The rising consumption of LPG in India has become a crucial part of household activities. While most people check for gas leaks and the weight of a new cylinder, one aspect often overlooked is its expiry date.
This vital information is prominently displayed on every cylinder and deserves attention.
Evolution of Cooking:
Gone are the days of cooking on cow dung cakes and wood; today, gas cylinders have become a staple in most households.
With advancements over time, some areas now benefit from gas supplied through pipelines, eliminating the inconvenience of dealing with cylinders.
Locating the Expiry Date:
When a cylinder is delivered to your doorstep, the first thing to inspect is its expiry date.
Find the strip beneath the upper round part of the cylinder, where an alphanumeric code is inscribed. This code, often in yellow or green, reveals the cylinder’s expiration month and year.
Decoding ABCD:
Understanding the code is simple. A corresponds to January, February, and March; B to April, May, and June; C to July, August, and September; and D to October, November, and December.
For instance, if your cylinder bears A-25, it means it will expire in January 2025.
Importance of Expiry Dates:
The date on the cylinder signifies its testing date, determining its fitness for further use.
A hydro test and a pressure test, conducted five times the normal pressure, ensure compliance with safety standards.
Cylinders that fail these tests are responsibly destroyed.
Lifespan of the Cylinder:
Typically, an LPG gas cylinder has a lifespan of 15 years. Mandatory tests are conducted twice during this period: first after 10 years of service, and the second after the subsequent 5 years. These tests ensure the continued safety and reliability of the cylinder.
