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DOT Proposes New Safety Standards For Cylinders

2 November 1998

DOT Proposes New Safety Standards For Cylinders

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 30 -- In a move to improve public safety,
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today proposed comprehensive
revisions to Research and Special Programs Administration's (RSPA) compressed
gas cylinder regulations.
    "Safety is President Clinton's highest transportation priority," said
Secretary Slater. "This proposal will ensure that gas cylinders, so important
to large and small businesses, can be lighter and yet remain safe to transport
and use."
    These proposals are expected to enhance safety by allowing for the use of
new technology with design, construction and gas cylinder testing. The
proposal will help align DOT standards with those of their international
counterparts and will help U.S. companies become more competitive globally.
    "This rulemaking will allow for the use of stronger, lighter-weight
materials and ultrasonic testing technology," said RSPA Administrator Kelley
S. Coyner.  "It will also improve gas cylinder manufacturing standards by
eliminating obsolete requirements."

    The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will address:

    *  adoption of new specifications for higher strength, lighter-weight
       cylinders;

    *  increased filling limits for certain cylinders;

    *  various outstanding petitions for rulemaking and elimination of many
       exemptions and several obsolete cylinder specifications;

    *  safety concerns for certain aluminum cylinders susceptible to sustained
       load cracking;

    *  ultrasonic testing for requalifying certain cylinders; and

    *  alternative methods for applying requalification markings for all DOT
       specification cylinders.

    The NPRM will be published in the Oct. 30th, 1998 Federal Register.