Document ID: PHMSA-2013-0195-0001
Agency: phmsa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Safety Advisory: Unauthorized Filling of Compressed Gas Cylinders
Posted Date: 2013-09-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58604-58605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23080]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

[Docket No. PHMSA-2013-0195, Notice No. 13-12]

Safety Advisory: Unauthorized Filling of Compressed Gas Cylinders

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

ACTION: Safety Advisory Notice.

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SUMMARY: This is to notify the public that PHMSA has confirmed that 
Komer Carbonic Corp., 12120 Cloverdale Street, Detroit, MI 48021, 
improperly filled and offered for transportation high pressure 
compressed gas cylinders (DOT Specification 3A, 3AA and 3AL) without 
verifying that they met the appropriate safety requirements for 
continued use. The US DOT PHMSA was alerted on July 5, 2013 and 
verified on July 9, 2013 that Komer Carbonic

[[Page 58605]]

Corp. filled and transported compressed gas cylinders without verifying 
their suitability for continued service. Komer Carbonic Corp. fills and 
offers cylinders containing Carbon dioxide, for restaurants and other 
establishments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Komer Carbonic Corp.: Mr. Dave 
Bamford, President or Mr. Mike Bamford, Vice President, 12120 
Cloverdale Street, Detroit, MI 48204, Telephone 313-931-7373, to 
arrange for the return of these empty cylinders.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As a result of an extensive investigation of 
cylinder fillers in the Detroit Metropolitan area, PHMSA determined 
that Komer Carbonic Corp. improperly filled various types of high 
pressure US DOT cylinders with compressed gases without verifying that 
they met the appropriate safety requirements for continued use. US DOT 
Cylinders filled with carbon dioxide must be successfully requalified 
through a visual inspection and a pressure test at least once every 5 
years. Cylinders that are not properly requalified as required 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.
    Because Komer Carbonic Corp. did not ensure their cylinders were 
requalified prior to filling them, and the potential exists for a 
catastrophic failure, PHMSA questions the condition of all of the 
cylinders owned and filled by Komer Carbonic Corp. in the past 5 years. 
These cylinders should be considered unsafe and unauthorized for the 
filling of hazardous material unless and until they are first subjected 
to a visual inspection and pressure test by an individual or company 
authorized by DOT to requalify DOT specification cylinders. Anyone who 
had their carbonated beverage service cylinders filled or provided by 
Komer Carbonic Corp. is advised to remove these cylinders from service 
immediately and contact a cylinder filler to have the cylinders 
depressurized. Komer Carbonic Corp. will contact their customers with 
further instructions on returning the empty cylinders.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2013.
R. Ryan Posten,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 2013-23080 Filed 9-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P