The General Manager of the General Organization for Standards and Metrology, Dr. Abdullah Bani Khalid, said that the organization has allowed the circulation of composite (plastic) gas cylinders after completing all inspection and technical auditing procedures, in cooperation with specialized global technical teams.
Bani Khalid explained in his speech on Hayat FM radio that these cylinders consist of high-strength composite carbon materials, which are harder than iron, while the plastic serves only as an external covering to facilitate handling and use and does not affect safety factors.
He added that the tests were conducted before, during, and after manufacturing. Samples were also taken from the customs center and tested at the Royal Scientific Society, and it was found that they comply with the approved specifications.
He indicated that the weight of the composite cylinder is 5 kilograms and 200 grams and contains the same gas capacity as the domestic iron cylinder (12.5 kg) subsidized by the government, in addition to an unsubsidized cylinder weighing 50 kilograms.
He pointed out that filling and emptying tests have proven that the lifespan of the cylinder can reach 75 years.
Bani Khalid confirmed that the price of the gas cylinder will remain unchanged, pointing out that the clock and the valve in these cylinders are of the compression type, not like the valves currently used, which requires changing the regulator, and that these cylinders do not need a “gasket”.
He mentioned that the state of Qatar has been using this type of cylinders since 2012, and they are currently approved there.
He confirmed that the citizen will have the choice to use either the composite or iron cylinder, explaining that these cylinders are not affiliated with the refinery, but belong to another importer, and there will be no loss to the refinery or the elimination of the current iron cylinders.
He added that the Kingdom discards annually between 40,000 and 50,000 iron cylinders, while about 250,000 iron cylinders are imported annually, indicating that the composite cylinders will soon enter Jordanian homes after completing the necessary procedures.
