[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 24, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 63676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27299]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-00-7283; Notice No. 00-13]


Safety Advisory: Unauthorized Marking of Compressed Gas Cylinders

AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), Department 
of Transportation (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 by Eddma 
Corporation (EC) d/b/a Fire Services. At the time the cylinders were 
marked, EC was located at 1565 Diamond Springs Road, Virginia Beach, VA 
23455. RSPA has determined that EC has marked an undetermined number of 
cylinders indicating they had been properly retested in accordance with 
the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) without hydrostatically 
retesting the cylinders.
    A hydrostatic retest and visual inspection of a cylinder, conducted 
in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), verifies 
the structural integrity of each cylinder. Failure to perform the 
hydrostatic retest and visual inspection in accordance with the HMR can 
result in a cylinder with compromised structural integrity being 
returned to service instead of condemned. 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 (compressed gas).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Lima, Hazardous Materials 
Enforcement Specialist, Eastern Region, Office of Hazardous Materials 
Enforcement, Research and Special Programs Administration, US 
Department of Transportation, 820 Bear Tavern Rd., Suite 306, West 
Trenton, NJ 08628. Telephone: (609) 989-2256, Fax: (609) 989-2277.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Through the inspection of EC, it was 
determined that EC had marked an undetermined number of cylinders as 
having been properly retested in accordance with the HMR without 
retesting the cylinders as required. Specifically, the inspector 
determined that EC's retest equipment was obstructed by cylinders, 
tools, equipment and parts, so that accessibility to the equipment was 
hampered. In addition, there were other indications that EC had not 
recently operated its retest equipment. During the inspection, EC was 
unable to calibrate their test equipment. RSPA has determined that EC 
was not capable of hydrostatically retesting cylinders between June 
1996 and July 1998. RSPA cannot determine the number of cylinders that 
EC marked without retesting because EC did not keep records.
    The cylinders in question were stamped with EC's RIN, ``A307''. The 
markings appear in the following pattern:

              A 3
          M      Y
              7 0

Where A307 is EC's RIN, M is the month of the retest (e.g., 05) and Y 
is the year of the retest (e.g., 98). 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 if they qualify for continued use in accordance 
with the HMR. Anyone who has a cylinder that is marked with RIN A307 
and dated between June 1996 and July 1998 should consider the cylinder 
unsafe and not charge it with a hazardous material (compressed gas) 
unless first properly retested by a DOT-authorized retest facility. 
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 a DOT-authorized retest 
facility.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on October 18, 2000.
John J. O'Connell, Jr.,
Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 00-27299 Filed 10-23-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P