[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 173 (Thursday, September 6, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46679-46680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22398]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Special Programs Administration

[Docket No. RSPA-01-8587, Notice No. 01-09]


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 by 
Underwater Adventures, 400 West Magnolia, Leesburg, Florida, 32757. 
RSPA has determined that Underwater Adventures marked and certified an 
undetermined number of cylinders as being properly tested in accordance 
with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR), when the cylinders were 
improperly tested.
    A hydrostatic retest and visual inspection, conducted as prescribed 
in the HMR, are used to verify the structural integrity of a cylinder. 
If the hydrostatic retest and visual inspection are not performed in 
accordance with the HMR, a cylinder with compromised structural 
integrity may be returned to service when it should be condemned. 
Extensive property damage, serious personal injury, or death 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 
compressed gas or other hazardous material.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl K. Johnson, Senior Inspector, 
Southern Region, Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement, Research 
and Special Programs Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 520, College Park, GA 30337. Telephone: 
(404) 305-6120, Fax: (404) 305-6125.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Through its inspection of Underwater 
Adventures, RSPA has determined that Underwater Adventures marked and 
certified an undetermined number of cylinders as having been properly 
tested in accordance with the HMR, without properly retesting the 
cylinders. In addition, Underwater Adventures marked an undetermined 
number of

[[Page 46680]]

cylinders with a Retester Identification Number (RIN) that belongs to 
another company. In 1981, Underwater Adventures was issued RIN B095. 
That RIN authorization expired on June 24, 1986. Underwater Adventures 
has never renewed its RIN authorization and has been servicing 
cylinders without holding a RIN since 1986. During the inspection, 
Underwater Adventures was unable to calibrate its test equipment. In 
addition, Underwater Adventures failed to keep any records of its 
retest and reinspections; thus, it is impossible to determine the 
number of cylinders that Underwater Adventures improperly tested. These 
cylinders may pose a safety risk to the public.
    The cylinders in question are stamped with one of the following two 
RINs: B095 or B059. The markings appear in the following pattern:
(1)

                                   B0
                                 M    Y
                                   59
 

(2)

                                   B0
                                 M    Y
                                   95
 

M is the month of retest (e.g. 10), and Y is the year of the retest 
(e.g. 01).
    On May 19, 1981, RSPA issued RIN B059 to Safety Systems of Biloxi, 
Inc., P.O. Drawer 6039, 10970 Old Highway 67, Biloxi, Mississippi 
39532-6039. Safety Systems renewed this RIN on March 12, 2001, and is 
the only authorized user of that RIN. Any cylinder marked and serviced 
by Safety Systems of Biloxi, Inc. is not covered by this safety 
advisory.
    Anyone who has a cylinder that has been serviced by Underwater 
Adventures and that is marked with RIN numbers B095 or B059 and stamped 
with a retest date after 1986 should consider the cylinder unsafe and 
not fill it with a hazardous material unless the cylinder is first 
properly 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 safely discharged, and then taken to a 
DOT-authorized cylinder retest facility for proper retest to determine 
compliance with the HMR and their suitability for continuing service. 
Under no circumstance should a cylinder described in this safety 
advisory be filled, refilled or used for its intended purpose until it 
is reinspected and retested by a DOT-authorized retest facility.
    It is further recommended that persons finding or possessing a 
cylinder described in this safety advisory contact Ms. Johnson for 
additional information.

    Issued in Washington, DC on August 30, 2001.
Frits Wybenga,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 01-22398 Filed 9-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P