How to check your LPG cylinder due date?

Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders are made of low carbon steel complying with the BIS 3196 standard. Cylinder manufacturers require approval from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and obtain BIS license for authorized manufacturing and sale of cylinders.

The serviceable age of cylinders depends on various external factors such as atmospheric conditions, usage and cylinder rotation, wear and tear due to impacts, rusting, etc. LPG cylinders, thus, do not have a fixed expiry date but have a Statutory Testing Due Date. Statutory Testing is done after every 5 years wherein the cylinders are tested for usability and are stamped with the new test due date and sent for circulation in the market.

Where do you find the Test Due Date?

The test due date, an alphanumeric code, is marked on one of three side collars (shroud) of the cylinder. It starts with alphabets A, B, C or D followed by 2 digits (Example – A-25).

The alphabets stand for quarters -

A - First Quarter (Jan-Mar)

B - Second Quarter (Apr-Jun)

C - Third Quarter (Jul-Sep)

D - Fourth Quarter (Oct-Dec)

The digits indicate the year (YY) till it is valid. Hence A-25 would mean the cylinder is due for testing in the first quarter of 2025.

In case of old cylinders lying idle in households for long periods past the due date, the testing is done when the cylinder gets back into the circulation.