[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 58604]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23104]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0210, Notice No. 13-16]


Safety Advisory: Unauthorized Marking of Compressed Gas Cylinders

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Safety Advisory Notice.

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SUMMARY: PHMSA is issuing this safety advisory to notify the public of 
the unauthorized marking of high pressure compressed gas cylinders by 
Beauchesne Fire Equipment located at 21 Freeman St. Attleboro Falls, 
MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Michalski, Senior Hazardous 
Materials Investigator, Eastern Region, Office of Hazardous Materials 
Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 820 Bear Tavern Road, Suite 306, West 
Trenton, NJ 08034. Telephone: (609) 989-2256, Fax: (609) 989-2277 or, 
via email: [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Agents from the U.S. DOT Inspector General's 
Office in Cambridge, MA, with assistance from a PHMSA investigator from 
the Eastern Region Field Operations Office, recently conducted an 
investigation into allegations that Beauchesne Fire Equipment (BFE) 
represented high pressure DOT specification and special permit 
cylinders as requalified in accordance with the Hazardous Materials 
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Part 171-180) without conducting the required 
hydrostatic testing. The investigation revealed that BFE marked 
approximately 5,900 high pressure compressed gas cylinders with test 
dates and Requalifier Identification Number (RIN) H557 in 2011 and 2012 
without conducting the prescribed hydrostatic testing of these 
cylinders.
    On May 14, 2013, Aaron Beauchesne, the owner of BFE, pleaded guilty 
in the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts to violating the 
Federal hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5101-5128) 
relating to testing and requalification of compressed gas cylinders.
    A cylinder requalification consisting of a visual inspection and a 
hydrostatic test, conducted as prescribed in the HMR, is used to verify 
the structural integrity of a cylinder. If the requalification is not 
performed in accordance with the HMR, a cylinder with compromised 
structural integrity may be returned to service when it is not safe or 
authorized for use. Extensive property damage, serious personal injury, 
or death could result from rupture of a cylinder.
    On September 18, 2013, PHMSA terminated the RIN Approval H557 
issued to Beauchesne Fire Equipment. Any cylinder stamped with the RIN 
H557 with a test date in 2011 or 2012 should be considered unsafe and 
not authorized to be filled with hazardous material unless the cylinder 
is first properly visually examined and hydrostatically tested by an 
individual or company authorized to requalify DOT specification 
cylinders. Cylinders described in this safety advisory that are filled 
with an atmospheric gas should be vented or otherwise safely 
discharged. Cylinders that are filled with a material other than an 
atmospheric gas should not be vented, but instead should be safely 
discharged. Prior to refilling, the cylinders must be taken to a DOT-
authorized cylinder requalifier to ensure their suitability for 
continued service. A list of authorized requalifiers may be obtained at 
this Web site: http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/sp-a/approvals/cylinders.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2013.
R. Ryan Posten,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 2013-23104 Filed 9-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P