What does 49 CFR 178.33-8 (Tests) require?

Short answer

49 CFR 178.33-8 requires one container out of each lot of 25,000 or less to be pressure tested to destruction, with a minimum burst pressure of 240 psig gauge pressure. If the test container fails, the lot may be rejected or ten additional containers may be tested.

The rule says

"One out of each lot of 25,000 containers or less, successively produced per day shall be pressure tested to destruction and must not burst below 240 psig gauge pressure." (49 CFR 178.33-8(a))

"Each such 25,000 containers or less, successively produced per day, shall constitute a lot and if the test container shall fail, the lot shall be rejected or ten additional containers may be selected at random and subjected to the test under which failure occurred." (49 CFR 178.33-8(b))

In plain English

This rule is about ensuring the safety and integrity of containers used for transporting hazardous materials. If a container fails the test, the entire lot may be rejected to prevent potential accidents. The rule also allows for additional testing of ten more containers from the same lot if the initial test container fails.

What to do

• Ensure that one container from each lot of 25,000 or less is pressure tested to destruction.
• Verify that the test container meets the minimum burst pressure requirement of 240 psig gauge pressure.
• If the test container fails, either reject the entire lot or select ten additional containers for testing.
• Keep records of the testing and results to demonstrate compliance with the regulation.