Cylinder requalification markings – your questions answered

The CPA has received a couple of questions regarding cylinder requalification and markings over the past few months. The questions and answers are shared below.

Is Canada adopting the 12-year allowance used in the U.S. for cylinder requalification?

While the U.S. has recently adopted a 12-year requalification allowance for new cylinders, Canada has yet to adopt this  allowance. Currently, cylinders used in Canada must still be requalified every 10 years:

Transport Canada requires a mandatory visual inspection and re-qualification of all refillable cylinders in propane/liquefied petroleum gas service under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, CSA B339 and CSA B149.2 starting ten (10) years from the date of manufacture and every ten (10) years thereafter.

The U.S. 12-year allowance has been submitted to CSA as a possible change to the code but has yet to be accepted for Canadian use.

Can requalification marks be printed in ink on tanks?

No, Transport Canada has not made any changes to the regulations to allow requalification markings to be printed in ink on the tank. Cylinder markings must follow CSA B339-18 Clause 24.6 which does not allow ink printing as an option. Transport Canada also requires the re-qualification and re-marking of refillable cylinders to only be performed by qualified persons at locations registered with Transport Canada.