DOT Cylinder Requalification: New Updates

Propane cylinders are subject to different federal and state regulations to help ensure they are being filled, used, and maintained safely. One of these regulations recently went through several updates and changes.  

On January 23, 2017, the Department of Transportation (DOT) finalized a new rule that affected the timeframes and requirements around the process of requalifying propane cylinders. This update reduced the cylinder requalification period from 12 years to 10 years.

Soon after the announcement was made, the DOT decided to halt the enforcement of that change while undergoing further review after pushback from the NPGA. The NPGA argues that the change was rolled out with little to no reasoning or rationale for the change. They are petitioning to return the requalification period permanently back to the standard industry practice of 12 years.

What now?

While the agency reviews the petition to change the requalification period back to 12 years permanently, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will allow either a 10 or 12-year requalification period for volumetric expansion testing.

If you fill, transport, requalify or prepare shipments of DOT propane cylinders, you will need to be aware of these changes and the outcome and updates. We will continue to keep you posted on any new developments as they come out.

For additional information or questions, contact us today.