Gas cylinders next in line

The US Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) under docket HM-234 this past May 29, inviting the regulated community to share its views on the requirements for the manufacture, use and requalification of DOT-specification cylinders. The ANPRM is open-ended in scope, responding as it does to some petitions for rulemaking as well as PHMSA’s own review of the regulations applicable to compressed gas cylinders. Comments are invited by August 27.

The various petitions considered by PHMSA involve, inter alia, the application of industry standards, new requirements for the construction, marking and testing of DOT-4 series cylinders, clarification of the filling requirements, the handling of cylinders used in fire suppression systems, and revision of the requalification and condemnation requirements. PHMSA is keen to hear a broader range of opinion on these topics, as well as any others that may emerge, and will review the possible amendments to the requirements for their potential economic and safety implications prior to issuing more formal proposals.