It is important both you and your staff can change cylinders safely, efficiently and competently.

This guide to changing gas cylinders will help you fully meet your requirements.

The basics

You must be competent to change a cylinder.

Whenever you change a cylinder it is important not to skip safety precautions, as these are there to protect you and others from injury.

Changing cylinder is not difficult; you just need to follow a simple step-by-step process

Before you begin, ensure you are wearing the correct PPE, gloves, safety shoes and protective eyewear.

• Turn and close off the valve on top of the empty cylinder
• using the correct spanner, loosen the nut on the hose until the sound of residual gas escaping stops. Once it stops, you can disconnect the hose completely
• release the bracket or chain securing the cylinder
• carefully move the empty cylinder to the storage area (do not replace plastic plugs on the outlet of empty BOC cylinders
• secure the empty cylinder upright, or lie flat and chock it to prevent rolling
• next we select the full cylinder, make sure you check the label on the cylinder to ensure its the right gas for the product being dispensed
• secure the cylinder in an upright position using the chain
• remove the plastic plug or tape from the new full cylinder outlet and discard it
• 'snift' the replacement cylinder by quickly opening and closing the valve on the top to clear any dust or moisture from the outlet (always point the outlet away from your body and wear safety glasses when snifting)
• check the washer is present and in good condition. If not, replace it
• connect the high pressure hose tighten the nut firmly with the spanner
• turn on the valve on top of the cylinder
• check for leaks using a solution of soapy water or a commercial equivalent.

• Turn and close off the valve on top of the empty cylinder
• using the correct spanner, loosen the nut on the hose until the sound of residual gas escaping stops. Once it stops, you can disconnect the hose completely
• release the bracket or chain securing the cylinder
• carefully move the empty cylinder to the storage area (do not replace plastic plugs on the outlet of empty BOC cylinders
• secure the empty cylinder upright, or lie flat and chock it to prevent rolling
• next we select the full cylinder, make sure you check the label on the cylinder to ensure its the right gas for the product being dispensed
• secure the cylinder in an upright position using the chain
• remove the plastic plug or tape from the new full cylinder outlet and discard it
• 'snift' the replacement cylinder by quickly opening and closing the valve on the top to clear any dust or moisture from the outlet (always point the outlet away from your body and wear safety glasses when snifting)
• check the rubber ‘o’ ring is present and in good condition. If not, replace it
• connect the high pressure hose tighten the nut firmly with the spanner
• turn on the valve on top of the cylinder
• check for leaks using a solution of soapy water or a commercial equivalent.