# HSB Global Standards, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 14-0124
- **title:** HSB Global Standards, Inc. — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2014-10-22
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 14-0124 response to HSB Global Standards, Inc. concerning 178.57.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0124.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0124.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-14-0124
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2014/140124.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
OCT 2 2 2014
Mr. Oberst Mulet
Engineer II
HSB Global Standards, Inc.
One State Street
P.O. Box 299
Hartford, CT 06416-0299
Ref. No.: 14-0124
This responds to your June 23, 2014 letter requesting clarification ofthe Hazardous Materials
Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to specification 4L welded insulated
cylinders. Specifically, in your letter you cite § 178.57(h), which states that:
(h) Openings in cylinder. Openings in cylinders must conform to the following:
(1) Openings are permitted in heads only. They must be circular and may not exceed 3
inches in diameter or one third of the cylinder diameter, whichever is less. Each
opening in the cylinder must be provided with a fitting, boss or pad, either integral
with, or securely attached to, the cylinder body by fusion welding. Attachments to a
fitting, boss or pad may be made by welding, brazing, mechanical attachment, or
threading.
(2) Threads must comply with the following:
(i) (ii) Threads must be clean-cut, even, without checks and cut to gauge.
Taper threads to be of a length not less than that specified for NPT.
(iii) Straight threads must have at least 4 engaged threads, tight fit and calculated
shear strength at least 1 0 times the test pressure of the cylinder. Gaskets, which
prevent leakage and are inert to the hazardous material, are required.
In your letter, you ask whether the opening diameter is defined as the opening diameter made
to the cylinder body before being provided with a fitting or boss? Or, is the opening defined
as the inside diameter of the fitting or boss after attached to the cylinder body by fusion
welding?

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As provided in§ 178.57(h) of the HMR, the limit on the opening size described in
paragraph (h) is the opening on the cylinder head, before a fitting, boss, or pad is applied.
Furthermore, an opening that is not a proper size could affect the stresses in the cylinder head.
I trust this satisfies your inquiry. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
------7/~~~
T. Glenn Foster
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division
2

<<<PAGE 3>>>

1'\. ' c'tels
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Dodd, Alice (PHMSA)
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject: lL\-0\Q~
INFOCNTR (PH MSA)
Monday, June 23, 2014 3:5 5 PM
Hazmat Interps
F W: 178.57 Specification 4L welded insulated cylinders, opening size definition.
This caller requested we submit this e-mail for a formal letter of interpretation. I previously spoke with this caller in the
HMIC and received guidance from Cheryl Freeman regarding this issue. Thanks, Victoria
From: Mulet Oberst - Hartford-HSBCT [mailto:oberst mulet@hsbct.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2014 8:00AM
To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
Subject: 178.57 Specification 4L welded insulated cylinders, opening size definition.
Dear PHMSA representative:
I have the following question pertaining to opening size definition in 178.57 Specification for 4L welded cylinders. In
paragraph 178.57(h) of the 49 CFR Transportation, it refers to openings that are permitted in heads only. This paragraph
provides t h_e_m.ax.i.mum_o p_e.ning_
.cham.e.te.r ..size re q' Ji r.e.men.t..o.f_su ch openings-a n.d i.t..aJso....s.ta.tes t h<~.t -eaGh o p€ n i ng - mY.st -
be provided with a fitting, boss or pad, either integral with, or secure ly attached to, the cylinder body by fusion welding.
It is not clear as to what is considered to be the opening size. Is the opening diameter defined as the opening diameter
made to the cylinder body before being provided with a fitting or boss? Or is the opening defined as the inside diameter
of the fitting or boss after attached to the cylinder body by fusion welding? I appreciate your reply on this matter. Thank
you .
Regards;
Oberst Mulet
Engineer II
~J SB 'f"Ciobnl St;md<tl'th;
ONE STATE STREET
P.O. BOX 299
HARTFORD, CT 06416-0299
T: (860) 722-5528
F: (860) 722-5705
HSBGiobaiStandards.com
Oberst Mulet@hsbct.com
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it is virus free and no responsibi lity is accepted by Global Standards, LLC or its subsidiaries or affi liates either
jointly or severally, for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use.
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