How do I carry out a simplified leak check on an LPG cylinder system?

A simplified leak-tightness check of the cylinder system operated with LPG must be carried out by the operator of a piece of gas equipment, such as barbecue, outdoor heater or radiant heater before each use and after a cylinder replacement.

Of course, all individual components of the system, such as LPG cylinders, pressure regulators, hose assemblies, excess flow devices and gas equipment must be connected – if this is not already the case.

Leak check with leak detector spray

You must then perform the following steps to check the leak-tightness of the LPG system:

1. Close all shut-off fittings on the gas equipment.
2. Slowly open the gas cylinder valve.
3. Spray all connections between the LPG cylinder and gas barbecue with foaming means in accordance with EN 14291 (for example leak detector spray).
4. Do not use an open flame for testing.
5. Check for leak-tightness by looking for bubbles forming in the foaming agent.

Bubbles forming?

If bubbles form, you must re-tighten all connections. If bubbles continue to form after this, you must not put the gas equipment into operation under any circumstances, but must replace the leaky component immediately.

Please refer to the operating manual of the gas equipment manufacturer. There you can also find information on the leak check.

Leak check with pressure gauge at pressure regulator

In the commercial sector – and increasingly in private – more and more operators are using a pressure regulator with pressure gauge. This helps to check for leak-tightness in an LPG system easily and quickly. The following steps should be followed:

1. Close all shut-off fittings on the gas equipment.
2. Then, slowly open the gas cylinder valve.
3. Pressure gauge without red pointer: The position of the black pointer indicates the current cylinder pressure. Mark the exact position of the black pointer manually.
   Pressure gauge with red pointer: Turn the red pointer to the exact same position of the black indicator to mark the current cylinder pressure.
4. Then close the gas cylinder valve again and wait for two minutes to allow any temperature equalisation to occur.
5. Adjust the marking or the red pointer if necessary.
6. Then adhere to the test time of ten minutes and do not change anything on the LPG system.

Black and red pointer at the same position?

The indicated pressure must not decrease during the testing time, showing that the LPG cylinder system is leak-tight. If the pressure drops during the test time, you should spray all detachable connections with leak detector spray as described above. This allows you to locate the leak.