Killer gas cannister was 100 times tyre pressure

Jul 22 2009 By Dave Himelfield

Mr Howell said he believed the Argoshield canister, weighing at least 65kg, was about three-quarters full before it was discharged and was pressurised up to 230bar (3,300psi).

By comparison car tyres are usually inflated between 25 and 30psi.

Prosecuting Nigel Wray asked: “How safe is it to unscrew the valve?”

Mr Howell replied: “It’s not safe. When we de-valve it, it’s always under a controlled situation”.

Mr Wray: “We see the cylinder effectively dancing around from gas that’s coming out of it.”

Mr Howells: “It would do that.”

Mr Wray: “In spite of the weight of the cylinder?”

Mr Howells: “If it was three-quarters full it would still have 230bar in that cylinder.”

Proceeding.