Drinks Dispense Gas – FAQs

Gas cylinders have a 'test ring' on the cylinder valve neck that indicates that the cylinder has been tested and is safe to use.

As long 'in test' date stamped on the ring is later than the current date, then the cylinder is safe to use.

NB: a cylinder is still safe to use even if the date on the cylinder has passed. However, when this cylinder is returned it will not be refilled until it has been re-tested and a new test ring has been fitted.
Always rotate cylinder stocks to cylinders are always within test date.

Dispense gas cylinders are heavy and must be handled and stored carefully in accordance with the Manual Handling Regulations 1992 and other health and safety guidelines.

For guidance on safely handling and storing gas cylinders.
Gas cylinders are filled with gas at high pressures and must be managed in line with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations.

All cylinders have a safety mechanism called a 'bursting disc'. It is a quick pressure release system that ruptures if the pressure in the cylinder rises above a certain limit.

One reason may be that it is empty! To find out how to tell if this is the case, download our guide However, BOC Sureserve uses two types of cylinders: steel and aluminium. An aluminium cylinder may feel lighter than usual because it will weigh less than a steel cylinder of the same size. But the gas content is exactly the same, size for size.

Your cylinders may ice up simply because you have been selling a lot of beer, especially lager. However, the icing may indicate that there is a fault somewhere:

If the cylinder is frozen at the bottom, you may have a leak on your brewery line - contact your brewery
If the cylinder is frozen at the top, there has been a major gas leak:
you must take action immediately
Download our guide on how to spot a gas leak here.

If you are having problems with your Gasgen equipment, use the following guidelines to trace the source and put it right. BOC Sureserve will rectify any problem with our equipment free of charge. However, we reserve the right to apply a call out charge for a visit where the fault lies with equipment not owned by BOC Sureserve.

The gas supply has failed or a pressure gauge is on zero

There may be an equipment fault, a cylinder may be empty, or there may be a gas leak:

• check the equipment for a system fault
• check whether or not a cylinder is empty (download how can I tell when a cylinder is empty pdf for more information)
• check for leaks (dowload how to spot a leak pdf for more information)

If you find a gas leak, you must take action immediately.

If you are having difficulties with your Large Cylinder Pack, use the following guidelines to trace the source of the problem and put it right. BOC Sureserve will rectify any problem with our equipment free of charge. However, we reserve the right to apply a call out charge for a visit where the fault lies with equipment not owned by BOC Sureserve.

The gas supply has failed or a pressure gauge is on zero

There may be an equipment fault, a cylinder may be empty, or there may be a gas leak:

• check the equipment for a system fault (for help tracing a leak on a large cylinder pack download our guide)
• check whether or not a cylinder is empty (download how can I tell when a cylinder is empty pdf for further information)
• check for leaks (download how to spot a leak pdf for further information)

If you find a gas leak, you must take action immediately.

If you are having problems with your SureBlend system, use the following guidelines to trace the source and put it right. BOC Sureserve will rectify any problem with our equipment free of charge. However, we reserve the right to apply a call out charge for a visit where the fault lies with equipment not owned by BOC Sureserve.

The gas supply has failed or a pressure gauge is on zero

There may be an equipment fault, a cylinder may be empty, or there may be a gas leak:

• check the equipment for a system fault - for help tracing a leak on a large cylinder pack download our guide
• check whether or not a cylinder is empty (download how can I tell when a cylinder is empty pdf for more information)
• check for leaks (download how to spot a leak pdf for more information)

If you find a gas leak, you must take action immediately.

if you have a SureBlend Ultra system installed, there is a simple changeover lever on the regulator panel to switch from an empty to a full cylinder

There are a number of reasons why you may unexpectedly run out of gas: You can find out about some of the reasons this may be happening and also how you can correct the fault by downloading our guide

If you think you are using too much gas:

• it could be that you have ordered insufficient gas, or there has been a change in demand due to increased beer sales. In these cases, identify which gas is needed and contact BOC Sureserve to arrange a delivery
• there may be a gas leak from BOC Sureserve or other cellar equipment (download how to spot a leak pdf for more information)

BOC Sureserve does not supply relief valves. If you are having problems (e.g, it has blown), please contact your brewery.

We can only collect our own cylinders. If you wish to have dispense gas cylinders collected that do not belong to BOC, the easiest way is to contact Keg Watch on 0808 100 1945 and they will be happy to arrange collection of dispense gas cylinders FREE of CHARGE.

No. We do not supply these items. Please ask your local Sales and Service person and they will recommend a supplier.

No. We will repair any BOC Sureserve equipment that you currently have installed as part of your current agreement for no charge, but any faults on brewery equipment should be directed to the brewery. If you are unsure who owns the equipment, then call the BOC Sureserve Customer Service Centre on 1850 390 000.

Here are the reasons you may be having a problem with the cellar buoy:

• someone has made a mistake when changing a keg - check that instructions for changing kegs have been followed correctly
• there is an equipment fault - isolate the equipment, turn off the gas, and contact your brewery.
  

If you are having problems with the electric pump, use this guide to find the source of the problem:

• first check the obvious: is the electricity supply switched on?
• has the circuit breaker tripped or a fuse blown?
• look for an obvious cause, e.g. water or beer has dripped onto electrical equipment
• if possible, remedy the cause, then re-set the breaker or replace the fuse
• if the breaker trips or the fuse blows again, call an electrician - do not touch the equipment.

BOC Sureserve does not supply beer line cooling equipment; please contact your brewery.

BOC Sureserve does not supply cellar cooling equipment please contact your brewery.

Here are some of the and reasons you may be having a problem with the primary regulator:

All carbon dioxide (Suregas) cylinders have a safety mechanism called a 'bursting disc'. It is a quick pressure release system that ruptures if the pressure in the cylinder rises above a certain limit. It is designed to release the contents so that the cylinder itself does not burst. If a bursting disc ruptures, there will be a sudden loud noise and a plume of white vapour as the gas is released, and the cylinder may fall over.

A bursting disc may rupture if:

(For more information about dealing with a gas leak download our how to spot a gas leak guide)