Interpretation Response #19-0079
Below is the interpretation response detail and a list of regulations sections applicable to this response.
Interpretation Response Details
Response Publish Date:
Company Name: Entegris, Inc
Individual Name: James McManus
Location State: CT Country: US
View the Interpretation Document
Response text:
December 23, 2019
James V. McManus
Principal Engineer
Entegris Inc.
7 Commerce Drive
Danbury, CT 60810
Reference No. 19-0079
Dear Mr. McManus:
This letter is in response to your June 11, 2019, letter requesting clarification of the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to cylinder requalification record retention. Specifically, you indicate that a DOT-3AA 2400 specification cylinder was successfully requalified in accordance with § 180.209(a) and marked in accordance with § 180.213(d). During the 5-year requalification period, it was noted by the cylinder owner that the person who requalified the cylinder was no longer in business and the requalification records, as required in § 180.215(b), can no longer be obtained.
We have paraphrased and answered your questions as follows:
Q1. You ask whether the cylinder can continue to be filled and offered for transportation until the end of its requalification date, as indicated on the cylinder marking.
A1. The answer is yes, unless the cylinder owner knows, or a reasonable person, acting in the circumstances, and exercising reasonable care, would have knowledge that the requalification was improperly completed or one of the conditions in § 180.205(d) has been met since the cylinder's last requalification. Section 180.215(b) requires that the person who performs cylinder requalification maintain daily records of visual inspection, pressure test, and ultrasonic examination if permitted under a special permit, as applicable, until either the expiration of the requalification period or until the cylinder is again requalified, whichever occurs first. The cylinder marking, in accordance with § 180.213, serves as an indication that the cylinder has been successfully requalified and can continue to be used in transportation until subsequent requalification is required.
Q2. You ask whether there is a requirement to ensure continued retention, availability and safeguarding of the requalification records by the company having performed the cylinder requalification, subsequent to the closure of that company.
A2. The answer is yes. The HMR requires a person who performs cylinder requalification to meet the retention requirements in § 180.215(b). If a company closes, the person is still subject to the record retention requirements and would not be in conformance with the HMR if not maintaining the records for the period required. As a customer, one can always request copies of requalification documents at completion of requalification to ensure redundancy of records.
I hope this information is helpful. Please contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Dirk Der Kinderen
Chief, Standards Development
Standards and Rulemaking Division
180.205(d), 180.209(a), 180.213, 180.213(d), 180.215(b),