(a) Periodic qualification of cylinders. Each specification cylinder that becomes due for periodic requalification, as specified in the following table, must be requalified and marked in conformance with the requirements of this subpart. Requalification records must be maintained in accordance with §180.215. Table 1 follows:

(b) DOT 3A or 3AA cylinders.

(1) A cylinder conforming to specification DOT 3A or 3AA with a water capacity of 56.7 kg (125 lb) or less that is removed from any cluster, bank, group, rack, or vehicle each time it is filled, may be requalified every ten years instead of every five years, provided the cylinder conforms to all of the following conditions:

(i) The cylinder was manufactured after December 31, 1945.

(ii) The cylinder is used exclusively for air; argon; cyclopropane; ethylene; helium; hydrogen; krypton; neon; nitrogen; nitrous oxide; oxygen; sulfur hexafluoride; xenon; chlorinated hydrocarbons, fluorinated hydrocarbons, liquefied hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof that are commercially free from corroding components; permitted mixtures of these gases (see §173.301(d) of this subchapter); and permitted mixtures of these gases with up to 30 percent by volume of carbon dioxide, provided the gas has a dew point at or below minus (52 °F) at 1 atmosphere.

(iii) Before each refill, the cylinder is removed from any cluster, bank, group, rack or vehicle and passes the hammer test specified in CGA Pamphlet C-6 (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter).

(iv) The cylinder is dried immediately after hydrostatic testing to remove all traces of water.

(v) The cylinder is not used for underwater breathing.

(vi) Each cylinder is stamped with a five-pointed star at least one-fourth of an inch high immediately following the test date.

(2) If, since the last required requalification, a cylinder has not been used exclusively for the gases specifically identified in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, but currently conforms with all other provisions of paragraph (b)(1) of this section, it may be requalified every 10 years instead of every five years, provided it is first requalified and examined as prescribed by §173.302a(b) (2), (3) and (4) of this subchapter.

(3) Except as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, if a cylinder, marked with a star, is filled with a compressed gas other than as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section, the star following the most recent test date must be obliterated. The cylinder must be requalified five years from the marked test date, or prior to the first filling with a compressed gas, if the required five-year requalification period has passed.

(c) DOT 4-series cylinders. A DOT 4-series cylinder, except a 4L cylinder, that at any time shows evidence of a leak or of internal or external corrosion, denting, bulging or rough usage to the extent that it is likely to be weakened appreciably, or that has lost five percent or more of its official tare weight must be requalified before being refilled and offered for transportation. (Refer to CGA Pamphlet C-6 or C-6.3, as applicable, regarding cylinder weakening.) After testing, the actual tare weight must be recorded as the new tare weight.

(d) Cylinders 5.44 kg (12 lb) or less with service pressures of 300 psig or less. A cylinder of 5.44 (12 lb) or less water capacity authorized for service pressure of 300 psig or less must be given a complete external visual inspection at the time periodic requalification becomes due. External visual inspection must be in accordance with CGA Pamphlet C-6 or C-6.1 (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter). The cylinder may be proof pressure tested. The test is successful if the cylinder, when examined under test pressure, does not display a defect described in §180.205(i)(1) (ii) or (iii). Upon successful completion of the test and inspection, the cylinder must be marked in accordance with §180.213.

(e) Proof pressure test. A cylinder made in conformance with DOT Specifications 4B, 4BA, 4BW, or 4E protected externally by a suitable corrosion-resistant coating and used exclusively for non-corrosive gas that is commercially free from corroding components may be requalified by volumetric expansion testing or proof pressure testing every 10 years instead of every 5 years. When subjected to a proof pressure test, the cylinder must be carefully examined under test pressure and removed from service if a leak or defect is found.

(f) Poisonous materials. A cylinder conforming to specification DOT 3A, 3AA, 3B, 4BA, or 4BW having a service pressure of 300 psig or less and used exclusively for methyl bromide, liquid; mixtures of methyl bromide and ethylene dibromide, liquid; mixtures of methyl bromide and chlorpicrin, liquid; mixtures of methyl bromide and petroleum solvents, liquid; or methyl bromide and nonflammable, nonliquefied compressed gas mixtures, liquid; commercially free of corroding components, and protected externally by a suitable corrosion resistant coating (such as galvanizing or painting) and internally by a suitable corrosion resistant lining (such as galvanizing) may be tested every 10 years instead of every five years, provided a visual internal and external examination of the cylinder is conducted every five years in accordance with CGA Pamphlet C-6. The cylinder must be examined at each filling, and rejected if a dent, corroded area, leak or other condition indicates possible weakness.

(g) Visual inspections. A cylinder conforming to a specification listed in the table in this paragraph and used exclusively in the service indicated may, instead of a periodic hydrostatic test, be given a complete external visual inspection at the time periodic requalification becomes due. External visual inspection must be in accordance with CGA Pamphlet C-6 or C-6.3, as applicable (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter). When this inspection is used instead of hydrostatic pressure testing, subsequent inspections are required at five-year intervals after the first inspection. After May 31, 2004, inspections must be made only by persons holding a current RIN and the results recorded and maintained in accordance with §180.215. Records must include: date of inspection (month and year); DOT specification number; cylinder identification (registered symbol and serial number, date of manufacture, and owner); type of cylinder protective coating (including statement as to need of refinishing or recoating); conditions checked (e.g., leakage, corrosion, gouges, dents or digs in shell or heads, broken or damaged footring or protective ring or fire damage); disposition of cylinder (returned to service, returned to cylinder manufacturer for repairs or condemned). A cylinder passing requalification by the external visual inspection must be marked in accordance with §180.213. Specification cylinders must be in exclusive service as shown in the following table:

(h) Cylinders containing anhydrous ammonia. A cylinder conforming to specification DOT 3A, 3A480X, or 4AA480 used exclusively for anhydrous ammonia, commercially free from corroding components, and protected externally by a suitable corrosion-resistant coating (such as paint) may be requalified every 10 years instead of every five years.

(i) Requalification of DOT-8 series cylinders.

(1) Each owner of a DOT-8 series cylinder used to transport acetylene must have the cylinder shell and the porous filler requalified in accordance with CGA Pamphlet C-13 (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter). Requalification must be performed in accordance with the following schedule:

(2) Unless requalified and marked in accordance with CGA Pamphlet C-13 before October 1, 1994, an acetylene cylinder must be requalified by a person who holds a current RIN.

(3) If a cylinder valve is replaced, a cylinder valve of the same weight must be used or the tare weight of the cylinder must be adjusted to compensate for valve weight differential.

(4) The person performing a visual inspection or requalification must record the results as specified in §180.215.

(5) The person performing a visual inspection or requalification must mark the cylinder as specified in §180.213.

(j) Cylinder used as a fire extinguisher. Only a DOT specification cylinder used as a fire extinguisher and meeting the requirements of §173.309(a) of this subchapter may be requalified in accordance with this paragraph (j).

(1) A DOT 4B, 4BA, 4B240ET or 4BW cylinder may be tested as follows:

(i) For a cylinder with a water capacity of 5.44 kg (12 lb) or less, by volumetric expansion test using the water jacket method or by proof pressure test. A requalification must be performed by the end of 12 years after the original test date and at 12-year intervals thereafter.

(ii) For a cylinder having a water capacity over 5.44 kg (12 lb)—

(A) By proof pressure test. A requalification must be performed by the end of 12 years after the original test date and at 7-year intervals; or

(B) By volumetric expansion test using the water jacket method. A requalification must be performed 12 years after the original test date and at 12-year intervals thereafter.

(2) A DOT 3A, 3AA, or 3AL cylinder must be requalified by volumetric expansion test using the water jacket method. A requalification must be performed 12 years after the original test date and at 12-year intervals thereafter.

(k) 3HT cylinders. In addition to the other requirements of this section, a cylinder marked DOT-3HT must be requalified in accordance with CGA C-8 (IBR, see §171.7 of this subchapter).

(l) Requalification of foreign cylinders filled for export. A cylinder manufactured outside the United States, other than as provided in §§171.12(a) and 171.23(a) of this subchapter, that has not been manufactured, inspected, tested and marked in accordance with part 178 of this subchapter may be filled with compressed gas in the United States, and shipped solely for export if it meets the following requirements, in addition to other requirements of this subchapter:

(1) It has been inspected, tested and marked (with only the month and year of test) in conformance with the procedures and requirements of this subpart or the Associate Administrator has authorized the filling company to fill foreign cylinders under an alternative method of qualification; and

(2) It is offered for transportation in conformance with the requirements of §171.12(a)(4) or §171.23(a)(4) of this subchapter.

(m) DOT-3AL cylinders manufactured of 6351-T6 aluminum alloy. In addition to the periodic requalification and marking described in §180.205, each cylinder manufactured of aluminum alloy 6351-T6 used in self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA), self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), or oxygen service must be requalified and inspected for sustained load cracking in accordance with the non-destructive examination method described in the following table. Each cylinder with sustained load cracking that has expanded into the neck threads must be condemned in accordance with §180.205(i). This provision does not apply to cylinders used for carbon dioxide, fire extinguisher or other industrial gas service.

[67 FR 51660, Aug. 8, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 24662, May 8, 2003; 68 FR 55544, Sept. 26, 2003; 68 FR 48572, Aug. 14, 2003; 68 FR 75764, Dec. 31, 2003; 70 FR 73166, Dec. 9, 2005; 71 FR 51128, Aug. 29, 2005; 72 FR 55696, Oct. 1, 2007; 74 FR 53189, Oct. 16, 2009; 81 FR 3685, Jan. 21, 2016; 81 FR 35545, June 2, 2016]