Overview
EN ISO 3807:2013 (ISO 3807:2013, corrected 2014-11-01) specifies the basic requirements and type‑testing rules for acetylene cylinders (with and without fusible plugs) up to a maximum nominal water capacity of 150 L. The standard covers the porous material and solvent system used to store acetylene safely, type approval and production/batch test procedures, and specific test methods (e.g., fire and backfire tests). It does not prescribe detailed cylinder shell design (see Related Standards).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and definitions: Terms such as acetylene cylinder, porous material, porosity, saturation acetylene and solvent are defined for consistent testing and manufacture.
- Porous material: Requirements for monolithic and non‑monolithic porous fillers, including porosity determination and compressive strength testing (Annex A, B).
- Solvent and acetylene content: Rules governing solvent types (e.g., acetone, DMF) and permissible acetylene charges; saturation conditions are specified.
- Working pressure and fusible plugs: Classification of cylinders by test/working pressure and requirements for non‑reclosing fusible plugs where used.
- Type approval and testing: Procedures for type approval requests, compulsory type tests and information to be recorded in type approval documents (Clause 5).
- Manufacturing and batch testing: Production quality control and inspection procedures for manufacture of cylinders with porous material (Clause 6, Annex I).
- Specific test methods: Normative annexes provide methods for porosity (A), compressive strength (B), calculation of working pressure (C), prevention of hydraulic pressure development (D), backfire test (E), fire test (F), integrity near joggle welds (G), fusible plug testing (H), and inspection procedures (I). Annex J gives calculation examples.
Practical applications and users
Who uses EN ISO 3807:2013:
- Cylinder manufacturers and porous‑material producers - for design validation, production controls and batch testing.
- Testing and certification bodies - for type approval and conformity assessment.
- Gas suppliers and fillers - to ensure safe filling limits, solvent selection and handling procedures.
- Safety engineers, transport regulators and procurement specialists - to verify compliance with transport of dangerous goods requirements and to specify safe acetylene cylinders for industrial use.
Practical uses:
- Type approval documentation and testing programs.
- Routine factory inspection and batch acceptance testing.
- Safety case preparation for storage, transport and filling operations involving acetylene.
Related Standards
Keywords: EN ISO 3807:2013, ISO 3807, acetylene cylinders, porous material, fusible plugs, type testing, porosity, solvent, working pressure, cylinder manufacturing.
