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Gas Cylinder Colour Codes

Gas Cylinder Colour Code Chart

The gas cylinder colour code is indicative of the gas contained in the cylinder. The gas cylinder colour code system is designed to provide an instant visual cue identifying the contents for practical and safety reasons.

For example, without the cylinder colour code someone could accidentally misidentify a cylinder and give a medical patient an inert gas instead of oxygen, which could cause Inert Gas Asphyxiation. Breathing any inert gas, like helium (Brown), nitrogen (Pewter) or argon (Peacock Blue), creates a dangerous absence of oxygen. This could even be fatal.

The gas cylinder colour codes also help prevent fuel gas (like acetylene) accidents that could result in fire or explosion.

Gas Cylinder Colour Codes
Gas Cylinder Colour Code Chart

Gas Cylinder Colour Codes for Australia

Carbon Dioxide gas cylinder colour code is: Green Grey

Nitrogen gas cylinder colour code is: Pewter

Argon gas cylinder colour code is: Peacock Blue

Helium gas cylinder colour code is: Brown

LPG gas cylinder colour code is: Silver or Grey

Acetylene gas cylinder colour code is: Claret

Hydrogen gas cylinder colour code is: Signal Red

Oxygen gas cylinder colour code is: Black
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This chart shows the Australian standard gas cylinder color code and gas characteristics for gas cylinders:

Major Hazard Gas

Gas Cylinder Colour Code

 Characteristics
Asphyxiant Carbon Dioxide

Green Grey AS No.N32

CO2 Cylinder Colour

  • Carbon Dioxide gas cylinder colour code is Green Grey

  • Can cause the nose to sting.
  • Will collect in ducts, drains and low lying areas e.g. cellars.
  • At high concentrations, instant unconsciousness may occur followed by death.
  • Much heavier than air.
Asphyxiant Nitrogen

Pewter AS No.N63

Nitrogen Cylinder Colour

  • Nitrogen gas cylinder color code is Pewter

  • Odourless.
  • No warning signs before unconsciousness occurs.
  • At high concentrations, instant unconsciousness may occur followed by death.
  • Heavier than air.
  • Does not burn.
  • Largely Inert.
Asphyxiant Argon

Peacock Blue AS No.T53

Argon Cylinder Colour

  • Argon gas cylinder colour code is Peacock Blue

  • Odourless.
  • No warning signs before unconsciousness occurs.
  • At high concentrations, instant unconsciousness may occur followed by death.
  • Heavier than air.
  • Does not burn.
  • Inert.
Asphyxiant Helium Balloon Gas

Brown AS No.X54

Helium Cylinder Colour

  • Helium gas cylinder color code is Brown

  • Inert but asphyxiant at high concentrations - lighter than air.
  • DO NOT INHALE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Flamable
Extremely Hazardous		 LPG

Silver, grey or galvanised

LPG Cylinder Colour

  • LPG gas cylinder color code is Silver, Grey or galvanised

  • LPG is 'stenched' (odourised) and has a distinctive odour.
  • It will ignite and burn instantly from a spark or piece of hot metal.
  • Is heavier than air and will collect in ducts, drains etc., and low lying areas.
  • Fire and explosion hazard.
  • Highly flammable.
  • Eliminate all ignition sources.
Flamable
Extremely Hazardous		 Acetylene

Claret AS No.R55

Acetylene Cylinder Colour

  • Acetylene gas cylinder colour code is Claret

  • Distinctive garlic smell.
  • Fire and explosion hazards are greater than LPG but it is slightly lighter than air and less likely to collect in ducts and drains.
  • Requires minimal energy to ignite in air or oxygen.
  • Do not use with copper, high copper or brass alloys because copper materials form explosive compounds with Acetylene.
Flamable
Extremely Hazardous		 Hydrogen

Signal Red AS No.R13

Hydrogen Cylinder Colour

  • Hydrogen gas cylinder colour code is Signal Red

  • Odourless.
  • Much lighter than air.
  • Will collect at the highest point in any enclosed space unless ventilated at high level. Invisble flame.
  • Fire and explosion hazard.
  • Very low ignition energy.
  • Burns with an invisible flame.
Oxidising
Strongly supports and
accelerates a flame or fire.		 Oxygen

Black AS No.N61

Oxygen Cylinder Colour

  • Oxygen gas cylinder color code is Black

  • Odourless.
  • Generally considered non-toxic at atmospheric pressure.
  • Will not burn, but supports and accelerates combustion.
  • Materials not normally considered combustible may be ignited by sparks in oxygen rich atmospheres.
  • No oil, grease or lubricants should come into contact with oxygen.

Argon Cylinder Colour

Argon cylinder colour code is Peacock Blue.

 
 

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For more information call your local Stargas representative on 1800 782 742

 

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