Transport Canada, TDG — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

Page 1U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590 Ms. Nida Chaudhary Transport Canada, TDG Place de Ville, Tower C, 9th Floor 330 Sparks Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON5 1 JUN 0 5 2014 RefNo.: 14-0067 Dear Ms. Chaudhary: This is a response to your April 1, 2014 email requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 1 71-180) with regard to the requalification of DOT specification cylinders. Specifically, you seek clarification on the requalification requirements applicable to DOT specification cylinders that are 2 inches or less outside diameter and less than 2 feet in length. Sections 180.205 and 180.209 provide the requalification requirements applicable to DOT specification cylinders. In§ 180.209, Table 1 provides the minimum test pressure and requalification period for DOT specification cylinders. Note 1 to Table 1 states that "any cylinder not exceeding 2 inches outside diameter and less than 2 feet in length is excepted from volumetric expansion test." You ask whether DOT specification cylinders below the size stated above are subject to requalification by proof pressure test or an internal visual inspection. Cylinders not exceeding 2 inches in outside diameter and less than 2 feet in length are not subject to any other pressure testing requirements or an internal visual inspection. However, small cylinders of this type must be tested and inspected prior to further use if they meet any of the criteria in § 180.205( d). I hope this information is helpful. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office. Sincerely, Robert Benedict Chief, Standards Development Standards and Rulemaking Division -------------------------------- ------- -#

Page 2Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA) From: Sent: To: Subject: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Tuesday, April 01,2014 4:19PM Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA) FW: Request for Letter of Interpretation- 49 CFR 180.209 ~I indev:s I '-I-OOh7 Hi Carolyn, This caller requested we submit this e-mail as a formal letter of interpretation. Thanks, Victoria From: Chaudhary, Nida [mailto:Nida.Chaudhary@tc.gc.ca] Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2014 4:11PM To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) Subject: Request for Letter of Interpretation - 49 CFR 180.209 Good day, This email is for a request for letter of interpretation My question is regarding 49 CFR 180.209 Table 1 note 1 (see highlighted below) Question: The wording of this note states that a cylinder below these dimensions is excepted from volumetric expansion test. Does this mean that a cylinder less than 211 OD and 2' length must undergo requalification by either proof pressure or visual examination instead? Or does this mean that this cylinder is exempt from all requalification requirements? For example, for a small DOT-3AL cylinder that is less than 211 OD and 2' length. TABLE 1-REQUALIFICATION OF CYLINDERS 1 Specification under which cylinder was made Minimum test pressure (psig) 2 Requalification period (years) DOT 3 ......... .. . . . ...... .......... ....... . . ... 3000 psig .. . .............................. 5 DOT 3A, 3AA .. . ... .. . . ..................... 513 times service pressure, except noncorrosive service (see§ 180.209(g)). 5, 10, or 12 (see§ 180.209(b), (f), (h), and Ul DOT 3AL .. DOT 3AX, 3AAX .. 38, 38N .. . ............... 5/3 times service pressure ................... 5 or 12 (see§ 180.209U)) . ............. 5/3 times service pressure . .... . ............ 5 . ................................... 2 times service pressure (see § 180.209(g)) 5 or 10 (see§ 180.209(f)) 3E .. . ................................ Test not required. 3HT ............................. 5/3 times service pressure ................... 3 (see§§ 180.209(k) and 180.213(c)) 3T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. . . ............ 5/3 times service pressure . . . ..... 5 4AA480 .............. 2 times service pressure (see § 180.209(g)). 5 or 10 (see§ 180.209(h)) 48, 48A, 48W, 48-240ET .. .. ............. 2 times service pressure, except noncorrosive service (see§ 180.209(g)). 5, 10, or 12 (see§ 180.209(e), (f), and U)) 4D, 4DA, 4DS .. DOT 4E .. .. ........................ 2 times service.. . ....................... 5 .. ................ 2 times service pressure, except noncorrosive (see§ 180.209(g)). 5 4L.. . .................................................. Test not required. B. BAL... .. ............. 10 or 20 (see§ 180.209(i)) Exemption or special permit cylinder ....... See current exemption or special permit See current exemption or special permit Foreign cylinder (see§ 173.301(j) of this subchapter for restrictions. on use). As marked on cylinder, but not less than 5/3 of any service or working pressure marking. 5 (see§§ 180.209(1) and 180.213(d)(2)) 1 Any cylinder not exceeding 2 inches outside diameter and less than 2 feet in length is excepted from volumetric expansion test. 2 For cylinders not marked with a service pressure, see§ 173.301 a(b) ofthis subchapter. 1#

Page 3Please note that I have spoken to DOT personnel about this issue before, specifically Mark Toughiry, but I would like a written letter of interpretation to present to the CSA B339 committee. We are working on a similar section for the Canadian standard that is adopted in Canadian regulations. Thank you in advance, Nida Chaudhary Engineer llngenieure Tel.: (613) 998-0517 Fax I Telecopieur: (613) 993-5925 nida.chaudharv@tc.gc.ca Transport Canada, TDG I Transports Canada, TMD Place de Ville, Tower C, 9th floor I Tour C, 9 ieme etage (ASDD) 330 Sparks Street 1330, rue Sparks, Ottawa, Ontario K1A ON5 2#