Action
Safety advisory notice.
Summary
This is to notify the public that RSPA is investigating the unauthorized marking of high-pressure compressed gas cylinders. On August 14 and 15, 1997, RSPA inspectors conducted a compliance inspection at Columbia Fire Protection Company (CFP), 3811 Contractors Place, Memphis, Tennessee. During the inspection it was determined that CFP was not registered or approved by DOT as a cylinder retester and was incapable of performing hydrostatic tests in accordance with the requirements of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR). Subsequent inspection of CFP's customers revealed numerous cylinders marked by CFP with unauthorized Retester Identification Numbers and certified by CFP as retested in accordance with the HMR. Failure to properly conduct a hydrostatic retest can result in cylinders that should be condemned being returned to service. The HMR requires that properly tested cylinders exceeding the allowable 10 percent permanent expansion be condemned and removed from service (49 CFR 173.34(e)(6)(i)(D)). Serious personal injury, death, and property damage could result from rupture of a cylinder. Cylinders that have not been retested in accordance with the HMR may not be charged or filled with a hazardous material.