New DOT Cylinder Requalification Rule Effective Jan. 23, 2017

(January 13, 2017) — The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) and National Propane Gas Association reported that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has finalized a new rule affecting timeframes pertaining to the requalification of DOT cylinders; this NEW RULE TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 23, 2017.

The rule impacts the following areas of cylinder requalification:

• Reduces the initial requalification period for DOT cylinders from 12 years to 10 years from the date of manufacture.
• Reduces the requalification period for cylinders that are requalified using volumetric expansion testing from 12 years to 10 years.
• Increases the requalification period for cylinders that are requalified using a proof pressure test from 7 years to 10 years.
• Does not affect the 5-year visual inspection method for cylinder requalification.

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is seeking relief for the propane industry on this issue, including a request to stay the effective date. Click here for more information from the NPGA on the new rule. The new rule will impact anyone who requalifies, fills, transports, or prepares shipments of DOT cylinders (such as a cylinder delivery driver). This includes the many thousands of dispenser operators across the country.

The new rule also impacts many PERC Safety & Training materials including several CETP courses, Dispensing Propane Safely, and its new HVAC/Plumber course. As such, the PERC encourages all stakeholders to advise employees who conduct cylinder operations, as well as dispenser operators, of these changes.

For those that have requalification signage in their facilities, you should consider making appropriate changes to those signs to comply with the new rule.

PERC is currently working on various other communications strategies on this issue and is coordinating very closely with the NPGA.

For any questions on the new rule, please contact the following PERC or NPGA associate below:
Regulatory: Mike Calderera at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Sarah Reboli at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cylinder Testing: Eric Kuster at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Training and PERC materials: Stuart Flatow at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.