This standard covers the inspection and requalification of the acetylene cylinder shell and porous mass. It should be of interest to acetylene cylinder manufacturers, acetylene cylinder filling and distribution personnel, authorized acetylene cylinder requalification facilities, welding gas distributors, safety personnel, and users of acetylene. This standard covers both the thorough prefill external visual inspection of acetylene cylinders and the periodic inspections of the cylinder shell and porous mass, which are required for acetylene cylinder requalifica-tion.

This standard applies to acetylene cylinders manufactured:

• under DOT Specifications 8 and 8AL found in Title 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) Parts 178.59 and 178.60;
• under Specifications TC-8WM and TC-8WAM found in Canadian Standards Association (CSA) B339, Cylinder, Spheres, Tubes and Other Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods; and
• required for service by the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations of Transport Canada (TC) and CSA B340, Selection of Cylinders, Spheres, Tubes, and Other Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Class 2.

This standard also applies to acetylene cylinders with nonmonolithic or monolithic porous masses manufactured under exemptions or special permits issued by the DOT or TC.