[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 200 (Thursday, October 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53873-53874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27476]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
[Notice No. 97-11]
Safety Advisory: Unauthorized Marking of Compressed Gas Cylinders
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT.
ACTION: Safety advisory notice.
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SUMMARY: This is to notify the public that RSPA is investigating the
unauthorized marking of high-pressure compressed gas cylinders. On
August 14 and 15, 1997, RSPA inspectors conducted a compliance
inspection at Columbia Fire Protection Company (CFP), 3811 Contractors
Place, Memphis, Tennessee. During the inspection it was determined that
CFP was not registered or approved by DOT as a cylinder retester and
was incapable of performing hydrostatic tests in accordance with the
requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). Subsequent
inspection of CFP's customers revealed numerous cylinders marked by CFP
with unauthorized Retester Identification Numbers and certified by CFP
as retested in accordance with the HMR.
Failure to properly conduct a hydrostatic retest can result in
cylinders that should be condemned being returned to service. The HMR
requires that properly tested cylinders exceeding the allowable 10
percent permanent expansion be condemned and removed from service (49
CFR 173.34(e)(6)(i)(D)). Serious personal injury, death, and property
damage could result from rupture of a cylinder. Cylinders that have not
been retested in accordance with the HMR may not be charged or filled
with a hazardous material.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne Chaney, Hazardous Materials
Enforcement Specialist, Southern Region, telephone (404) 305-6126, Fax
(404) 305-6125, Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement, Research and
Special Programs Administration, Department of Transportation, 1701
Columbia Ave, DHM-46, Suite 520, College Park, GA 30337.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Thursday, August 14, and Friday, August
15, 1997, RSPA inspectors conducted a compliance inspection at Columbia
Fire Protection Company (CFP) in Memphis, Tennessee. Through follow-up
inspections of CFP's customers, the inspectors observed a large number
of cylinders marked with the following two Retester Identification
Numbers (RINs):
(1)
B 4
X Y
3 2
where
X = month of retest
Y = year of retest
(2)
O 9
X Y
7 8
where
X = month of retest
Y = year of retest
On October 10, 1982, RSPA issued RIN B423 for a 5-year period to
Walker Fire Protection Service, Inc. (Walker). Walker has renewed this
RIN and is the current holder. Therefore, Walker is the only authorized
user. Any cylinders marked and serviced by Walker are not a part of
this safety advisory.
The RIN 0987 has never been issued by RSPA and is not an authorized
RIN.
RSPA believes that any cylinder marked with RIN B423 or RIN O987
and was last serviced by CFP is not in compliance with the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR) (49 CFR Parts 171-180). Under the HMR,
hydrostatic retesting is required to verify a cylinder's structural
integrity. Thus, any person who has a cylinder marked with RIN B423 or
RIN O987 and was last serviced by CFP may not charge or fill the
cylinder with a hazardous
[[Page 53874]]
material without first having it inspected/retested by a DOT-authorized
retest facility. Filled cylinders (if filled with an atmospheric gas)
described in this safety advisory should be vented or otherwise
properly and safely evacuated and purged, and taken to a DOT-authorized
cylinder retest facility for visual reinspection and retest to
determine compliance with the HMR. Under no circumstances should a
cylinder described in this safety advisory be filled, refilled or used
for any purpose other than scrap, until it is reinspected and retested
by DOT-authorized retest facility.
It is further recommended that persons finding or possessing
cylinders described in this safety notice contact Mr. Chaney, for
further information and instructions.
Issued in Washington, D.C. on October 9, 1997.
Alan I. Roberts,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 97-27476 Filed 10-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P
