CGA V-22 PDF

Several incidents with quick release cylinder valves that are used on some firefighting system gas cylinders have been reported. In one incident, a worker died and in other cases workers suffered bone fractures (shinbone, hand).

In all cases, the cause of the incidents was either the unexpected or intentional opening of the valve fitted to the gas cylinder during handling, filling, or venting of the cylinder. The consequences were that the cylinders went out of control after the valve opened.

These valves are designed to quickly release a large volume of gas. The cylinder valves referenced in this publication have many and various designs and are different from standard high pressure valves. For typical design information on such valves, refer to ISO 17871, Gas cylinders—Quick-release cylinder valves—Specification type and testing.

In addition, this type of valve is often fitted to larger than standard cylinders (for example, 80 L water capacity) so the hazard created by such a valve opening is increased because of the package size. These packages can be difficult to manually manoeuvre and secure, resulting in additional risk of cylinders falling over and valves opening or shearing.

This publication provides guidelines for the handling of gas cylinders during filling, storage, discharge, maintenance, periodic inspection, and transport equipped with quick release cylinder valves used in firefighting systems.

Quick release cylinder valves are used on cylinders typically containing carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or gas mixtures in firefighting systems.