BS EN ISO 17871:2020

What is BS EN ISO 17871 about?  

BS EN ISO 17871 discusses gas cylinders. BS EN ISO 17871 in conjunction with ISO 10297 and ISO 14246, specifies design, type testing, marking and manufacturing tests, and examinations requirements for quick-release cylinder valves intended to be fitted to refillable transportable gas cylinders, pressure drums and tubes which convey: 

• Non-toxic 
• Non-oxidizing 
• Non-flammable 
• Non-corrosive 

The main application of such quick-release cylinder valves is in the fire-fighting industry. However, there are other applications such as avalanche airbags, life raft inflation and similar applications.  

BS EN ISO 17871 covers the function of a quick-release cylinder valve as a closure. BS EN ISO 17871 pays particular attention to: 

• Suitability of materials 
• Safety (mechanical strength, impact strength, endurance, leak tightness) 
• Testing 
• Marking 

Quick-release cylinder valves of auxiliary refillable propellant gas cylinders used within or as part of portable fire extinguishers are covered BS EN ISO 17871 if these cylinders are transported separately, for example, for filling. 

Note 1: BS EN ISO 17871 does not apply to quick-release cylinder valves if used as the main closure of portable fire extinguishers because portable fire extinguishers are not covered by transport regulation. 

Note 2: BS EN ISO 17871 does not apply to quick-release cylinder valves for cryogenic equipment and for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). 

Who is BS EN ISO 17871 for? 

BS EN ISO 17871 on gas cylinders is useful for: 

• Gas cylinder and component manufacturers 
• Design engineers 
• Research and development facilities  

Why should you use BS EN ISO 17871?  

BS EN ISO 17871 covers the function of a quick-release cylinder valve as a closure and specifies its pressure regulators, residual pressure-retaining devices, non-return devices and pressure-relief devices. A cylinder valve with a valve operating mechanism designed for quick release of gas cylinder contents that is actuated by a valve operating device which can be activated by an activation device that might not be part of the quick-release cylinder valve is described in BS EN ISO 17871. 

Using BS EN ISO 17871 you can test, design and mark a quick-release cylinder valve that is fitted to refillable transportable gas cylinders, pressure drums and tubes as these gas cylinders can contain gases at above atmospheric pressure. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN ISO 17871:2020 supersedes BS EN ISO 17871:2015+A1:2018. BS EN ISO 17871:2020 includes some technical changes with respect to BS EN ISO 17871:2015+A1:2018. These include: 

• Extension of the scope to valves for pressure drums and tubes 
• Addition of the valve burst test pressure 
• Deletion of the flame impingement test 
• Deletion of internal leak tightness test at −40 °c for quick-release cylinder valves only used for fixed firefighting systems installed in buildings 
• Complete revision of 4.2.11 and annexe A