Overview
ISO 11623:2015 - Gas cylinders - Composite construction - Periodic inspection and testing - defines requirements for the periodic inspection, testing and integrity verification of transportable composite gas cylinders. It applies to hoop‑wrapped and fully‑wrapped composite cylinders (Types 2, 3, 4 and 5) with aluminium‑alloy, steel or non‑metallic liners or linerless construction, intended for compressed, liquefied or dissolved gases. The standard covers cylinders with a water capacity from 0.5 L up to 450 L and, as far as practicable, can be applied to smaller cylinders when authorized.
Key topics and technical requirements
ISO 11623:2015 focuses on the practical steps and criteria needed to requalify composite cylinders for continued service. Key technical topics include:
- Scope and applicability - cylinder types, liner materials and water capacity limits.
- Periodic inspection objectives - verification of cylinder integrity prior to return to service.
- Inspection procedures - preparation, visual and dimensional examination of composite overwrap and liner interfaces.
- Testing methods - mandated tests to detect leakage or loss of strength and to confirm fitness for service (standard describes required types of tests and their intended purpose).
- Acceptance and rejection criteria - documented criteria for determining when cylinders can be requalified or must be condemned.
- Documentation and marking - recording inspection results, requalification markings and traceability.
- Applicability to constructions built to ISO 11119 - explicitly written to address cylinders manufactured to ISO 11119‑1, ISO 11119‑2 and ISO 11119‑3, and may be used for other comparable designs with competent‑authority approval.
(Note: ISO 11623:2015 defines the framework and requirements but implementers must consult the full text for exact test procedures and criteria.)
Practical applications - who uses ISO 11623:2015
ISO 11623:2015 is used by organizations and professionals involved in the life‑cycle management of composite gas cylinders:
- Cylinder manufacturers and designers (for post‑manufacture inspection regimes)
- Accredited inspection and testing laboratories and requalification centers
- Gas suppliers, distributors and cylinder fleet operators (periodic maintenance policies)
- Transport and logistics companies handling pressurized gases
- Regulatory and competent authorities that authorize application to non‑ISO constructions
Using ISO 11623 helps ensure safe, consistent requalification of composite cylinders, reduce in‑service failures, and support regulatory compliance.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 11623:2015, composite gas cylinders, periodic inspection and testing, ISO 11119, requalification, hoop‑wrapped, fully‑wrapped, cylinder inspection, composite cylinder integrity.
