What is periodic testing?
The hazardous substances legislation requires compressed gas cylinders to be inspected on a regular basis. A Periodic Tester (Test Certifier ) must issue a periodic test certificate for a cylinder if the cylinder satisfies the inspection requirements.
The requirements for inspection together with the frequency of inspection are set out in the Hazardous Substances (Compressed Gases) Regulations, Part 7 - Testing of cylinders and fittings; and qualified in the New Zealand Gazette Notice 35 (Amended by New Zealand Gazette Notice 128) Schedule 4.
What happened under the previous regime?
Under the dangerous goods legislation inspections were carried out at either a Laboratory or a Testing Station. Two approving organisations were involved; International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) accredit a Laboratory dealing with cylinders used for industrial gases, SCUBA equipment (self contained underwater breathing apparatus) and compressed air. The NZ Underwater Association (NZU) certifies a Testing Station that was confined to testing SCUBA equipment and compressed air. These organisations use different terms not only for the approval but also the location designation.
What are the new requirements?
The Regulations require a Periodic Tester issue a periodic certificate for a cylinder that passes the specified tests and to mark the cylinder accordingly.
The Periodic Tester is an individual person (Test Certifier), not an organisation as under the previous regime . However, they will generally be the same people and organisations doing the certification.