# Fire Protection Consultants, LTD — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 02-0271
- **title:** Fire Protection Consultants, LTD — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2002-11-27
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 02-0271 response to Fire Protection Consultants, LTD concerning 180.213.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0271.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0271.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-02-0271
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2002/020271.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
400 Seventh St., S.W.
Research and
Washington, D.C. 20590
pecial Programs
Administratior
NOV 27 2002
Mr. Edward O'Brien
8719 Pete Wiles Road
Fire Protection Consultants, LTD
Ref. No. 02-0271
Middletown, MD 21769
Dear Mr. O'Brien:
This is in response to your October 14, 2002 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you request a variation from
the requalification markings displayed on pressure-sensitive labels for cylinders used as fire
extinguishers. In your letter you provided a copy of a pressure sensitive label for our review.
As provided in recently adopted § 180.213(c), the HMR permit the application of pressure-
sensitive labels bearing the requalification information on DOT specification cylinders used as
fire extinguishers. However, as pointed out in your letter, the marking configuration on the labels
are not consistent with the HMR but conform to the requirements referenced in NFPA 10,
Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers, which is adopted by many State and local agencies.
The requalification marking on pressure-sensitive labels for cylinders used as fire extinguishers
must be marked in the manner illustrated in § 180.213(d). However, upon written request, a
variation from the marking requirement may be approved by the Associate Adminitrator as
provided in § 180.213(d)(1). A request for a variation may be submitted to the Office of
Hazardous Materials Exemptions and Approvals (DHM-30), Research and Special Programs
20590-0001.
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 7th Street SW., Washington DC,
Sincerely,
Hithe e ittel
Hattie Mitchell
Office of Hazardous Materials Standards
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention
180.213 (c)
020271

<<<PAGE 2>>>

T-15-2082 01:55 PM
P.8z
F
FIRE PROTECTION CONSULTANTS
P
•
8719 Pete Wiles Road • Middletown, Md. 21769
301) 371-8685 • (888) 670-2965 • FAX: (301) 371-4528
NFPA
LTD.
http://www.FPCLTD.com E-mail: FPCLTD@aol.com
MEMBER
Webb
3189M230
D
Marking Cylinders
October 14, 2002
02-0271
U.S. Department of Transportation
Rescarch & Special Programs Administration
Office of Hazardous Material Standards
Attn: Edward Mazzullo
Dear Mr. Mazzulio,
FPC LTD is a company that provides HazMat training for companies engaged in
the fire extinguisher business.
This letter is a request for variation pertaining to Docket No RSPA-01-10373
(1) a cylinder used as a fire extinguisher may be marked by using a pressure sensitive
(HM220D) referencing section 180.213 Requalification Marking
Request for variation ref. (d) Requalification marking, for a fire extinguisher per section
180,209(i) Requalification by the volumetric expansion test or the proof pressure test, or
This label and marking would be consistent with the requirements for marking
example TWO on page 2 regulations. 29CFR 1910.157 on Portable Fire Extinguisher
Extinguishers referenced in NFPA #10 which is adopted by the State Fire Codes, sec
Inspecrion, maintenance and testing does not specify how a hydrotested extinguisher
shall be marked.

<<<PAGE 3>>>

OCT-1.5-2002 @1:55 PM
P. 03
The reference to Fire Extinguishers includes specification cylinders used as
ystem cylinders for pre engineered and engineered systems. With regard to th
and portable fire extinguishers, wheeled unit fire extinguishers, fire suppressio
label suppliers samples shown on example TWO page two, it is my belief that
this type of label did not comply with regulations prior to October 1", 2002 or
with the current regulations.
FPC LID
Sincerely
Shool o Brome
Edward O'Brien
President

<<<PAGE 4>>>

OCT-15-2002 01:55 PM
P.04
EXAMPLE ONE PAGE 2
Hydrotested by:
Company Name
- MONTH -
-AIN-
- YEAR- S
8 2 3 4
A1
6 8 78
82
2003
8 10 11 12
2004
350 • 380 - 460 • 480 - 500 • 720 - 900 - 1000
- Test Pressure -
month
year
test pressure indicated by a perforation such as a
of the fung
proof pressure test -s on label
hand punch.
volumetric expansion teat-
no S on label
5- year external visual
inspection for fire extinguishers
conforming to Section 180.209(g) -E on label
NFPA 10
TWO
LABEL SUPPLIERS
pru
SAMPLES
136 Recording of Hydrostate Tests.
tested
5-6.1
A permanent record shall be malalped for cacit cyllader
A-5-6.1 The permaneut record should include as a minimum the
date of test, cylinder serial number or extingulsher serial number.
• BYR. MAINT.
TERFORUNO 0Y-
HYDRO.TEST
Company Name, Address, and
Phona Numbar
Will Print Here
A55 Hich Presure Cylinders and Cartridges.
cartridges that pass the hydrostatic test shall be ramped with the
Cylinders or
20022004520084007
Retester's Identficaton Number and month and year of the reteat
TRINE CHURIME
er TC/DOT requiremenu
shoulder, top head, neck, or footing (where provided) of the
VOTE
it is Important that the stamping be placed ogly on the
test do not require recording, labeling,
cylinder.
Hore Assemblica. Hore assembles that pass a hydrostatie
BOX STYLE MAINT/HYDRO LABEL
5-6.4 Low Pressure Cylladen.
Firt extinguisher shells of tie low
or marking
ACTUAL SIZE: 2" × 3-1/2"
LABEL # BX-MH
The label shall be affixed to the shell by means of a headless
Ire extingulsher shell is assempted.
here labels shall be self-destructve when removal from
Following Information:
he label shall Include t
THIS FORMAT REQUIRED IN
FLORIDA
peroran, such as and purs performed, indicated by a
c) Name or initials of person performing the test, and name o
Test pressure used.
Company Namo, Address, and g
Phone Numbar
agency performing the tent
WIll Print Hare
DIGIT STYLE MAINT/HYDRO LABEL
JULY AUG. BEPT. OCT. NOV. DEC.
ACTUAL SIZE: 2" × 3-1/2"
LABEL # DG-MH
- **truncated:** false
- **body characters:** 5659
