[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 2]
[Revised as of October 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR178.71]

[Page 903-908]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
   CHAPTER I--PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, 
                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 178_SPECIFICATIONS FOR PACKAGINGS--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart C_Specifications for Cylinders
 
Sec.  178.71  Specifications for UN pressure receptacles.

    (a) General. Each UN pressure receptacle must meet the requirements 
of this section. Requirements for approval, qualification, maintenance, 
and testing are contained in Sec.  178.70, and subpart C of part 180 of 
this subchapter.
    (b) Definitions. The following definitions apply for the purposes of 
design and construction of UN pressure receptacles under this subpart:
    Alternative arrangement means an approval granted by the Associate 
Administrator for a MEGC that has been designed, constructed or tested 
to the technical requirements or testing methods other than those 
specified for UN pressure receptacles in part 178 or part 180 of this 
subchapter.
    Bundle of cylinders. See Sec.  171.8 of this subchapter.
    Design type means a pressure receptacle design as specified by a 
particular pressure receptacle standard.
    Design type approval means an overall approval of the manufacturer's 
quality system and design type of each pressure receptacle to be 
produced within the manufacturer's facility.
    UN tube. See Sec.  171.8 of this subchapter.
    (c) General design and construction. UN pressure receptacles and 
their closures must be designed, manufactured, tested and equipped in 
accordance with the requirements contained in this section.
    (1) Following the final heat treatment, all cylinders, except those 
selected for batch testing must be subjected to a hydraulic volumetric 
expansion test.
    (2) The standard requirements applicable to UN pressure receptacles 
may be varied only if approved in writing by the Associate 
Administrator.
    (3) The test pressure of UN cylinders, tubes, and bundles of 
cylinders must conform to the requirements in part 178 of this 
subchapter.
    (d) Service equipment. (1) Except for pressure relief devices, UN 
pressure receptacle equipment, including valves, piping, fittings, and 
other equipment subjected to pressure must be designed and constructed 
to withstand at least 1.5 times the test pressure of the pressure 
receptacle.
    (2) Service equipment must be configured or designed to prevent 
damage that could result in the release of the pressure receptacle 
contents during normal conditions of handling and transport. Manifold 
piping leading to shut-off valves must be sufficiently flexible to 
protect the valves and the piping from shearing or releasing the 
pressure receptacle contents. The filling and discharge valves and any 
protective caps must be secured against unintended opening. The valves 
must conform to ISO 10297 (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter) and 
be protected as specified in Sec.  173.301b(f) of this subchapter.
    (3) UN pressure receptacles that cannot be handled manually or 
rolled, must be equipped with devices (e.g. skids, rings, straps) 
ensuring that they can be safely handled by mechanical means and so 
arranged as not to impair the strength of, nor cause undue stresses, in 
the pressure receptacle.
    (4) Pressure receptacles filled by volume must be equipped with a 
level indicator.
    (e) Bundles of cylinders. UN pressure receptacles assembled in 
bundles must be structurally supported and held together as a unit and 
secured in a manner that prevents movement in relation to the structural 
assembly and movement that would result in the concentration of harmful 
local stresses. The frame design must ensure

[[Page 904]]

stability under normal operating conditions.
    (1) The frame must securely retain all the components of the bundle 
and must protect them from damage during conditions normally incident to 
transportation. The method of cylinder restraint must prevent any 
vertical or horizontal movement or rotation of the cylinder that could 
cause undue strain on the manifold. The total assembly must be able to 
withstand rough handling, including being dropped or overturned.
    (2) The frame must include features designed for the handling and 
transportation of the bundle. The lifting rings must be designed to 
withstand a design load of 2 times the maximum gross weight. Bundles 
with more than one lifting ring must be designed such that a minimum 
sling angle of 45 degrees to the horizontal can be achieved during 
lifting using the lifting rings. If four lifting rings are used, their 
design must be strong enough to allow the bundle to be lifted by two 
rings. Where two or four lifting rings are used, diametrically opposite 
lifting rings must be aligned with each other to allow for correct 
lifting using shackle pins. If the bundle is filled with forklift 
pockets, it must contain two forklift pockets on each side from which it 
is to be lifted. The forklift pockets must be positioned symmetrically 
consistent with the bundle center of gravity.
    (3) The frame structural members must be designed for a vertical 
load of 2 times the maximum gross weight of the bundle. Design stress 
levels may not exceed 0.9 times the yield strength of the material.
    (4) The frame may not contain any protrusions from the exterior 
frame structure that could cause a hazardous condition.
    (5) The frame design must prevent collection of water or other 
debris that would increase the tare weight of bundles filled by weight.
    (6) The floor of the bundle frame must not buckle during normal 
operating conditions and must allow for the drainage of water and debris 
from around the base of the cylinders.
    (7) If the frame design includes movable doors or covers, they must 
be capable of being secured with latches or other means that will not 
become dislodged by operational impact loads. Valves that need to be 
operated in normal service or in an emergency must be accessible.
    (f) [Reserved]
    (g) Design and construction requirements for UN refillable seamless 
steel cylinders. In addition to the general requirements of this 
section, UN refillable seamless steel cylinders must conform to the 
following ISO standards, as applicable:
    (1) ISO 9809-1: Gas cylinders--Refillable seamless steel gas 
cylinders--Design, construction and testing--Part 1: Quenched and 
tempered steel cylinders with tensile strength less than 1 100 MPa. 
(IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter).
    (2) ISO 9809-2: Gas cylinders--Refillable seamless steel gas 
cylinders--Design, construction and testing--Part 2: Quenched and 
tempered steel cylinders with tensile strength greater than or equal to 
1 100 MPa. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter).
    (3) ISO 9809-3: Gas cylinders--Refillable seamless steel gas 
cylinders--Design, construction and testing--Part 3: Normalized steel 
cylinders. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter).
    (h) Design and construction requirements for UN refillable seamless 
aluminum alloy cylinders. In addition to the general requirements of 
this section, UN refillable seamless aluminum cylinders must conform to 
ISO 7866: Gas cylinders--Refillable seamless aluminum alloy gas 
cylinders--Design, construction and testing. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of 
this subchapter). The use of Aluminum alloy 6351-T6 or equivalent is 
prohibited.
    (i) Design and construction requirements for UN non-refillable metal 
cylinders. In addition to the general requirements of this section, UN 
non-refillable metal cylinders must conform to ISO 11118: Gas 
cylinders--Non-refillable metallic gas cylinders--Specification and test 
methods. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter.)
    (j) Design and construction requirements for UN refillable seamless 
steel tubes. In addition to the general requirements of this section, UN 
refillable seamless steel tubes must conform to ISO 11120: Gas 
cylinders--Refillable

[[Page 905]]

seamless steel tubes of water capacity between 150 L and 3000 L--Design, 
construction and testing. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter).
    (k) Design and construction requirements for UN acetylene cylinders. 
In addition to the general requirements of this section, UN acetylene 
cylinders must conform to the following ISO standards, as applicable:
    (1) For the cylinder shell:
    (i) ISO 9809-1: Gas cylinders--Refillable seamless steel gas 
cylinders--Design, construction and testing--Part 1: Quenched and 
tempered steel cylinders with tensile strength less than 1 100 MPa.
    (ii) ISO 9809-3: Gas cylinders--Refillable seamless steel gas 
cylinders--Design, construction and testing--Part 3: Normalized steel 
cylinders.
    (2) The porous mass in an acetylene cylinder must conform to ISO 
3807-2: Cylinders for acetylene--Basic requirements--Part 2: Cylinders 
with fusible plugs. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter).
    (l) Design and construction requirements for UN composite cylinders. 
(1) In addition to the general requirements of this section, UN 
composite cylinders must be designed for unlimited service life and 
conform to the following ISO standards, as applicable:
    (i) ISO 11119-1: Gas cylinders of composite construction--
Specification and test methods--Part 1: Hoop-wrapped composite gas 
cylinders. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter).
    (ii) ISO 11119-2: Gas cylinders of composite construction--
Specification and test methods--Part 2: Fully-wrapped fibre reinforced 
composite gas cylinders with load-sharing metal liners. (IBR, see Sec.  
171.7 of this subchapter).
    (iii) ISO 11119-3: Gas cylinders of composite construction--
Specification and test methods--Part 3: Fully wrapped fibre reinforced 
composite gas cylinders with non-load sharing metallic or non-metallic 
liners. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter).
    (2) ISO 11119-2 and ISO 11119-3 gas cylinders of composite 
construction manufactured in accordance with the requirements for 
underwater use must bear the ``UW'' mark.
    (m) Material compatibility. In addition to the material requirements 
specified in the UN pressure receptacle design and construction ISO 
standards, and any restrictions specified in part 173 for the gases to 
be transported, the requirements of the following standards must be 
applied with respect to material compatibility:
    (1) ISO 11114-1: Transportable gas cylinders--Compatibility of 
cylinder and valve materials with gas contents--Part 1: Metallic 
materials. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter).
    (2) ISO 11114-2: Transportable gas cylinders--Compatibility of 
cylinder and valve materials with gas contents--Part 2: Non-metallic 
materials. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this subchapter).
    (n) Protection of closures. Closures and their protection must 
conform to the requirements in Sec.  173.301(f) of this subchapter.
    (o) Marking of UN refillable pressure receptacles. UN refillable 
pressure receptacles must be marked clearly and legibly. The required 
markings must be permanently affixed by stamping, engraving, or other 
equivalent method, on the shoulder, top end or neck of the pressure 
receptacle or on a permanently affixed component of the pressure 
receptacle, such as a welded collar. Except for the ``UN'' mark, the 
minimum size of the marks must be 5 mm for pressure receptacles with a 
diameter greater than or equal to 140 mm and 2.5 mm for pressure 
receptacles with a diameter less than 140 mm. The minimum size of the 
``UN'' mark must be 5 mm for pressure receptacles with a diameter less 
than 140 mm and 10 mm for pressure receptacles with a diameter of 
greater than or equal to 140 mm. The depth of the markings must not 
create harmful stress concentrations. A refillable pressure receptacle 
conforming to the UN standard must be marked as follows:
    (1) The UN packaging symbol.

[[Page 906]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12JN06.000

    (2) The ISO standard, for example ISO 9809-1, used for design, 
construction and testing. Acetylene cylinders must be marked to indicate 
the porous mass and the steel shell, for example: ``ISO 3807-2/ISO 9809-
1.''
    (3) The mark of the country where the approval is granted. The 
letters ``USA'' must be marked on UN pressure receptacles approved by 
the United States. The manufacturer must obtain an approval number from 
the Associate Administrator. The manufacturer approval number must 
follow the country of approval mark, separated by a slash (for example, 
USA/MXXXX). Pressure receptacles approved by more than one national 
authority may contain the mark of each country of approval, separated by 
a comma.
    (4) The identity mark or stamp of the IIA.
    (5) The date of the initial inspection, the year (four digits) 
followed by the month (two digits) separated by a slash, for example 
``2006/04''.
    (6) The test pressure in bar, preceded by the letters ``PH'' and 
followed by the letters ``BAR''. The test pressure must be obtained from 
the results of a hydraulic volumetric expansion test.
    (7) The empty or tare weight. Except for acetylene cylinders, empty 
weight is the mass of the pressure receptacle in kilograms, including 
all integral parts (e.g., collar, neck ring, foot ring, etc.), followed 
by the letters ``KG''. The empty weight does not include the mass of the 
valve, valve cap or valve guard or any coating. The empty weight must be 
expressed to three significant figures rounded up to the last digit. For 
cylinders of less than 1 kg, the empty weight must be expressed to two 
significant figures rounded down to the last digit. For acetylene 
cylinders, the tare weight must be marked on the cylinders in kilograms 
(KG). The tare weight is the sum of the empty weight, mass of the valve, 
any coating and all permanently attached parts (e.g. fittings and 
accessories) that are not removed during filling. The tare weight must 
be expressed to two significant figures rounded down to the last digit. 
The tare weight does not include the cylinder cap or any outlet cap or 
plug not permanently attached to the cylinder.
    (8) The minimum wall thickness of the pressure receptacle in 
millimeters followed by the letters ``MM''. This mark is not required 
for pressure receptacles with a water capacity less than or equal to 1.0 
L or for composite cylinders.
    (9) For pressure receptacles intended for the transport of 
compressed gases and UN 1001 acetylene, dissolved, the working pressure 
in bar, proceeded by the letters ``PW''.
    (10) For liquefied gases, the water capacity in liters expressed to 
three significant digits rounded down to the last digit, followed by the 
letter ``L''. If the value of the minimum or nominal water capacity is 
an integer, the digits after the decimal point may be omitted.
    (11) Identification of the cylinder thread type (e.g., 25E).
    (12) The country of manufacture. The letters ``USA'' must be marked 
on cylinders manufactured in the United States.
    (13) The serial number assigned by the manufacturer.
    (14) For steel pressure receptacles, the letter ``H'' showing 
compatibility of the steel, as specified in 1SO 11114-1.
    (15) Identification of aluminum alloy, if applicable.
    (16) Stamp for nondestructive testing, if applicable.
    (17) Stamp for underwater use of composite cylinders, if applicable.
    (p) Marking sequence. The marking required by paragraph (o) of this 
section must be placed in three groups as shown in the example below:
    (1) The top grouping contains manufacturing marks and must appear 
consecutively in the sequence given in

[[Page 907]]

paragraphs (o)(11) through (17) of this section.
    (2) The middle grouping contains operational marks described in 
paragraphs (o)(6) through (10) of this section.
    (3) The bottom grouping contains certification marks and must appear 
consecutively in the sequence given in paragraph (o)(1) through (5) of 
this section.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12JN06.001

    (q) Other markings. Other markings are allowed in areas other than 
the side wall, provided they are made in low stress areas and are not of 
a size and depth that will create harmful stress concentrations. Such 
marks must not conflict with required marks.
    (r) Marking of UN non-refillable pressure receptacles. Unless 
otherwise specified in this paragraph, each UN non-refillable pressure 
receptacle must be clearly and legibly marked as prescribed in paragraph 
(o) of this section. In addition, permanent stenciling is authorized. 
Except when stenciled, the marks must be on the shoulder, top end or 
neck of the pressure receptacle or on a permanently affixed component of 
the pressure receptacle, for example a welded collar.
    (1) The marking requirements and sequence listed in paragraphs 
(o)(1) through (17) of this section are required, except the markings in 
paragraphs (o)(7), (8), (11) and (17) are not applicable. The required 
serial number marking in paragraph (o)(13) may be replaced by the batch 
number.
    (2) Each receptacle must be marked with the words ``DO NOT REFILL'' 
in letters of at least 5 mm in height.
    (3) A non-refillable pressure receptacle, because of its size, may 
substitute the marking required by this paragraph with a label. 
Reduction in marking size is authorized only as prescribed in ISO 7225, 
Gas cylinders--Precautionary labels. (IBR, see Sec.  171.7 of this 
subchapter).
    (4) Each non-refillable pressure receptacle must also be legibly 
marked by stenciling the following statement: ``Federal law forbids 
transportation if refilled-penalty up to $500,000 fine and 5 years in 
imprisonment (49 U.S.C. 5124).''
    (5) No person may mark a non-refillable pressure receptacle as 
meeting the

[[Page 908]]

requirements of this section unless it was manufactured in conformance 
with this section.

[71 FR 33887, June 12, 2006, as amended at 71 FR 54397, Sept. 14, 2006]