphs 2 and 3 are fulfilled and correctly applied. If all provisions are fulfilled, it shall authorise the 15 year interval for periodic inspection for the cylinders or bundles of cylinders. In this authorisation a group of cylinders (see Note below) covered shall be clearly identified. The authorisation shall be delivered to the owner; the competent authority shall keep a copy. The owner shall keep the documents for as long as the cylinders are authorised for a 15 year interval.
NOTE: A group of cylinders is defined by the production dates of identical cylinders for a period, during which the applicable provisions of RID and of the technical code accepted by the competent authority have not changed in their technical content. Example: Cylinders of identical design and volume having been manufactured according to the provisions of RID applicable between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1988 in combination with a technical code accepted by the competent authority applicable for the same period form one group in terms of the provisions of this paragraph.
1.7 The owner shall ensure compliance with the provisions of RID and the authorisation given as appropriate and shall demonstrate this to the competent authority on request but at least every three years or when significant changes to the procedures are introduced.
2. Operational provisions
2.1 Cylinders or bundles of cylinders having been granted a 15 year interval for periodic inspection shall only be filled in filling centres applying a documented and certified quality system to ensure that all the provisions of paragraph (7) of this packing instruction and the requirements and responsibilities of EN ISO 24431:2016 or EN 13365:2002 as applicable are fulfilled and correctly applied. The quality system, according to the ISO 9000 (series) or equivalent, shall be certified by an accredited independent body recognized by the competent authority. This includes procedures for pre- and post-fill inspections and the filling process for cylinders, bundles of cylinders and valves.
2.2 Aluminium alloy cylinders and bundles of such cylinders without RPVs having been granted a 15 year interval for periodic inspection shall be checked prior to every fill in accordance with a documented procedure which shall at least include the following:
(a) Open the cylinder valve or the main valve of the bundle of cylinders main valve to check for residual pressure;
(b) If gas is emitted, the cylinder or bundle of cylinders may be filled;
(c) If no gas is emitted, the internal condition of the cylinder or bundle of cylinders shall be checked for contamination;
(d) If no contamination is detected, the cylinder or bundle of cylinders may be filled.
(e) If contamination is detected, corrective action shall be carried out.
2.3 Seamless steel cylinders fitted with RPVs and bundles of seamless steel cylinders equipped with main valve(s) with a residual pressure device having been granted a 15 year interval for periodic inspection shall be checked prior to every fill in accordance with a documented procedure which shall at least include the following:
(a) Open the cylinder valve or bundle of cylinders main valve to check for residual pressure;
(b) If gas is emitted, the cylinder or bundle of cylinders may be filled;
(c) If no gas is emitted the functioning of the residual pressure device shall be checked;
(d) If the check shows that the residual pressure device has retained pressure the cylinder or bundle of cylinders may be filled;
(e) If the check shows that the residual pressure device has not retained pressure, the internal condition of the cylinder or bundle of cylinders shall be checked for contamination:
(i) If no contamination is detected, the cylinder or bundle of cylinders may be filled following repair or replacement of the residual pressure device;
(ii) If contamination is detected, corrective action shall be carried out.
2.4 To prevent internal corrosion, only gases of high quality with very low potential contamination shall be filled into cylinders or bundles of cylinders. This is deemed to be fulfilled, if the compatibility of gases/material is acceptable in accordance with EN ISO 11114-1:2020 + A1:2023 and EN ISO 11114-2:2021, and the gas quality meets the specifications in EN ISO 14175:2008 or, for gases not covered in the standard, a minimum purity of 99.5% by volume and a maximum moisture content of 40 ml/m³(ppm). For nitrous oxide the values shall be a minimum purity of 98% by volume and a maximum moisture content of 70 ml/m³ (ppm).
2.5 The owner shall ensure that the requirements of 2.1 to 2.4 are fulfilled and provide documentary evidence of this to the competent authority on request, but at least every three years or when significant changes to the procedures are introduced.
2.6 If a filling centre is situated in a different RID Contracting State, the owner shall provide to the competent authority, on request, additional documentary evidence that the filling centre is monitored accordingly by the competent authority of that RID Contracting State. See also 1.2.
3. Provisions for qualification and periodic inspection
3.1 Cylinders and bundles of cylinders already in use, for which the conditions of sub-paragraph 2 have been met from the date of the last periodic inspection to the satisfaction of the competent authority, may have their inspection period extended to 15 years from the date of the last periodic inspection. Otherwise the change of test period from ten to fifteen years shall be made at the time of periodic inspection. The periodic inspection report shall indicate that this cylinder or bundle of cylinders shall be fitted with a residual pressure device as appropriate. Other documentary evidence may be accepted by the competent authority.
3.2 If a cylinder with a 15 year interval fails the pressure test by bursting or leakage or if a severe defect is detected by a non-destructive test (NDT) during a periodic inspection the owner shall investigate and produce a report on the cause of the failure and if other cylinders (e.g. of the same type or group) are affected. In the latter case, the owner shall inform the competent authority. The competent authority shall then decide on appropriate measures and inform the competent authorities of all other RID Contracting States accordingly.
3.3 If internal corrosion and other defects as defined in the periodic inspection standards referenced in 6.2.4 have been detected, the cylinder shall be withdrawn from use and shall not be granted any further period for filling and carriage.
3.4 Cylinders or bundles of cylinders having been granted a 15 year interval for periodic inspection shall only be fitted with valves designed and tested according to EN 849 or EN ISO 10297 as applicable at the time of manufacture (see also the Table in 6.2.4.1). After a periodic inspection a new valve shall be fitted, except that valves which have been refurbished or inspected according to EN ISO 22434:2022 may be re-fitted.
4. Marking
Cylinders and bundles of cylinders having been granted a 15 year interval for periodic inspection in accordance with this paragraph shall have the date (year) of the next periodic inspection as required in section 5.2.1.6 (c) and at the same time additionally be marked clearly and legibly with "P15Y". This mark shall be removed if the cylinder or bundle of cylinders is no longer authorised for a 15 year interval for periodic inspection.
___
*a) Council directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to welded unalloyed steel gas cylinders, published in the Official Journal of the European Communities No. L 300 of 19 November 1984.
*b) Council directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to seamless, steel gas cylinders, published in the Official Journal of the European Communities No. L 300 of 19.11.1984.
*c) Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to seamless, unalloyed aluminium and aluminium alloy gas cylinders, published in the Official Journal of the European Communities No. L 300 of 19.11.1984.
