In accordance with The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, re-qualification of portable cylinders means the completion of a visual inspection and the tests required to be performed on a cylinder to determine its suitability for continued service. Regulatory approval of the test facility, personnel and equipment is required for portable cylinder re-qualification. Successful certification of the facility, personnel and equipment is annotated via a Re-qualifier Identification Number (RIN) issued by DOT.
Re-qualification methods for portable cylinders
The choice of re-qualification method for portable cylinders is based on a variety of factors, including cylinder specification, gas service and purity level, authorized re-qualification cycle, location, turnaround time, and price. In most cases, DOT regulations offer choices. These choices include such methodologies as:
- Visual Examination Method
- Hydrostatic Testing Methods
- Water jacket method
- Direct expansion method
- Proof pressure method
- Acoustic Emission Method
- Ultrasonic Examination Methods
- Automated ultrasonic examination
- Hand-held ultrasonic examination
- Other Test Methods
Visual Examination Method – Some specification cylinders operating in certain gas services may be re-qualified exclusively by a visual examination.
Water jacket hydrostatic testing method – Historically, the most common method for re-qualification of cylinders is a hydrostatic method and, in most cases, this was the water jacket method.
Direct expansion hydrostatic testing method – This method is most often used for welded steel pressure vessels.
Proof pressure hydrostatic testing method – This method is permitted when regulations do not require the determination of total and permanent expansion.
Acoustic Emission Method – Acoustic events must be inspected, measured, and characterized by ultrasonic examination to determine if the cylinder is suitable for continued service.
Automated ultrasonic examination – An automated ultrasonic examination system examines the entire cylindrical surface of a cylinder. Ultrasonic examination is a direct measurement and assessment of cylinder integrity, which is not the case for hydrostatic methods.
Hand-held ultrasonic examination – Hand-held ultrasonic examination is not a re-qualification method by itself. It must be accompanied by either acoustic emission or automated ultrasonic examination.
Other Test Methods – While not used exclusively to re-qualify a cylinder, there are techniques employed by re-qualification facilities to help assess the integrity of a cylinder.
The Jay L Harman Fire Equipment team understands your fire fighting and cylinder re-qualification needs and is ready to help
Jay L Harman’s DOT Hydrostatic Testing and Ultrasonic Examination facility and equipment meet all NFPA requirements for the hydrostatic testing and Ultrasonic Examination of compressed gas cylinders and portable fire extinguisher cylinders.
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