Purpose
This procedure provides guidelines for facilities located outside of the United States that wish to apply for DOT approval in accordance with Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) Section 107.805, to hydrostatic retest and requalify DOT Specification cylinders in accordance with Sections 180.205 through 180.215, and cylinders manufactured under DOT Special Permits.

Method
Prior to submitting an application for a Requalification Identification Number (RIN) approval to requalify U.S. DOT specification cylinders to PHMSA, applicants should contact an authorized Independent Inspection Agency and arrange for an onsite inspection of the applicant's testing facility.

List of Independent Inspection Agencies -- DOT Cylinder Requalification Program

• After the inspection, the Independent Inspection Agency must complete an inspection report and forward the report to the applicant.
• The applicant must submit a completed application, which includes the information required by the provisions of 49 CFR 107.705 as well as the additional application requirements for cylinder requalification facilities in accordance with 49 CFR 107.805.
• The applicant should also submit an outline of procedures for retesting DOT specification cylinders directly related to the specification requirements shown in Section 180.209 of 49 CFR and, if applicable, cylinders manufactured under a DOT Special Permit. Pictures and descriptions of the testing units and equipment to be used, as well as copies of training certifications and documents are helpful in processing such applications.
• With each application for new approval, or renewal or modification of an existing approval, applicants located outside the United States must submit updated information with regards to their designated agent for U.S. service as required by 49 CFR 105.40.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL
The following list outlines the equipment, documentation, and reference material normally necessary to perform hydrostatic pressure tests of cylinders required by Section 180.205 Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.

Testing personnel must be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the relevant provisions of Sections 180.205 through 180.215, the Compressed Gas Association's Pamphlets C-1, C-6, and where applicable, C-6.1, C-6.2, C-8, and knowledge of testing DOT Special Permit cylinders. They must also be able to demonstrate the capacity of the testing equipment to perform the required tests to the degree of accuracy required by the regulations.

If the applicant's equipment or references differ from those listed, they should advise OHMSPA of any such difference and explain the alternate method by which they can demonstrate the competence of testing personnel and/or accuracy of testing equipment prior to the inspection of the facility.

The applicant should have at the time of inspection:
1. A copy of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 100-199 or reprint. Copies of this document may be obtained from:
Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402
(202) 783-3238
Information about obtaining 49 CFR.

2. Where applicable, a copy of a current special permit document authorizing the use of a non-DOT specification cylinder. Current copies of special permit documents may be obtained by requesting the specific special permit number (ex: DOT SP-1234) from:
U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of Hazardous Materials Special Permits and Approvals
Records Center PHH-30
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE East Building, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20590
Phone: (202) 366-5046
FAX: (202) 366-3753
Access electronic copies of special permits.

3. Compressed Gas Association Pamphlets C-1, C-6, C-6.1, C-6.2, C-8. These may be obtained from:
Compressed Gas Association
4221 Walney Road, 5th Floor
Chantilly, VA 20151-2933
Phone: 703-788-2700
Access the Compress Gas Association website.

4. A certification of calibration for the test gauge through its operating range.

5. A calibration cylinder and a chart showing the cylinder's expansion readings at various test pressures.  Note: Due to inconsistencies in the repeatability of calibration, the use of a fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) full composite cylinder as a calibration cylinder is discouraged.

6. Hydrostatic test equipment capable of producing an accuracy of 1 percent.

7. Equipment necessary for visual testing.

8. A sample of the facility recordkeeping form.