[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR180.217]

[Page 1133-1134]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
   CHAPTER I--PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, 
                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 180_CONTINUING QUALIFICATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PACKAGINGS--Table 
 
        Subpart C_Qualification, Maintenance and Use of Cylinders
 
Sec.  180.217  Requalification requirements for MEGCs.

    (a) Periodic inspections. Each MEGC must be given an initial visual 
inspection and test in accordance with Sec.  178.75(i) of this 
subchapter before being put into service for the first time. After the 
initial inspection, a MEGC must be inspected at least once every five 
years.
    (1) The 5-year periodic inspection must include an external 
examination of the structure, the pressure receptacles and the service 
equipment, as follows:
    (i) The pressure receptacles are inspected externally for pitting, 
corrosion, abrasions, dents, distortions, defects in welds or any other 
conditions, including leakage, that might render the MEGC unsafe for 
transport.
    (ii) The piping, valves, and gaskets are inspected for corroded 
areas, defects, and other conditions, including leakage, that might 
render the MEGC unsafe for filling, discharge or transport.
    (iii) Missing or loose bolts or nuts on any flanged connection or 
blank flange are replaced or tightened.
    (iv) All emergency devices and valves are free from corrosion, 
distortion and any damage or defect that could prevent their normal 
operation. Remote closure devices and self-closing stop valves must be 
operated to demonstrate proper operation.
    (v) Required markings on the MEGC are legible in accordance with the 
applicable requirements.
    (vi) The framework, the supports and the arrangements for lifting 
the MEGC are in satisfactory condition.
    (2) The MEGC's pressure receptacles and piping must be periodically 
requalified as prescribed in Sec.  180.207(c), at the interval specified 
in Table 1 in Sec.  180.207.
    (b) Exceptional inspection and test. If a MEGC shows evidence of 
damaged or corroded areas, leakage, or other conditions that indicate a 
deficiency that could affect the integrity of the MEGC, an exceptional 
inspection and test must be performed, regardless of the last periodic 
inspection and test. The extent of the exceptional inspection and test 
will depend on the amount of damage or deterioration of the MEGC. As a 
minimum, an exceptional inspection of a MEGC must include inspection as 
specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
    (c) Correction of unsafe condition. When evidence of any unsafe 
condition is discovered, the MEGC may not be returned to service until 
the unsafe condition has been corrected and the MEGC has been 
requalified in accordance with the applicable tests and inspection.
    (d) Repairs and modifications to MEGCs. No person may perform a 
modification to an approved MEGC that may affect conformance to the 
applicable ISO standard or safe use, and that involve a change to the 
design type or affect its ability to retain the hazardous material in 
transportation. Before making any modification changes to an approved 
MEGC, the owner must obtain approval from the Associate Administrator as 
prescribed in Sec.  178.74 of this subchapter. The repair of a MEGC's 
structural equipment is authorized provided such repairs are made in 
accordance with the requirements prescribed for its approved design and 
construction. Any repair to the pressure receptacles of a MEGC must meet 
the requirements of Sec.  180.212.
    (e) Requalification markings. Each MEGC must be durably and legibly 
marked in English, with the year and month, and the type of the most 
recent periodic requalification performed (e.g., 2004-05 AE/UE, where 
``AE'' represents acoustic emission and ``UE'' represents ultrasonic 
examination) followed by the stamp of the approval agency who performed 
or witnessed the most recent test.
    (f) Records. The owner of each MEGC or the owner's authorized agent 
must retain a written record of the date and results of all repairs and 
required inspections and tests. The report must contain the name and 
address of the person performing the inspection or test. The periodic 
test and inspection records must be retained until the next inspection 
or test is completed. Repair records and the initial exceptional 
inspection and test records must be retained during the period the MEGC 
is in service and for one year thereafter. These records must be made 
available

[[Page 1134]]

for inspection by a representative of the Department on request.

[71 FR 33896, June 12, 2006]