PHMSA Gas Cylinder Safety Advisory

Today the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration published a Safety Advisory in the Federal Register (78 FR 16045) concerning inadequately tested gas cylinders in carbon dioxide service.

The advisory notes that approximately 496 DOT 3AA and 3AL cylinders from Flint Welding Supply (Flint, MI) used in carbon dioxide service were improperly marked from approximately June 2010 to December 2012 by Kraus Fire Equipment Co. According to the notice cylinders marked with an ‘A978’ or a partial ‘A978’ or just the Month/Year, without a RIN mark in the middle “may not possess the structural integrity to safely contain their contents under pressure during normal transportation and use”.

Any cylinders with these marks should be vented or otherwise safely discharged by authorized personnel and returned to Flint Welding Supply.