How to Calculate Gas Usage

Note: This is an approximation as different gases compress at

different volumes. This calculation returns Metric Values.
Step 1
Calculate the number of liters of gas in the cylinder.
Note:- You should also be able to obtain this from the label.
P1 = the fill pressure of the compressed gas in the cylinder (psi)
Refer to manufacturers’ information sheet or the label on the
cylinder shoulder.
V1 = Internal volume of the cylinder. Water volume.
Water volume can be obtained from manufacturer of cylinder but it
is also one of the permanent markings on the neck of the cylinder.
P2 = Atmospheric pressure (14.7 psi.)
V2 = Volume of gas at atmospheric pressure (14.7psi) in Liters.
Formula: V2 = (P1 x V1) ÷ P2
Example
An Australian “G” size cylinder 1410mm High, 230mm Diameter
Fill pressure is stated on label as 20.0Mpa. Volume of contents as
stated on label is 2.0 cubic meters. Water volume 50 liters
Convert Mpa to Psi = MPa x 145.0389
= 20 x 145.0389
= 2009.778 psi
Liters of contents V2 = (2009.778 x 50) ÷ 14.7
= 6835.98 liters of gas.
Step 2:
Calculate how long the cylinder will last at a specific flow
rate.
Hours duration = Cylinder capacity (Liters) x Flow rate (Liters/Hour)
Liters per hour = Liters per minute x 60
Example using figures from previous page
Cylinder contents = 6835.98 liters
Flow rate is 12 liters per minute or 12 x 60 = 720 liters per hour
Duration of cylinder = 6835.98 ÷ 720 = 9.49 hours
≈ 9 hours 30 minutes.
Please remember that this is an approximation only.
→ Brochure Category

Globally Harmonised
System of Classification
and Labelling of
Chemicals (GHS)
As of January 2017, the new Australian Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations
require an updated system of labelling for chemicals based on the GHS.
The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) is an
internationally agreed system of chemical classification and hazard communication through
labelling and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The GHS is published by the United Nations.

As of January 2017, the new Australian Workplace Health and Most gases are classified as a hazardous chemical. Therefore in
Safety (WHS) Regulations require an updated system of labelling for preparation for January 2017, BOC will be updating labels and SDS’s to
chemicals based on the GHS1. As a result, manufacturers and importers be compliant with GHS. Due to the size of the cylinder fleet, we have
of hazardous chemicals have five years from January 2012 (i.e until already started this process.
31 December 2016) to move to the new labelling system.
As a result, you may start noticing that the labels on your gas cylinders
This is an industry-wide change across Australia and more detailed and SDS’s vary slightly so that they are now compliant with GHS.
information is available through:
Always refer to the SDS prior to using a gas. SDS’s are available at
1. Safe Work Australia website: www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au www.boc.com.au.

2. Labelling of Workplace Hazardous Chemicals – Code of Practice.

This Code of Practice is under section 274 of the Work Health and
Safety Act (WHS Act).

Common layout of GHS compliant cylinder label

1 Gas name (UN Proper Shipping Name) 1 13 4 6 7

2
2 Dangerous Goods Classification
3 BOC gas code 3 5

4 C ontents of cylinder at standard temperature

and pressure (15°C @ 101.3 kPa) IN
D220.0MP
a
CO OXY USTRIA
D
5 Cylinder size
020sm
:
Size er
M
UN PR GEN,
o: dis
L 3 Filled t e; oxi ; may om
6 Fill Pressure de: fir sure y fr and :
Gas Co
2.0 ify
ns res wa s re

10 ESSE
inte er p p a alve of fi
BO

7 Material barcode ts:

Conten e or s und ● Kee ep v case lated
CL

ite
im

dA
a u s a
yc g ed Ke ti
● Ma ontains if heat ials ● se ● In l-ven nd
.B.

72 D
N.
8 GHS Hazard and Precaution Statements 95
00 ● C plode mater grea wel ts a S3
00 ex tible d a ten GH
29
us il an e in n Re
v.
9 Safety Data Sheet location comb e from o ● Stor ith co
72
9, 1
0 Juli s fr e o s o le w se se
us
Ave fitting safe to d mpatib after u fore u
10 GHS Signal Word Nor
th R k if t co
Stop lea quipmen and clo m.au
se be
yde
, NS se e ly co
11 Customer Engagement Centre contact details W2
113 DANGER place ● U valves slow w.boc.
- Cus pen ww
tome
r Serv pressure ● O S h e et at
12 U
 nited Nations numbering system for safe ty Data
ice (all
Refer to Safe
States) 1
31 262 (B/Hrs)

handling, transport and storage

13 Gas grade 14 12 11 10 9 8
14 Please note: black background only applies
to Industrial Oxygen

1. T here are several types of hazardous chemical that are excluded from the labelling provisions under Regulation 335
or exempted from coverage from all provisions in Part 7.1 of the WHS Regulations. One exemption is therapeutic
goods which are regarded as correctly labelled under the WHS Regulations when labelled in accordance with
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) requirements and in a form:
• Intended for intake or administration to or by a patient or consumer, or
• Intended for use for therapeutic purposes.

Accordingly, when these conditions are met, existing labels and safety data sheets for these goods are considered
to comply with WHS regulations.
MP15-0161-2 FDAUS 0816

BOC Limited
ABN 95 000 029 729
10 Julius Avenue, North Ryde NSW 2113, Australia, www.boc.com.au

© BOC Limited 2016. BOC is a trading name of BOC Limited. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.Details given in this document are believed to be correct at the time of printing.
Whilst proper care has been taken in the preparation, no liability for injury or damage resulting from its improper use can be accepted.