Filling of cylinders with nonliquefied (permanent) compressed gases.

Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 51127, Aug. 29, 2006.

(a) General requirements. A cylinder filled with a non-liquefied compressed gas (except gas in solution) must be offered for transportation in accordance with the requirements of this section and § 173.301. In addition, a DOT specification cylinder must meet the requirements in §§ 173.301a, 173.302a and 173.305, as applicable. UN pressure receptacles must meet the requirements in §§ 173.301b and 173.302b, as applicable. Where more than one section applies to a cylinder, the most restrictive requirements must be followed.

(b) Aluminum cylinders in oxygen service. Each aluminum cylinder filled with oxygen must meet all of the following conditions:

(1) Metallic portions of a valve that may come into contact with the oxygen in the cylinder must be constructed of brass or stainless steel.

(2) Except for UN cylinders, each cylinder opening must be configured with straight threads only.

(3) Each UN pressure receptacle must be cleaned in accordance with the requirements of ISO 11621 (IBR, see § 171.7 or this subchapter). Each DOT cylinder must be cleaned in accordance with the requirements of GSA Federal Specification RR-C-901D, paragraphs 3.3.1 and 3.3.2 (IBR, see § 171.7 of this subchapter). Cleaning agents equivalent to those specified in Federal Specification RR-C-901D may be used provided they do not react with oxygen. One cylinder selected at random from a group of 200 or fewer and cleaned at the same time must be tested for oil contamination in accordance with Federal Specification RR-C-901D, paragraph 4.3.2, and meet the specified standard of cleanliness.

(4) The pressure in each cylinder may not exceed 3000 psig at 21 °C (70 °F).

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of § 173.24(b)(1), an authorized cylinder containing oxygen continuously fed to tanks containing live fish may be offered for transportation and transported.

(d) Shipment of Division 2.1 materials in aluminum cylinders is authorized for transportation only by motor vehicle, rail car, or cargo-only aircraft.

[67 FR 51646, Aug. 8, 2002, as amended at 67 FR 61289, Sept. 30, 2002; 68 FR 75745, Dec. 31, 2003; 71 FR 33883; June 12, 2006]

§ 173.302, Nt.

Effective Date Note: At 71 FR 51127, Aug. 29, 2006, § 173.302 was amended by adding paragraph (e), effective Jan. 1, 2007. For the convenience of the user, the added text is set forth as follows: § 173.302 Filling of cylinders with nonliquefied (permanent) compressed gases. (e) DOT 3AL cylinders manufactured of 6351-T6 aluminum alloy. Suitable safeguards should be provided to protect personnel and facilities should failure occur while filling cylinders manufactured of aluminum alloy 6351-T6 used in self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or oxygen service. The cylinder filler should allow only those individuals essential to the filling process to be in the vicinity of the cylinder during the filling process.