[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 86 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24548-24549]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11659]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration
[Notice No. 97-3]


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 May 
21, 1996, a RSPA inspector conducted a compliance inspection at 
American Oxygen Company, 609 East 2nd Street, Roswell, New Mexico. 
Numerous compressed gas cylinders were observed, and it was discovered 
that significant numbers were marked with an expired Retester 
Identification Number (RIN). Based on that RIN marking and the 
inspector's observations, RSPA believes that many of these cylinders 
may not have been retested in accordance with the Hazardous Materials 
Regulations (49 CFR parts 171-180) (HMR).
    Failure to properly conduct a hydrostatic retest can result in 
cylinders which otherwise should be condemned being returned to 
service. The HMR require that properly tested cylinders which exceed 
the allowable 10 percent permanent expansion must be condemned and 
removed from service (49 CFR 173.34(e)(6)(I)(D)). Serious personal 
injury, death, and property damage could result from the rupture of a 
cylinder. Cylinders which have not been retested in accordance with the 
HMR may not be charged or filled with a hazardous material.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Roberson, Hazardous Materials 
Enforcement Specialist, Western Region, telephone (909) 483-5624, Fax 
(909) 483-5636, Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement, Research and 
Special Programs Administration, Department of Transportation, 3200 
Inland Empire Boulevard, Suite 230, Ontario, CA 91764.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On Thursday, May 21, 1996, a RSPA inspector 
conducted a compliance inspection at American Oxygen Company (AOC), in 
Roswell, New Mexico. The inspector observed a large number of cylinders 
marked with the following RIN:

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN05MY97.010

Where
X=month of retest
Y=year of retest

    On October 15, 1987, RSPA issued RIN C170 for a 5-year period to 
AOC. AOC did not renew its RIN and was no longer authorized to mark 
cylinders. Thus, the RIN expired on October 15, 1992, and after that 
date, persons are not authorized to mark any cylinders with that RIN. 
Any cylinder marked with RIN C170 and a test date later than ``11 92'' 
is not in compliance with the HMR. Under the HMR, hydrostatic retesting 
is required to verify a cylinder's structural integrity. Thus, persons 
who have a cylinder marked with this RIN and a date after October 1992 
may not charge or fill the cylinder without first having

[[Page 24549]]

it inspected/retested by a DOT-authorized retest facility.
    Filled cylinders (if filled with an atmospheric gas) described in 
this safety notice 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 
notice be filled, refilled or used for any purpose other than scrap, 
absent reinspection and retest by a DOT-authorized retest facility.
    It is further recommended that persons finding or possessing 
cylinders described in this safety notice contact Mr. Roberson, for 
further information and instructions.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 1997.
Alan I. Roberts,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 97-11659 Filed 5-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P