# NK CO., LTD — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 12-0202
- **title:** NK CO., LTD — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2012-10-18
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 12-0202 response to NK CO., LTD concerning 178.37.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0202.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0202.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0202
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2012/120202.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety · ·
Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington. DC 20590
OCT 1 8 2012
Mr. Hyun-Joon Ji
Assistant Manager
Quality Inspection Team
NKCO.,LTD
497, Sinpyeong-dong, Saha-gu,
Busan 604-030, Korea
Ref. No.: 12-0202
Dear Mr. Ji:
This is in response to your September 10,2012 email concerning the requirements for
cylinders in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts
171-180). Specifically you request confirmation of your understanding of the appropriate
lot size for conducting the physical tests on DOT 3AA and DOT 3AAX cylinders.
As provided in§ 178.37(k), a physical test must be conducted to determine the yield
strength, tensile strength, elongation and reduction of area of material. The test is required
on two specimens cut from one cylinder taken at random out of each lot of 200 or less.
Alternatively, for lots of thirty or less, the physical tests are authorized to be made on a
ring at least 8 inches (20 em) long cut from one cylinder and subjected to the same heat
treatment as the finished cylinder(s).
I hope this information is helpful. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to
contact this oftice.
Delmer Billings
Senior Regulatory Advisor
Standards and Rulemaking Division

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1 eary
Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)
3178.34
From:
Sent:
Betts, Charles (PHMSA)
Subject:
To:
Monday, September 10, 2012 10:32 AM
Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)
Cylinders
FW: [FW]:RE: A inquire related to DOT Audit at NK-Korea
12-0202
Importance:
High
Carolyn -
Please log and assigned to Kevin for response.
Thanks,
Charles
From: hjji@nkcf.com [mailto:hjji@nkcf.com]
Sent: Monday, September 10, 2012 8:19 AM
To: Betts, Charles (PHMSA)
Cc: Chaney, Wayne (PHMSA); Lynch, Tom (PHMSA)
Subject: [FW]: RE: A inquire related to DOT Audit at NK-Korea
Dear Mr. Charles Betts,
This is a personnel (Mr. Hyun-Joon Ji) in charge of Q.C of NK CO in South Korea.
Recently our company has had a fitness inspection for approvals of DOT specification and UN ISO cylinder.
During the fitness inspection we have inquired of DOT investigators about a lot size in the heat treatment process
and we could get
a reply from them that a lot size could be maximum 200 as long as it is subject to the same heat. Also one test
ring could be applied to a lot
of 30 or less as long as it represents the same heat. Therefore we would like to get your official confirmation to
clarify a lot size according to
the e-mail below. Please kindly let us know your reply about our question.
Best Regards,
********
*******
Hyun-Joon Ji, Assistant Manager (7/51 ECH21)
NA CO. LTD / (70301
Direct : +82 (0)51 899 0112 / Fax. +82 (0)51 832 0135
Mobile: +82 (0) 10 8382 3533
E-mail : hiji@nkcf.com
*******
• Original Message
From : <Wayne.Chaney@dot.gov>
To : <hiji@nkcf.com>
1

<<<PAGE 3>>>

CC : <Tom.Lynch@dot.gov>
Sent : 2012-09-08 1:53:04 AM
Subject : RE: A inquire related to DOT Audit at NK-Korea
Mr. Hyun-Joon Ji,
You are correct in the email below, you can have a lot size of 200 or less, also in talking with one of our PHMSA
engineers one ring could be used for a lot as long as it represents the same heat for the lot of 30 or less. As an senior
enforcement investigator my personal interpretation cannot be used as an official interpretation there for it is best that you
request an official interpretation from PHMSA Standards. The person to contact is Mr. Charles Betts at email
Charles.betts@dot.gov. you may forward my email as well. I have talked with Mr. Glenn Foster, Chief, Regulatory
Review and Reinvention Standards, and he has been made aware of your email to me.
Best regards
Wayne
Wayne E. Chaney
Sr. Hazrdardous Material Investigator/
Cylinder Program Manager
East Building, PHH -40
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590-0001
202 834-3568 Fax: 404 393-9552
wayne.chaney@dot.gov
From: hjji@nkd.com [mailto:hjji@nkd.coml
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 5:39AM
To: Chaney, Wayne (PHMSA)
Subject: A inquire related to DOT Audit at NK-Korea
Dear Mr. Chaney,
We always thank for your help.
2

<<<PAGE 4>>>

Could you please let us get your reply to below e-mail?
We are sorry to bother you with this question again. This is NK's important concerns and we very appreciate if
you reply to us about it.
Best Regards,
*****************************************************
Hyun-Joon Ji, Assistant Manager (118 2 CH21)
NA COLD LD/(7)30
Direct : +82 (0)51 899 0112 / Fax. +82 (0)51 832 0135
Mobile: +82 (0)10 8382 3533
E-mail : hiji@nkcf.com
******************************
**************
• Original Message--
From : CN=T|#=/OU=10928/O=nke
To : Wayne.Chaney@dot.gov
CC :
Sent : 2012-09-03 5:08:21 PM
Subject : A inquire related to DOT Audit at NK-Korea
Dear Mr. Chaney,
We are looking forward to getting a good result for the fitness inspection. By the way, now we plan to revise the
"Lot control procedure"
to reflect a lot size (maximum 200) of heat treatment based on the point that you advised during NK's question
time at the end of the audit.
At first NK have defined a lot size as two cylinders having the same heat number and the same heat treatment
condition.
Therefore NK have attahced a test ring every two cylinders and then would conduct the physical tests with the
test ring.
However, I believe that this is very inefficient LOT composition considering the DOT regulation § 178.37 (The
physical tests are authorized to conducted on a test ring for lot of 30 maximum). So prior to a revision of our
procedure I would like to get your agreement with settling
a lot size by maximum 30 cylinders as long as cylinders have the same heat number and heat treatment condition
in the heat treatment process. Please kindly let us get your confirmation if you don't have any comments.
Best Regards,
3

<<<PAGE 5>>>

*******
Hyun Joon Ji, Assistant Manager (16 82 12)
Direct : +82 (0)51 899 0112 / Fax. +82 (0)51 832 0135
Mobile: +82 (0)10 8382 3533
E-mail : hiji@nkcf.com
***************************
********
• Original Message--
From : <Wayne.Chaney@dot.gov>
To : <hiji@nkcf.com>
CC : <Tom.Lynch@dot.gov>
Sent: 2012-08-27 9:49:35 PM
Subject : RE: NK Corrective Action related to DOT Audit at NK-Korea
Thank you for the corrective actions as submitted, once the lIA testing is complete I will inform you of the results of your
fitness inspection.
R/
Wayne
Wayne E. Chaney
Sr. Hazrdardous Material Investigator/
Cylinder Program Manager
East Building, PHH-40
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590-0001
202 834-3568 Fax: 404 393-9552

<<<PAGE 6>>>

wayne. chaney@dot. gov
From: hjji@nkd.com [mailto:hjji@nkd.coml
Sent: Sunday, August 26, 2012 10:31 PM
To: Chaney, Wayne (PHMSA)
Cc: Lynch, Tom (PHMSA)
Subject: NK Corrective Action related to DOT Audit at NK-Korea
Dear Mr.Chaney,
Please review NK's corrective action for your findings during the audit for NK in Korea.
Finding #1) Application for 3AA/3AAX/3T does not show hold points for I lA Witnessing.
Corrective Action) Flow chart for DOT3AA/3AAX/3T has been revised in order to reflect DOT comment by adding
Independent Inspector's Inspection point (Verify, Witness).(See Attachment #1
Finding #2) Failure to calculate proper wall thickness.
Corrective Action) NK has measured the actual wall thickness for raw material at the time of receiveing inspection
and recorded
the actual wall thickness on receiving inspection check sheet. As per your
comment
NK will calcuate the wall stress by measuring actual wall thickness for each
LOT, but not simply
use the wall thickness mentioned in the Drawing.{See Attachment #2)
Finding #3) Chemical analyses should be accomplish upon arrival of material.
Corrective Action) NK modified the Flow Chart for Manufacturing and Inspection and Traveller Sheet according to
DOT's comment.
5

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So chemical Analyses will be conducted based on each heat of material at the
stage of receiving inspection of the material.
(See Attachment #1)
Finding #4) Ensure hydrostatic retesting is performed using equipment proven to be within 1% accuracy.
Corrective Action) NK has found the cause of failure to meet 1% accuracy requirement of the equipment and then
repaired it.
(See Attachment #3)
Finding #5) Failure to hold hydrostatic test pressure for at least 30 sec on longer to reach full expansion.
Corrective Action) NK has holded the hydrostatic test pressure for at least 30 sec for only manufactured
cylinders not a calibration cylinder.
However NK has taken action to apply holding time for at least 30 sec for
the each pressure level of the calibration
cylinder as weii.(See Attachment #4)
Finding #6) For Jumbo Hydrostatic Retesting & Testing records missing calibration cylinder serial number
used to calibration system.
Corrective Action) NK has recorded the calibration cylinder number on the test records and to prevent any
repetiton,
the tester and Q.C inspector have been trained for the requirement. (See
Attachment #4,6)
Finding #7) Records missing elastic & permanent expansion on calibration sheets
Corrective Action) NK has trained the test operators to record elastic & permanent expansion on the test record.
(See Attachment #6)
Finding #8) Test records of Jumbo & Medium must have legible identification of the test operator.
Corrective Action) NK Q.M has performed necessary training to the Inspector and Tester to legible identification
on the Record/Report by their registered identification such as clearly spelled
out name
6

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and signature registered. (See Attachment #5, 6)
Finding #9) Test records must record actual test pressure applied to each cylinder.
Corrective Action) NK has trained the test operators to record the actual test pressure on the test record when
hydrostatic test is conducted.
(See Attachment #6)
Finding #10) Retest records missing actual dimensions of cylinder.
Corrective Action) NK has trained the test operators to record the actual dimensions on the test record. (See
Attachment #6)
Finding #11) Observed DOT-SP 14003 & DOT E10945 composit cylinders being retested at
facility under Korean Standards, cylinder should meet All DOT Requirement under
the special permits.
Corrective Action) NK has conducted the retest of composit cylinders according to the customer request that is
required
to NK follow only Korean Standard not DOT regulation.
We NK Q.M Div. have well trained about those requirement and will implement above mentioned element and
corrective action immediately to the production and Inspection of DOT Cylinder.
If you have any question, please let us know.
Attachment
1: Manufacturing Process Flow Chart & Traveller Sheet -4 pages
2: Receiving Inspection Report - 1 page
3: Verification for proving 1% Accuracy of the Hydro Test Machine. - 9 pages.
4: High and Low seting -Calibration of test system -1 page
5: Log of Signature Registered for Inspection and Test Personnel - 1 page
6: Training Record for DOT comments. - 1 page
*****************************************************
Direct: +82 (0)51 899 0112 / Fax. +82 (0)51 832 0135
Mobile: +82 (0)10 8382 3533
7

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E-mail : hjji@nkcf.com
*********************************
**********
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