On Sept. 24, 2013, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a safety advisory to notify the public of potentially unsafe compressed gas cylinders filled and transported by Komer Carbonic Corp. in Detroit, Mich.

Through an investigation of cylinder fillers in the Detroit area, PHMSA determined that Komer Carbonic Corp. improperly filled several types (DOT 3A, 3AA and 3AL) of high-pressure DOT cylinders without verifying that they met safety requirements for continued use. Komer Carbonic Corp. services CO₂ cylinders for restaurants and other establishments.

DOT Cylinders filled with carbon dioxide must be successfully requalified with a visual inspection and a pressure test at least once every five years. If the requalification is not performed in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations, a cylinder with compromised structural integrity may be returned to service.

A high-pressure cylinder rupture can result in extensive property damage, serious injury, or death.

Any cylinder owned or filled by Komer Carbonic Corp. in the past five years should be considered unsafe and may not be refilled until a DOT-authorized cylinder requalifier verifies that the cylinder is suitable for continued service.

Anyone possessing carbonated beverage service cylinders that were filled or provided by Komer Carbonic Corp. is advised to remove these cylinders from service immediately and contact a cylinder filler to have the cylinders depressurized. Komer Carbonic Corp. will contact customers with further instructions on returning the empty cylinders.

Read the full safety advisory here.