# Bancroft Hinchey Ltd — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 16-0170
- **title:** Bancroft Hinchey Ltd — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2017-04-13
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 16-0170 response to Bancroft Hinchey Ltd concerning 180.213.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0170.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0170.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-16-0170
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretation%20Files/2017/160170.pdf
**body:**

<<<PAGE 1>>>

of Transportation
U.S. Department
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Materials Safety
Pipeline and Hazardous
Washington, DC 20590
Administration
APR 1 3 2017
Mr. Chris Hinchey
Bancroft Hinchey Ltd
School House
Slaugham Lane
Warninglid
RH17 5TJ
West Sussex, United Kingdom
Reference No. 16-0170
Dear Mr. Hinchey:
This letter is in response to your October 20, 2016, email requesting clarification of the
Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the marking of
cylinders. You note that requalification marking requirement for cylinders in § 180.213(c)
allows a label embedded with epoxy that is legible and durable throughout the life cycle of the
cylinder. You add that § 180.213(b) states that unless authorized by the cylinder specification,
the marking on the cylinder sidewall is prohibited. You further reference § 178.35(f)(4), which
states that unless otherwise specified in the applicable specification, the markings on each
cylinder must be stamped plainly and permanently on the shoulder, top head, or neck.
In your email, you provide the following assumptions:
• There is no manufacturer authorization to label the sidewall which negates
§ 180.213(b).
• The use of a label on the sidewall is therefore in conflict with the requirements to not
mark a sidewall.
• Applying a label to the dome, top head, or neck is impractical. Therefore, the
composite cylinders.
amended texts refer to the common practice of placing labels on the sidewall of
Specifically, you ask for confirmation that the application of labels overcoated with epoxy as
composite cylinder.
described in § 180.213(c) is an acceptable method of applying a requalification marking for a

<<<PAGE 2>>>

The answer is yes. It is the opinion of this Office that the assumptions stated in your email
regarding the labeling of composite cylinders are correct. When requalitying composite
mark that is both legible and durable.
cylinders under § 180.213, a label embedded with epoxy is permissible provided it produces a
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
T. Glenn Foster
Chief, Regulatory Review and Reinvention Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division

<<<PAGE 3>>>

Andrews
180.213
Goodall, Shante CTR (PHMSA)
Regnalfication Mockins
Sent:
From:
Rivera, Jordan CTR (PHMSA)
160170
To:
Thursday, October 20, 2016 1:21 PM
Subject:
Hazmat Interps
FW: 49CFR 180.213 interp request
Hi Shante/Alice,
Please submit this as a letter of interpretation. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Jordan
From: Chris Hinchey [mailto: chris@bancroft.co.uk]
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2016 1:10 PM
To: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)
Subject: RE: 49CFR 180.213 interp request
Dear Jordan,
Thanks for the quick reply.
Details below
Bancroft Hinchey Ltd
School House
Warninglid
Slaugham Lane
West Sussex
RH17 5TJ
Regards
Chris
Chris Hinchey
Director
Bancroft
+44 1444 248884
chris@bancroft.co.uk<mailto:chris@bancroft.co.uk>
skype chris.hinchey
From: INFOCNTR (PHMSA) [mailto: INFOCNTR.INFOCNTR@dot.gov]
Sent: 20 October 2016 18:02
To: Chris Hinchey <chris@bancroft.co.uk>
Subject: RE: 49CFR 180.213 interp request
Dear Chris,
We have received your request for a written letter of interpretation regarding the hazardous materials regulations (49
CFR Parts 171-180). The hazardous materials regulations are available at the following URL:
http://phmsa.dot.gov/regulations

<<<PAGE 4>>>

In order to process your request, please respond to this email with your full contact information (mailing address,
telephone number). You may contact the Hazardous Materials Information Center at +1 202-366-4488 with questions.
Please allow a minimum of 8 weeks before contacting the Office of Hazardous Materials Standards (OHMS) for a status
on written letters of interpretations. Delivery time of a written interpretation can vary markedly based on topic
complexity and the depth of review necessary by OHMS Divisions and modal administrations (e.g., FAA) to ensure an
appropriate response.
Sincerely,
Jordan, Hazardous Materials Specialist
An e-mail response from this office is considered informal guidance. Formal guidance may be requested in accordance
with 49 CFR 105.20. http://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/regs/interps
From: Chris Hinchey [mailto:chris@bancroft.co.uk]
Sent: Thursday, October 20, 2016 12:26 PM
To: PHMSA HM InfoCenter
Subject: 49CFR 180.213 interp request
Sirs
I am requesting clarification of 49CFR §180.213 Requalification markings.
in 81FR 3686
The October 1'* revision amends the marking requirement to include the use of a label overcoated with epoxy, as stated
180.213 states (underlining refers to the particular wording discussed):
(c) Requalification marking method. The depth of requalification markings may not be greater than specified in the
applicable specification. The markings must be made by stamping, engraving, scribing, or applying a label embedded in
epoxy that will remain legible and durable throughout the life of the cylinder, or by other methods that produce a legible,
durable mark
In regard to the placement of the labels referred to, the preceding paragraph states:
(b) Placement of markings. Each cylinder must be plainly and permanently marked on the metal of the cylinder as
sidewall is prohibited.
permitted by the applicable specification. Unless authorized by the cylinder specification, marking on the cylinder
Marking on the sidewall is also prohibited in the general requirements of 178.35 (f) (4) which states Unless otherwise
shoulder, top head, or neck.
specified in the applicable specification, the markings on each cylinder must be stamped plainly and permanently on the
Therefore I assume there is no manufacturer authorisation to label the sidewall which negates paragraph 180.213(b)
The use of a label on the sidewall is therefore in conflict with the requirement not to mark the sidewall.
Applying a label to the dome, top head or neck is impractical, and my assumption is that the amended text refers to the
common practice of placing labels on the sidewall of composite cylinders.
Can you confirm that application of labels overcoated with epoxy as described is acceptable on the cylinder sidewall as a
method of applying a requalification marking after a cylinder is tested?
2

<<<PAGE 5>>>

Yours Faithfully
Chris Hinchey
Director
Chris Hinchey
BANCROFT HINCHEY LTD
Warninglid
West Sussex
UK
RH17 5TJ
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