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6. FAQ on Cylinders

FAQ on Cylinders

What cylinders can I use in Canada?

How do I identify a TC approved cylinder?

Where can I get a TC approved cylinder?

Design and Construction

What are the requirements for TC approved cylinders?

How do I register as a TC approved cylinder or tube manufacturer?

How do I renew a Certificate of Registration?

How do I change the company name on a Certificate of Registration?

Selection and Use

Can I modify a TC approved cylinder?

How do I select and use the right TC approved cylinder for my product?

Can I use a cylinder other than a TC approved cylinder to transport Class 2 dangerous goods?

Requalification

What are the requirements for the requalification, reheat treatment, repair or rebuild of TC approved cylinders?

How do I register to requalify, repair, reheat treat and rebuild TC approved cylinders and tubes?

Where can I find a registered requalifier?

How do I identify a requalified cylinder?

Where can I obtain more information?

What cylinders can I use in Canada?

Cylinders for transport of dangerous goods in Canada must be in accordance with the requirements set out in section 5.10 of the TDG Regulations.  This section requires that cylinders manufactured beginning January 1, 1993, must be manufactured in accordance with CAN/CSA-B339.  Cylinders in accordance with CAN/CSA B339 are commonly referred to as “TC approved” cylinders.  Cylinders manufactured before January 1, 1993 must meet the requirements specified in paragraph 5.10(2)(b) or 5.10(2)(c) of the TDG Regulations.

How do I identify a TC approved cylinder?

A TC approved cylinder will have a permanent marking displayed on it that meets the marking requirements set out in clause 4.17 of CAN/CSA-B339.   Markings will be in a format similar to that shown below.  Certain of the markings are not required for all cylinder specifications, as denoted by ‘where applicable'.  Please consult the standard for the marking requirements in their entirety.

1. Transport Canada mark “TC”
2. specification designation
3. service pressure (in bar)
4. manufacturer's registered mark
5. manufacturer's serial number (numbers, letters)
6. test month and year
7. independent inspector's registered mark (between month and year of test date)
8. the letters “ST” followed by service temperature in degrees Celsius, where applicable
9. the word “SPUN” where an end closure in the finished container has been welded by the spinning process, or the word “PLUG” where an end closure in the finished container has been effected by plugging
10. water capacity (in litres) and the unit symbol “L”, where applicable
11. the letter “T” followed by the tare (in kg) and the unit symbol “kg”, where applicable
12. the letter “M” followed by the mass (in kg) and the unit symbol “kg”, where applicable
13. the letters “REE” followed by the rejection elastic expansion, in mm
14. the letters “DT” followed by the length of the dip in mm, followed by the unit symbol “mm”, where applicable
15. the manufacturer's maximum rated capacity in cubic metres, (acetylene cylinders only)

Where can I get a TC approved cylinder?

TC cylinder manufacturers registered under CAN/CSA B339

What are the requirements for TC approved cylinders?

As of January 1, 1993, cylinders for use in Canada must be designed, manufactured and tested in conformance with the requirements set out in the CAN/CSA-B339 standard.  The requirements specified in this standard pertain to design, manufacturing and testing, inspection and marking.

How do I register as a TC approved cylinder manufacturer?

The TDG Regulations require that cylinders and tubes used for the transport of Class 2 dangerous goods be manufactured at facilities registered with Transport Canada in accordance with the CAN/CSA-B339 standard.  Only manufacturers who are registered by Transport Canada as required in Clause 25 of the standard are permitted to manufacture TC cylinders.  To begin the registration process under CAN/CSA-B339 you must submit an application as specified in clause 25 of the standard to the Director.  An application must include:

• the name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
• container drawings, the specification designations, and the design calculations;
• a manual detailing quality control, testing and inspection procedures;
• a description of the manufacturing and testing facilities;
• a description of the manufacturing processes; and
• the name and address of the independent inspector to be employed.

The Director will issue a numbered Certificate of Registration to manufacturers of TC approved cylinders or tubes who meet the requirements of the standard.  The manufacturer's registered mark indicated on the Certificate of Registration is included in the permanent marking of each cylinder.  A Certificate of Registration is valid for a period of five years, prior to which time the must apply for renewal.

How do I renew a Certificate of Registration?

To renew a Certificate of Registration, the certificate holder must submit a written application for renewal in accordance with clause 25 of the CAN/CSA-B339 standard, at least 3 months prior to expiry of the existing registration. The renewal application must indicate any changes to the information included in the initial application.  If there are no changes, a statement to that effect should be made in the renewal application.

How do I change the company name on a Certificate of Registration?

A Certificate of Registration is issued to an individual or to a corporate entity who is the certificate holder.  A certificate of registration may not be conveyed from one certifcate holder to another.  A name change on a Certificate of Registration is only permitted if the certificate holder remains the same individual or corporate entity as before. In such a case the certificate holder may submit a written request to the Director. The request must include the Certificate of Registration number, the new certificate holder name, a justification that the conditions for name change apply, and the date on which the change is proposed to become effective.

Can I modify a TC approved cylinder?

NO.  A TC cylinder must always be “in standard”.  Since a cylinder is a “standardized means of containment” under the TDG Regulations it must always remain in compliance with the requirements of the standard to which it was certified.

How do I select and use the right TC approved cylinder for the dangerous goods?

It is the consignor's responsibility to select the appropriate cylinder for their dangerous goods consignment.  CAN/CSA-B340 is the safety standard applicable to the selection and use of cylinders, spheres, tubes, and other containers for the transportation of dangerous goods, Class 2.  To facilitate selection, the consignor should become familiar with the components of the markings on TC approved cylinders.

Can I use a cylinder other than a TC approved cylinder to transport Class 2 dangerous goods?

Subsection 5.10(2) of the TDG Regulations allows the use of certain cylinders manufactured before January 1, 1993 to transport Class 2 dangerous goods, provided they meet the requirements specified in the Regulations.  In addtion, certain cylinders are approved for use under a Permit for Equivalent Level of Safety.  Permit cylinders have the Permit number marked on them (TC-SU XXXX).  Permit cylinders must be used and periodically requalified in accordance with the terms of the respective Permit.

What are the requirements for periodic requalification, reheat treatment, repair and rebuilding of TC approved cylinders?

Only facilities registered by Transport Canada are allowed to requalify, repair, rebuild or reheat treat TC approved cylinders.  Requalification, repair and rebuilding of TC approved cylinders must be conducted in accordance with the requirements of clause 24 of the CAN/CSA-B339 standard.  For periodic requalification, the standard requires that procedures detailed in certain CGA publications be followed.  A cylinder must not be filled unless it is within its requalification period specified in clause 24 of CAN/CSA-B339.  The requalification frequency varies according to specification and cylinder contents.

How do I register to requalify, repair, reheat treat and rebuild TC approved cylinders and tubes?

To register requalify, repair, reheat treat and rebuild TC approved cylinders and tubes, the facility must submit an application to the Director.  As specified in clause 25.3 of CAN/CSA-B339, the application must include:

• the name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
• a listing of the container specifications and the scope of work;
• the applicable quality control procedures;
• a description of the processes and testing facilities;
• a description of the training, qualifications and experience enabling the applicant to perform inspections and tests in accordance with the standard; and
• the name and address of the independent inspector to be employed, where applicable.

To register to requalify cylinders by external visual inspection in accordance with CAN/CSA-B339, a completed external visual inspection application form must be submitted. An external visual inspection application guide is available to assist applicants.

To register to requalify cylinders by hydrostatic retest and visual inspection in accordance with CAN/CSA-B339,a completed hydrostatic retest and visual inspection application form must be submitted. A hydrostatic retest and visual inspection application guide is available to assist applicants. Applicants must also be familiar with the hydrostatic testing training requirements that apply to individuals requalifying cylinders at registered requalification facilities.

The Director will issue a Certificate of Registration to facilities meeting the requirements to requalify, repair, reheat treat and rebuild TC approved cylinders and tubes set out in clause 24 of CAN/CSA-B339. Upon registration, an identifying mark is issued to each requalifier. This mark must be stamped on the cylinder each time it is requalified.  A Certificate of Registration is valid for a period of five years, prior to which time the manufacturer must apply for renewal. 

Cylinder manufacturers holding a Certificate of Registration are authorized to requalify, repair, reheat treat and rebuild containers of the specification listed on their Certificate of Registration.

Where can I find a registered requalifier?

TC Registered Cylinder Requalifiers

How do I identify a TC approved cylinder that has been requalified?

Clause 24 of CAN/CSA-B339 specifies the marking requirements for cylinders that have been requalified.  The marking arrangement is as follows:

A B C D E

A = month requalification performed (two digits), followed by a space
B = requalifier's registered mark, followed by a space
C = year requalification performed (last two digits only)
D = procedure symbol, followed by a space, where applicable
E = repairer's, rebuilder's, or reheat treater's registered mark, if applicable

Where can I obtain more information?

For more information on design registration, requalifier registration or any other matters pertaining to TC cylinders or tubes, please contact a means of containment specialist by fax at 613-993-5925 or by email at tdgcontainers-tmdcontenants@tc.gc.ca.  Insert the word “Cylinders” in the subject line.

Quick links

CAN/CSA-B339

Information on CAN/CSA-B339 (the national standard on "Cylinders, Spheres, and Tubes for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods".

CAN/CSA-B340

Information on CAN/CSA-B340 (the national standard on "Selection and Use of Cylinders, Spheres, Tubes, and Other Containers for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Class 2").

Cylinder manufacturers

Search the TDG database for cylinder manufacturers registered with Transport Canada to manufacture cylinders in accordance with CAN/CSA-B339.

Cylinder requalifiers

Search the TDG database for cylinder requalifiers registered with Transport Canada in accordance with CAN/CSA-B339.

Independent inspectors for cylinder manufacture

Search the TDG database "Independent inspectors for cylinder manufacture" for inspectors registered with Transport Canada to provide in-plant inspection at cylinder manufacture in accordance with CAN/CSA-B339.

CTC special permits

Paragraph 5.10(2)(b) of the TDG Regulations allows cylinders manufactured until the end of 1992 in accordance with permits (CTC special permits) issued under the Canadian Transport Commission (CTC) “Regulations for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Rail” to continue in use to transport Class 2 dangerous goods in accordance with the terms of the respective CTC Permit.

Date modified:

2009-11-10

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