New Standard for Pressure Gas Cylinder Cabinets EN 14470-2

In April 2004, the European Norm EN 14470-1 for safety cabinets was published as a binding version. Now the second part of this norm, EN 14470-2, will further promote the unification of the European security standards. The new European norm, once officially published, will replace DIN 12925-2 after a 6-months transition period. Then throughout Europe, the same high security standards will apply for gas cylinder cabinets, too.

Improved Security Level

Since several years, the Type 90 classification has established itself as the acknowledged standard for storage of hazardous materials in Germany. Nevertheless, the German norm DIN 12925-2, today’s standard for gas cylinder cabinets, provides only one level of security: the gas bottles have to withstand a dangerous rise in temperature for a minimum of 20 minutes only.

With publishing of Part 2 of the EN norm, the security standard for pressure gas cylinder cabinets has been raised to the same high security level as the standards for security cabinets for hazardous materials. Gas cylinder cabinets, too, will be accordingly classified in the four categories G15, G30, G60 and G90. These classifications define the equivalent to a fire resistance of 15 to 90 minutes. The breach in security caused by unsafe storage of pressure gas cylinders can be effectively closed now!

Until now, the lack of a 90-minutes-classification for pressure gas cylinder cabinets have forced plant operators to live with different levels of security for storing hazardous liquids and gas cylinders. But why accepting such a high risk? The imminent danger represented by pressure gas cylinders is comparable to or even worse than the dangers resulting from possible accidents involving hazardous liquids and fire – in general, explosions involving pressure gas cylinders have proven to be highly destructive.

Consequences EN – Security for Plant Operators

After publishing of EN 14470-2, and the following transition period of 6 months, the previously valid DIN 12925-2 will be not an accepted standard any more.

Subsequently, the much changed and aggravated new test requirements for the new European norm will be effective. Cabinets built in accordance to the old norm DIN 12925-2 will not comply to the raised security standards of EN 14470-2.

It is both assignment and challenge for all security cabinet manufacturers, to implement the new building requirements in their cabinet designs and manufacturing lines, and test their products according to the new test requirements, thus ensuring that the new and improved security standard is reflected in their security cabinets on the market.

The new European norm will specify in great detail, how and through which institution the so-called prototype testing will be conducted. Only a successfully accomplished prototype testing will certify a security cabinet as a Type G15, G30, G60 or G90 Cabinet.

Following are the most important changes in test requirements:

Each cabinet model, each design variation, and each cabinet size will have to pass a fire chamber test, and the testing has to be conducted by an officially approved material testing laboratory. Only through this procedure, the cabinet will be classified according to its test results, in one of the four resistance categories. When buying a new pressure gas cylinder cabinet, plant operators should make sure that an approved material testing laboratory has confirmed that the cabinet in question has successfully passed the fire chamber test.
Maximum tolerance values can specify up to which differences in size a new test run in the fire chamber can be forgone.
The whole testing procedures, including the installation of the cabinet in the fire chamber, up to the exact placement of the temperature detections sensors, has to follow exact specifications to ensure comparable results and standards.

asecos, Europe’s leading manufacturer of security cabinets, has risen to the European Challenge and, with the new G90 Pressure Gas Cylinder Cabinet Series, already offers the standard of tomorrow for your needs today. The new cabinet generation is prototype tested and certified according to the highest standards of EN 14470- 2.

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