# Western International Gas — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

**Citation:** 04-0041  
**Type / status:** guidance / guidance  
**Agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration  
**Effective:** Not stated  
**Published:** 2004-03-16

04-0041 response to Western International Gas concerning 172.303.

## Document text

<<<PAGE 1>>>

MAR: 16 2004
U.5. Department
of Transportation
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Research and
Washington, D.C. 20590
Administration
Special Programs
Ms. Kathy McKenzie
Safety & Compliance
Ref. No. 04-0041
P.O. Box 668; 7173 Hwy. 159E
Western International Gas & Cylinder
Bellville, TX 77418
Dear Ms. McKenzie:
This is in response to your February 25, 2004 letter regarding
Regulations
the marking requirements under the Hazardous Materials
whether cylinders marked with an expired exemption number are
(HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask
allowed to be tested, filled and transported.
The answer
CFR 172.303, do not require removal or obliteration of the
is yes.
The prohibited marking requirements, in 49
exemption number from the packaging, even when the packaging is
not being
order to minimize confusion or frustration of the shipment, you
used under the terms of the exemption.
However, in
may wish to cover or obliterate the exemption number marking when
er of literate
the packaging is not being used under the terms of the exemption.
I hope this information
questions, please do not
is helpful. If you have additional
hesitate
to contact this office.
Sincerely,
Hathe z mitchell
Hattie I. Mitchell, Chief
Regulatory Review
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
• Reinvention
172,803
040041

<<<PAGE 2>>>

W
WESTERN INTERNATIONAL GAS & CYLINDERS, INC.
INTENBATIONAL
WESTERN
P.O. Box 668, 7173 Hwy 159E
Beliville, TX 77418
FIRS
(979) 413-2100
FAX (979) 413-2250 or (979) 413-2260
Bet's
3180.209
04 MAR - 3
February 25, 2004
Cutinders
DOT/RSPA/OHMS
Ryan Posten
04-0047
AMI: 05
UNIT
US DOT
400 7h Street, S.W.
Office of Hazardous Material Exemptions & Approvals
Washington, DC 20590
Dear Mr. Posten;
In commerce of cylinders, that are in the United States, there are many that have
exemption numbers stamped on them that are no longer applicable.
These exemptions do not pertain to the composition of the cylinders in any way. For
example 3A & 3AA cylinder exemption 6657 was for cylinders 35 years & older to
receive a ten year test versus a five year. This is now covered in the CFR 49 180.209 1
(b) (i).
The CFR now states what you have to do for a ten year test and what date range it has to
be in. Can the cylinders that have these irrelevant exemptions stamped into them, that is
no longer applicable and has expired, be tested, filled and transported with the exemption
long as they comply with the stated laws?
still stamped on the cylinder? Or can the irrelevant exemption number be stamped out as
These exemptions are usually expired exemptions due to the regulations being covered
under the CFR or cylinders that have been sold to others that were not even a party to the
expired exemption.
Please advise in writing at your earliest convenience.
Respectfully Submitted
Kathy Messenzue
Kathy McKenzie
Safety & Compliance Director

## Provenance

- Official: Yes
- Source: <https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2004/040041.pdf>
- Source ID: `phmsa`
- SHA-256: `9aa7613aa6d01805f1e53b285a08e2445af4cbb14afeb7c9cf0d30df287b1ba9`
- Retrieved: 2026-08-20T00:59:31.977Z
- Exported: 2026-08-22T19:22:02.813Z
- Document slug: `phmsa-interpretation-04-0041`

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