Final answer:
Recovery cylinders are typically painted gray in the shoulder area and 12 inches down the side. This color coding helps differentiate them from other gas cylinders, ensuring safety and compliance with HVAC industry standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
Recovery cylinders, which are used in the field of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) for recovering refrigerant from HVAC systems, are typically painted gray in the shoulder area and 12 inches down the side. This color coding is important for safety and compliance with industry standards, ensuring that these cylinders are readily identifiable as containers for recovered refrigerants which may be a blend of different types and may not be reused without being reclaimed or properly processed.
The color gray distinguishes recovery cylinders from other types of gas cylinders, which have their own color codes to indicate the contents. For example, oxygen cylinders are typically green, and acetylene cylinders are maroon. By following these color codes, professionals handling these cylinders can minimize the risk of errors and accidents associated with handling hazardous materials.