Search

PHMSA Revises DOT-39 Hazmat Cylinder Safety Alert

Posted on 4/24/2017 by Roger Marks

The US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is revising a safety advisory issued in December 2016 for hazmat shippers and users of DOT Specification 39 (DOT-39) cylinders. In the Federal Register today, PHMSA clarified the following:
 
“DOT-39 cylinders exceeding 75 in.3 (1.23 L) should not contain liquefied flammable compressed cycloproprane, ethane, or ethylene, or liquefied petroleum gases. PHMSA advises against filling or transporting of these gases in DOT-39 cylinders when the cylinder’s internal volume exceeds 75 in.3 (1.23 L).”

See the revised
PHMSA Safety Alert in the Federal Register.

The safety notice aims to address the risk posed by larger volumes of liquefied flammable compressed gases in cylinders. DOT-39 cylinders can have a volume of up to 1,526 in.3 (25 L) at a service pressure of 500 psig or less. When offering compressed gases at lower pressures in cylinders, shippers may be authorized to use cylinders with thinner walls—which increases the risk of puncture or corrosion in transit. 

Compressed_Gas_Cylinder_2.jpgThe 75 in.3 volume limit has a history: In 1998, PHMSA—then known as the Research and Special Program Administration (RSPA)—proposed a rulemaking to limit all liquefied flammable compressed gases to 75 in.3 when shipped in DOT-39 cylinders. RSPA decided against this, but then inadvertently omitted the 75 in.3 limit for cyclopropane, ethane, ethylene, and liquefied petroleum gases from the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) when finalizing the rule in 2002.

DOT tried to correct this error in 2016, when—in response to petitions from industry stakeholders—the Agency proposed a new rule to update the hazmat cylinder requirements and revise the cylinder filling requirements for cyclopropane, ethane, and ethylene in 49 CFR 173.304(a)(2). This rule has not yet been finalized.

Until a Final Rule is published, PHMSA is relying on its safety alert to help shippers and carriers avoid what the Agency (and many industry stakeholders) see as an unsafe shipping practice.
 

Meet DOT, IATA, and IMDG Hazmat Training Mandates 


Don’t miss expert-led 49 CFR, IATA DGR, and IMDG Code training when it comes to your area in April. Build a step-by-step process for keeping your hazmat shipments in compliance with the latest requirements. Whether you ship hazmat every day or just once in a while, knowing your responsibilities is crucial to avoid rejection, costly customs delays, and DOT fines now as high as $77,114 per day, per violation.

This month, the Complete Multimodal Hazmat Shipper Certification Workshops will be presented in Chicago on May 2-5, and St. Louis on May 8-11.

Tags: DOT, hazmat shipping, PHMSA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

The training was impressive. I am not a fan of online training but this was put together very well. I would recommend Lion to others.

Donnie James

Quality Manager

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

Very good. I have always appreciated the way Lion Tech develops, presents and provides training and materials.

John Troy

Environmental Specialist

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

Lion is my preferred trainer for hazmat and DOT.

Jim Jani

Environmental Coordinator

This was the 1st instructor that has made the topic actually enjoyable and easy to follow and understand. Far better than the "other" training providers our company has attended!

Lori Hardy

Process & Resource Administrator

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

What to do before, during, and after a RCRA hazardous waste inspection to defend your site from rising State and Federal penalties.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.