The domestic delivery of medium-sized seamless cylinders in 2011 (April 2011 -March 2012) seems to be recovering the level of 90 thousand cylinders for the first time in three years, pulled by the special procurement demand for inspection and replacement of halon fire-extinguishing cylinders.

According to the data of KHK (the High Pressure Gas Safety Institute), the result of delivery in 2011, the cumulative total from April up to January 2012 as verified statistically, marked an increase of up 44% compared with a year earlier.

Either one of the domestic manufacturer of medium-sized seamless cylinders now refers to the increased delivery of halon cylinders. “Since the end of last year there have been increases in orders for halon cylinders.” (Sumikin Kiko) “We are operating our Kameyama Plant at full capacity to produce fire extinguishing cylinders.” (Koatsu Showa Cylinders)

After the Lehman Shock, the production of medium-sized cylinders was plunged down to the level of 60 thousand in 2009 and 2010, but now there is a sigh of relief among people concerned. The so-called halon demand which made a driving power for the recovered production of cylinders stands for the demand for replacement of cylinders in the field of fire extinguishing equipment.

After the revision of inspection guidelines in the Fire Service Act applicable laws and regulations (March 2009), inspection became mandatory on the cylinder valves of gas fire extinguishing equipment with a lapse of 15 years after installation. Many halon fire extinguishing facilities are already 15 years and must be inspected by 2014.

To inspect the valves, you have to detach them from the cylinders and remove gas once. It naturally is necessary to pass a pressure examination to refill halon gas as the cylinders has just passed the 15th year after installation.

The fire-extinguishing cylinders after examination must be returned to their owners taking time and care. Furthermore, as the cylinders are so aged that more users prefer to replace them with new cylinders instead of having re-examination. Unlike general industrial gas cylinders, however, all fire extinguishing cylinders are owned by users. In some cases, when all cylinder valves are replaced, it is found the halon gas contained in a cylinder is no longer produced and such cylinders must be recycled for refilling.

It was not until the recent one or two years that the number of inspection of halon fire extinguishing equipment came to the peak. Therefore, they have to check lots of equipment by 2014, and they are quickly carrying out filling of new cylinders and re-install them.

As they say, “in addition to halon the need for carbon dioxide cylinders is also on the increase from the beginning of 2012″, it is expected that inspection of CO2 gas equipment in addition to halon will be started in the next year. (Koatsu Showa Cylinders)