Technical Support Document
Non-Reversible Heat Indicating Devices
May 15, 2002
Aluminum cylinders should not be exposed to elevated temperatures, 350oF (176oC) or greater, or the action of fire for any period of time. In section (f) (4) of 49 CFR part 173.34, DOT-3AL and DOT-4E, aluminum cylinders subjected to fire must be removed from service. In CGA pamphlet C-6.1; Standards For Visual Inspection of High Pressure Aluminum Gas Cylinders, it states that cylinders heated to metal temperatures in excess of 350oF (176oC) must be condemned.
The CGA recognizes the effects of high temperature on aluminum cylinders and issued a safety bulletin SB-22; Aluminum Cylinders - Guidelines for a Heat Exposure Indicating System. In this safety bulletin the use of heat indicating devices on aluminum cylinders is only a recommended practice and is not a requirement by the CGA or any DOT specification. However, in some applications, Catalina Cylinders believes the use of such devices makes sense. CGA's safety bulletin SB-22 identifies many applicable parameters of a heat indicating system but does not identify sources of these systems.
Following are a few sources of different types of heat (temperature) indicating systems.
American Thermal Instruments, Inc.
Phone: 800 648-6339
Fax: 937 252-6509
Web: www.americanthermal.com
Omega Engineering Incorporated
The Temperature Handbook
Temperature indicating labels, Crayons, cements, and paints
Phone: 203 359-1660
Fax: 800 848-4271
E-mail: temp@omega.com
Web: www.omega.com
McMaster Carr
Temperature indicating labels, Crayons, and pellets
Phone: 562 692-5911
Fax: 562 695-2323
E-mail: la.sales@mcmaster.com
Web: www.mcmaster.com
Telatemp Corp.
Temperature indicating devices
Phone: 714 879-2901
Fax: 714 870-8136
E-mail: techsales@telatemp.com
Web: www.telatemp.com
Catalina Cylinders recommends that when choosing a heat indicating device, make sure you select a non-reversible temperature indicating device and that the device is compatible with the environment in which the cylinder will be used.
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