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 code helps prevent this.

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

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 colour code and gas characteristics for gas cylinders:

Major Hazard	Gas	Gas Cylinder Colour Code	Characteristics
Asphyxiant	Carbon Dioxide	Gas Cylinder Colour Code Green Grey AS No.N32	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	Gas Cylinder Colour Code Pewter AS No.N63	The nitrogen gas cylinder colour 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	Gas Cylinder Colour Code Peacock Blue AS No.T53	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	Gas Cylinder Colour Code Brown AS No.X54	Helium gas cylinder colour code is Brown Inert but asphyxiant at high concentrations – lighter than air. DO NOT INHALE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
Flammable Extremely Hazardous	LPG	Gas Cylinder Colour Code Silver, grey or galvanised	LPG gas cylinder colour 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 hazards. Highly flammable. Eliminate all ignition sources.
Flammable Extremely Hazardous	Acetylene	Gas Cylinder Colour Code Claret AS No.R55	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.
Flammable Extremely Hazardous	Hydrogen	Gas Cylinder Colour Code Signal Red AS No.R13	Hydrogen gas cylinder colour code is Signal Red Odourless. Much lighter than air. Will collect at the highest point in an enclosed space unless ventilated at a high level. Invisible flame. Fire and explosion hazards. Very low ignition energy. Burns with an invisible flame.
Oxidising Strongly supports and accelerates a flame or fire.	Oxygen	Gas Cylinder Colour Code Black AS No.N61	Oxygen gas cylinder colour code is Black Odourless. Generally considered non-toxic at atmospheric pressure. It 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.