Cylinders that have a background color of yellow,
orange, or buff have the title stenciled in black.
Cylinders that have a background color of red, brown,
black, blue, gray, or green have the title stenciled in
white. Figure 5-67 shows how cylinders are identified
by the overall painted color code and by the stenciled
name of the gas.
Decalcomanias
As a further identification measure, two decalco-
manias (pronounced de-kel-ko-main-e-ah, or abbrevi-
ated as decals), are applied to the shoulder of each
cylinder. The decals show the name of the gas and the
precautions for its handling and use. The decals are
available from general stores for each gas used in the
Navy.
TESTING AND REPAIRING CYLINDERS
ICC regulations require that all gas cylinders,
except acetylene cylinders, be retested every 5 years.
Cylinders that are due for retesting are not to be
charged and shipped until such retests have been
properly made. However, cylinders that have been
charged before the expiration of their retest period
may be shipped and used until empty. They will then
be turned in for retesting. The dates of retests are
permanently and plainly marked by the stamping on
the shoulder of the cylinder, directly opposite the ICC
and Navy serial numbers. The stamping, for example
4-88, means that the last test was performed in April
1988.
The 5-year tests are performed by naval activities
and civilian agencies under regulations of the ICC.
Personnel aboard naval ships are not authorized to
perform such tests. Empty cylinders with expired test
periods should be returned to the nearest naval supply
depot or cylinder testing activity, and marked "For
Retest."
HANDLING AND STOWING CYLINDERS
You must always remember ALL compressed
gases are hazardous. Many detailed precautions could
be set down with regard to the handling and stowing
of these gases. The more important ones are
summarized in this section.
The term stowage as used in the following
Figure 5-67.--Identifying color patterns for gas cylinders.
paragraphs refers to articles under the cognizance of
the supply officer, in general stores, to be drawn on
for the ship's own use, or articles of cargo being
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