Document ID: PHMSA-2013-0019-0001
Agency: phmsa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Safety Advisories: Unauthorized Marking of Compressed Gas Cylinders
Posted Date: 2013-03-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 16045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05678]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0019; Notice No. 13-03]

Safety Advisory: Unauthorized Marking of Compressed Gas Cylinders

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), 
DOT.

ACTION: Safety Advisory Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that PHMSA has confirmed the 
marking, service and/or sale of certain high pressure DOT specification 
cylinders marked with a requalification identification number (RIN) 
without performing a valid hydrostatic requalification test. Kraus Fire 
Equipment Co. marked DOT cylinders as tested without approval from the 
Associate Administrator to requalify DOT cylinders and without 
calibrating its required systems. This advisory addresses cylinders 
serviced or purchased from Flint Welding Supply Co, Flint, MI from 
approximately June 2010 to December 2012 and marked with an ``A978'' or 
a partial ``A978'' or just the Month/Year, without a RIN mark in the 
middle.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kraus Fire Equipment Co., G-4080 S. 
Dort Highway, Burton, MI Telephone 810-744-4780, Mr. Richard Battstone, 
Jr., Owner.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Approximately 496 DOT 3AA and 3AL cylinders 
used in carbon dioxide service were improperly marked from 
approximately June 2010 to December 2012. Cylinders subject to this 
notice were serviced or purchased from Flint Welding Supply Co, Flint, 
MI and were marked with an ``A978'' or a partial ``A978'' or just the 
Month/Year, without a RIN mark in the middle. Kraus Fire Equipment Co. 
requalified cylinders provided by Flint Welding Supply Co. without 
performing the series of safety tests and inspections required by the 
Hazardous Materials Regulations. These improperly marked cylinders were 
not properly tested and may not possess the structural integrity to 
safely contain their contents under pressure during normal 
transportation and use. Extensive property damage, serious personal 
injury, or death could result from a rupture of a cylinder. These 
cylinders should be considered unsafe and unauthorized for the filling 
of hazardous material unless and until they are first tested properly 
by an individual or company authorized by DOT to requalify DOT 
specification cylinders. Cylinders described in this safety advisory 
that are filled with an atmospheric gas should be vented or otherwise 
safely discharged by authorized personnel. Individuals who identify a 
cylinder subject to this notice are advised to remove it from service 
and return it to Flint Welding Supply Co, Flint MI.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 7, 2013.
R. Ryan Posten,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 2013-05678 Filed 3-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P