Expiration Dates Are NOT Engraved on Litro Gas Cylinders in Sri Lanka!

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A few years ago, Sri Lanka was shaken by a series of gas cylinder explosions, a terrifying event that brought the safety of gas cylinders to the forefront. This incident triggered a flurry of discussions and debates about safety protocols and standards. However, amidst this, some social media posts about gas cylinder safety have been misleading or false, spreading misinformation and causing unnecessary panic among the public. It is crucial to rely on verified information and official guidelines to understand and ensure the safe use of gas cylinders.

Social Media Posts

The detailed version of the claim, translated into English, is below.

“Gas cylinders have expiration dates, and using them beyond these dates is hazardous. Before purchasing or refilling, consumers should always check the expiry date on one of the three vertical stabiliser plates near the cylinder's head. The expiration date is coded alphabetically: A (January-March), B (April-June), C (July-September), and D (October-December), followed by the last digit of the year. For example, "B-9" means the cylinder expires in June 2009, and "C-16" means it expires in September 2016. It is crucial to return expired cylinders to the dealer to avoid domestic accidents. By adhering to these official guidelines, you can ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

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However, it's important to note that the claims about Litro gas cylinders in Sri Lanka having expiration dates are false. For instance, the claim that "B-9" means the cylinder expires in June 2009, and "C-16" means it expires in September 2016, is completely untrue.

Fact Check

Summarised Analysis of Posts

The posts assert that Litro gas cylinders have expiration dates encoded alphabetically (A for January-March, B for April-June, C for July-September, D for October-December) followed by two digits, which correspond to a particular year.

This coding system is said to indicate the cylinder's expiry date. According to these posts, the code is engraved on one of the three vertical stabiliser plates near the cylinder's head.

Official Statement from Litro Gas:

According to the marketing manager of Litro Gas, these social media claims are incorrect, and no expiry date is mentioned on the cylinder shroud.

The information engraved on the cylinder shroud plates includes:

• Cylinder Standard Reference
• Manufacturer Name and Trademark
• Identification Mark of Independent Inspecting Authority
• Serial Number of the Cylinder
• Tare Weight
• Tested Pressure
• Design Pressure
• Tested Date (Month and Year)
• Cylinder Ownership
• Propane Filling Quantity
• Butane Filling Quantity
• Water Capacity

The tested date is present on the shroud plates in the month and year format without alphabetical codes.

Litro Gas cylinders adhere to the SLS 1178:2013 quality standard, which does not require an expiry date on the cylinder.

SLS Quality Standards:

According to SLS marking standards, the cylinder must display the first test date after manufacture and the identification mark of the manufacturer or testing authority.

There is no requirement for an expiry date on the cylinder as per the SLS 1178:2013 quality standard.

Indian Context:

The coding system mentioned in the viral post (e.g., "B-9" for June 2009) is used in India and some other countries to indicate the retesting date, not the expiry date.

This system helps track when the cylinder should be rechecked for safety and maintenance, not when it becomes unsafe to use. More details about it can be read here & here.

Factors Influencing Cylinder Serviceability:

The usable life of a gas cylinder is influenced by various factors, including:

• Usage frequency and rotation
• Physical wear and tear
• Rusting
• Atmospheric conditions

The Litro Marketing Manager states that while Litro gas cylinders generally have a service life of about ten years, they can be damaged sooner or last longer, depending on the above factors. He added that regular inspections of the refilling process help ensure safety by removing damaged cylinders from circulation.

It is important to note that there are a number of Litro Gas cylinders without markings in the cylinder shroud area. Previously, misleading claims stated that Litro Gas rejects cylinders based on the blurriness or non-existence of the letters on the cylinder handle. However, this was again a misleading assertion; the full report can be read below.

False Claims On Litro Gas Cylinder Rejection Criteria Based on Handle Markings!

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Conclusion

The claim that Litro gas cylinders in Sri Lanka have an expiry date coded alphabetically and engraved on one of the three vertical stabiliser plates near the cylinder's head is false.

The safety and serviceability of gas cylinders are maintained through regular inspections and adherence to quality standards, such as those set by SLS. The alphabetical coding system mentioned in the social media posts is specific to India and some other countries and refers to the retesting date, not the expiry date.

It is also advisable for consumers to be vigilant and report incidents related to cylinders with any visible deteriorations; however, there is no need to worry about searching for an alphabetically coded expiry date in Sri Lanka, as such codes do not exist in Litro cylinders.