BS EN 1089-3:2011

What is BS EN 1089-3 - Transportable gas cylinders about?  

BS EN 1089-3 is a technical specification that specifies a colour coding system for the secondary method of identification of the contents of gas cylinders for industrial gases, breathing gas applications and gases for medical use with particular reference to the properties of the gas or gas mixture. 

BS EN 1089-3 does not apply to cylinders containing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), refrigerant gases, portable fire extinguishers or stationary cylinder extinguishing. Bundle colour coding is not addressed by this or other standards. BS EN 1089-3 provides symbols and abbreviations and a colour coding system.  

Note: Labelling and marking of gas cylinders is subject to provisions of RID/ADR which take precedence over marking clauses in BS EN 1089-3. 

Who is BS EN 1089-3 - Transportable gas cylinders for? 

BS EN 1089-3 on transportable gas cylinders is useful for: 

• Classification systems 
• Identification methods 
• Pressure equipment manufacturers 
• The healthcare industry 
• The chemical industry 

Why should you use BS EN 1089-3 - Transportable gas cylinders?  

The labelling of gas cylinders as required by the RID/ADR- Regulations is the primary method of indicating the dangers of cylinder contents. However, colour coding is used to identify the contents of gas cylinders from a distance, e.g., in case of a fire. It is recognized that other systems are in use and may be used in conjunction with the requirements of BS EN 1089-3. 

BS EN 1089-3, along with EN ISO 13769, EN ISO 21007-1 and EN ISO 21007-2 belongs to a series 

of European Standards specifying gas cylinder identification requirements. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 1089-3:2011 supersedes EN 1089-3:2004, which is withdrawn. BS EN 1089-3:2011 includes some technical changes with respect to EN 1089-3:2004. These include: 

• The white colouration of the gas cylinder body dedicated for medical use 
• The new specific colour dedicated to nitric oxide/ nitrogen for medical use 
• The introduction of definitions (gas for medical use, breathing gas, industrial gas) 
• The application of bright green colouration for inert gas mixtures N2 or He with O2 less than 20 % (except for the two specific colours) 
• The restriction of the configuration of two colours on the shoulder as quadrants to air (medical use or for breathing use).