A pressure regulator is a key piece of gas control equipment (fitted to the outlet of the gas cylinder valve or manifold). It reduces the high pressure of the gas from the cylinder pressure to the lower pressure or flow required for the safe and correct operation of the process equipment.
Regulatory Standards and Compliance
Regulators used in the UK must comply with a recognised standard, such as BS EN ISO 2503: Gas welding equipment – Pressure regulators for gas cylinders used in welding, cutting and allied processes up to 300 bar.
Regulators must not be interchanged between different gas types. In fact, the Acetylene Safety (England and Wales and Scotland) Regulations require that a pressure regulator for use with acetylene gas is designed and constructed specifically for that use, as the use of incorrect materials during construction could allow explosive acetylides to be formed.
Dangers of Incorrect Regulator Use
The use of an incorrect regulator could potentially inhibit the delivery pressure or flow required for the process being used.
Also, the use of low inlet pressure regulators with a high-pressure compressed gas cylinder could result in over pressurisation and potentially catastrophic failure of the main regulator body.
Cylinder Valve Types and Regulator Orientation
Traditionally, gas cylinder valve outlet connections were predominantly top outlet and were opened with the use of a device known as a spindle key. The correct regulator used with this type of valve would have a bottom entry inlet. However, many valves now use side entry outlet connections and are opened via a handwheel. The correct regulator for this type of valve would have a side entry inlet.
Regulators are therefore designed to fit either a bottom entry or a side entry gas cylinder valve outlet. This means that the regulator should face the operator, allowing the pressure gauges to be viewed easily, the controls to be accessible and operable, with space a flashback arrester (if required) and the hose to be connected and to lie naturally towards the ground.
Fitting the incorrectly orientated regulator to a cylinder valve may impose restrictions to the gas flow, such as a kinked hose, increasing the likelihood of a problem or incident occurring.
Avoiding Unsafe Adaptors and Components
British Compressed Gases Association Code of Practice states that all regulators must be selected so that they connect directly to the valve outlet without the need for interim components or adaptors, such as ‘elbows’.
Please check the regulators used within your work areas:
- Are they being used with the correct gas and pressures stated on the regulator?
- Are they within their expiry date and are they correctly orientated?
- Also check that no components or adaptors are fitted between the cylinder valve outlet and the regulator inlet.
Need Help?
If you require any assistance regarding your regulators please contact us on 01270 758890 or email us at admin@gassafeconsultants.co.uk.
