UNITED

NATIONS	ST

Secretariat	Distr.

GENERAL

ST/SG/AC.10/1998/23

21 September 1998

Original: ENGLISH
COMMITTEE OF EXPERTS ON THE

TRANSPORT OF DANGEROUS GOODS

(Twentieth session,

Geneva, 7-16 December l998,

agenda item 5 (b))

PROGRAMME OF WORK

Programme of work for the 1999/2000 biennium and related proposals

Danger warning signs on LPG Cylinders

Transmitted by the European Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (AEGPL)

The flammable gas danger warning sign for LPG cylinders is described in chapter 5.2 of the UN Model Regulations with illustrations in 5.2.2.2.2. This is a red diamond with black or white flame, Figure 2, and border line. The Industry experience is that a durable type of application is by stencilling with paint. However, it is only practicable to stencil in one colour. Accurate alignment of two colours can only be achieved with sophisticated machinery which is expensive.

Industry experience is that the alternative of adhesive labels is not the best solution. They became illegible but the remnants remain firmly attached which can only be removed by aggressive treatment thereby damaging any corrosion protection (e.g., zinc coating or paint) and making relabelling a significant reconditioning operation.

The problem was solved in the United Kingdom over ten years ago under former United Kingdom regulations by an exemption which required the diamond to be the prescribed red but permitting the flame symbol and UN Number to be the background colour of the cylinder, provided there was adequate contrast. This can be achieved by stencilling with a single red colour.

GE.98-

The ten years experience in the United Kingdom is ample evidence that the concession did not adversely affect safety.

It is intended to put forward a proposal for concession as described above, through the AEGPL, for adoption in the UN Model Regulations. The views of the Committee of Experts is therefore sought.

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