Cylinders Used in Breathing Apparatus for Mines – DGMS Safety Requirements & BIS Standards

🏗️ Detailed Notes

1️⃣ Introduction

In underground mining, rescue and recovery operations require miners to enter hazardous environments with toxic gases, oxygen deficiency, or smoke. Hence, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and oxygen rescue apparatus are essential life-saving equipment. The cylinder forms the heart of this apparatus — storing compressed oxygen or air safely under high pressure. DGMS, under the Mines Rescue Rules, 1985, prescribes strict standards for cylinders used in all breathing apparatus used in mines.

2️⃣ Relevant Legislation & Standards

Reference	Description
Mines Act, 1952 – Sec. 58	Empowers rules for mine rescue and safety equipment.
Mines Rescue Rules, 1985	Prescribes standards for breathing apparatus and cylinders.
DGMS Circular (Tech.) No. 01 of 2002	Specifies approval & maintenance norms for cylinders.
IS: 7285 (Part 1 & 2)	Indian Standard for seamless steel gas cylinders.
Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016	General safety and testing standards for gas cylinders in India.

3️⃣ Types of Cylinders Used in Mines

Type	Gas Stored	Application	Pressure (approx.)
Oxygen Cylinder (SCBA type)	Compressed Oxygen	Rescue and firefighting apparatus	150–200 bar
Compressed Air Cylinder	Compressed Air	Self-contained breathing apparatus (Airline type)	200–300 bar
Re-breather Cylinder	Oxygen (chemical or compressed)	Closed-circuit rescue sets	120–150 bar

4️⃣ Cylinder Construction & Materials

Material: Seamless alloy steel or aluminium alloy, heat-treated for strength.
Design: Manufactured and tested as per IS: 7285 (Part 1) or equivalent international standard.
Working Pressure: Typically 200 bar (20 MPa).
Burst Pressure: Minimum 1.5 times working pressure.
Weight: Usually between 3–10 kg depending on type and duration (30–60 minutes).

5️⃣ Cylinder Testing & Maintenance

(a) Hydraulic Testing: Conducted every 5 years as per Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016. Test pressure: 1.5 × working pressure (approx. 300 bar). Carried out by DGMS-approved testing stations.

(b) Visual Inspection: Before and after every filling cycle. Check for dents, corrosion, or leakage.

(c) Valve Maintenance: Only DGMS-approved valves to be used. Leak test using soap solution or pressure gauge method.

(d) Marking Requirements: Each cylinder must be stamped with: Manufacturer’s name & serial number, Working & test pressure, Date of manufacture and last test, DGMS approval mark or BIS certification.

6️⃣ DGMS Approval & Certification

DGMS approves cylinders and breathing apparatus models after testing for pressure resistance, leakage prevention, material quality, and compatibility with rescue sets (Dräger, Siebe-Gorman, etc.). Cylinders failing inspection must be immediately condemned and destroyed under supervision.

7️⃣ Safety & Storage Guidelines

Store cylinders upright and secured.
Keep away from direct heat or flames.
Use oxygen-specific regulators only.
Train rescue personnel in handling and refilling procedures.
Record all maintenance and refilling in Rescue Equipment Register (Form R-3).

⚡ Quick One-Liners (Revision Points)

Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 govern breathing apparatus.
Cylinders must conform to IS: 7285 standards.
Typical pressure: 200 bar.
Hydraulic test every 5 years.
Markings must include DGMS approval number.
Cylinders made of seamless steel or aluminium.
Burst pressure = 1.5 × working pressure.
Store vertically, away from heat.
Leak testing mandatory.
Record kept in Rescue Equipment Register.

🧠 Descriptive Model Question & Answer

Q. Discuss the DGMS requirements for cylinders used in breathing apparatus in mines. Explain their testing and maintenance procedure.

Answer:
According to the Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 and DGMS (Tech.) Circular No. 01 of 2002, all breathing apparatus used in coal and metalliferous mines must have DGMS-approved cylinders that conform to IS: 7285 (Part 1 & 2) standards. The cylinders, made of seamless alloy steel or aluminium, are designed to withstand a working pressure of 200 bar and tested at 1.5 times that pressure. They must bear DGMS approval markings, serial numbers, and date of testing.

Each cylinder undergoes: Hydraulic testing every 5 years, visual inspection before every use, and leak and valve testing during refilling. Records of testing and refilling are maintained in the Rescue Equipment Register (Form R-3). Cylinders that fail tests or show corrosion must be immediately discarded. Thus, proper testing, maintenance, and storage of cylinders ensure safety, reliability, and readiness of rescue apparatus in mine emergencies.

🎯 25 MCQs – Cylinders in Breathing Apparatus

Q1. Cylinders used in mine breathing apparatus must conform to:

A. IS: 7285 B. IS: 8148 C. IS: 1005 D. IS: 3024

Q2. Governing rules for breathing apparatus in mines:

A. Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 B. CMR 2017 C. MMR 1961 D. None

Q3. Typical working pressure of oxygen cylinder:

A. 200 bar B. 100 bar C. 50 bar D. 20 bar

Q4. Hydraulic testing frequency:

A. Every 5 years B. Every 10 years C. Every 2 years D. None

Q5. Burst pressure of cylinder:

A. 1.5 × working pressure B. 1 × working pressure C. 2 × working pressure D. None

Q6. Material used for cylinder:

A. Seamless steel or aluminium B. Cast iron C. Plastic D. None

Q7. Testing station must be:

A. DGMS-approved B. Private C. Mine manager D. None

Q8. Record of cylinder maintenance kept in:

A. Rescue Equipment Register B. Attendance Register C. Safety Audit File D. None

Q9. Cylinders used for breathing apparatus store:

A. Oxygen or air B. Nitrogen C. CO₂ D. None

Q10. Gas Cylinder Rules were last updated in:

A. 2016 B. 2010 C. 2005 D. 2020

Q11. DGMS approval number must be:

A. Stamped on cylinder body B. Written on paper C. Not required D. None

Q12. Oxygen cylinder colour code (India):

A. Black body, white shoulder B. Blue body C. Yellow D. None

Q13. Cylinder storage should be:

A. Upright & ventilated B. Horizontal C. Heated D. None

Q14. Cylinder capacity of rescue set:

A. 6–8 litres B. 1 litre C. 20 litres D. None

Q15. Typical duration of rescue set:

A. 30–60 minutes B. 5 minutes C. 2 hours D. None

Q16. Visual inspection done:

A. Before each use B. Monthly C. Annually D. None

Q17. Approval of apparatus issued by:

A. DGMS B. BIS only C. Company D. None

Q18. Valve maintenance ensures:

A. Leak-free operation B. Faster refilling C. High flow D. None

Q19. Burst pressure typically:

A. 300 bar B. 150 bar C. 100 bar D. None

Q20. Cylinder marking includes:

A. Manufacturer, pressure, date, DGMS no. B. Only pressure C. None

Q21. DGMS circular specifying cylinder norms:

A. 01/2002 B. 08/2017 C. 12/2018 D. None

Q22. Valve leakage test uses:

A. Soap solution B. Oil C. Water immersion D. None

Q23. Rescue equipment records kept in:

A. Form R-3 B. Form M C. Form A D. None

Q24. Cylinders failing inspection must be:

A. Condemned & destroyed B. Reused C. Painted D. None

Q25. Proper cylinder maintenance ensures:

A. Safety & reliability in emergencies B. Higher production C. Lower cost D. None

🔗 Internal Linking Suggestions

Related Topic	Read More On...
Mine Rescue	Mines Rescue Rules, 1985 - Notes & MCQs
Emergency Planning	DGMS Mining Management & Safety Notes
DGMS Circulars	DGMS Tech Circular No. 02 of 2020
Health & Safety	Health, Welfare & Behavioural Safety

⛑️ Master Mine Rescue & Safety Equipment Standards!

Join Online Mining Exam – India’s 1st Online Mining Academy for:

Mines Rescue Rules Notes
DGMS Equipment Standards
5000+ Topic-wise MCQs

📞 Call/WhatsApp: 9971114020

Download DGMS Rescue Equipment Notes & Practice 25 MCQs Now!

Online Mining Exam
A California-based travel writer, lover of food, oceans, and nature.