§173.309. Fire extinguishers. — Inbound Citations

(1) Except as provided in this paragraph (a), a filled cylinder (pressure receptacle) manufactured to other than a DOT specification or a UN standard in accordance with part 178 of this subchapter, a DOT exemption or special permit cylinder, a TC, CTC, CRC, or BTC cylinder authorized under § 171.12, or a cylinder used as a fire extinguisher in conformance with § 173.309(a) of this subchapter, may not be transported to, from, or within the United States.

(j) Except as provided in §§ 171.12(a) and 171.23(a) of this subchapter, a filled cylinder manufactured to other than a DOT specification or a UN standard in accordance with part 178 of this subchapter, or a DOT exemption or special permit cylinder or a cylinder used as a fire extinguisher in conformance with § 173.309(a), may not be transported to, from, or within the United States.

(j) Only a DOT-specification cylinder used as a fire extinguisher in conformance with § 173.309(a) of this subchapter may be requalified in conformance with this paragraph (j). The testing procedures, calibration of the testing equipment, accuracy of the pressure indicating device, accuracy of the testing equipment must be as prescribed in CGA C-1.

(1) A DOT 4B, 4BA, 4B240ET or 4BW cylinder used as a fire extinguisher may be tested as follows:

(i) For a cylinder with a water capacity of 5.44 kg (12 pounds) or less, by the water-jacket, direct expansion or proof pressure test methods as prescribed in CGA C-1. A requalification must be performed by the end of 12 years after the original test date and at 12-year intervals thereafter.

(A) Each cylinder must be tested to a minimum of two (2) times service pressure.

(B) When testing using the water-jacket or direct expansion test method, the permanent volumetric expansion may not exceed 10 percent of total volumetric expansion at test pressure.

(C) When testing using the proof pressure test method, the cylinder must be carefully examined under test pressure and removed from service if a leak or defect is found.

(ii) For a cylinder having a water capacity over 5.44 kg (12 pounds), by the water-jacket, direct expansion or proof pressure test methods as prescribed in CGA C-1. For the water-jacket or direct expansion test, the requalification must be performed by the end of 12 years after the original test date and at 12-year intervals theafter. For the proof-pressure test, a requalification must be performed by the end of 12 years after the original test date and at seven (7) year intervals.

(A) Each cylinder must be tested to a minimum of two (2) times service pressure.

(B) When testing using the water-jacket or direct expansion test method, the permanent volumetric expansion may not exceed 10 percent of total volumetric expansion at test pressure.

(C) When testing using the proof pressure test method, the cylinder must be carefully examined under test pressure and removed from service if a leak or defect is found.

(2) A DOT 3A, 3AA, or 3AL cylinder must be requalified by:

(i) A requalification must be performed 12 years after the original test date and at 12-year intervals thereafter.

(ii) Each cylinder must be tested to a minimum of 5/3 times service pressure.

(iii) When testing using the water-jacket or direct expansion test method, the permanent volumetric expansion may not exceed 10 percent of total volumetric expansion at test pressure.

(1) For designation of the 5-year volumetric expansion test, 10-year volumetric expansion test for UN cylinders and cylinders conforming to § 180.209(f) and (h), or 12-year volumetric expansion test for fire extinguishers conforming to § 173.309(a) of this subchapter and cylinders conforming to § 180.209(e) and (g), the marking is as illustrated in paragraph (d) of this section.

(b) Packagings for limited quantity materials are specified according to hazard class in §§ 173.150 through 173.155, 173.306, and 173.309(b). In addition to exceptions provided for limited quantity materials elsewhere in this part, the following are provided:

(1) Strong outer packagings as specified in this part, marking requirements specified in subpart D of part 172 of this subchapter, and the 30 kg (66 pounds) gross weight limitation when—

(i) Unitized in cages, carts, boxes or similar overpacks;

(A) Rail;

(B) Private or contract motor carrier; or

(C) Common carrier in a vehicle under exclusive use for such service; and

(iii) Transported to or from a manufacturer, a distribution center, or a retail outlet, or transported to a disposal facility from one offeror.

(2) The 30 kg (66 pounds) gross weight limitation does not apply to packages of limited quantity materials marked in accordance with § 172.315 of this subchapter when offered for transportation or transported by highway or rail between a manufacturer, a distribution center, and a retail outlet provided—

(i) Inner packagings conform to the quantity limits for inner packagings specified in §§ 173.150(b), 173.152(b), 173.154(b), 173.155(b), 173.306(a) and (b), and 173.309(b), as appropriate;

(ii) The inner packagings are packed into corrugated fiberboard trays to prevent them from moving freely;

(iii) The trays are placed in a fiberboard box which is banded and secured to a metal, plastic, composite, or wooden pallet by metal, fabric, or plastic straps, to form a single palletized unit. Hazardous materials should be compatible with the pallet material;

(iv) The package conforms to the general packaging requirements of subpart B of this part; and

(v) The maximum net quantity of hazardous material permitted on one palletized unit is 250 kg (550 pounds).

(6) A limited quantity package prepared in accordance with § 173.63(b), § 173.150, § 173.151(b) and (c), § 173.152, § 173.153, § 173.154, § 173.155, § 173.161, § 173.165, § 173.167, § 173.306(i), or § 173.309(d) of this subchapter. Division 4.3 substances must be prepared in accordance with paragraph (a)(3) of this section. Class 7 (radioactive) substances, instruments and articles are not authorized under the provisions of this section.