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Legalization of LPG cylinders – when should it be done?
(photo Moje Auto)
You have installed an LPG cylinder in your car or bought a used gas car. Each cylinder installed in our country has a 10-year operational period. This means that after this time it must be legalized again. This does not mean replacing the cylinder with a new one. In fact, the total useful life of an LPG cylinder is estimated at 20 years, i.e. after installing it, we should perform one approval (legalization) and then decide on a new cylinder. When purchasing a used gas car, they will check the condition of the cylinder and its service life, when it was installed and when legalization should be performed.
From the article you will learn:
- What is LPG cylinder approval and in what circumstances should it be performed?
- Where is LPG cylinder legalization performed?
- What does the examination of its technical condition look like?
- What to do if the cylinder does not pass the test
We are extending the approval of LPG cylinders
All cylinders assembled in Poland are homologated for 10 years. After this time, we can replace it with a new one or extend the approval if the cylinder is still in good condition. In the case of re-approval, it is important that the cylinder has the marking 67 R on the plate, the test pressure, information about the manufacturer, the production date and the filling level. However, these are not the only circumstances in which we legalize LPG cylinders. This obligation also applies to people who import a car from abroad or have been involved in a collision. Homologation is also required when installing a new tank.
Where can we get LPG cylinder approval?
Not every service or workshop offers such a service. In fact, LPG cylinder approval will only be performed in those plants that have appropriate authorizations to perform this activity from the relevant TDT Field Branch. If you do not know where the nearest such plant is located, go to the official website of the Transport Technical Supervision, where you will find a list of all plants where you can legalize LPG cylinders. However, this is not a free service. We will pay approximately PLN 250 for the approval of an LPG cylinder. This price depends on several factors, including the age and type of tank. If the cylinder is functional, there is no need to replace it with a new one, which will cost us several times more.
Tests during cylinder legalization
In order for an LPG cylinder to be approved for further use, it must successfully pass periodic tests. First of all, the thickness of the tank's outer coating is checked. The appearance of the external structure of the tank and pressure resistance are equally important. The LPG cylinder must pass all stages of the test. When may a tank not be approved? In the event that the information and data on the cylinder are illegible, making their verification impossible. It also happens that there is no nameplate. Moreover, legalization is impossible if the EC mark appears, which informs us about the end of use. The specialist performing the test will not give a positive result if there is corrosion of the tank or dents in its coating.
However, a new cylinder, but where?
It turned out that the life of your LPG cylinder has come to an end and it is no longer suitable for further use. Is it worth installing a new one? With a gas installation in your car, you can save up to 50% on fuel costs. Therefore, if we have been filling up with gas so far and we are changing our habits, we must also take into account an increase in monthly expenses. There is also a belief that gas destroys the engine. This is not true if the cylinder and the entire installation have been installed correctly. Only if individual components are improperly installed and adjusted can we blame the gas installation for engine problems.
Therefore, if you are installing a new cylinder, choose a workshop carefully. Ask the worker if he is removing the manifold to the nozzle well and what components he will use. It is worth knowing more about cylinder installation in advance, before ordering the service from a specialist. Conduct an interview to verify whether he has the appropriate competences and knowledge. Equally important is workshop equipment. It must include tool trolleys and lifts.
Summary
- LPG cylinder approval is its legalization for 10 years. During this time, the cylinder can be used legally.
- After 10 years, or after importing a used car from abroad or after a collision, it is necessary to re-apply the homologation.
- Approval of LPG cylinders is performed only in a plant authorized to perform this activity by the relevant TDT Field Branch.
- In order for a cylinder to be legalized, it must undergo an appropriate test, during which the specialist pays particular attention to the thickness of the tank's outer coating, the appearance of the tank's external structure and pressure resistance.
- The cylinder should be replaced with a new one after a maximum of 20 years or if it has not passed the test.
