# Koorsen Fire & Security — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation

- **operation:** document
- **citation:** 26-0052
- **title:** Koorsen Fire & Security — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation
- **source type:** guidance
- **agency:** Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
- **status:** guidance
- **official:** true
- **published on:** 2026-07-27
- **effective on:** Not available
- **summary:** 26-0052 response to Koorsen Fire & Security concerning 180.203, 180.215.
- **machine formats:** - **json:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-26-0052.json
- **markdown:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-26-0052.md
- **app url:** https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-26-0052
- **source url:** https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2026-07/260052.pdf
**body:**

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Baker, Y.
26-0052
Mr. Shane Kelley
Director, Standards and Rulemaking Division
U.S. DOT/PHMSA (PHH-10)
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20590
Brick Keltner
Corporate Shop Trainer
Koorsen Fire & Security
2820 N. Webster
Indianapolis, In 46219
Telephone 317-225-4785
Email: brick.keltner@koorsen.com
Mr. Kelley, I would like a Formal Interpretation of 49 CFR 180.215(b)(1). Reporting & record
retention for Calibration test records.
The question that I have relates to the Calibrated Cylinder serial number. In the
above standard it states that the serial number of the Calibrated Cylinder must be on the
calibration / test records. Is that for Water Jacket testing as well as Proof Pressure testing?
I have always taken the standards to mean for both methods unless it is otherwise
stated. 49 CFR references CGA C-1 in multiple instances.
CGA C-1 - 5.4 states – A calibrated cylinder is required when performing the
verification procedure for test methods where volumetric expansion determinations are
required.
CGA C-1 - 7.3.2(b) states – Attach a suitable liquid-filled pressure vessel to the test
system (i.e., a cylinder with a rated working pressure covering the highest proof test
pressure to be encountered). This vessel provides a “volume” against which to pump.
The question is – Does the cylinder used to calibrate a Proof Pressure system need to have
a serial number that is recorded on the calibration / test records? Or is that only required
for Water Jacket & Direct Expansion testing?
Thank you for any information that you can give me. Brick Keltner, Koorsen Fire & Security

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1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety
Administration
July 27, 2026
Brick Keltner
Corporate Shop Trainer
Koorsen Fire & Security
2820 N. Webster
Indianapolis, IN 46219
Reference No. 26-0052
Dear Mr. Keltner:
This letter is in response to your April 27, 2026 letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous
Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to the recordkeeping
requirements for cylinder requalification. Specifically, you ask whether the requirement in
§ 180.215(b)(1) to record the serial number of the cylinder used to calibrate a proof pressure
system applies to proof pressure testing, or only to volumetric expansion testing.
No. A “calibrated cylinder” (see CGA Pamphlet C-1 2016, Methods for Pressure Testing
Compressed Gas Cylinders, Sections 3.2.7 and 5.4) is a specially designed cylinder with known
expansion values. A “calibrated cylinder” is used to demonstrate integrity of test systems used to
determine volumetric expansion (e.g., the water jacket method). As defined in § 180.203, a
“proof pressure test” is performed by interior pressurization without the determination of a
cylinder’s expansion, and thus, there is no need for a “calibrated cylinder.”
Therefore, recording a calibrated cylinder’s serial number is not required for proof pressure test
records. According to CGA C-1, Section 7.3.2, a liquid-based proof pressure test system is
verified by attaching a standard cylinder with a rated working pressure that covers the highest
proof test pressure expected during the day’s testing. The cylinder used in the system verification
is not required to be a calibrated cylinder. However, to demonstrate compliance with the
verification requirement in CGA C-1, Section 7.3.2, a facility must document the standard
cylinder used during the daily system check. Maintaining a record of the standard cylinder’s
serial number and rated working pressure is necessary to verify that the cylinder meets the
minimum pressure requirements for that day’s testing.

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The system verification includes the use of a reference gauge or a master gauge. Calibration
requirements for all components of the system (pressure indicating device, master gauge,
reference gauge) must be periodically calibrated in accordance with Appendix B of CGA
Pamphlet C-1. For all calibrated devices, the certificate of calibration shall be maintained on file
at the facility.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Dirk Der Kinderen
Chief, Standards Development Branch
Standards and Rulemaking Division
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