SIST EN ISO 11439:2013 PDF

Overview

SIST EN ISO 11439:2013 (ISO 11439:2013) defines minimum requirements for lightweight, refillable high‑pressure cylinders used for the on‑board storage of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a fuel in automotive vehicles. The standard applies to seamless steel, seamless aluminium‑alloy and non‑metallic cylinder constructions (it explicitly does not cover stainless‑steel cylinders). ISO 11439:2013 uses 200 bar as a reference working pressure, although other working pressures may be used. The service conditions exclude external loadings such as those from vehicle collisions.

Keywords: ISO 11439, SIST EN ISO 11439:2013, natural gas cylinders, high pressure cylinders, on‑board storage, CNG.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Cylinder types and scope
  • Designations: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4 (metal, hoop‑wrapped, fully‑wrapped, composite constructions).
• Materials and construction
  • Permitted materials: seamless steel, aluminium alloy, non‑metallic liners/composites. Stainless steel is excluded.
• Design and service conditions
  • Reference working pressure (200 bar) and allowance for alternative ratings.
  • Service environment factors: temperature range, gas composition, and design filling cycles.
  • External surface requirements and limitations (no collision loading coverage).
• Testing, inspection and type approval
  • Prototype testing, batch testing and tests on every cylinder.
  • Non‑destructive examination (NDE), ultrasonic examination and fracture performance considerations.
  • Type approval procedure, documentation (design/manufacturing data, specification sheet) and type approval certificates.
• Manufacturing controls and quality
  • Construction/workmanship requirements, batch acceptance certificates, and failure handling.
• Marking and dispatch
  • Mandatory marking and preparation for shipment to ensure traceability and safe handling.

Practical applications

• Ensuring design and manufacturing compliance for vehicle fuel systems that use CNG.
• Guiding prototype validation, production testing and type approval for on‑board gas cylinders.
• Informing procurement, inspection and maintenance procedures for fleets, OEMs and cylinder manufacturers.
• Supporting safety assessments, regulatory compliance and certification activities for CNG vehicles.

Who should use this standard

• Automotive OEMs and vehicle systems engineers
• Cylinder designers and manufacturers (metal and composite)
• Certification and testing laboratories
• Regulatory authorities, inspection bodies and fleet operators
• Maintenance and safety personnel involved with CNG fuel systems

Related standards and governance

• Prepared by ISO/TC 58 (“Gas cylinders”) in collaboration with CEN/TC 23 (“Transportable gas cylinders”).
• EN ISO 11439:2013 is the adopted European version and supersedes earlier editions (EN ISO 11439:2000).

Using ISO 11439 helps stakeholders achieve consistent safety, performance and regulatory alignment for high‑pressure on‑board natural gas storage in automotive applications.