scope:

Introduction

Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR), Parts 100-180, Hazardous Materials Regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT) as well as the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations of Transport Canada (TC) and Canadian national standard CSA B339 require that a cylinder be condemned when it leaks or when internal or external corrosion, denting, bulging, or evidence of rough usage exists to the extent that the cylinder is likely to be weakened appreciably [1, 2, 3].1 In addition, these regulations and standards identify the periodic inspection and hydrostatic test requirements for cylinders used in transportation. Cylinders identified with ICC stampings are also covered by DOT regulations in the United States. In Canada, cylinders approved by previous agencies are identified by CTC, BTC, and CRC markings and are currently subject to TC regulations.

This publication has been prepared as a guide for the periodic inspection of aluminum alloy compressed gas cylinders with service pressures of 500 psi (3450 kPa) or less.2 This publication is general in nature and will not cover all circumstances for each individual cylinder type or lading. Inspection agencies may find it necessary to amplify these requirements to fit their condition of service if the service is more severe than encountered in transportation. Other publications offered by the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) that discuss visual inspection of cylinders are C-1, Methods for Pressure Testing Compressed Gas Cylinders; C-6, Standards for Visual Inspection of Steel Compressed Gas Cylinders; C-6.1, Standards for Visual Inspection of High Pressure Aluminum Compressed Gas Cylinders; C-6.2, Guidelines for Visual Inspection and Requalification of Fiber Reinforced High Pressure Cylinders; and P-22, The Responsible Management and Disposition of Compressed Gases and Their Containers [5, 6, 7, 8, 9].

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