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AD/BAL/3 Amdt 5 - LP Gas Cylinders
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| AD/BAL/3 Amdt 5 | LP Gas Cylinders | 14/2010 |
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| Applicability: | All LPG fuel cylinders for use in hot air balloons. |
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| Requirement: | 1. Inspect in accordance with the requirements of Australian StandardAS 2030.5-2009. Where any defect or suspected defect as defined in Table 6.1 of AS 2337.1-2004 is found, hydrostatic proof testing is required.2. For cylinders for which a service life limitation is specified by the cylinder specification and/or manufacturer, retire the cylinder from service and destroy.Notes:1. Earlier versions of AS 2030.1 stated that they were not applicable to cylinders used in aircraft. AS 2030.1-1999 and subsequent revisions, make clear that it is applicable as a reference made in a direction pursuant to the Civil Aviation Regulations.2. A “certificated test station” is a test station that has been certified in accordance with the requirements of AS 2337.1. Further, an endorsement of compliance withAS 2030.1 made by such a certificated test station is acceptable as an entry or reference in CASA approved documents for the purpose of inspection of the cylinder only.Such an endorsement or certification is not an endorsement for correct assembling of a cylinder assembly, nor the installation of such an assembly into a balloon; e.g. there are additional requirements such as AD/BAL/14.An authorised person must still certify on a balloon's approved Aircraft Log Book as to serviceability and suitability prior to use of the cylinder/s.3. Section 9.2 of AS 2030.5-2009 is of particular importance. This section requires that any tests or inspections called up by the cylinder specification and/or manufacturer must be complied with in conjunction with the tests and inspections listed in AS 2030.5-2009; e.g. certain American and UK cylinder specifications, and/or manufacturers, require a hydrostatic pressure test every 10 years; in which case the hydrostatic test must be carried out. |
| 4. It is a requirement of the various State OH&S and Gas laws that only cylinders that have been inspected in accordance with AS 2030.1-2009 can be refilled. These laws are applicable to the cylinders used in hot air ballooning, and the Authority has no jurisdiction over this aspect. Hence, it is possible for foreign sourced cylinders to be acceptable to the Authority for the purpose of a Type Certificate, but not be in compliance with the law/s of the State/s.In such circumstances, while it may be legitimate to use such cylinders for an aviation purpose, they may not be refilled under the terms of a State's regulatory requirement.CASA has no responsibility whatsoever for such matters and the owner/CofR holder is responsible for seeking compliance with the law/s of the State/s.5. As stated in Note 3 above, AS 2030.5-2009 also invokes the tests and inspections required by the cylinder standard and/or the manufacturer. Hence compliance with the requirement above also necessitates compliance with the intervals listed in those documents.6. The physical configuration of the cylinder and its fittings must be as approved by the balloon manufacturer unless any changes are covered by an STC or other approval (ie, CAR 35). Simply replacing a component with another of the same part number may result in configuration changes, because gas component manufacturers may change the design of a component without changing the part number. It is particularly important that any changes to valves, regulators or other fittings on the top of a gas cylinder be carefully monitored. Gas equipment maintenance personnel do not usually have detailed information regarding appropriate fittings for balloon fuel cylinders. |
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