[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 197 (Thursday, October 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63191-63192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25790]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Special Programs Administration
[Docket No. RSPA 2002-11270, Notice No. 02-8]
Safety Advisory: Unauthorized Stamping of DOT specification
Compressed Gas Cylinders
AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration.
ACTION: Safety advisory notice.
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SUMMARY: This is to notify the public that RSPA has documented the
unauthorized stamping of indentations in the side walls of high-
pressure
[[Page 63192]]
compressed gas cylinders by Blue Water Divers (Blue Water), Ltd., Road
Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The cylinders are being used in
the SCUBA industry. An undetermined number of the SCUBA cylinders or
``dive tanks'' owned by Blue Water Divers were stamped with month and
year markings in the side walls of the cylinders. RSPA has determined
that some of the cylinders may have been sold to individuals or U.S.
companies and possibly are being used for transportation of hazardous
materials in commerce in the U.S. All cylinders observed were DOT 3AL
aluminum cylinders, but other cylinder types may be involved.
The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) specifically prohibit
stamping in the side wall of compressed gas cylinders, except DOT 3E
cylinders, because doing so could compromise the structural integrity
of the cylinder. The HMR prohibit the charging or filling of DOT
specification or exemption cylinders with compressed gas or other
hazardous materials and the offering for transportation of cylinders
with markings stamped in the side walls. Furthermore, the HMR prohibit
hydrostatic retesting and the return to service of cylinders that have
been stamped on the side wall of the cylinder. Any cylinders that are
marked on the side wall should be condemned in accordance with the HMR.
Serious personal injury, death, or property damage could result from
rupture of a cylinder.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Bunn, Hazardous Materials
Enforcement Specialist, Southern Region, Office of Hazardous Materials
Enforcement, Research and Special Programs, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1701 Columbia Avenue, Suite 520, College Park, GA
30337. Telephone: (404) 305-6120. Fax: (404) 305-6125.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RSPA has documented the unauthorized marking
of high-pressure compressed gas cylinders on the side wall of the
cylinder by Blue Water Divers (Blue Water), Ltd., Road Town, Tortola,
British Virgin Islands. The tanks are being used in the SCUBA industry.
An undetermined number of the SCUBA cylinders or ``dive tanks'' owned
by Blue Water Divers were stamped with month and year markings in the
side walls of the cylinders. RSPA has determined that some of the
cylinders may have been sold to individuals or U.S. companies and
possibly are being used for transportation of hazardous materials in
commerce in the U.S. Some of the cylinders have been requalified in
DOT-certified hydrostatic retest facilities in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The cylinders in question may have stickers on the side walls that may
cover the side-wall stamps. All cylinders observed were DOT 3AL
aluminum cylinders, but other cylinder types may be involved.
The HMR specifically prohibit the stamping of markings in the side
walls of compressed gas cylinders because doing so could compromise the
structural integrity of the cylinder. The HMR prohibit the charging or
filling of cylinders with compressed gas or other hazardous materials
when the cylinders have been stamped on their side walls. Furthermore,
the HMR prohibit hydrostatic retesting and return to service of
cylinders with markings stamped in the side walls. Any cylinder found
to have been stamped with markings on the side wall of the cylinder
should be condemned in accordance with the HMR. Serious personal
injury, death, or property damage could result from rupture of a
cylinder.
Based on its preliminary investigation, RSPA learned that Blue
Water has submitted some of these cylinders for requalification in the
U.S. Virgin Islands or has sold some of these cylinders that are now
being used in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Some of these cylinders may have
a sticker on the side of the cylinder with the name ``Blue Water
Divers'' on the sticker. Others may simply be stamped on the side of
the cylinder. Any cylinder that has a sticker as described above should
be closely inspected. You should remove the sticker and inspect for any
unauthorized markings or stamping on the side of the cylinder.
The cylinders observed are stamped on the side wall with a marking
of a month and a year. For example:
2 00
Some cylinders have multiple months and years stamped on the sides
of the cylinders. All labels, stickers and bands should always be
removed from cylinders prior to requalification. Cylinders described in
this safety advisory, or any cylinder with side-wall stamping or
unauthorized markings, should not be filled, refilled, retested or
requalified for use in underwater breathing or for any hazardous
material purpose. These cylinders should be condemned in accordance
with the HMR. RSPA requests that any person possessing a cylinder
described in this safety advisory telephone, or provide a facsimile to,
Robert Bunn with the following information for each cylinder: (1) The
cylinder manufacturer's name, (2) the serial number of the cylinder,
(3) the DOT specification or exemption information for the cylinder,
and (4) details concerning the acquisition and subsequent disposition
of the cylinders.
Issued in Washington, DC on October 4, 2002.
Robert A. McGuire,
Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety.
[FR Doc. 02-25790 Filed 10-9-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P