scope:

This publication has been prepared as a guide to cylinder requalifiers and users for establishing cylinder inspection procedures and standards. It is general in nature, although some specific limits are recommended. It should be distinctly understood that it does not cover all circumstances for each individual cylinder type and condition of lading. Cylinder users must expect to modify their inspection procedures to suit their own cylinder design or the conditions of use that can exist in their own service.

Experience in the inspection of cylinders is an important factor in determining the acceptability of a given cylinder for continued service. Users lacking this experience who have questionable cylinders should return them to a manufacturer of the same type of cylinders or to a competent requalification agency for reinspection.

The suggestions contained in this standard do not apply to cylinders manufactured under specification DOT-3HT, CTC-3HT, or TC-3HTM. Because of the special provisions of that specification, separate recommendations covering service life and standards for visual inspection of these cylinders are contained in CGA C-8, Standard for Requalification of DOT-3HT, CTC-3HT, and TC-3HTM Seamless Steel Cylinders [3]. For cylinders manufactured under specification DOT-8, DOT-8AL, CTC-8, CTC-8AL, CTC-8WC, TC-8WM, or TC-8WAM, see CGA C-13, Guidelines for Periodic Visual Inspection and Requalification of Acetylene Cylinders [4]. For aluminum cylinders, see CGA C-6.1, Standards for Visual Inspection of High Pressure Aluminum Compressed Gas Cylinders; CGA C-6.2, Guidelines for Visual Inspection and Requalification of Fiber Reinforced High Pressure Cylinders; and CGA C-6.3, Guidelines for Visual Inspection and Requalification of Low Pressure Aluminum Compressed Gas Cylinders [5, 6, 7].

Inspection procedures include preparation of cylinders for inspection, exterior inspection, interior inspection if required, nature and extent of damage to be looked for, and some tests that indicate the conditions of the cylinder, etc. A sample inspection report is shown in Appendix A, which may be revised to suit the user's requirements.