Three quarters of unclaimed gas cylinders unsafe, say experts

Up to three quarters of gas cylinders left unclaimed in pubs would fail safety tests, says a leading gas company.

BOC Sureserve is warning licensees that gas cylinders should be disposed of to prevent injury. The grim findings emerged following tests on unclaimed drinks dispense gas cylinders by BOC Sureserve's cylinder investigation department.

Significant levels of external and internal corrosion were found, and 30 out of the 40 cylinders tested were classified unfit, and would have been scrapped rather than used again.

Corroded cylinders can leak gas which can cause death or injury to licensees by asphyxiation. In extreme cases the cylinders can also explode.

BOC Sureserve product manager, Piers Capper said: "Corrosion is the greatest threat to cylinder condition and is caused by cylinders being damaged and left in wet conditions for extended periods or from moisture getting into the cylinder and reacting with residual CO2.

"Our advice to licensees is always to check that dispense gases are labelled correctly, positive pressure valves are fitted as standard and that the provider can verify that cylinders are regularly tested. Failure on either score should result in cylinders being returned to the provider."

Key findings from investigation found: ​

30 out of 40 cylinders tested were deemed unfit by BOC investigators

More than half had signs of external corrosion

Just under half the cylinders tested had damage to the cylinder valve

Nearly one in three contained moisture

37 out of 40 cylinders tested had not positive pressure valve to prevent moisture getting into cylinder.